Lake Champlain - 5 Ways to Enjoy this Great Lake
Lake Champlain is the largest body of fresh water in the U.S. after the Great Lakes, and at 120 miles in length and an average depth of 400' and 12 miles across, everything about it is impressive. But more impressive than its size is its unspoiled beauty. In a state already known for conservation and back-to-nature vacations, Lake Champlain is the secret destination for a growing number of New England vacationers.
Here's my pick of five destinations and attractions in the Lake Champlain region when you visit...
ISLAND HOPING VERMONT STYLE:
The northern half of Lake Champlain contains a wonderful patchwork of Islands.
The largest of the Islands are interconnected with each other and the Vermont mainland by Route 2 in the south and Route 78 in the north.
Following Route 2 from south to north will take you through the picturesque towns of South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero, and Alburg just a few miles from the Canadian border.
The Lake Champlain Islands' terrain is flat to gentle rolling hills, which means bicycling is a popular way to get around on vacation. In most areas you'll have unobstructed views of Vermont's Green Mountains to the east, and New York's Adirondacks to the west.
BURLINGTON - LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S CITY
Though Montpelier is the state capital of Vermont, its largest city is Burlington, which sits on the shore of Lake Champlain, with the stunning backdrop to the east of the Green Mountains.
Activities in Burlington include ECHO, Vermont's world-class lake aquarium and science center on the waterfront, Lake Champlain Chocolates guided factory tour, where you can see these famous chocolates made right before your eyes, and The Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum. Complete your day with a train ride through the beautiful Champlain Valley on the Green Mountain Railroad. The train meanders through gently rolling green pastures to Shelburne and back.
CRUISES ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Two cruise boats operate on Lake Champlain in the summer - "The Spirit of Ethan Allen III" accommodates 500 people and the "Northern Lights" has room for 150 guests.
Both these boats leave from the docks in Burlington.
While cruising you'll listen as tour guides discuss the Lake Champlain region's rich revolutionary past, the importance of the Native Americans of this area, and interesting facts about the Lake. But center stage on either cruise is the stunning views of the Islands and the surrounding mountains of Vermont and New York.
DIVING FOR WRECKS
If diving for wrecks is your passion then in Lake Champlain you've come to the right place. The Lake is considered by many divers to have the best collection of historic shipwrecks in North America.
Eight of these wrecks are preserved for the enjoyment of divers, and under the watchful eye of the Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserve. These wrecks offer a unique experience for northeast diving. The types of wrecks vary from a horse ferry to canal boats, with some located close to both the Vermont and New York shorelines of the Lake.
Diving experience required ranges from beginner to advance.
For more information on these wrecks visit the Preserve's site at www.lcmm.org.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN MARITIME MUSEUM
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is located near Vergennes, and is a marvelous way to experience the historical significance of the lake. The museum at Basin Harbor provides opportunities to step back in time as you explore a Revolutionary War gunboat, watch craftsmen use traditional shipbuilding skills, and learn about nautical life in the Champlain Valley during the conflicts of the 18th century.
The Museum is self-guided but has plenty of demonstrations for you to stop and view as you wander around.
STATE PARKS ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN
There are over 50 State Parks in Vermont, and the Lake Champlain area contains twelve of those state parks, and includes: Alburg Dunes, Knight Point, Sandy Bar, Burton Island, Grand Isle, Knight Island, North Hero, and Woods Island in the Lake Champlain Island chain. Other state parks on the Lake's shore are: Kill Kare, Kingsland Bay, Button Bay, and DAR.
Within these Vermont State Parks are opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, and swimming.
The parks are a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the waters of the Lake for a day or longer, and to hike trails in between a swim and reading your novel..
For more details on other Vermont destinations and to grab your free valuable travel reports go to Cliff's New England Vacation site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/Finding the Right Home Rental in Lake Tahoe
There are a few patterns to consider when looking for a Lake Tahoe home rental.
You'll pay more for the houses near the ski areas in the winter time no matter the size and you'll always pay more for lakefront properties no matter what time of year. But if you can decide what you need (or want) and what you want to spend there are a multitude of choices for house vacation rentals in and around the beautiful lake.
High up on a hill, overlooking the western shores of Lake Tahoe sits an 8,000 square foot home visited by presidents, dignitaries and the merely wealthy. Built in the 1930s by a noted steel magnate, the house is now available for rent, ranging in price from $3,000 per night to $50,000 per month depending upon the season. It comes fully equipped with a full staff of cook, housekeeper, maid and butler, a choice of automobiles to use, a pool and down on the lake, the private boat dock with what can only be described as a "lake yacht" complete with a skipper...
Lake tahoe > Finding the Right Home Rental in Lake Tahoe
Enjoy Luxury South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals At 40% Off
Lake Tahoe, CA / NV (ContentDesk) January 6, 2005 -- Lake Tahoe Lodging, Inc. offers 40 percent off on mid-week Lake Tahoe vacation rentals with a 2 night minimum stay.
Lake Tahoe Lodging, Inc. (LTL) A provider of Luxury Lake Tahoe accommodations announces their Get into winter special offering 40% off on mid-week vacation rentals.Known for its vacation rental bonuses and immaculately kept quality properties, LTL is providing this special mid-week savings to guests who book a minimum two-night stay at any of LTLs properties. This is a great opportunity for guests to visit us for a mid-week stay...
Lake tahoe > Enjoy Luxury South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals At 40% Off
Even in the Summer Heat, Your Odds are Better on the Lake
(ContentDesk) July 1, 2005 -- Summertime has finally come to the Mohave Desert. The weather change is subtle at first and hardly noticeable on the vast expanse of Lake Mead until you get in touch with the natural activity of the fish.
When the wind is down and the lake is calm, you can observe the change.
If you watch closely, you'll observe groups of small ripples spread across select areas of the lake. Ripples mean that shad fry are up and feeding on the surface algae and will likely be followed by small stripers in feeding frenzies.
These frenzies signal the beginnings of the fantastic summer top water bite season.As the shad grow larger, bigger stripers begin to come to the surface and feeding activity becomes more violent and more visible.
On a great day, the angler will be able to see fish boiling on the surface in feeding areas covering several acres.
Once you lock into one of these sites, you've found some of the most exciting fishing...
Lake tahoe > Even in the Summer Heat, Your Odds are Better on the Lake
High Sierra Camp Encampment ? Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe
High Sierra Camp Encampment ? Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake TahoeRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.comhttp://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/usa02/zephyr/zephyr.htmlI bought a new swimsuit before we arrived at Zephyr Cove Resort. I'd heard it was a Mecca for watersports and was not disaTake the Catamaran around Lake Tahoeppointed. For the mellowest of beach bunnies to those seeking adrenaline rushed thrills, Zephyr Cove Resort has it all, and in a spectacular setting on the soft, sandy shores of Lake Tahoe.We took our time getting to Zephyr Cove Resort, driving along the Lake Tahoe East Shore Drive. It's a National Scenic Byway and there are so many scenic turnouts and short hiking trails from the road that we spent all day dawdling the 72 miles from North Lake Tahoe, where we'd camped the night before, to Zephyr Cove. (If we'd known in advance how nice the Zephyr Cove campground was, we might have done the drive a day earlier.The Castle at Emerald Cover...
High Sierra Camp Encampment ? Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe
Lake tahoe > High Sierra Camp Encampment ? Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe