Nearby Attractions
Hero's Landing is located on the eastern shore of North Hero Island, facing the Vermont mainland across Lake Champlain's "Inland Sea." We love our little lake house (you might hear Vermonters call it a "camp") because of the remote solitude of the Lake Champlain Islands combined with the proximity of some fabulous attractions, ranging from outdoor activities to the bustle of the world's second largest French-speaking city, Montréal (only an hour away)! Below you'll find links to some of our favorite places to visit, all day trips from the cottage. Don't forget to bring your passports!
Yes, there's really a ferry made just for bikes! This incredible bike trail follows the path of an old railroad line and takes you on a shortcut from South Hero over a narrow causeway across the lake to Colchester and on to Burlington. There's a break in the causeway partway across, and that's where the ferry comes in.
An incredibly peaceful shrine on the western shore of the quiet island of Isle La Motte, facing the Adirondacks across the lake. Beautiful year-round and offering outdoor masses throughout the summer. This is a quiet place of contemplation no matter your religion.
Hyde Log Cabin and Schoolhouse (Grand Isle, VT - 10 miles)
Historic log cabin originally built in 1783 and adjacent schoolhouse from 1814. Worth a stop when heading south toward Burlington on US-2 in Grand Isle.
Rouses Point Bridge (Alburgh, VT - 13 miles)
Not an attraction in itself (though there's a boat launch and fishing area), but this bridge provides a convenient and scenic connection to New York State and I-87, just 20 minutes from the cottage and within sight of the Canadian border. This is where Lake Champlain narrows into the Richelieu River and the next bridge north that you can see as you cross is Quebec Route 202. Look out for the abandoned Fort Montgomery on the New York side just at the border.
This is our favorite place to get a "creemee" (a Vermont variation on soft-serve ice cream that's just, well, better). The prices are unbelievable, the portions are enormous (don't let the name "Baby Cone" fool you) and the line may sometimes be long while they're open (April - Labor Day).
Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve (Isle la Motte, VT - 10 miles)
Isle la Motte must be the quietest town in VT - there's not much going on here and there's something unique about that. Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve doesn't have much in terms of facilities, but if you're interested in fossils, you can find 85 acres of them here and actually see and touch 480 million year-old specimens that were once on the sea floor as part of Chazy Fossil Reef.
Louis Hébert Strawberry Farm (Saint-Valentin, QC - 24 miles)
It's worth a day trip up to the small towns of the Montérégie region of Québec province, minutes and worlds away. You'll see signs for "fraises" (strawberries) in summer and the Louis Hébert farm is one of the best places to get them, along with related products. Saint-Valentin itself is a quaint village that calls itself Capitale de l'Amour (for obvious reasons).
Parc Safari (Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, QC - 26 miles)
You wouldn't expect to find a collection of large African mammals and a waterpark in rural Quebec, just north of the New York border, but here you'll find Parc Safari. It's a bit of a blast from the past and since COVID they've allowed self-drive through the safari - quite an adventure. Get ready to see this guy up close and personal or have a giraffe put its head through your sunroof!
Fromagerie Fritz Kaiser (Noyan, QC - 17 miles)
Just over the border and literally in the middle of nowhere, this place is a gem and worth bringing your passport just to sample their wide selection of soft cheeses - made fresh right there on the farm. You can buy some crackers and a knife with your cheese and enjoy in the little park across the road.
Venise-en-Québec, QC (22 miles)
This is a quintessential French Canadian resort town just north of Alburgh, VT on the northern tip of Lake Champlain. There's a colorful Marché Public walking street with food stalls, shops and a playground, an art gallery and of course, the lake with a busy beach in the summer and ice fishing in the winter.
Fromagerie au Gré des Champs (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC - 39 miles)
Another gourmet cheese shop worth visiting if you're in the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu area. Located on a working farm - the kids will also enjoy visiting the barns and seeing the animals.
Montréal, Québec (60 miles)
Montréal is a diverse, sprawling city of more than 4 million people in the metropolitan area. It's the second-largest city in Canada and the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. Coming from the peace of our cottage on Lake Champlain, it's stunning to find this thriving world-class city just one hour to the north. More details below of some of our favorite spots to visit.
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal (Montréal, QC - 63 miles)
This national shrine is the largest church in Canada and one of the largest domes in the world. In addition to the Art Deco style main sanctuary, the building contains a sizeable chapel in the basement, a crypt and much information about the founder, Saint André Bessette.
Located in the heart of Old Town Montréal, the famous basilica is famous for its beautiful blue-toned interior. Completed in 1829, it's still a functioning church and also one of the most-visited religious attractions in the world.
Chinatown (Montréal, QC - 60 miles)
Quartier Chinois is located in the Ville-Marie neighborhood, a short walk down the hill from Notre-Dame. With a lively walking street, a wide-range of restaurants and dim-sum spots, bakeries, bubble tea joints and souvenir shops - a classic Chinatown experience.
Biosphère Environmental Museum (Montréal, QC - 60 miles)
Located in Montréal's Parc Jean-Drapeau, this iconic geodesic dome was designed by American architect Buckminster Fuller for the Expo 67 world's fair. Today, a museum promoting eco-citizenry is located inside.
La Grande Roue de Montréal (Montréal, QC - 60 miles)
This giant Ferris wheel with 42 enclosed gondolas and stretching 60 meters in height offers view of the Old Port and the Saint Lawrence River. In winter, there is a large skating rink directly behind the wheel.
Vieux-Montréal (Montréal, QC - 60 miles)
Old Town is at the heart of Montréal's history and culture. This is a great spot for a walking tour, a visit to Marguerite Bourgeoys Historic Site or a stop at the restaurants and nightclubs along the cobblestoned Saint-Paul and de la Commune Street.
Montréal Holiday Markets (Montréal, QC - 60 miles)
It may be cold, but the holiday season is a great time of year to visit Montréal. The Christmas Market in the Quartier des Spectacles on Sainte-Catherine Street is easy to get to just behind the Complexe Desjardins shopping mall (which is also a great place to park and warm up!)
Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde (Montréal, QC - 60 miles)
Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral is the official seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Montréal and it's worth visiting for the architecture alone. Completed in 1894 in what is now the downtown business district of the city, this cathedral was designed as a scale model of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
Jay Peak Resort (Jay, VT - 57 miles)
This resort is one of the most remote in Vermont, but also offers arguably the best skiing. With the most snow in eastern North America and a total of 81 trails, Jay Peak offers everything from beginner zones to world-class backcountry skiing. Golf, a water park and hiking round this out for a year-round experience.
Sharp Park (Milton,VT - 31 miles)
For some no-frills tubing and sledding fun, Sharp Park in Milton is the place to go. This family-run business offers tube and helmet rentals and a couple of sizeable snow chutes. No lift, though, so be prepared for some tired legs. Thankfully, there are snacks and hot chocolate available. This is the closest sledding hill to the Champlain Islands, which are relatively flat.
Stowe Mountain Resort (Stowe, VT - 75 miles)
There's nothing quite like Stowe. A ride on the gondola up the slope of Mt. Mansfield is beautiful year-round, but especially in autumn. Skiing in winter is world-class and hiking in summer is some of the best in Vermont. Make sure to check out the many restaurants and shops in Stowe while you're there.
Whiteface Mountain (Wilmington, NY - 84 miles)
Our recommendations are somewhat biased toward Vermont and Québec, but Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks is worth a day trip with world-class skiing in the winter and the opportunity to drive to the top of the 4,867 foot peak of Whiteface on Veterans' Memorial Highway in the summer.
Ausable Chasm (Ausable Chasm, NY - 56 miles)
Another worthwhile natural wonder across the lake in upstate New York, known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. Great for rafting, hiking and tubing.
Champlain Valley Fair (Essex Junction, VT - 33 miles)
If you're visiting between August 25th and September 3rd, this is an absolute must. Everything you'd expect from a state fair, with a Vermont twist!
Burlington, VT (35 miles)
The largest city in Vermont and home to the University of Vermont, Burlington sits on the lakefront at the widest point of Lake Champlain, with stunning views of the Adirondacks to the west. Church Street is a bustling pedestrian street with restaurants and shops and there is a science center, art museums and more.
Smugglers' Notch State Park (Jeffersonville, VT - 58 miles)
A beautiful drive through a narrow mountain pass, especially popular during fall foliage season. Parking at the top is limited, but it's worth waiting for a spot and taking a hike up to Sterling Pond or a more difficult scramble up Mt. Mansfield. We recommend approaching from the north side through Jeffersonville and coming down into Stowe afterwards. Note that this road is closed in the winter!
Cold Hollow Cider Mill (Waterbury Center, VT - 62 miles)
There are lots of reasons to visit Waterbury (it's one of our favorite places in all of Vermont), but the trip is worth it just for Cold Hollow's fresh apple cider and cider donuts. There's also a gift shop with lots of other Vermont goodies! While you're at it, head to Vermont Aritsan Coffee & Tea just down the road toward Stowe and the Cabot Farmers' Store towards I-89. For some amazing views across the valley toward the iconic Worcester Range, drive up Blush Hill Road.
Haskell Free Library & Opera House (Derby Line, VT - 85 miles)
The drive to Haskell Library takes almost 2 hours through the scenic northern reaches of Vermont. The library itself is a quirky historic building that literally straddles the border (a line on the floor divides the US from Canada) and there is a functioning opera house upstairs - stage in Québec and most of the seats in VT. Guided tours are available. This is one of the few places where you can freely cross between our countries sans passport (at least inside the library).
Hiking Mt. Mansfield (Underhill, VT - 58 miles)
There are hiking trails from nearly all directions leading around the sides of and to the top of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak. You can also take the Auto Toll Road all or part way up the mountain and hike from there. Pictured here in Butler Lodge, an option for sheltered overnight camping on multi-day hiking trips or a good resting spot during a day hike!
Camel's Hump State Park (Huntington, VT - 59 miles)
Compared with Mt. Mansfield, Camel's Hump (4,083 ft.) is completely undeveloped, other than a network of well-maintained trails. There are few different approaches to the summit (which offers spectacular 360° views) with varying levels of difficulty, but to relatively experienced hikers this is a very reasonable and rewarding day hike - one of the best in Vermont, in our view!
Ben & Jerry's Waterbury Factory (Waterbury, VT - 60 miles)
This speaks for itself - everyone love's Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and this is the origin of it all. Take a factory tour, learn about the history of the brand and of course, eat some ice cream!