Picture of Downtown Church Street, Burlington

Vermont means more than just peace and quiet, healthy exercise and magnificent vistas. The Green Mountains offer the gift of a long-standing tradition for handmade crafts, antiques and art—and shopping that's wrapped in a perfect setting of historic villages and handsome downtowns. The items you'll find are the antithesis of mass-produced mall offerings. Whether you prefer to shop uptown, downtown or in a modern shopping center, there's something for everyone. For Canadians,  the U.S. exchange rate of  $1.19 is a great incentive to shop in Vermont for  affordable, unique Christmas gifts.

Our Canadian friends can also take advantage of our "Threefer", stay three nights (or more) and the last night is on us. Plus on that last night we'll provide one of Jacquie's outstanding pizzas PLUS a new fabulous homemade dessert. Also note that we accept the Canadian dollar at par from November 1st to June 30th (Note: both offers cannot be combined)

Start with our more than 1,500 craftspeople whose works capture the beauty of the countryside and embody Vermont's reputation for hand-made quality and detail. Their visions are as whimsical as clay whistles, as substantial as cherry cabinets and hand-painted armoires, and as varied as glass sculpture, pewter, hand-woven rugs and woodcut prints.

No visit is complete without discovering our amazing, one-of-a-kind country stores and eclectic food emporiums. They feature Vermont-made products, baskets, kitchenware, wrought iron—you name it. You'll find essential things you never knew existed, along with items such as pickle barrels, penny candy, great baked goods and cider donuts.

We have restored, 19th-century red brick mills and converted downtown buildings where you can browse in unique shops or watch craftsmen and buy their handiwork. Of course, we feature the best apparel outlet stores, and special theme stores filled with teddy bears or cow items, and fine eateries and cafes that beckon for espresso and sweets, afternoon tea or a cozy lunch.

Overall, the Vermont shopping experience is definitely a gift worth giving yourself.

Here are just a shopping suggestions:

• Essex Shopping Outlets: Essex Outlets & Cinema is a complete shopping and entertainment center featuring Levi/Dockers, Van Heusen and many more.
  
• University Mall: Browse through over 70 shops and services in Vermont's largest enclosed shopping mall. University Mall features a number of major department stores and is open seven days per week.
• Shelburne: The Christmas Loft: Collectibles, life-sized figurines, trees and ornaments are for sale seven days a week in an intimate setting. At Shelburne Country Store shoppers can choose from penny candy, chocolates, fudge from the Fudge Shoppe, Vermont Maple Goodies, toys from the Toy Shoppe, books from the Book Nook and bath products from the Bath Shoppe at the Shelburne Country Store. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company offers factory tours and teddy bears for sale at the gift shop. Champlain Valley Antique Center displays furniture and antique collectables 363 days per year.