If you’ve ever wondered when the best time to visit Vermont is, we’ll let you in on a little secret the savviest travelers already know: it’s the middle of the week. Summer weekends in Waterbury are lively and wonderful, but midweek, there’s a noticeable shift in the air. The hiking trails feel a little wilder. The Waterbury Reservoir feels a little more like your own private swimming hole. The line at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory moves a little faster. And the local restaurants, the ones you’ve been dreaming about all year, are far more likely to seat you without a wait.
At our Vermont bed and breakfast, our guests tell us again and again that their most relaxed, most memorable stays happen on weekdays, and once you experience it, you’ll understand exactly why.
Summer in Vermont, Without the Sunday Traffic
Summer in Vermont is a remarkable thing, long, golden days with lush green mountains at every turn, warm evenings that beg to be spent on a porch, and a calendar full of local events that make the whole season feel festive. But the irony of summer travel is that the most popular destinations can be hardest to enjoy when they’re at their most crowded.
Shift your trip to midweek, and you get all of it: the wildflowers, the open hiking trails, the outdoor music, the brewery patios, without the Sunday-afternoon crawl on I-89 or the sold-out restaurant frustration. You get Vermont the way Vermonters actually live it.
Better Value, More Flexibility
We’ll be straightforward about this: midweek stays often come with better availability and more flexibility than peak weekend bookings. Summer weekends at historic Vermont inns fill up quickly, and rightfully so. By shifting your arrival to a Sunday or Monday, you’re far more likely to secure the room you want, the reservation at the restaurant you’ve been eyeing, and the peace of mind that comes from a trip with a little breathing room built in.
And if you’re a remote worker? Pack the laptop, set up in the parlor for a few focused morning hours, and then close the screen and walk out into one of the most beautiful small towns in New England. The wifi is reliable, and the views are spectacular.
Our Favorite Things to Do in Waterbury, VT During the Week
Hit the Trails Before the Crowds Do
Waterbury sits at the doorstep of some of the finest hiking in New England and getting out on a Tuesday morning is a completely different experience than fighting for a trailhead parking spot on a Saturday.
For a serious summit with serious payoff, Mount Hunger is the one. The Waterbury Trail is four miles out and back, winding up the C.C. Putnam State Forest, opening onto sweeping views of almost every peak in the Green Mountain Range, including Camel’s Hump, Killington, and Mt. Mansfield on its northern end.
If you’re looking to experience one of Vermont’s most iconic peaks, Camel’s Hump is well worth the effort. The Monroe Trail is the most popular route, offering a steady climb through wooded terrain before emerging above the tree line to expansive, 360-degree views at the summit.
Stowe Pinnacle is a moderate hike just under 4 miles round trip, leading through wooded trails to a rocky summit with panoramic views of the Stowe Valley and surrounding peaks. It’s a great option for a half-day adventure, especially midweek when you can take your time at the top.
If you’d rather stay closer to town, consider taking a self-guided Waterbury walking tour through over 260 years of village history.
Get Out on the Water
The Waterbury Reservoir is one of Vermont’s most visited state parks, with 90 acres of gorgeous water set against forested hills, with a swimming beach, boat rentals, stand-up paddleboard rentals, and a peninsula nature trail for those who prefer their water views on foot. On a Wednesday afternoon, you’re far more likely to find an open stretch of beach and get a paddleboard without a wait. Pack a picnic and make a quiet afternoon of it.
Dine Your Way Through Waterbury Without a Long Wait
Waterbury’s dining scene is exceptional, and midweek visitors get to enjoy it the way it was meant to be experienced, without watching the clock or hovering for a table. There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a long, leisurely dinner at Hen of the Wood when you actually have time to savor every bite. The menu changes daily and uses locally sourced ingredients from Vermont farms.
For something more laid-back, Prohibition Pig on South Main Street has one of the best craft beer selections in New England, low-lit booths, and a menu built around house-smoked meats and locally sourced ingredients. The brisket, the sandwiches, the rotating Vermont taps often turn dinner into a long, easy evening.
After dinner, wander back to the inn and pull up a stool at the Library Pub. Open Monday through Saturday from 4 to 9pm, welcoming guests and the public alike. Order a locally crafted beer or glass of wine, pick up a board game, grab a spot by the fire, or just strike up a conversation with whoever else happens to be there. On a Tuesday night, that might be a local who’s lived here for decades or a couple from Montreal on their first Vermont trip. Either way, it’s the perfect place to unwind and learn more about the area.
Treat Yourself to a Weekday Spa Day
One of the quieter pleasures of a midweek Vermont vacation is actually getting the appointment you want. Just 2 minutes from the inn, BHAV Spa offers massages, facials, body wraps, and a full day spa menu in their beautifully designed space. To make things even easier, you can add a Rest and Recharge Package directly to your booking and enjoy a massage, facial, or both, along with a small gift of spa products to carry the relaxation home with you.
Enjoy Locally Loved Events
One of the great joys of a midweek Vermont getaway is discovering how much more you can actually do when you’re not competing with half of New England for the same parking spot. Here’s what’s waiting for you:
Wednesday Night Bluegrass at Prohibition Pig: Every Wednesday in the summer, Prohibition Pig hosts live bluegrass with rotating local acts and $5 ProPig beer specials.
Wednesday Night Dead at Zenbarn: Out in Waterbury Center, Zenbarn hosts rotating Grateful Dead tribute bands every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm.
Thursday Night Line Dancing & Two-Step at Zenbarn: If you’ve ever wanted to learn line dancing, this is your chance. Every Thursday from 7:30 to 10pm, Zenbarn hosts its wildly popular Line Dancing & Two-Step Night. No experience necessary, and a very good time is practically guaranteed.
Trivia at The Tropic Brewing: On the first and third Thursday of each month, The Tropic Brewing on Foundry Street hosts trivia night starting at 7pm. The brewery is bright and tropical in spirit, a fun contrast to Vermont’s classic country aesthetic, and their sessionable, lower-ABV beers are genuinely worth exploring on their own.
Thursday Night Concerts in the Park: Every Thursday evening from June through August, Rusty Parker Memorial Park comes alive with live music from a different local band each week.
And if your trip falls on the second Wednesday of the month, don’t miss Wooly Wednesdays right here at the inn. Every month, we open up the parlor and the porch (weather permitting) to fiber fans. Bring whatever you’re working on, grab a drink from the bar or a snack, and spend the evening knitting, crocheting, and swapping stories with fellow makers. It’s one of our favorite evenings of the month, and new faces are always welcome.
Enjoy The Inn to Yourself
No matter what you choose to do during your visit, the Old Stagecoach Inn will be here waiting for you. Built in 1826, our historic Vermont bed and breakfast has been welcoming guests to Waterbury for nearly two centuries, and a midweek stay here can feel like you have the place all to yourselves. Mornings begin with a complimentary homemade breakfast served in the dining room or out on the patio. Evenings wind down in the Library Pub, where a local craft beer and good conversation feel like a perfectly natural way to end a day spent well outdoors.
Our rooms are comfortable, our porches are peaceful, and our location puts you within easy walking distance of everything Waterbury’s village has to offer. There’s no better home base for a Vermont vacation, midweek or otherwise.
Ready to Trade the Weekend Rush for Something Better?
Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a solo recharge, or a low-key adventure with a close friend or two, a midweek Vermont vacation at the Old Stagecoach Inn might just be the travel decision you didn’t know you needed.
Come on a Wednesday. Sleep in on Thursday. Take the long way home on Friday. The Green Mountains will still be there, the breakfast will still be warm, and the Library Pub will still be ready for you at the end of the day.