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.

Friday​​

2pm: Gone to the Dogs

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.

6pm: Tacos & Beer

Kingdom Taproom offers one of the best selections of local craft beer anywhere in the Northeast Kingdom, including drafts from nearby award-winning Hill Farmstead Brewery always on tap. Add to this a cozy setting featuring Mexican-inspired fare and an impressive bottle & can list (plus wines, cocktails and n/a options) and you'll have a night to remember.

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! 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 Café

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. Locally Social Cafe and Boule Bakery serve a variety of great espresso drinks, pastries, and other breakfast items.

10am: OPTION 1: Winter Trail Time

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail starts in St. Johnsbury and will soon extend across northern Vermont all the way to the western border. For now, you can walk, x-country ski, fat tire bike, snowmobile, or even dog sled on the mixed-use recreational trail built on a defunct railroad bed. 

Check out our Recreation listings for information about accessing the trail, plus two public ice skating rinks, winter hiking, a snowshoe gear lending library, and all-season bike tour services.

Recreation

10am: OPTION 2: 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

1pm: Lunch at a Craft Brewery

Vermont is internationally known for its craft beer scene, and St. Johnsbury has its own local brewery to sample. Take a seat at Whirligig Brewing & Bistro and try what the owner has cooked up. The beers are made in small batches, and the malts, grain, and hops come from mostly Vermont sources for true local beer terroir, and there's wine, sake and a variety of N/A drinks for those who don't wish to imbibe. The lunch menu leans towards decadent internationally-inspired comfort food - perfect fuel for your next adventure.

2pm: OPTION 1: Explore our Creative Landscape

St. Johnsbury is home to a wealth of cultural attractions. Use our Arts & Culture directory to find listings for art 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 artworks in St. Johnsbury and Lyndon, our neighboring town just a 10 minute drive to the north.

Arts & Culture

2pm: OPTION 2: Stroll Down 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 Brantview on the St. Johnsbury Academy’s campus, originally built as a Fairbanks family mansion and now a dormitory, or the Tiffany window in the Baptist Church.

Walking Tour PDF

4pm: Historic Landmark

At the intersection of both history and the arts you'll find 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 its opening almost 150 years ago.

5pm: Craft Cocktails

The St. Johnsbury Distillery makes craft spirits from scratch on location right in downtown St. Johnsbury. Stop by the speakeasy-style Tasting Room to sample their products, or have a cocktail and appetizer 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!

7pm: Spice Up Your Meal

Enjoy dinner next door 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.

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

A 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: Grab and Go

Get ready to wrap up your weekend in St. J with some casual, portable fare. If you're heading out on Route 2, stop by Papa Tirozzi's Bakery & Pizza for a family-friendly meal in-house or to-go. Or, pop 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!

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