Vermont’s Best Kept Secret: The Mad River Valley
If you’ve been dreaming of the quintessential Vermont getaway (think covered bridges, farm-to-table dinners, swimming holes, farmers markets, and a cozy inn that feels straight out of a Hallmark movie) the Mad River Valley is exactly where you need to be!
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Tucked along Vermont’s scenic Route 100 in the heart of the Green Mountains, the Mad River Valley is one of those special areas in Vermont that slows you down in the best possible way. The villages of Warren and Waitsfield are as Vermont as it gets, with a pace of life that makes the rest of the world feel very far away. And The Pitcher Inn, our home base for the weekend, exceeded every expectation.
We spent a summer weekend in the Mad River Valley, and it was one of those trips that reminded us why we live in Vermont. Here’s exactly how we’d do it all again.
Where to Stay: The Pitcher Inn, Warren VT
Before we get into the itinerary, let’s talk about The Pitcher Inn, which deserves a moment of its own. A 12-room boutique luxury inn in the charming village of Warren, The Pitcher Inn sets a very high bar for what a Vermont stay can be. It’s one of those places that somehow manages to be both off the beaten path and perfectly central to so many Vermont adventures. And it may just be our favorite inn in all of Vermont!
Disclosure: Our lovely stay at The Pitcher Inn was hosted. As always, all opinions are our own.
Each of the rooms has a different creative theme so no two stays are ever quite the same. We stayed in the Mallard Room, complete with the most charming duck-themed details you’ve ever seen.
Note: The nine rooms in the main building of The Pitcher Inn are reserved for adult humans only, but there are two family and pet-friendly suites located in the Red Barn adjacent to the inn as well as the Edgewater House, a 3-bedroom house perfect for larger groups.
The Inn features a rotating collection of beautiful artwork from local artists throughout the property, and they even host artist talks and dinners where guests can meet and chat with the artists themselves.
The Pitcher Inn‘s commitment to supporting Vermont artists and farmers is woven into every detail of the experience with fresh flowers everywhere, locally-made soaps in the bathroom, and local ingredients at every meal.
And the hospitality here is unmatched. The inn is small and intimate, and the lovely staff members greeted us by name throughout our stay, which made the whole weekend feel incredibly warm and personal.
The Itinerary at a Glance:
Friday Afternoon: Settle In & Explore the Village of Warren
Arrive to The Pitcher Inn in the afternoon to give yourself time to properly settle in and take a stroll through the peaceful Village of Warren.
The Historic Warren Covered Bridge
Nothing says Vermont quite like a covered bridge, and the Mad River Valley has some of the best! Right off Main Street in Warren within walking distance from The Pitcher Inn is the Historic Warren Covered Bridge. It crosses the Mad River, is easy to access, and makes for a great photo stop.
Art in the Village
If you arrive before 4pm, be sure to check out Art in the Village, an art and photography gallery curated by artist Rita Ioannidis. Don’t miss the upstairs, where a curated selection of Rita’s own vibrant past outfits are on display — wearable works of art that are available to purchase and absolutely worth a look!
Friday Evening: A Delicious Dinner
Dinner at 275 Main
We can’t think of a better way to kick off your weekend than with a memorable dinner at the Inn’s intimate restaurant 275 Main. The menu includes farm-to-table dishes that showcase the very best of Vermont’s local producers and change with the seasons. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared and the whole meal feels like a celebration of Vermont.
We dined al fresco on the porch overlooking the garden with its twinkling lights on a warm evening, which was quite magical.
Before heading to bed, wander the gardens, admire the artwork on the walls, and appreciate all the thoughtful local details that make The Pitcher Inn special.
Saturday Morning: Slow Start
Breakfast at the Inn
Upon awakening, head downstairs to the elegant, sun-filled dining room, where a full complimentary breakfast awaits. The freshly baked croissants alone are worth the trip (we definitely have since taken a day trip here just to get some). Take your time, maybe enjoy a second cup of coffee in the garden, and ease into the day.
Couples Massage at the Spa
After breakfast, head to The Pitcher Inn‘s on-site spa for a relaxing massage (book this in advance!). We opted for a couple’s massage, and it was the perfect way to start a Saturday.
Jordan wore his Vermont Flannel Company flannel which matched the Vermont Flannel Company blanket on the massage table – a hilarious coincidence, and yet another example of The Pitcher Inn supporting local!
Saturday Early Afternoon: Waitsfield
What’s a Vermont weekend without a little adventure? The Mad River Valley has so much to do! Head 20 minutes north to the neighboring town of Waitsfield.
Waitsfield Farmers Market
Waitsfield is home to one of the most vibrant and recognized farmers markets in all of Vermont. The Waitsfield Farmers Market runs every Saturday 9am-1pm, from mid-May to mid-October, rain or shine. Grab some local food for lunch, shop for gifts and art, and enjoy live music. It’s dog-friendly too!
Covered Bridges of Waitsfield
Did you know that Vermont boasts more covered bridges per square mile than any other state in the country? While in Waitsfield, you can spot two of them! The Historic Waitsfield Covered Bridge AKA “Great Eddy” or “Big Eddy” is one of the oldest covered bridges in Vermont, originally built in 1833. The Pine Brook Covered Bridge, built in 1870, is another remote beauty down the road.
Canteen Creemee Company — The Creemee Flight
If you haven’t had a Vermont Creemee yet… where have you been?! A Creemee is Vermont’s rich, ultra-smooth style of soft-serve ice cream that is a beloved summer tradition in the state. While it resembles traditional soft serve, a true creemee features a higher butterfat content and pure local maple syrup, and is a point of local pride.
Canteen Creemee Company takes things up a notch with a Creemee flight (yes, a flight!) featuring both classic flavors like maple, black raspberry, and chocolate, and some really creative rotating ones like corn, chili lime, cinnamon, and ginger!
The Giant Butter – You’ll know it when you see it!
If you’ve spent any time road tripping in Vermont, you’ll know that it is full of quirky roadside surprises. On your way back to Warren, keep your eyes open along Route 100 for a shipping container painted like a stick of butter! Located at Cloud Water Farm, this is exactly the kind of thing that makes road tripping in Vermont one-of-a-kind!
Saturday Late Afternoon: Swimming Holes and Waterfalls
Warren Falls
We hope you packed your swim suits, because you do not want to miss Warren Falls, one of the most popular swimming holes in Vermont. Warren Falls is comprised of a series of natural granite slides and pools along the Mad River that are so refreshing on a hot summer day. It gets busy in summer, especially on weekends, so plan to arrive earlier if you want a quieter experience.
Always use caution at swimming holes: check conditions before entering, avoid swimming under falls, and never swim after heavy rain when currents can be significantly stronger than they appear.
Moss Glen Falls
When you’re finished at Warren Falls, head just a bit south to Moss Glen Falls, an easy and beautiful roadside waterfall stop right off Route 100. Park in the parking lot and walk south on the path on the inside of the guardrail to safely reach the falls.
Note: This is the Moss Glen Falls in Granville, not the one in Stowe. Vermont has two. Don't ask us who named them.
For more waterfalls in this region, check out our full Vermont Route 100 Waterfalls Roadtrip blog post!
Saturday Evening: Back at the Inn
Dinner and Drinks
Back at the The Pitcher Inn, freshen up and then head downstairs to Tracks Tavern for dinner and drinks. The cozy, rustic atmosphere is such a vibe. Don’t miss the animal tracks embedded in the floor!
The menu includes a selection of creative and delicious pub fare, a rotating list of handcrafted seasonal cocktails and mocktails made with fresh ingredients, local craft beers on draught, and an award-winning wine cellar featuring nearly 500 selections! (Rumor has it the wine cellar can also be reserved as an intimate venue for special occasions, which we are absolutely filing away for future reference.)
Take another stroll through the twinkle-lit gardens and head to bed.
Sunday Morning: A Bittersweet Farewell
One More Breakfast
Wake up feeling refreshed and head downstairs for one last delicious breakfast at the Inn. Checkout from The Pitcher Inn is bittersweet.
One Last Stop: The Warren Store
You didn’t think we’d forget about the Warren Store did you? Right across from The Pitcher Inn is this Vermont treasure that’s been a community staple for generations. They offer a selection of beautiful fresh pastries (this is also where the heavenly croissants from breakfast are made!), coffee, sandwiches, and local craft brews.
Be sure to wander upstairs to the boutique full of quirky local finds that you probably don’t need but absolutely want. Souvenirs for you or a friend? Local pottery? A book of bird puns? They’ve got it all.
As a last hurrah, pick up a hearty sandwich — you cannot go wrong with “The Vermonter”: grilled Cabot sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, bacon, fresh apples and maple syrup, on organic artisan bread. Enjoy it on the deck overlooking the peaceful Freeman Brook that empties into the mad River, or take it to go for your drive ahead.
Tips for the Perfect Mad River Valley Weekend
Book The Pitcher Inn early. With only 12 rooms, it fills up fast, especially on weekends.
Download offline maps. Cell service is spotty so we recommend downloading the Mad River Valley area on Google maps before you arrive.
Drive more of Route 100. The Mad River Valley sits along Vermont’s iconic Route 100, one of the most scenic drives in New England. Stretching over 200 miles, this picturesque road runs through the heart of Vermont. There’s no shortage of quaint small towns, farmstands and orchards, breweries, scenic waterfalls, stunning hikes, and historic covered bridges along the way.
Get your own personal tour guide. If you’re looking for a great GPS-based driving guide for the Vermont Scenic Route 100 Byway, we highly recommend using Guide Along! We have used so many of their tours across the U.S. and we love the local history they provide and the gems they introduce us to!
When to Visit
Vermont has many overlapping seasons, so when you choose visit depends on what you’re looking for!
Summer (late June through early September) – ideal for Warren Falls swimming, the farmers markets, and long evenings in the garden at 275 Main.
Fall (late September to mid-October) – one of the most spectacular times to visit Vermont. The drive along Route 100 provides incredible views of the reds, yellows, and oranges of Vermont’s iconic fall foliage!
Stick Season (the time after the leaves fall and before the first snow, usually late October to early December) – made famous by our resident hero Noah Kahan, this time of year is certainly not the prettiest in Vermont, but the crowds are low and there’s a peacefulness to the stillness.
Winter (usually late December to early March) – Winter in Vermont can be quite magical, especially if you’re lucky enough to experience a fresh snowfall! The mountains Sugarbush and Mad River Glen are both nearby, making The Pitcher Inn a perfect base camp for a ski trip. Come back to Tracks Tavern for apres, and curl up by one of the many fireplaces and wood stoves located throughout the common areas at The Pitcher Inn.
Mud Season (from snow melt to dry ground – usually late March to early May) / Spring (mid-May to early-June) — some roads and trails can be messy, but the waterfalls are overflowing, the crocuses are out and the flowers start blooming! Take advantage of fewer crowds at this time of year too.
So what are you waiting for?
Vermont’s Mad River Valley is exactly what you picture when you close your eyes and imagine the perfect Vermont weekend. If you’ve been dreaming of covered bridges, farm-to-table dinners, swimming holes, and cozy inns, stop dreaming and start planning!
We keep coming back to this area, and we hope this convinces you to make your first trip. The Mad River Valley is waiting for you!
