shoreham

Explore the History of the Champlain Valley

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:11:34 GMT

Four Fascinating Sites Near Shoreham, Vermont

Explore the History of the Champlain Valley: Four Fascinating Sites Near Shoreham, Vermont

One of the things we enjoy most about living in Shoreham is being surrounded by so much history. Many guests come to the Shoreham Inn Bed & Breakfast looking for a quiet getaway in the Champlain Valley, only to discover that some of the region’s most important historic sites are just a short drive away.

Whether you are planning a return visit or simply enjoy learning about Vermont’s past, these four destinations offer a wonderful opportunity to step back in time and explore the stories that helped shape our region.

Fort Ticonderoga

Located across Lake Champlain in Ticonderoga, New York, Fort Ticonderoga is one of the most well-known historic sites in the area. Originally built by the French in the 1750s, the fort played a significant role during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

Today, visitors can explore the restored fort, view exhibits, and learn about military life in the 18th century. The site also offers beautiful views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding mountains, making it a memorable destination for history lovers and photographers alike.

From Shoreham, the seasonal Fort Ticonderoga ferry provides a convenient and scenic route to Ticonderoga. The ride is cash only and the most up to date information can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028195436534 .

Crown Point Historic Site

Just north of Fort Ticonderoga is Crown Point, another important location in the history of the Champlain Valley. Visitors can see the impressive ruins of a large British fort built in the mid-1700s, along with interpretive exhibits that explain the area’s military significance.

The site offers a unique opportunity to walk among the remains of one of the largest British fortifications ever constructed in North America. The grounds are also a pleasant place to enjoy views of Lake Champlain while learning about the region’s colonial history.

Mount Independence

Back on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain, Mount Independence in Orwell is one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War archaeological sites in the United States.

Established by American forces in 1776, the site served as a defensive position opposite Fort Ticonderoga. Today, visitors can explore miles of trails that pass historic foundations, earthworks, and interpretive markers. The museum and exhibits help bring the story of the soldiers who served here to life.

Mount Independence combines history with outdoor exploration, making it a rewarding stop for visitors who enjoy both.

Hubbardton Battlefield

Located about 30 minutes south of Shoreham, Hubbardton Battlefield marks the site of the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely within Vermont.

The battle took place on July 7, 1777, as American troops retreated from Fort Ticonderoga. Visitors can walk the battlefield grounds, learn about the events of the engagement, and gain a deeper understanding of Vermont’s role during the Revolution.

The peaceful setting today stands in contrast to the dramatic events that unfolded there more than two centuries ago.

Planning Your Historical Adventure

One of the advantages of staying in the Champlain Valley is how easily these sites can be explored during a single visit. Each location offers a different perspective on the military, political, and cultural history of the region, helping visitors better understand the people and events that shaped both Vermont and the nation.

Whether you have visited these sites before or have always meant to explore them, they are well worth adding to your next trip to Shoreham. We are fortunate to have so many remarkable pieces of history right here in our corner of the Champlain Valley, and we always enjoy sharing them with guests.

We hope to see you back in Shoreham soon for another opportunity to discover the stories, landscapes, and history that make this region so special. Head on over to our booking page and book your room today.

In Search of Vermont’s Best Creemee

Sun, 24 May 2026 12:13:02 GMT

Creemee Or Soft Serve

Vermonters love their creemees. For those not from Vermont, a creemee is a version of soft serve ice cream that starts with a mix that has a higher milk fat content than regular soft serve. This milk fat provides a more velvety, creamier, consistency, hence the name creemee. From the base mix, flavors can be added to make an array of options to tantalize the palate. The most quintessential Vermont creemee flavor is Maple, of course. Although, other flavors such as chocolate, blackberry, candy cane, apple pie and many more exist.

So how do you order your creemee? Size differs from place to place so be sure to see what others are getting and choose larger or smaller depending on how much you can eat. Most places offer a swirl with vanilla and another flavor. Others may “stack” one flavor on top of another flavor or you can be traditional with one flavor only. You can also have them dipped, sprinkled, or covered with cookie crumbs depending on the location.

Here in Adison County, we have several places where a creemee can be purchased. Trade Wind Farms (Shoreham), Halfway Diner (Shoreham), Goodies Snack Bar (West Addison), Shiretown Marketplace (Middlebury), Vermont Cookie Love (Middlebury), Vermont Maple Market (Middlebury), Village Creemee Stand (Bristol), and many others.

You can also get your very own Official Vermont Creemee Passport and sample creemees around the state. The Creemee Passport offers 157 stops in 2026, with special perks at some locations. The website ( https://creemeepassport.com/ ) also has a creemee locator to help you find the closest creemee stand to your location.

So, whether you get a small twist or a large maple creemee, be sure and try this local confection as it can be worth every bit of calories and fat. Once you try a creemee, you will taste the difference!

Trial by Fire (and Snow)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:10:56 GMT

Learning to Run a Historic Vermont Inn

A little over two years ago, we drove to Vermont in a snowstorm with no snow tires on our car, a moving truck, and feeling like a deer in headlights. We took on a new adventure as innkeepers at the Shoreham Inn in Shoreham, Vermont.

Not having any prior work history in hospitality, we’ve been on the ultimate immersion learning program. Although there are boot camps for aspiring innkeepers, there is nothing like jumping into the fire with both feet! With no manual on how to run the inn we purchased, it has been a constant process of trial and error.

The Learning Curve

Our mission was twofold: learn the area after moving from Cincinnati, Ohio, and master the basics of innkeeping, all while maintaining a beautiful, yet demanding, 225-year-old property.

What has truly helped us along the way? Getting involved with the Shoreham Historical Society, attending local events (like Maple Fest and Apple Fest), and just driving the back roads looking for new paths back to the inn. The neighborhood has been incredibly welcoming, and we've met so many great people on this journey. We also loved trying many of the local restaurants, which has been invaluable for making solid recommendations to our guests.

Finding Our Balance

Being innkeepers has required us to learn important life lessons: how to set limits, how to take time for ourselves, how to be open to learning new things, and, most importantly, how to step outside our comfort zones.

This blog is our way of sharing that journey with you! We’ll be using this space to provide information about our adventures, local sites to see, places to explore (i.e., covered bridges), where to get a good creemee, and much more. Be sure to check back periodically as we are just beginning!

Best,

Kevin and Scott