North Hero Vermont Vacation Guide

The most northern of the towns in the Lake Champlain islands, North Hero, Vt., is a great destination for a summer getaway. From swimming and fishing to boating and biking, there is much to do in the beautiful Vermont scenery. Rent a North Hero vacation home to enrich your vacation experience on the Lake Champlain island of North Hero.

North Hero information

North Hero location
Located on North Hero Island in Grand Isle County, North Hero is about 250 miles northwest of Boston. North Hero is north of Burlington and is generally accessed by U.S. Route 2, a scenic road that stretches up toward Canada. It's hard not to notice you've reached North Hero as you must cross a drawbridge to enter the town.

North Hero history
Chartered in 1779, North Hero was originally granted to Ethan Allen and several hundred other Revolutionary War heroes known as the Green Mountain Boys. The town was originally called "Two Heroes," commonly believed to be a reference to Ethan and Ira Allen.

In 1810 the town was split and eventually became the island towns of South Hero, North Hero, and Grand Isle. The 4th Lake Champlain island town is Isle la Motte, but its creation was not related to the division of Two Heroes.

North Hero today
North Hero remains a small town, with fewer than 1,000 full-time residents. Its setting on the 120-mile long Lake Champlain makes it an ideal vacation spot. With an altitude of only about 116 feet, North Hero's weather can be quite different from the higher-elevation neighboring towns in the Green Mountains and Adirondacks.

Things to do in North Hero
Summer recreation is the main attraction in North Hero. During the summer you can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, biking, watching wildlife and golf (in the nearby towns of South Hero and Grand Isle).

In the winter, ice fishing or keeping cozy by a well-fed fireplace will be the most popular options. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, Nordic and downhill skiing can all be enjoyed in the area, however.

With the outstanding views of the Adirondacks to the west and the Green Mountains to the east, you will certainly want to spend some time enjoying the views. North Hero is dotted with marshes, lakeside picnic areas, beaches for Lake Champlain swimming and boat launches.

You may want to consider exploring the area via the Lake Champlain Bikeway or by taking a bike tour of the Lake Champlain islands. In addition to the gorgeous water views and farm fields, you might catch a glimpse of whitetail deer, mallards and other ducks or map turtles nesting on a beach. Fishermen are likely to find northern pike and pickerel swimming the waters of Lake Champlain.

North Hero is also the summer home of the Royal Lippizan Stallions of Austria, with weekend performances during July and August.

North Hero lodging

When you visit North Hero, your best lodging option is to rent a vacation home or cottage. North Hero vacation rentals offer the opportunity to live like a local. With the limited dining options in the village itself, you will appreciate being able to cook your freshly caught fish or grill some burgers in the yard as the sun sets behind the Adirondack Mountains.

Vacation homes and cottages in North Hero typically have all the amenities of home, such as dishwasher, washer and dryer, cable or satellite TV and Internet access. Some of the waterfront properties even have boat docks. But the most important amenity is the privacy you will enjoy by renting a home in North Hero.

Find North Hero vacation rentals.

North Hero parks

Knights State Park - 54-acre park with trails, swimming, boating, canoeing and fishing. Picnic grounds and boat rentals available.
44 Knight Point Road
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-8389 or 800-252-2363

North Hero State Park - 99 wooded tent and trailer sites, 19 lean-to's, 399 acres of woods.
3803 Lakeview Drive
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-8727

Other North Hero Attractions

Royal Lippizan Stallions of Austria - See performances Thursdays through Sundays in July and August.
44 Knight Point Rd.
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-8400 or 800-262-5226

North Hero Marina - Bring your boat or rent one here, situated in Carry Bay near North Hero Village.
2253 Pelots Point Rd
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-5953

Hero's Welcome Café and General Store - Located in a building more than 100 years old, the store also has a boat landing, bakery and post office.
3537 Route 2
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-4161

North Hero House - Dine on fine food made with ingredients fresh from Vermont farms.
3643 Route 2
North Hero, VT 05474
888-525-3644

Shore Acres Inn & Restaurant - Frequented by locals and visitors alike, you'll love the view of the Green Mountains from the dining room.
Route 2
North Hero, VT 05474
802-372-8722

Snow Farm Vineyard - Taste Vermont wines at one of Vermont's earliest commercial grape vineyards and wineries.
190 West Shore Road
South Hero, VT 05486
802-372-9463

Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce
Box 213
North Hero, VT 05474
800-262-5226
802-372-8400

Attractions near North Hero

Hyde Log Cabin in Grand Isle - A Vermont historic site, and said to be the oldest cabin in the United States. Adult admission is just $1 and the cabin is open during summer only. 802-828-3051.

St Anne's Shrine in Isle LaMotte - The site of a 1665 French settlement, this is the oldest settlement in Vermont. It is also believed that Samuel de Champlain stopped here in 1609. 802-928-3362.

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Swanton- Established in 1943 as a refuge for migratory birds. The refuge has a visitor center and interpretive trails. 802-868-4781.

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle - Tour this hatchery, which raises brook, brown, lake and rainbow trout, as well as steelhead and landlocked Atlantic salmon. 802-372-3171.