The Perfect Day Trip from Ludlow: The Vermont Country Store and Weston, VT

Plan a summer day trip from Ludlow to The Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vermont, with nostalgic shopping, maple creamees, dining, and live theater near The Governor's Inn.

Staying in Ludlow puts some of southern Vermont's most memorable destinations within easy reach. One of our favorite summer excursions is a drive to Weston, a postcard-worthy Vermont village located about 20 minutes from The Governor's Inn.

The centerpiece of the trip is The Vermont Country Store, but nostalgic shopping is only the beginning. Add lunch, a maple creamee, a walk through the village, and an evening performance at Weston Theater Company, and you have an entire Vermont day trip without spending hours in the car.

Step Back in Time at The Vermont Country Store

Founded by the Orton family in 1946, The Vermont Country Store has become one of the state's most recognizable family-owned businesses. The original Weston location is filled with practical products, old-fashioned remedies, Vermont foods, classic toys, clothing, household goods, and candies you may not have seen since childhood.

This is not a quick souvenir stop. Rows of penny candy, locally inspired foods, hard-to-find products, and nostalgic displays make browsing part shopping trip and part trip down memory lane. It is easy to understand why generations of Vermont visitors make the store a regular stop.

The Weston store is located at 657 Main Street and is currently open daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Because store hours and seasonal offerings can change, check the official website before setting out.

Save Room for a Maple Creamee

After exploring the store, walk around back to Mildred's Dairy Bar. Its outdoor takeout window serves casual food and frozen treats in a relaxed setting that feels just right on a Vermont summer afternoon.

Naturally, our recommendation is a maple creamee. Vermont's signature maple soft-serve is smooth, sweet, and practically mandatory during a summer trip through the Green Mountains. Mildred's lists summer hours of 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM for food, with frozen treats served until 5:30 PM.

Grab a cone, find a shady spot, and give yourself permission to slow down. That is the point of a Vermont getaway, after all.

Explore the Village of Weston

Weston is compact, scenic, and easy to explore on foot. Historic buildings, white clapboard architecture, mountain views, and the village green create the classic Vermont atmosphere travelers hope to find when they leave the highway behind.

Plan time to wander rather than rushing directly back to Ludlow. The drive itself is part of the experience, with wooded hills, small farms, and mountain scenery along the way. In summer, the landscape is intensely green. During foliage season, this route becomes even more spectacular.

Make It Dinner and a Show

Weston is also home to the acclaimed Weston Theater Company, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary season in 2026. Its summer productions make it easy to turn an afternoon shopping trip into a full cultural getaway.

This summer, the company presents Jonathan Larson's musical RENT from July 22 through August 16 at Walker Farm. The intimate setting offers a very different experience from seeing a production in a large city theater, while still attracting exceptional professional talent.

For a relaxed itinerary, browse The Vermont Country Store in the afternoon, enjoy a maple creamee, have an early dinner, and finish the day at the theater. Tickets and performance times should be confirmed directly with Weston Theater Company when planning your visit.

Return to Your Home Base in Ludlow

After your Weston adventure, the drive back to Ludlow is short enough that you can still enjoy a quiet evening at The Governor's Inn. Our location at 86 Main Street places you close to Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow's restaurants and shops, and memorable day trips throughout the Okemo Valley and southern Vermont.

The next morning, wake up in our historic Victorian inn and enjoy a chef-prepared, multi-course breakfast before choosing your next adventure. Ride a scenic chairlift at Okemo, explore another Vermont village, visit a local farm, or simply relax and enjoy Ludlow at a slower pace.

Plan Your Southern Vermont Getaway

The Vermont Country Store, the village of Weston, maple creamees, and professional summer theater are all waiting just a short drive from Ludlow. Make The Governor's Inn your home base and discover how much of Vermont you can experience in one unforgettable stay.

Book your room at The Governor's Inn and start planning your summer escape to Ludlow and the Okemo Valley.

's blog