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 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 visiting the Northeast Kingdom for skiing at Burke Mountain or fat tire biking at Kingdom Trails, both less than 20 minutes outside of town. 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 Discover St. Johnsbury's 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 PlaceLearn about St. Johnsbury's history through the Main Street Walking Tour, featuring magnificent nineteenth century architecture, developed when the Fairbanks family was the town’s major employer and benefactor. Don’t miss the Tiffany window in the Grace United Methodist Church. We recommend picking up a hard-copy brochure of the guide when you're at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center, but you can also use the linked PDF here.
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4pm: Historic LandmarkEnd your Main Street tour at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, which 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 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 its opening almost 150 years ago.
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5pm: Distillery Tour, Dinner & Craft CocktailsJust down the hill from the Athenaeum, the St. Johnsbury Distillery creates craft spirits in downtown St. Johnsbury. Stop by the speakeasy-style Tasting Room & Restaurant to have a dinner and a cocktail, or book a guided tour to watch the process of making their award-winning spirits... including samples. Make sure you check out the restrooms with hundreds of pennies embedded in the floors!
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7pm: Movie NightSt. 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 six screens, so you’ll have plenty for your viewing pleasure! Both will top your fresh popcorn with Vermont's-own Cabot butter.
Don't forget to check the Calendar page to see if there are special performances or events during your stay. |
Saturday
9am: Start at a CaféSt. 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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10am: OPTION 1: Winter Trail TimeThe four-season Lamoille Valley Rail Trail starts in St. Johnsbury and extends 93 miles to Vermont's western border. This is New England's longest rail trail, and is great for ambitious multi-day winter outings or short adventures.
But, there's more than just the LVRT for those interested in exploring the great outdoors. St. Johnsbury has several in-town hiking trails, including a short but steep hike up to Observatory Knob to take in the view from the highest point in town, or the Town Forest, with trails that wind through a serene network of forested paths. To make the most of your outing, check out our Recreation listings for directions to each site and a FREE winter gear lending library for snowshoe gear and microspikes (make sure to reserve your gear at least one day in advance). |
10am: OPTION 2: 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 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 artistic gift shop Art & Joy, locally-designed apparel shop Magic Wolf, a wide selection of antique, consignment and second-hand stores, and dozens more to be found in our Shop directory. |
1pm: Escape to Italy
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Peckish after your morning adventures? Outside of the downtown core, two restaurants spotlight Italian cuisine on their menus, both in a relaxed setting. Papa Tirozzi's Bakery & Pizza features Italian-American favorites along with delicious fried fish, and 98 Mill is located in a historic mill building along the Passumpsic River with a lovely riverfront patio.
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2pm: Gone to the Dogs
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There’s only one St. Johnsbury (that’s true – there are no other locales with the same name). And here in St. J, there’s only one Dog Mountain, a bucolic 150 acre dog park and cultural destination.
Leashes are optional, and the site includes four-season hiking trails. 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, Dog Mountain also is the site of the Huneck Gallery, where you can find gifts and artwork all dedicated to man’s best friend. |
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4pm: 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 is 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, pick up a souvenir, and watch videos about the history of the plant and the sugaring process.
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5:30pm: Spice Up Your MealBack downtown, grab dinner at Salt Bistro, a chef-owned restaurant with a menu that skews Mediterranean. The restaurant’s name refers to the ten different flavored salts available for tasting.
Or, up on Main Street, Javier Bill's Almost Authentic Mexican Food is a great spot to savor tacos, burritos, and homemade salsas, washed down with the curated cocktail menu featuring additive-free tequilas and mezcals. |
7pm: Belly Up to the BarRight next door to each other on Railroad Street are two full service bars, both with plenty of non-alcoholic options for those who don't wish to imbibe.
Take a seat at Whirligig Brewing & Bistro and try beers made on-site in small batches. If you're still peckish, they have a full menu of decadent bistro classics like burgers, wings, and nachos, all with a twist. Downstairs is Sam's Listening Bar, which features a rotating menu of specialized cocktails & mocktails. The tunes and the vibe are impeccable at this 21+ establishment. |
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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: Cabinet of CuriositiesA treasure awaits you at 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 taxidermy animals. Rotating natural science exhibits, bug art, and a STEM exploration station make the Fairbanks a delight for kids of all ages. The Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium is the only public planetarium in Vermont, and it presents different shows every hour. |
Noon: Explore our Creative LandscapeSt. Johnsbury is home to a wealth of cultural attractions. Use our Arts & Culture directory to find fine art galleries showcasing local and world-renowned artists.
Or, use the JayLyn Public Art Tour as your guide. This online map will help you find contemporary and historical public artworks in St. Johnsbury and Lyndon, our neighboring town just a 10 minute drive to the north. |
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2pm: Grab and GoPop in to Eastern & Main Deli for dinner to go. Their signature sandwiches are named after local favorites such as the “Athenaeum,” the “Fairbanks,” and the “Catamount Club,” and you’ll be reminded of your visit to St. Johnsbury in every bite!
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