Named after French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who first went there in 1609, Lake Champlain is one of the premiere cruising destinations in the United States. First off, it’s enormous, some 163 miles long and 14 miles wide, with Vermont on the eastern shore and New York to the west. One of the many things that make it interesting, however, is that the northern tip is part of Quebec province, and if you want to practice your French (but with a distinct Quebec flair), or cruise through a part of the country that could have come from a Monet painting, it’s the place to go.
But Lake Champlain is full of history, dating back to before the Revolution, when the French and Indians and Brits and finally the Americans all fought there. On the lake itself, during the Revolution Benedict Arnold cobbled together a tiny fleet of boats that fought the British navy to a standstill, at least for most of a day. (That was when Arnold was still one of George Washington’s best generals, or admirals in this case.)
I spent several days on Lake Champlain three summers ago while taking a Cutwater 28 from New York Harbor up to Quebec City. I loved it, and can’t wait to go back. The fresh waters are clear, reflecting the mountains and the sky, and looking north the lake seems to go on forever. And there are many islands to explore, if you so choose, or you can head directly over to Burlington, on the eastern shore. It’s the largest city on the lake, and is a cruising, vacation and cultural center with a lot going on. Here’s a good story about what you’ll find there.
http://newenglandboating.com/destinations/focus-on-burlington-vt.html
