
1. Burlington, Vermont
Burlington’s charm as a waterfront university town is well known, but with five Vermont chefs and eateries in the running for the 2023 James Beard Awards, it’s a necessary getaway for food and drink lovers. From pastry chef Amanda Wildermuth’s tahini sundae (think sesame caramel and crumbled halva) at the Eastern Mediterranean-influenced Honey Road, to spicy brussels sprouts with a cult following (hello, citrus-garlic chili sauce, golden raisins and sunflower seeds) thanks to chef Mojo Hancy-Davis’s farm-to-table menu at May Day—plus a rotating selection of craft beers from the small experimental brewery Foam Brewers—Burlington’s restaurant and bar scene is bustling.
Where to stay: Rustic ski lodge meets bougie boutique property at Hotel Vermont, where wood-burning fireplaces, stone walls and views of Lake Champlain are the perfect backdrops for sampling the hotel’s long list of craft beers and cocktails.
Don’t miss it: The killer onion soup and maple creme brulée at Leunig’s, Church Street’s iconic bistro.
Nearest airport: Burlington Airport (BTV)
— Laura Osborne, Time Out Montreal Editor