Richmond Vermont Community
ROOTED in RiCHMOND, VERMONT
Richmond is a small hamlet just 15 minutes southeast of the most populous city in the state, Burlington.
The Cochran family is legendary here—their family built a little ski hill that helped launch many family members of multiple generations to World Cup and Olympic ski fame. The Cochran Ski Area is a non profit, still owned and operated by family. Cochran’s already boasts a vast network of single track but their goals go beyond hosting recreation. With a mission to “provide area youth and families with affordable skiing and snowboarding, lessons and race training, in the Cochran tradition” this extends to cycling as well and with new handicap accessible trails, riders of any kind will be able to be introduced to the joy of riding a bike.
There’s a lot to love here—we hope you find Richmond as warm and charming as we have.
Making a vacation out of your travels to Vermont? Here are some recommendations for things to do or places to visit!
Go mountain biking! Check out Vermont Mountain Bike Association’s detailed list of recommendations.
Visit Bicycle Express in Waterbury, VT for any bike needs (20 min drive from the venue)
Visit Lawson’s Finest Liquids Taproom, in Waitsfield, VT (40 min drive from the venue). Home of Sip of Sunshine and Little Sip IPA.
The best artisanal coffee in Vermont is at PK Coffee in either Waterbury or Stowe. Laura’s recommendation: order the “Cloud”
Shacksbury Cider: Started by friends of Ted’s at Middlebury, Shacksbury has a small tasting room and facility in Vergennes where you’re bound to get personalized familial service and the best cider Vermont has to offer.
Doc Pond’s: Located in the heart of Stowe and a sister restaurant to VT favorites Prohibition Pig and Hen of the Wood, they put the après in the heart of skiing and cycling culture.
Hatchet or The Big Spruce: Ted and Laura’s favorite Richmond watering holes. Conveniently located near Cochran Ski area and dedicated to providing local sourced ingredients.
Hen of the Wood: If you don’t have a reservation, make one now. Two locations, Burlington and Waterbury. This James Beard nominated restaurant just so happens to be Ted and Laura’s favorite spot for special occasions.
Church Street in Burlington: Designed by the same architect who designed Boulder’s pedestrian “Pearl Street”, this is Burlington’s pedestrian shopping district and located within a short stroll from Lake Champlain. Outdoor Gear Exchange a visit to stock up on UnTapped or any last minute outdoor sporting needs.
Lake Champlain Lakefront: You may think of Vermont as land locked, but it boasts more than 125 miles of Lake Champlain waterfront.
Prohibition Pig: Pro Pig, located in Waterbury, is Vermont’s most hip spot for a culinary twist on bar food. One of Ted and Laura’s favorite apres spots.
Ben and Jerry’s: What’s more Vermont than Ben and Jerry’s? Visit the Waterbury factory which includes a tasting. Bring some friends and your hunger — we dare you to try to take down The Vermonster.
August First Bakery: Locally owned Burlington bakery & cafe serving from-scratch breakfast & lunch in a beautiful downtown location. The maple biscuits are out of this world.
Red Hen Bakery: Traveling up to Rooted via Route 89? Make a close-off-the-highway detour in Middlesex. This is the place to stop for coffee, a sandwich, tasty treats or other basic provisions. A favorite ride destination of Ted and Laura’s.
Pizzeria Verità: Pizzeria Verita is a wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria in the heart of downtown Burlington. A great spot for inspired salads and antipasti, creative craft cocktails and Ted and Laura’s favorite tiramisu.
American Flatbread: American Flatbread is an institution for artisanal pizza lovers. They were at the forefront of the farm to table movement. Warning, it packs quickly (Waitsfield location), so arrive early to get your name in and head across the street to the river’s swimming hole while you wait.
Worthy Burger: Any location is worth a stop, but a good combo would be a stop at Lawson’s in Waitsfield and head over to Worthy for dinner. A chill eatery with outdoor seats & a farm-to-table focus, featuring wood-fired burgers & craft beers.
Philo Ridge Farm: Philo Ridge Farm operates on 400 acres of pasture and woodlands in Charlotte, Vermont. Historically a dairy farm, the land has been in agricultural production since the 1840s. Today, it is a diversified farm that integrates livestock, orchards, gardens, and community events. Stop in for a coffee, pastry, lunch or gift purchase.
Warren General Store: General Stores are quintessential Vermont, and this one was voted one of the best Vermont Country stores by Yankee Magazines. Think “old country store in a bucolic setting, as taken over by foodies from the nearest town.” Good sandwiches, selection of sodas/beer/cider and baked goods. Pleasant to sit at a picnic table on their deck, with the view and sound of Freeman Brook below.
Palmer Lane Creemees: REAL maple syrup creemees with none of the fake maple flavoring! Just 10 miles from Richmond in Jericho, creemees are the Vermonter’s version of soft serve and a great treat to beat the heat.
Traveling with kids? Visit ECHO, a non profit science center in Burlington just along the Lake Chaplain waterfront.