The Great Northern Route

Winooski

Following US‑2 through wide-open spaces is guaranteed to bring new meaning to the expression “getting away from it all.”

If you have a little time or an abiding interest in America’s industrial heritage, get off I-89 at exit 15, or follow Riverside Avenue (old US-2) north from Burlington to the center of Winooski, an old woolen mill town that provides a blue-collar balance to Burlington’s somewhat upscale airs. Downtown, the restored Champlain Mill (20 Winooski Falls Way). This former woolen mill now houses cafés and specialty shops. The town green is marred by a bank and large parking lot, but the surrounding buildings hold some interesting spots, including Sneakers Bistro (28 Main St., 802/655-9081), which serves great breakfasts and lunches every day. Two doors down, the Mule Bar (38 Main St., 802/399-2020) serves more eclectic food and a great range of microbrew beers and ciders.

Another reason to visit Winooski is to tour the restored farm of Vermont patriot Ethan Allen, preserved as the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum (802/865-4556, daily 10am-4pm May-Oct., $10) 4 mi (6.4 km) northeast of Winooski along Route 127.

Related Travel Map

Map of the Great Northern through Vermont.
Map of the Great Northern through Vermont.

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