Savor the Season: Celebrating Vermont Open Farm Week (8/3/2026-8/9/2026) in the Champlain Islands

There’s a distinct rhythm to August in the Champlain Islands. The sun lingers high over Lake Champlain, the water is warm, and the fields around our cottages are rich with summer growth. But what truly makes August special across our state is Vermont Open Farm Week—a celebration of the local farmers, cheesemakers, orchards, and growers who make this region so vibrant.

If you’re staying with us at Isle View Lake Cottages (https://www.isleviewcottagesvt.com/rental-cottages), you’re in the perfect spot to experience it all. Nestled right in Alburgh, we’re surrounded by world-class farm stands, quiet island country roads, and hyper-local food producers.

Here is how you can make the absolute most of Open Farm Week during your island stay.

1. Start with an Island Farm Stand Crawl

One of the greatest joys of summer in Grand Isle County is eating food that was harvested just hours earlier. During Open Farm Week, local farms open their gates for behind-the-scenes tours, tastings, and special events.

Pick Your Own Berries & Produce: Spend a quiet morning visiting local farm stands and pick-your-own patches around Alburgh, North Hero, and South Hero. Grab fresh sweet corn, sun-warmed tomatoes, and crisp berries.

Island Cheese & Specialty Goods: Stop by local creameries and artisan markets to stock up on Vermont cheddar, fresh goat cheese, local honey, and maple syrup.

2. Bring the Harvest Back to the Cottage Deck

After a day of exploring local farms, bring your fresh haul back to Isle View. There’s nothing quite like building a local farm-to-table dinner right in your cottage kitchen:

1. Grill Up a Feast: Toss fresh island vegetables and local meats onto the grill as the afternoon heat cools off.

2. Pour a Local Craft Beverage: Pair your meal with a cold Vermont cider, a craft beer from nearby breweries, or a glass of wine from a Champlain Islands vineyard.

3. Sunset Dining: Take your plate out to the deck or the beach. Watch the sky turn shades of deep orange and gold over Lake Champlain while enjoying the best flavors Vermont has to offer.

3. Slow Down and Walk the Land

Farm week isn't just about the food—it's about connecting with the working landscape.

When you aren't out visiting neighboring farms, take time to explore right here on our grounds. We mow walking trails through our 45 acres of open hay fields. It’s a peaceful spot for a morning stroll with your dog, birdwatching, or simply taking in the lake breeze sweeping across the grass.

Plan Your Open Farm Week Getaway

Whether you're visiting for farm tours, kayak trips, or just quiet evenings by the water, August in the Champlain Islands is an unforgettable time to reset.

Guest Tip: Be sure to check the official Vermont Open Farm Week schedule online https://www.nofavt.org/vermont-open-farm-week before heading out, as many participating farms host specific timed events like baby animal meet-and-greets, milking demonstrations, and live music!

September Magic at Isle View Lake Cottages

September might just be the best-kept secret at Isle View Lake Cottages. The air turns crisp, the summer crowds thin out, and Lake Champlain shows off some of its most breathtaking beauty.

Evenings are especially magical this time of year. The sunsets linger longer, painting the horizon with deep oranges, pinks, and purples that reflect off the calm waters of the lake. Guests often tell us they spend more time on the deck in September than any other month, just watching the sky transform.

At night, when the last streaks of daylight fade, the sky becomes an open window to the stars. With little light pollution, stargazing here is truly extraordinary—you can see constellations stretch across the dark sky and sometimes even catch a glimpse of the Milky Way.

Daytime on the water is peaceful, too. September’s calm breezes mean the lake often looks like glass, perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply sitting on the shoreline and soaking in the view.

If you’re looking for a time to relax, recharge, and experience Lake Champlain at its most serene, September is calling. We invite you to come and enjoy the magic for yourself.

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National Wildlife Refuge Week at Missisquoi Refuge

Upcoming NWR Week events: Missisquoi's Walk for the Wild

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-19, by joining our mission to support both wildlife and human well-being!

What is 'Walk for the Wild'?

Walk for the Wild is a national event to bring people together for wildlife and their local national wildlife refuge. Join a movement of people protecting thriving ecosystems and enjoying time outside. Walk for the Wild's aim is to get thousands of people moving across the US in support of our national wildlife refuges. Your participation will help preserve these vital habitats and promote a healthier, more connected world. Ready to make a difference? Lace up your shoes and let's get moving for a great cause!

Visit Our Walk for the Wild Webpage to Register: support.americaswildliferefuges.org/event/the-2024-walk-for-the-wild-missisquoi/e614186.

Select a free 5K Challenge event to participate in - you can bird or walk or canoe or kayak!

Boost Your Impact by Making an Optional Donation. Donations made September 9th - October 31st via our Walk for the Wild donation form will be matched by the Walk for the Wild Amplifier Fund and all that support stays local and goes directly to Missisquoi!

Register your friends and family and then come out to Missisquoi NWR on October 13th to enjoy the Missisquoi Wildlife Fair and complete your 5K Challenge!

10:00AM

Missisquoi Watershed Management

As part of our National Wildlife Refuge Week festivities, the Friends of Missisquoi welcome Karen Bates from the VT Department of Environmental Conservation to discuss the management of the Missisquoi River watershed.  Learn about how the Agency of Natural Resources develops watershed management plans for the Missisquoi River. The strategies support enhanced stewardship of the landscape draining towards the river to reduce pollutant loading and protect the ecosystems that play an important role in enhancing flood resilience. The speaker, Karen Bates, watershed planner for the Water Investment Division has worked collaboratively with watershed partners to develop these plans over the last 20 years. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair. Visit friendsofmissisquoi.org/calendar for the schedule and details of the day's events.

11:00AM

Becoming a Friend of Northern Lake Champlain

As part of our National Wildlife Refuge Week festivities, the Friends of Missisquoi welcome Bridget Butler from the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain. The FNLC staff will share their work locally to improve water quality in the region and share simple ways you can take action at home and in your community. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair. Visit friendsofmissisquoi.org/calendar for the schedule and details of the day's events.

12:30PM

Foraging 101

Like hunting, gathering native edible plants and fungi for sustenance and health used to be a way of life. Today, most people obtain what they need from a grocery or drugstore, and few know what native plants are edible or how to use them. Luckily there are some people who still know the gathering ways of their elders and incorporate foraged foods into their diet and as natural medicines.  As part of our National Wildlife Refuge Week festivities, the Friends of Missisquoi welcome Donna Toneatti to give us some basics about native plants as foods and medicines. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair. Visit friendsofmissisquoi.org/calendar for the schedule and details of the day's events.

12:00PM

Grasslands, Birds, and Pollinators

As part of our National Wildlife Refuge Week festivities, the Friends of Missisquoi welcome Kevin Tolan to discuss everything grassland! Learn about the benefits and challenges of managing Vermont's grasslands for birds and pollinators. Kevin is a graduate student at UVM and a biologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies in Norwich, VT. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair.

1:00pm

Managing the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

Do you want to learn about the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge from the person who knows the refuge the best? As part of our National Wildlife Refuge Week festivities, Ken Sturm, the refuge manager of the Missisquoi NWR will give a presentation on the highlights of the refuge. Ken has been the manager of Missisquoi since 2011. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair.

1:30PM

Foraging Walk

Donna Toneatti will lead a walk on the refuge and discuss the foraging native plants that can be used for food and medicines. Please note: The physical taking of any plants or animals is prohibited on the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, so no plants will be removed on this walk. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair. Visit friendsofmissisquoi.org/calendar for the schedule and details of the day's events.

2:00PM

The State of the Lake

As part of our National Wildlife Refuge Week festivities, the Friends of Missisquoi welcome Colleen Hickey to discuss the 2024 State of the Lake. The Lake Champlain Basin Program publishes the State of the Lake Report every several years to inform citizens and resource managers about the health of the Lake. Colleen will discuss the latest important findings from the recently published report. This is one of a series of presentations at our Missisquoi Wildlife Fair.

Kraemer & Brewer - Kintoberfest

Join us for the first inaugural KINTOBERFEST! We are celebrating harvest season, gathering and BEER!

Live Music : Jacob Green, Chris & Issy & The Twangtown Paramores Food : Brats, Sauerkraut, Bavarian Pretzels, Chili, Cider Donuts, Apple Yums & more.

Games : Apple on a String, Corn Hole, Badminton, Sack Race, Keg Roll, Putting, Long Drive, STEINHOLDING, costume contest and more! Prizes for winners of team relay games.

Beer : Kraemer & Kin Brewery & our friends at Two Heroes Brewery will be serving up cold, delicious beers. To be enjoyed in a commemorative steins for cheers to great beers!

Attendance/Tickets : IS FREE! Food & drink will be for purchase but no purchase is necessary to come and enjoy the day with games and community. Family friendly and fun!

End of August Deal

Last Minute Getaway before is over

We just had a last minute cancellation that opened up a direct lake view cottage for 8/26/24 to checkout on 9/1/24. The price is great and the view is fantastic. Just click on the Learn More Button below and enter your dates (2 night min.) to get accurate pricing.

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May 18th Events at Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge

This is a great time to visit our area as the birds migrate north. We have seen several flocks stop on the lake in front of our cottages. Plus, we have this great wildlife refuge nearby. Check out the event below:

The yearly Art Show at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge opens May 18th at the Visitor Center, and will be displayed through July 19th.  Kick off is on World Migratory Bird Day (May 18th) when several guided bird walks are also being held there.  The theme of World Migratory Bird Day is "Protect Insects, Protect Birds".  Art will focus on birds that breed or migrate through the Refuge and the habitats found there.  Art will be available for sale.

Refuge address:  29 Tabor Road, West Swanton, Vermont 05488

If you walk any of the Refuge trails in the next few months, please come into the Visitor Center to see how the talented local artists capture the wildlife and habitats of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge!

Come and enjoy Harvest and Foliage Season in Vermont!

Autumn, with its colorful foliage, apple picking, and vegetable harvest, is a great time to experience Vermont! September has warm days that are perfect for boating and bike riding to nearby farm-stands and apple orchards, and cool nights with great star-gazing potential. October brings colorful foliage, and the harvest of pumpkins and other winter vegetables. And, of course, we have amazing sunsets year-round!

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Your next "Tiny Trip" destination: Isle View Cottages on Lake Champlain in Alburgh, VT

In light of many pandemic-inspired modifications to our lives, here is an interesting article about the value of taking frequent, shorter vacations: https://bernardandhawkes.com/articles/tiny-trips-here-to-stay?utm_source=facebook-p&utm_medium=social_ad&utm_campaign=BH-FB-IG-Content-Subs-CampgnV2--MixedContent-55Plus-JUL20&utm_content=SG-TinyTrips&fbclid=IwAR31YTqx2elWI0IJ7larjrHdxKfKLIUZ9-DXelTgRbIvOck8Cx6JYNgyDtE . Come enjoy Vermont’s beautiful sunsets, open space and sky, and September’s harvest season!

September is Still Summer at Isle View Cottages on Lake Champlain!

September is one of our favorite months here at our cottages. It is still very summery! There are beautiful sunsets, glorious night skies for stargazers, great produce at local farm-stands, and ripening apples ready to pick in the nearby orchards. Temperatures are perfect for walking the long, sandy beach at nearby Alburgh Dunes State Park (free admission after Labor Day!), bike riding around the islands, and campfires on the beach. Come join us!

Your lake cottage awaits.