Welcome to the Grand Islands of Lake Champlain
Shore Acres is located in North Hero of the Grand Islands of Lake Champlain. The Grand Islands have so much to offer in natural beauty, recreation, and history. If you need a break from enjoying our 46-acres of natural beauty, fine-dining restaurant, lakeside bar, tennis courts, and swimming areas, here is a list of local things to consider exploring:
Biking: The Grand Islands offers a myriad of biking trails and corridors from its southern shores in South Hero to the Canadian border just beyond Alburgh. And don’t forget about the seasonal bike ferry in South Hero that connects Grand Island bikers to the Island Line Trail to Burlington. For more information about biking opportunities in the Champlain Valley, visit here.
Golf: To the north, visit the Alburg Golf Links for a round of golf and while at it, visit one of the Isle’s breweries, Kraemer and Kin. And to the South, visit Apple Island’s Par 3 course.
Fishing: The Grand Islands are surrounded by the waters of Lake Champlain so there is plenty of opportunity to take advantage of the lake’s bounties. Come and participate in the annual Father’s Day LCI Derby, America’s oldest and largest freshwater fishing derby. But first know this: a fishing license is required to fish in Vermont, so visit nearby Hero’s Welcome in North Hero (or any of the local food markets) to obtain a license, and grab a sandwich and browse the store while you are at it. There are fishing guides/tours available as well, so please inquire at our front desk for more information.
Boat Tours: Looking to relax while enjoying the splendor of the lake? Reach out to our local boat tour operators to provide you with a wonderful adventure. Inquire at our front desk and don’t forget your sunscreen!
Hiking, Birding, and Photography: In addition to the opportunities to hike, bird, and photograph at Shore Acres, there are many other places on the Grand Islands and in the Lake Champlain Valley to enjoy such activities, so get out there! Here is a list of more local places to consider and enjoy:
Champlain Island’s Farmers Markets: During the warmer months of the year, the Grand Islands are home to two farmers markets: South Hero on Wednesday afternoons at St. Limas Church and in Grand Isle at St. Joseph’s Church on Saturdays. Come visit and support our local farmers and vendors! Click here for more details.
Apple Orchards and Local Farms: Visit South Hero for two of the Grand Islands apple orchards: Allenholm Farm and Hackett’s Orchard. And during the trip, visit any of the Isle’s numerous operating farms that sell farm-fresh produce.
Breweries and Wineries: Come explore local microbreweries and wineries of the Grand Islands! Head south to South Hero to visit the Snowfarm Winery and 2 Heroes Brewery or head North to Isle La Motte’s Vineyard and Alburg’s Kraemer and Kin. You can’t lose!
Art and Entertainment: No need to go to Burlington to find art and entertainment. The Grand Islands have got it covered. Although many places throughout the Islands have local bands playing throughout the summer, visit Island Arts in Grand Isle for plays and musicians and GreenTara for art exhibits. Snowfarm Winery also hosts numerous local bands throughout the summer on Thursday evenings, such as a local favorite band Quadra.
History: Long before European settlers arrived in the New World, the Abenaki people called the Grand Islands home and the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi continues on today, based in Swanton, Vermont. Elsewhere on the Grand Islands, visitors can visit other historical sites, such as Isle La Motte’s Statue of Samuel Champlain and also the historic St. Anne’s Shrine and Grand Isle’s Hyde Cabin, believed to be one of the oldest log cabins in the US. Each of the towns of the Grand Islands also have museums to visit, so history buffs, go explore!
So get out there and enjoy the Grand Islands!
FOR YOU DAY TRIPPERS….
As you may already know, Shore Acres is located in North Hero, just Northwest of Vermont’s largest city, Burlington, VT. There are many exciting places to explore within 1.5 hours of Shore Acres, such as:
Burlington and Winooski: Ranging from 30-40 minutes away, these two college towns offer more than just colleges, but restaurants, shopping, farmers markets, and more. Enjoy Burlington’s pedestrian Church Street, Echo Lake Aquarium and explore Winooski’s historical mills and the Winooski River that powered them for decades. Take a tour (or two) at the various breweries in Vermont, including Zero Gravity and Citizen Cider
Shelburne: About an hour south of Shore Acres, visit both the Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Farms for a tour of historical Vermont and a working educational farm, respectively. Go tour The Vermont Wildflower Farm and make your own teddy bear at Vermont Teddy Bear. And for you IPA fans, visit the Fiddlehead Brewery.
Montpelier: Vermont’s capital sits only 67 miles away or just over an hour’s driving time.
Stowe: Known for its skiing, Stowe is also a bustling town with great restaurant and stores and for the more adventurous sorts, offers mountain biking, hiking, and gondola rides on the slopes of Vermont’s most famous mountain: Mount Mansfield.
Olympic Village, Lake Placid, NY: By land, or by ferry, cross over Lake Champlain to New York State and visit Lake Placid, where the “Miracle on Ice” occurred in 1980. Only about an hour away, the Olympic venues continue to welcome visitors, host events, and provide training facilities for all athletes. If you are an adrenaline junkie, go experience a ride in a Bobsled – yes, during the summer too!
Ausable Chasm, aka Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks: Looking for a family-friendly outdoor adventure that includes hiking, rock-climbing, bridge crossings over chasms, water tubing, and more? Cross over to New York State and explore a vertical-walled canyon comprised of 550 million year old rock by foot or by riding in an inflatable raft. You choose!
Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Bring your passport! Only 1.5 hours away, enjoy the history, culture, and entertainment this beautiful, international city called Montreal offers. It is a must-visit.