48 Hours in St. Johnsbury |
Weekend Itinerary
Home to 7,300 residents, St. Johnsbury is the largest town in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Here in the autumn you'll discover quaint, off-the-beaten-path gems, while also enjoying the regional hub of shopping, dining, and creativity. St. Johnsbury is the perfect home base from which to explore the natural beauty of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom during fall foliage season, but St. J (as the locals call it) has more than a weekend's worth of activities to delight you right here in town.
In addition to the itinerary below, make sure to check out our Calendar for events, performances, and fun activities taking place during your stay.
In addition to the itinerary below, make sure to check out our Calendar for events, performances, and fun activities taking place during your stay.
Friday
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1pm: Welcome!Start your visit at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center, located at 51 Depot Square. This historic passenger depot for the railway was constructed in the 1890's. The beautifully-restored building now houses exhibits dedicated to the building's history as a transportation hub, as well as municipal offices.
It is also home to the Discover St. Johnsbury information booth, staffed with friendly and knowledgeable community members who can help answer questions about your visit, and point you towards maps and brochures to guide you throughout town. |
2pm: A Sense of PlaceThere’s only one St. Johnsbury (that’s true – there are no other locales with the same name in the world), and at the St. Johnsbury History & Heritage Center, you'll learn about the rich history that has made St. Johnsbury such a one-of-a-kind town. This includes information about the ingenuity and legacy of the Fairbanks family, who made their fortunes as inventors of the platform scale, and founded many of the cultural institutions you'll be visiting during the rest of your stay.
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4pm: Historic LandmarkThe St. Johnsbury Athenaeum serves as the public library for the town. A National Historic Landmark, the building has gorgeous woodwork throughout, with spiral staircases in the main reading room and a painted ceiling in the lecture hall on the second floor. Settle into a comfy chair or step into the attached art gallery filled with Hudson River School paintings and dominated by the epic Domes of the Yosemite by Albert Bierstadt. The gallery has undergone little change since its opening almost 150 years ago.
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5pm: Distillery Tour & Craft CocktailsThe St. Johnsbury Distillery creates craft spirits in downtown St. Johnsbury. Stop by the speakeasy-style Tasting Room & Restaurant to have a cocktail, or book a guided tour to watch the process of making their award-winning spirits... including samples.
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7pm: Dinner Next DoorNext door to the distillery, enjoy dinner at Salt Bistro, a chef-owned restaurant with a menu of Mediterranean favorites. Most nights, Salt Bistro has live music during dinner, and the outside patio seating is delightful on a crisp fall evening.
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Saturday
8am: Bright & Early Breakfast at CafeSt. Johnsbury was named “best small town for outdoor adventure” by National Geographic Adventure, and you’ll want to fuel up for the morning’s activities. Kick off the perfect weekend at one of our local cafes. The Buttery and Boule Bakery both serve a variety of great espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and more.
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9am: Start Your Adventure HereThere are outdoor adventures for all types of recreation preferences in St. J. Highlights include the multi-use mountain biking and hiking trails in the Town Forest, the beautiful view from Observatory Knob hiking trail, and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (although please note that this trail is still under construction following last year's historic floods), plus tennis courts, and more.
To make the most of your outing, find a free bike lending library, locally-based bike guides, and more via our RECREATION page. |
Noon: Farm Fresh FoodEvery Saturday morning from May through October, the St. Johnsbury Farmer’s Market sets up outdoors in the heart of the downtown from 9am - 1pm.
It’s a local party each week, with live music, organic produce from area farms, pumpkins, coffee, cheese, crafts, baked goods, and prepared foods from local favorites like The Genuine Jamaican and Emma's Japanese Kitchen. |
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1pm: Scenic EscapeTwo local restaurants boast scenic locations, great for outdoor dining to enjoy the fall surroundings:
Several rivers run through St. Johnsbury, and one of the best places in town to relax beside the water is the patio at 98 Mill restaurant. Just down the hill from Dog Mountain, Papa Tirozzi's Bakery & Pizza features a sweet lawn and covered patio, and some of the best pizza around. |
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2pm: Gone to the Dogs
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There's only one St. Johnsbury, and there's no place in the world like Dog Mountain, a bucolic 150 acre dog park and international cultural destination. Leashes are optional, and the site includes hiking trails, gorgeous views of the changing foliage on the surrounding hills, and dog-friendly ponds.
Visit the one-and-only Dog Chapel, where the walls are covered with notes visitors have written to dearly departed pets. Developed by late artist Stephen Huneck, it is also the site of the Huneck Gallery, where you can find gifts and artwork all dedicated to man’s best friend. |
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3pm: A Sweet HistoryOn your return from Dog Mountain, visit the Maple Grove Farms of Vermont to learn about the plant's history, which established St. Johnsbury the "Maple Center of the World" during the time of maple industry mogul George C. Cary. Today, the factory remains among the largest packagers of maple products in the world. At the on-site museum and gift shop, you can taste all grades of pure maple syrup, enjoy a maple creemee (Vermont's signature soft-serve ice cream), pick up a souvenir, and watch videos about the history of the plant and the sugaring process.
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4pm: Explore our Creative LandscapeSt. Johnsbury is home to a wealth of creativity. Fine art galleries at Catamount Film & Arts and the Backroom Gallery at the Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild host rotating shows featuring both local and internationally-recognized artists.
Or, use the JayLyn Public Art Tour as your guide. This online map will help you find dozens of contemporary and historical public artworks in St. Johnsbury and Lyndon, our neighboring town just a 10 minute drive to the north. Our Arts & Culture directory to find listings showcasing the artistic, cultural, and historical fabric of our community. |
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6pm: Belly Up to the BarRight next door to each other on Railroad Street are two full service bars perfect for dinner, both with plenty of non-alcoholic options for those who don't wish to imbibe.
Take a seat indoors or out at Whirligig Brewing & Bistro and try beers made on-site in small batches. The menu features a full array of decadent bistro classics like burgers, sandwiches, and nachos, all with a twist. Downstairs is Sam's Listening Bar, which features a rotating menu of specialized cocktails & mocktails, and a small but curated selection of bar snacks. The tunes and the vibe are impeccable at this 21+ establishment. Sam's hosts special events and live music events several times a week, so make sure to check out their Instagram page for the most recent schedule. |
Sunday
9am: Enjoy a Big BreakfastThere’s nothing like a big diner breakfast to round out the perfect weekend. The Kitchen Counter Cafe and Anthony's Diner have all of the diner classics you know and love, plentiful coffee, and comfortable, friendly service. |
10am: Shop DowntownReady to scratch that shopping itch? Stroll along Railroad Street and up Eastern Avenue to find souvenirs of your visit. Moose River Lake & Lodge is an emporium of delights. If you’re looking for a good read, visit Boxcar & Caboose, an independent bookstore with a candy counter and children’s section with a play space. Other inspired goods await at artistic gift shop Art & Joy, locally-designed apparel shop Magic Wolf, and a wide selection of antique & second-hand stores, and dozens more to be found in our Shop directory.
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Noon: Grab & GoPop in to Eastern & Main Deli for some casual, portable fare. Their signature sandwiches are named after local favorites such as the “Athenaeum,” the “Fairbanks,” and the “Catamount Club." |
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1pm: Stroll Down Main StreetSt. Johnsbury is renowned for its nineteenth century architecture, developed when the Fairbanks family was the town’s major employer and benefactor. Walk off your sandwich by taking the self-guided Main Street Walking Tour of magnificent homes and structures that line the stately avenue. Don’t miss the Tiffany window in the Grace United Methodist Church. We recommend picking up a hard-copy guide at the Welcome Center but you can also use the linked PDF below.
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3pm: Cabinet of CuriositiesEnd your walking tour, and your visit, at one of the architectural and cultural gems of St. Johnsbury: the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. The building, on the National Historic Register, was built in 1889. When you step inside, you’ll be amazed by its incredible arched ceiling and collections of unique dioramas. Rotating natural science exhibits, bug art, and STEM exploration stations. The Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium is the only public planetarium in Vermont, and it presents different astronomy shows every hour.
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