48 Hours in St. Johnsbury

Weekend Itinerary

Home to 7,300 residents, St. Johnsbury is the largest town in the rural Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Here you'll discover quaint, off-the-beaten-path gems, while also enjoying the regional hub of shopping, dining, innovation, and creativity. St. Johnsbury is the perfect home base when you’re exploring Vermont's Northeast Kingdom for mountain biking at Kingdom Trails or Burke Mountain, both less than 30 minutes outside of town. But, St. J (as the locals call it) is full of its own charms.

Check out the itinerary below for a weekend's worth of ideas to delight you right here in town, and make sure to check out our Calendar for events, performances, and fun activities taking place during your stay.

Friday​​

2pm: A Sense of Place

There’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 start off your visit by learning 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.

3pm: Gone to the Dogs

Speaking of one-of-a-kind, 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, and dog-friendly ponds. Visit the 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.

5pm: Scenic Escape to Italy 

Two Italian-themed restaurants boast scenic locations, great for outdoor dining with your pup. Just down the hill from Dog Mountain, Papa Tirozzi's Bakery & Pizza features a sweet dog-friendly lawn and covered patio. Several rivers run through St. Johnsbury, and one of the best places in town to relax beside the water is the patio at Italian-themed restaurant 98 Mill.

7pm: Movie Night

St. Johnsbury is a small town that boasts two downtown movie theaters. Take your pick of a first-run blockbuster or family-friendly flick at the Star Theater, or go for an indie or foreign film screening at Catamount Arts. Between the two theaters there are five screens, so you’ll have plenty for your viewing pleasure... and both locations will top your popcorn with Vermont's-own Cabot Creamery butter. What's not to love? 

Don't forget to check the Calendar page to see if there are special performances or events during your stay.

Saturday​​

8am: Start Bright and Early at Cafe

St. 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, pastries, and other breakfast items.

9am: OPTION 1: Trail Time

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail starts in St. Johnsbury and extends 93 miles across the state to Vermont's western border. Unfortunately, major flooding in 2024 catastrophically damaged a section of trail in St. Johnsbury, and the LVRT is only open for one mile from the trailhead.

But, there's more than just the LVRT in St. J for those interested in pedal power. Our Recreation  listings offer in-town gravel and mountain bike routes, locally-based bike guides if you'd like someone to show you around, and bike and e-bike rental & repair services.

Recreation

9am: OPTION 2: Tour our Creative Landscape

St. 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 fine and contemporary artists. Use our Arts & Culture directory to find listings for galleries and museums showcasing the artistic, cultural, and historical fabric of our community.

Or, use the JayLyn Public Art Tour as your guide. This online map will help you find exceptional contemporary and historical public art in St. Johnsbury and Lyndon, our neighboring town just a 10 minute drive to the north.

Art & Culture

Noon: St. Johnsbury Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning from May through October, the St. Johnsbury Farmer’s Market sets up downtown from 9am - 1pm. It’s a local party each week, with live music, organic produce from area farms, crafts, and prepared foods. For a snack or lunch to go, try Genuine Jamaican for an authentic jerk kick, Maria's Kusina for Filipino cuisine, or Mami's Latin Kitchen for Cuban and Puerto Rican-fare.

1pm: Fill in the Corners

If you haven't had your fill at the Farmer's Market, stop by the eateries on Railroad Street to round out your meal. Whirligig Brewing & Bistro features beers made on-site and a full menu of decadent sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls. The Campfire is a casual spot, with creative bites, and featuring tabletop s'mores! 

3pm: Historic Landmark

Next up: visit the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, which serves as the public library for the town of St. Johnsbury. 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 to read, or step into the attached art gallery filled with Hudson River School paintings and dominated by the recently restored Domes of the Yosemite by Albert Bierstadt. The gallery has undergone little change since it opened almost 150 years ago.

4pm: Craft Cocktails

The St. Johnsbury Distillery creates craft spirits in downtown St. Johnsbury. Stop by the speakeasy-style Tasting Room to have a cocktail and watch the process of making rum from the windows that overlook the distillery. Make sure you check out the restrooms with hundreds of pennies embedded in the floors! The on-site Prohibition Kitchen serves dinner, or...

6:30pm: Spice Up Your Meal

Next 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.

8pm: Cosmic Bowling

Gold Crown Lanes is a step back in time to a classic (and affordable) family entertainment center, featuring 10-pin bowling, a small arcade, and the Lamplighter Lounge. On the weekends, "cosmic" bowling amps up the glow-in-the-dark atmosphere, and the party continues until midnight.

Sunday

9am: Enjoy a Big Breakfast

There’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: Cabinet of Curiosities

When you step inside the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, you’ll be amazed by its incredible arched ceiling and collections of unique dioramas. Rotating natural science exhibits, bug art, STEM exploration stations, and a butterfly house make the museum a delight for kids of all ages. The Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium is the only public planetarium in Vermont, and it presents different astronomy shows every hour.

Noon: Signature Sandwiches

On the same street as the museum, pop in to Eastern & Main Deli for lunch to go. Their sandwiches are named after St. Johnsbury landmarks such as the “Athenaeum,” the “Fairbanks,” and the “Catamount Club”.

1pm: Historic Main Street

St. Johnsbury is renowned for its nineteenth century architecture, developed when the Fairbanks family was the town’s major employer and benefactor. Take 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 brochure of the tour at the Welcome Center, but you can also use the linked PDF below.

Walking Tour PDF

2pm: Shop Downtown!

Ready 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 a large children’s section with games, puzzles, and a play space. Under the purple awning, the Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild features crafts and art made by local artisans. Other inspired goods await at the highly curated second-hand store Haven, artistic gift shop Art & Joy, locally-designed apparel shop Magic Wolf, and dozens more to be found in our Shop directory.

Shop

5pm: Close Out Your Stay with Free Live Music

If you're in St. Johnsbury in July and August, you'll be treated to an exceptional and one-of-a-kind performance series. The Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series, presented by Catamount Film & Arts, hosts free live music at Dog Mountain every Sunday evening starting at 5pm. Dog friendly, kid friendly, and wallet friendly too, you won't want to miss this one. For dinner, there are food vendors and a beer garden on site.

Discover St. Johnsbury
​​51 Depot Square, Suite 100
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-8575