These Candy Shops In Vermont Are Worth The Winter Trip

Ever plan a winter trip and wonder what could make it sweeter? Vermont’s candy shops might be the answer.

Even when the snow piles up and the air feels icy, these spots are worth bundling up for. They’re not just stores.

They’re little escapes filled with color, warmth, and shelves of treats that make you forget the cold outside.

Step inside and you’ll find everything from handmade chocolates to maple candies that taste like Vermont in a bite.

Some shops lean into nostalgia with jars of old-fashioned sweets, while others get creative with flavors you didn’t know candy could pull off.

Either way, it’s impossible not to leave with a bag full of something good.

I’ll admit, I’ve made detours just to grab a box of fudge or a handful of truffles, and it always feels worth it.

Vermont’s candy shops prove that winter isn’t just about staying cozy. It’s about finding joy in the little things. So, ready to sweeten up your next cold-weather trip?

1. Lake Champlain Chocolates Flagship Store

This is the Vermont chocolate stop I point friends to the minute they ask where to begin.

The flagship at 750 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401, pulls you in with that warm shop and cafe feel that just clicks in winter.

You walk in chilly and leave with something thoughtful in a tidy box, plus a grin you did not plan on.

The truffles and bars taste polished yet still local, like someone in the back takes pride in every tray.

If you are road tripping, it works as your anchor stop before heading south through the state. The selection is broad enough that everyone in the car finds a favorite without debate.

I like to linger near the displays and chat with staff about new seasonal runs. They know their cacao but speak like neighbors, not salespeople, which keeps it relaxed.

After a browse, I step outside, breathe that Burlington air, and stash the haul for later.

Winter adds a hush that makes the chocolate feel even more dialed in.

It is easy to swing by after exploring the South End arts area, then roll on to your next town with supplies. If you want one sure thing on this route, this is it.

2. Snowflake Chocolates Factory Store

I love how this one feels like a mission.

You drive up VT-15, snow brushing the banks, and slide into the lot at 81 VT-15, Jericho, VT 05465, with that small-batch excitement building.

It is classic roadside energy, simple and welcoming.

Inside, everything leans maple and local, which just fits a cold day. The counters look tidy, and the chocolates feel handmade without showiness.

I grab a couple boxes because one never lasts the full drive.

Locals swear by the maple-forward treats, and I get why after the first bite. The flavors are confident, not loud, and the finish is clean.

If you are collecting gifts, this is an easy win that travels well.

The best part is how quick the stop can be: park, stock up, get a friendly nod, and you are rolling again with a sweet stash.

Jericho in winter has a calm that pairs perfectly with a box tucked under your arm.

The warmth inside lingers with you long after you leave, trust me. There’s something about the mix of maple and chocolate that feels like the state distilled into a bite.

Even the packaging has that understated charm, like it knows the product speaks for itself.

Driving away, the boxes on the seat beside me feel less like candy and more like a little piece of the road.

3. Middlebury Sweets

This place hits two notes at once. Walk into 1395 Route 7 South, Middlebury, VT 05753 and it is classic candy-store throwback mixed with serious on-site chocolate.

The shelves stack high, colors pop, and the energy wakes you right up.

I always start with a slow lap, letting the nostalgia do its thing. Then I focus on the house-made chocolate area because that is where Middlebury Sweets really lands.

You feel like a kid, but you shop like an adult who knows a good bar when you see it.

Winter makes the bright displays feel extra cheerful. The warmth inside contrasts with snow on the lot, which makes the whole stop feel earned.

Locals swing in often, which tells you plenty.

On a longer loop through the state, I use this as a midday reset. Stretch the legs, chat with staff, and stash a mix of playful picks and solid chocolate.

You roll back onto Route 7 with a smile and a bag that crinkles just right.

4. The Sweet Spot Candy Shoppe

You know that quick reward you promise yourself after a longer drive? That is this stop.

Pull into 5573 Woodstock Road, Quechee, VT 05059, and your shoulders drop.

The counter has that nostalgic layout that makes picking fun. Locals come for chocolate dipped treats and a cheerful hello.

I tend to grab a small mix, then one more because the display talks you into it.

It pairs well with a snowy drive through the Upper Valley. Pop in, make your picks, and enjoy the friendly pace.

Nothing fussy, just a good time and a bag that makes the car smell sweet.

Quechee winters feel soft and scenic, and the shop matches that tone. The whole stop is quick and happy, which is exactly what you want mid-route.

Save a couple pieces for the next leg, if you can.

The shelves carry just enough variety to feel curated without being overwhelming. You notice regulars who pop in with easy familiarity, like it’s part of their weekly rhythm.

The staff has a way of making recommendations that feel personal, not scripted.

Walking back out into the cold, I am sure you will realize the shop leaves you lighter, like you’ve found a small pocket of warmth.

5. Mother Myrick’s Confectionery

This one feels like visiting a favorite relative who really knows sweets.

At 4367 Main Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255, the old-school confectionery vibe settles you in right away. Winter outside, comfort inside, and everything looks cared for.

I like the way staff talks about tradition here. It is calm, confident, and never stiff, which suits the fudge and chocolates.

Folks treat it like part of the town fabric, and visitors catch on fast.

On a cold afternoon, I park, step into the warm light, and take my time. The displays are tidy, and the giftable boxes are easy to choose.

You leave with something that feels thoughtful without overthinking it.

Manchester makes an easy base for a southern Vermont loop. Swing by, pick a mix for later, and carry on with a happy stash.

It is a classic for a reason, and winter makes that reason even clearer.

The rhythm of the place feels steady, like it’s been welcoming people for decades without needing to change much.

You catch snippets of conversation that sound like neighbors checking in, which adds to the comfort.

Even the way the boxes stack behind the counter feels intentional, like they’re waiting for the right hands to carry them home.

Driving off, the sweetness lingers, a reminder that tradition can be its own kind of luxury.

6. Tavernier Chocolates

If you are into small-batch creativity, this spot lights up the day.

Set inside the Brooks House at 128 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301, it feels like a quiet find you want to brag about later.

The space is focused, the packaging clean, and the flavors thoughtful.

I like to ask what they are most excited about right now. The team speaks with care, and that care translates directly to the chocolate.

Everything looks ready to give to someone, which is a winter road trip bonus.

Brattleboro has an artsy heartbeat that hums even in the snow. Step inside, warm your hands, and browse slowly.

The bars are the kind you remember by name later.

This is the kind of stop that resets your pace. No rush, just a calm pick or two that feels considered.

It is an easy addition to a southern Vermont swing and worth planning around.

7. The Village Chocolate Shoppe

Bennington keeps it friendly, and this shop leans all the way in.

At 471 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201, you get that tiny shop, big displays feel that begs for a slow browse. It is the right kind of packed, where every shelf has a purpose.

Locals come for gifts and for their own stash, which tells you the quality holds up. I like to build a small assortment and then add one wildcard for the road.

The conversation at checkout is always easy and warm.

Winter outside, glow inside, and you find yourself relaxing as you choose. The shop knows how to make it simple without dumbing it down.

That balance keeps me coming back whenever I am near the Vermont border.

After a loop through town, I swing back to the car with a tidy bag. It slides right into the passenger seat like a co-pilot.

Save a favorite for the final stretch home, and thank yourself later.

8. Stowe Sweets

Stowe days deserve a candy break.

Swing by 109 Main Street, Stowe, VT 05672, and you will see why folks fold this into a snowy stroll. It is bright, friendly, and easy to pop in for a quick pick.

The layout mixes nostalgia with simple grab and go choices. I like a short lap, then a decisive scoop so I can get back to wandering the village.

The energy is cheerful without any rush.

People pair this stop with window shopping and a warm-up walk. That rhythm feels right in Vermont winter, when small treats lift the whole day.

You head out with a light bag and a lighter mood.

Stowe has postcard edges in cold months, and this shop matches that. It is not trying to be fancy.

It is just fun, which matters when the snow keeps coming.

The shelves invite quick choices, but you still catch yourself smiling at the playful mix.

I like how kids dart in with mittened hands, and adults follow with the same grin once they spot the classics. The staff keeps the mood light, offering a tip or two without slowing you down.

By the time you step back into the snow, the whole stop feels like a cheerful pause stitched into the day.

9. Alderman’s Of Vermont Chocolate

Sometimes you just drive for it.

Alderman’s Of Vermont Chocolate at 231 Monkton Ridge, North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 feels like a small workshop where the chocolate is the whole point.

You step in and everything quiets down in a good way.

Handmade is the tone here, with confections that look cared for rather than staged. I ask a quick question about a favorite and usually walk out with that plus a backup.

Winter makes the packaging feel extra giftable, even if the gift is for you.

The rural setting adds to the charm. Snow on the ridge, clear air, and a simple parking moment that feels unrushed.

You can hear your own thoughts while you choose.

This is a pure chocolate stop that rewards a little planning. Add it to a day when you want fewer places and better picks.

The state shines on drives like this, and a tidy box in the passenger seat proves it.

10. Maple City Candy

If maple calls your name, this is definitely the stop. Maple City Candy sits at 45 Sugarhouse Lane, Swanton, VT 05488 and it feels very Vermont in the best possible way.

You get in, pick a few maple and fudge favorites, and get back on the road happy.

The focus is tight, which helps. I like a quick taste, then I make a small stack that feels just right for later.

People stock up here because the flavor tastes honest and proud.

Winter makes the maple notes feel extra cozy. The shop is quick to navigate, which keeps the trip moving.

I really like how you can be in and out fast without feeling rushed.

This is the kind of detour that turns into a tradition.

It slots cleanly into a northern loop through the state and leaves your car smelling sweet. Save one piece for the final leg, then wish you had saved two.