Vermont Backcountry Cottages guidebook
My Favorite Eateries
From pub food, to French cuisine, the Green Mountains have what you're looking for.
(Look these places up and double check if they're open...)
Sandy's Books and Bakery
30 North Main Street, Rochester, VT, 05767, US
Two words...trout sandwich. Way too much goodness here to elaborate on. Come for the food and coffee, stay for the books. Warning: allow ample time to explore this place. Not your average book store. Carefully curated books, many of which you won't find elsewhere.
Maple Soul
13 School St, Rochester, VT, 05767, US
Watch your fingers! The burger is so good you risk injury to your hands. Great beer selection, awesome hosts, and excellent food.
Hubbard’s Country Store
38 VT-125, Hancock, VT, 05748, US
Quintessential Vermont country store. If Sara doesn't have it, you don't need it. They have non-ethanol gas too! Best pizza in Central Vermont! I get my handmade sandwiches here almost every day when I’m up working on the cottages.
Rochester Cafe
55 North Main Street, Rochester, Vermont, 05767, United States
Cute little cafe with all the basics. They have an old soda counter and solid eats. There is also a little store for a souvenir on your way back home.
Saap Restaurant
50 Randolph Ave, Randolph, VT, 05060, US
Saap has some great Northern Thai Food. Don't worry, they'll go easy on the spice if you ask.
Cafe Provence
11 Center Street, Brandon, VT, 05733, US
Don't underestimate the cuisine here. Even the bland décor will throw you off...c'est trés fantastique! There’s a little sister bakery and wine shop down the street. Come early and explore Brandon. Really cute town.
Hostel Tevere
203 Powderhound Rd, Warren, VT 05674
Chill vibe, small menu - one of the best burgers in the state. Great bar with proper mixed drinks and great beer selection. Serve dinner Thursday-Sunday from 4pm – 9pm
Doc's Tavern
19 Huntington Pl, Rochester, VT 05767
The food and the service are average but it's still a fun pub right in the charming village of Rochester.
Clear River Tavern
2640 Vermont Rte 100, Pittsfield, VT 05762
Good pub food, billiards and great outdoor spaces. Music venue. Great place to go on snowmobiles.
The Wild Fern
1703 Vermont Rte 100 N, Stockbridge, VT 05772
Fun, funky little place with amazing homemade food and music.
Provisions
Whether you need a six pack or Szechuan sauce, one of these places should do the trick.
North Hollow Farm
2124 North Hollow Farm, Rochester, VT, 05767, US
This family raises some of the best beef I've ever had, right up in the Hollows above Rochester. You can buy farm fresh eggs (duck, goose, chicken), many cuts of fresh beef, bacon, honey, syrup, and now in the summer you can even stop for an ice cream! Stop in and tell Stacy I sent yah.
Mac's Market, Rochester
Rochester, Rochester, VT, 05767, US
Mac's has all the basics and a Vermont Liquor Store.
Hubbard's Country Store
38 VT-125, Hancock, VT, 05748, US
Awesome country store with a great selection of beer, life changing pizza, basic goods, some art, candy, you name it. Stop in for coffee and breakfast sandwiches... If Sara doesn't have it, you don't need it!
Ripton Country Store
1192 VT-125, Ripton, VT, 05766, US
This place is a time machine. Basic provisions, beer and wine. Post office. Gas pump. Good people. Don’t miss it.
Original General Store
3963 Vermont 100, Pittsfield, VT, 05762, US
This place is a lot of fun, albeit pricey on some items. Deli, baked goods. Beer and wine cellar.
Granville General Store
5358 Vermont 100, Granville, Vermont, 05747, United States
Absolutely no frills here. Just the basics.
Warren Store
284 Main Street, Warren, Vermont, 05674, United States
Killer sandwiches, great craft beer selection, and just about everything else under the sun including a nice clothing and gift shop upstairs...all situated right next to Freeman Brook. Enjoy a sandwich at a picnic table right on the water!
JD's Quick Stop
523 VT-100, Hancock, VT, 05748, US
JD's has the best craft beer selection I have found in the area. Don't be fooled by the Sunoco sign....inside is a sumptuous feast of beer, including fresh poured growlers!
Art
If you're looking for a local landscape to take home, a masterwork or a bit of theater...it can all be had on a day trip. Central Vermont has much more arts and culture than you might have imagined.
BigTown Gallery
99 North Main Street, Rochester, Vermont, 05767, United States
BigTown Gallery, and its non-profit, BigTown Projects, Inc. explores the local impact of creative economy. Our programming seeks to highlight accomplished and well-established artists for general appreciation, enjoyment and investment.
BigTown Gallery, offers a full spectrum of visual, literary, and performing arts with its year-round exhibit schedule, Summer Reading Series, and performing arts events. Programming is presented by the Gallery’s non-profit 501c3 tax deductible sister-entity, BigTown Projects, and is generously supported by loyal audience members and partners; all free (unless noted otherwise) and open to the public. The Bigtown Projects events are currently held at BigTown Gallery Rochester, located in the heart of Vermont, on RT 100 at 99 North Main, Rochester.
Green Mountain Glassworks
5523 VT-100, Granville, VT, 05747, US
Gorgeous, handmade glasswork.
Chandler Center for the Arts
71 S Main St, Randolph, VT, 05060, US
Chandler Center for the Arts is a community-based arts organization in Randolph, Vermont, serving Central Vermont and the Upper Valley region with a year-round series of performances, art exhibits and educational opportunities in historic Chandler Music Hall and Gallery.
Middlebury College Museum of Art
72 Porter Field Road, Middlebury, Vermont, 05753, United States
The Middlebury College Museum of Art is the largest learning laboratory on campus and one of Vermont’s premier visual arts venues. By collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and contextualizing art representing a diversity of peoples, cultures, and periods, we create opportunities for all visitors—students, faculty, staff, and the larger public—to connect with others and transform their understanding of the world through the exploration of art and its meanings.
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
1171 Main Street, Saint Johnsbury, VT, 05819, US
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, a legacy of the Fairbanks family, is a private, nonprofit public library and art gallery located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. A monument of the 19th century belief in learning, the Athenaeum was founded by Horace Fairbanks as a culture center for the town - a true "athenaeum," providing a free public library and art gallery, as well as a host for numerous educational events.
Fairbanks Museum
Saint Johnsbury, VT, 05819, US
Inside our classic Victorian building, you’ll nd a dazzling array of animals and artifacts, dolls and tools, shells and fossils, and much more! Take a trip through the cosmos in Vermont's only public planetarium. A full calendar of events, workshops, lectures and eld programs invites everyone to explore the nature of our world.
Henry Sheldon Museum
1 Park Street, Middlebury, Vermont, 05753, United States
The Sheldon Museum, the oldest community-based Museum in the country, has welcomed visitors and researchers since 1882. In 2015, the Sheldon Museum announced a two-year alliance with Historic New England. To learn more about Historic New England and the alliance, follow the links on the next page. Our mission is to serve the public by preserving the historic memory of Addison County and neighboring communities, heightening the awareness and enjoyment of our rich cultural legacy, and stimulating the study of connections between Vermont’s past and broader historical themes. We offer lively tours, exhibits, and programs to enrich the understanding of Vermont’s past in each of the three main areas of the Museum:
The Judd-Harris House, built in 1829, showcases a wealth of objects depicting small town life in nineteenth century Vermont
The Stewart-Swift Research Center houses one of the state’s premier archival collections, documenting the history of Middlebury, Addison County, and Vermont
The Walter Cerf Gallery hosts changing exhibits throughout the year
The Museum also has an Education Program offering on-site and outreach programs using reproductions of maps, documents, and artifacts from the Museum collections. Public programs at the Sheldon Museum include a popular Holiday Open House, an outdoor Pops Concert in the summer, and many other events throughout the year. View Programs & Events for a full list of upcoming Museum programs.
Handcrafts
Vermont is known for fine handcrafted textiles, art and home goods. There are entire websites and social media pages devoted to it if you care to research further. These are just a few located nearby.
Bowl Mill Store
45 Mill Rd, Granville, VT, 05747, US
Since the beginning of The Bowl Mill in 1857, the heart of our craft has been producing durable and beautiful wooden bowls, manufactured right here in Vermont. We take great pride in providing our customers with the highest quality wooden bowls for home decoration and function. Each piece of wood is tested for integrity and designed to last for generations to come. We produce and sell unique one-piece hardwood bowls made from beech, walnut, maple and cherry wood. Treasured for their timeless style and functionality, these handcrafted wood bowls are made by skilled craftsmen using only the highest quality wood available. Each bowl inherits the distinctive grain of the tree, containing a history of the weather, climate and soil conditions experienced during the growth cycle of the tree. It can take close to 100 years for a single hardwood tree to produce the grains that make our bowls remarkable.
Green Mountain Glassworks
5523 VT-100, Granville, VT, 05747, US
Gorgeous, handmade glasswork.
Vermont Soap
616 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT 05753
Okay, so it’s not handmade anymore, but the owner Larry, is my friend and neighbor. Pick some of this stuff up…it’s everywhere in Vermont. You won’t regret it.
We recognize that human beings are now at a critical juncture in relation to our planet, and that viable alternatives must be created to lead us into a sustainable future.
Vermont Soap was created to manufacture and market high quality, unique and natural personal care products of usefulness and value; and to be an example of how corporations can be a tool for positive social change.
We emphasize the wholeness and integration of the company departments through communication, participation in the growth process, and acceptance of responsibility among co-workers.
We pledge to conduct our business in an environmentally aware manner emphasizing reuse and recycling, the use of natural base ingredients, and the application of appropriate technology.
Antiques
Whether you’re following the Vermont Antique Trail or just winging it, it could take weeks to see all the shops…pace yourself.
The Barn Antiques
118 3 Mile Bridge Rd, VT, 05753, US
Sam is the BEST! Stop by often because Sam gets lots of new stu. I outfitted 1/2 my cottage from The Barn. Sam even taught me his "secret" furniture cleaning recipe. The Barn isn't full of "dainty" antiques and doilies. It has tons of old tools, rustic furniture, glassware, cast iron kitchenware, old signs, etc. Must stop even if just to browse and get nostalgic.
This should be your first stop if you're on the antique trail. Watch out, Sam and his wife drive a hard bargain!
East Barre Antique Mall
133 Mill Street, Barre, Vermont, 05649, United States
Robert Somaini began collecting as a child. You can nd him amidst a horde of antiques from April 30th to October 30th. As an added bonus, the Vermont Flannel Company is located right across the street. I got a bunch of stu from Robert, including my rocking chair. He's a really nice guy and loves to chat. I look forward to seeing him again.
Select Antiques & Wayward Items
2127 VT-73, Sudbury, VT, 05733, US
Despite the cute name, this little shop has some really nice pieces. They're not cheap by any means, but you can tell they were hand picked. They had a handful of rare old farm pieces in very good condition. In addition, this is a family farm and a native plant nursery. It's a lovely property and the owners are quite friendly.
Breweries/Wineries/Distilleries
Craft brews, wines and distilled spirits have become very popular in the last decade in Vermont. Many towns have their own brewery and some spirits can only be had by coming direct to the brewery. It's time for a pilgrimage!
Hill Farmstead Brewery
403 Hill Road, Greensboro, VT, 05842, US
Hill Farmstead Brewery is the culmination of many years of travel and insight—of experience and education—of friendships and explorations. The brewery is the revival and continuation of 220 years of Hill heritage and hand crafted history in North Greensboro, Vermont. Its logo is retrieved from a sign that once hung in Aaron Hill's (our great(x3) grandfather) tavern, just up the hill, in the early 1800s.
Lawson's Finest
Warren, VT, 05674, US
Lawson’s Finest Liquids produces beer of the highest quality with outstanding freshness. We emulate the best of widely appreciated styles of beer, featuring world class IPAs and unique maple brews, while quenching the thirst of beer lovers from near and far.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is a valued leader in the craft beer culture. Our customers are excited and engaged by our high-quality beer and memorable experiences. We create economic vitality in the local community through beer tourism and by providing rewarding careers within a vibrant company culture. We further support our neighbors and local charitable organizations through philanthropic giving.
von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall
1333 Luce Hill Rd, Stowe, VT, 05672, US
Beer is like art. To each their own. That's probably why there are so many craft brews to be had. I'm a lager man. Whether you prefer your beer light or heavy, hoppy or sweet, smooth or bold, you’ll nd something to satisfy your palate at von Trapp Brewing. We offer an array of year-round and seasonal lagers at our brewery located at the world- famous Trapp Family Lodge. Stop in any time of year and enjoy a heavenly libation made right here in Stowe, Vermont.
Long Trail Brewing Company
5520 US-4, Bridgewater, VT, 05035, US
Inspired by the 273-mile hiking trail that traverses through the Green Mountains, Long Trail Brewing has been a caretaker of Vermont craft since 1989.
From small-batch recipes developed in our farmhouse-turned-pilot-brewery to large-scale staples like our flagship Long Trail Ale® , our brewers are committed to crafting a trail-worthy family of beers.
The Otter Creek Brewery (Shed)
793 Exchange St, Middlebury, VT, 05753, US
Vermont's Otter Creek Brewing Company has been hitting, hopping and dosing brews with creativity since acid-wash jeans were hip. Following the addition of a state-of-the-art brew house and more canning capacity, the OCB Crew is continuing down the path of innovation, throwing a bit of kind into the kettle whenever possible. OCB's hop-soaked ales and lagers are available throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region.
Lost Nation Brewing
87 Creamery Road, Morristown, VT, 05661, US
After years honing our skills in the brewing and process industry, we set forth to create a brewery with a simple mission; to produce honest beer. The result is a 7,000bbl brewery located in Northern Vermont that is capable of brewing any style of ales and lagers. The brewery takes inspiration from lesser known European beer styles, along with local Vermont life to guide our brews. The attention to detail, modern equipment, and love for beer help produce truly authentic, unique beers.
Switchback Brewing Co.
160 Flynn Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05406, US
Switchback Ale was developed as a flavor concept, not adhering to any style guidelines. Using only traditional ingredients, Switchback Ale is an unfiltered, reddish-amber ale which is particularly well-balanced, allowing for complexity of flavor coupled with an unusually smooth and refreshing character. Five divergent malts, select hop varieties, and our own specially cultivated yeast create an ale which leads with hop flavors and a subtle impression of fruit (our yeast’s contribution), followed by a palate pleasing malty finish.
All Switchback beers are brewed in Burlington, Vermont and are carbonated during fermentation by the yeast itself resulting in a 100% naturally conditioned beer. After aging, we simply move the beer to the keg or bottle, leaving it unfiltered for the freshest, fullest, most natural flavor possible. Switchback Brewing Co. is 100% employee owned.
Good Measure Brewing Co.
17 East St, Northfield, VT, 05663, US
With Good Measure, our intention is to give you something that doesn't overload the palate, but rather gives space for a range of tastes, textures, and experiences. In each of our beers, you'll nd something familiar and something distinctly new.
Hiking/Scenic Areas
Some of the best hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the world is right here in Vermont. And it's FREE!
The Long Trail
Vermont’s Long Trail System, with its 272-mile footpath, 166 miles of side trails, and approximately 70 backcountry campsites (many featuring shelters) offers endless hiking opportunities for the day hiker, weekend overnighter, and extended backpacker. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont state line to the Canadian border, crossing Vermont’s highest peaks.
The most challenging hike in the Central Vermont portion of the Long Trail is the 12 mile hike from the Appalachian Gap (App Gap) to the Lincoln Gap. Your hike can begin at either trail head, either on Route 17 in Fayston or Lincoln Gap Road in Warren. For a less serious day hike from Lincoln Gap Road, try the 5- mile trail to 4000-foot high Mt Abraham.
Clark Brook Trailhead
1335 W Hill Rd, Granville, VT, 05747, US
The trail ascends easily along Clark Brook, crossing it on bridges twice, and then enters the Breadloaf Wilderness. After crossing a small brook the trail becomes steeper and rockier before reaching its junction with the Long Trail at 3.0 miles. Mt. Roosevelt is 0.4 miles north on the Long Trail, and Mt. Wilson is 0.8 miles south on the Long Trail. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. Trail blazing, maintenance, and signage will be minimal in Wilderness Areas. This trailhead is a very easy walk from Breadloaf & Green Mountain Cottages.
Texas Falls
RTE 125 Hancock, Vermont, 05748, United States
From the upper parking lot, the trail meanders through the forest along Hancock Brook 0.3 miles toward the Texas Falls observation sites. At the various observation sites and the bridge over the falls, hikers can see the series of cascading falls and the potholes carved into the rock by glacial meltwater.
The trail then loops back up to the left, away from the water, heading toward the upper section of the nature trail and winding through the woods. After twisting through trees and ferns, the trail bends left and descends a short hill that leads back to the parking lot. The trail loop length is 1.0 mile, with a 70- foot elevation change.
Pleiad Lake
Rte 125 Hancock, VT, 05748, US
Pleiad Lake Trail is a 1 mile moderately tracked out and back trail located near Hancock, Vermont that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and birding and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Gorgeous views. Gorgeous lake. Amazing swimming.
Warren Falls
3919 VT-100, Warren, VT, 05674, US
The Mad River harbors a collection of first-class swimming holes, including a long-time Vermont favorite, Warren Falls. The pools below the falls are spacious and full of clear green-tinted water. Cli jumping is a true past-time here, and you would be hard-pressed to find a safer spot to partake in this activity. Of course, cli-jumping always carries a high degree of risk, so use caution if you decide to join the conga-line of jumpers often seen here during the warmer months. The falls themselves, a series of several small plunges, are mostly overshadowed by the allure of the pools and the striking gorge walls. Despite the crowds that are likely to be here on summer weekends, there is always enough room for all to savor this jewel of a natural attraction.
Moss Glen Falls
Rte 100 Granville Gulf, VT, US
Granville Gulf Reservation consists of 1,171 acres on either side of a six-mile section of VT Route 100 known as Granville Gulf. The original parcel consisted of a 900-acre gift from Governor Redfield Proctor in 1928. Granville Gulf is best known for the scenic Moss Glen Falls, with its 80-foot waterfall where Deer Hollow Brook joins Alder Meadow Brook. Moss Glen is aptly named, as the falls cascade over moss-covered rock, down into a clear pool at the bottom.
The falls are visible from VT Route 100, but a more spectacular view is available via a short trail that starts from the parking pull-o on VT 100. From the parking area the trail crosses a wide, wooden bridge, then turns to a level, well-maintained gravel pathway. There is an informational sign o to the side of the trail about Moss Glen Falls and the surrounding area. The trail terminates in a platform viewing area with a spectacular view of the falls. Round trip the trail is quite short and easy, but it is a great opportunity to get out of the car, stretch the legs, and appreciate one of Vermont's most beautiful waterfalls.
Sunset Ledge Trailhead
3573 Lincoln Gap Rd, Lincoln, VT, 05443, US
"An easy 2.2-mile walk to excellent west-facing views, perfect for a picnic or sunset supper. Few hikes oer such a gorgeous view with such little effort. As the name implies, this rocky outpost has views to the west. Pack dinner and hike in for a gorgeous Vermont sunset or just plan a usual day hike. As the name implies, this rocky outpost has views to the west. Pack dinner and hike in for a gorgeous Vermont sunset or just plan a usual day hike. From the trailhead, head south on the Long Trail. After an initial steep pitch, you will enter the 25,000-acre Breadloaf Wilderness Area; sign in at the kiosk at the boundary. Wilderness Areas are designated tracts of land set aside by the government where the land and wildlife are free to exist in their natural state, untouched by the hand of humans. You are free to travel through and enjoy these areas, but activities and machinery are limited to keep a pristine wilderness experience."
--Ethan Hipple and Yemaya St. Clair, Outdoors with Kids: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont (Appalachian Mountain Club Books).
Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
Rte 125 Ripton, VT, 05766, US
This National Recreation Trail commemorates Robert Frost’s poetry; several of his poems are mounted along the trail in the woods and fields. Blueberries and huckleberries grow in an old eld at the far end of the trail. The trail is an easy walk, and the first 0.3 miles across a beaver pond boardwalk out to the South Branch of the Middlebury River is accessible and suitable for wheelchairs. The Forest Service maintains all of the old fields along this trail with prescribed re to preserve the scenic, open appearance of the area.
Bailey Falls
Rte 125 Hancock, VT, 05748, US
From Middlebury, take US-7 south to a left onto VT 125 east. Travel along VT 125 east for 0.8 mile beyond the parking area for the Long Trail and park on the right (south) side of the road at the start of a dirt road that descends 150 feet in a southwest direction down to a small wooden bridge. There is only room for 1-2 vehicles here. Make sure that you don't block the dirt road and that you are parked sufficiently o of the state highway. This parking pull-o is 2.3 miles west of Texas Falls Rd, which leads to...you guessed it...Texas Falls.
From the parking pull-o on VT 125, walk 150 feet downhill on the dirt road. Turn left and cross a wooden bridge over a stream. After crossing the bridge, you'll soon see one of the Middlebury Snow Bowl ski lifts in front of you. If you look left, you'll see the bottom of a ski trail on a moderately steep hill. Turn left and start walking up that ski hill. About 2/3rds of the way up that hill, turn left and enter the woods on a very rough and not-always-obvious path. You are about 0.15 mile from the trailhead at this point. Follow the path or bushwhack about 150 feet over to the brook. You'll descend about 20 feet before you reach the base of the lowermost falls. There are additional falls upstream, including a 10- foot falls, but you'll need to bushwhack along the edge of the brook and ravine to reach them. Exploring up and down the brook, which photographers will likely want to do, requires some sure footing and a few tricky maneuvers.
Bread Loaf Mountain
Rte 125 Ripton, VT, 05766, US
"Through nicely forested landscapes, this pleasant hike into the 25,237-acre Breadloaf Wilderness showcases the best of what central Vermont hiking has to offer. In addition to scaling a New England Hundred Highest Peak, the day’s journey offers nice views of the Champlain Valley and the distant Adirondacks and visits a serene, high-elevation pond tucked away in a secluded basin. As an added bonus, unlike many treks to similar-sized mountains in New England, this 8-mile journey by and large traverses gradual terrain. Take this hike in early summer for wildflowers and abundant songbirds, or in mid-autumn for vibrant foliage."
--Jerey Romano, 100 Classic Hikes in New England (The Mountaineers Books).
3825-3427 Steam Mill Rd, Ripton, VT
Falls of Lana
Directions from Forest Dale, VT: Travel north on SR 53 for 5.2 miles to a large parking area for Silver Lake and Falls of Lana.
Falls of Lana Trail is a 4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Salisbury, Vermont that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Silver Lake Trail
3963 Lake Dunmore Rd, Salisbury, VT 05769
Silver Lake Trail is a 5.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Salisbury, Vermont that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Long Trail to Mount Horrid
Long Trail, Hancock, VT 05748
The Long Trail to Mount Horrid is a 1.9 mile out and back trail located near Rochester, Vermont that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and bird watching and is best used from August until February. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Skylight Pond Trail
3428-3826 Steam Mill Rd, Ripton, VT
Skylight Pond Trail is a 4.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ripton, Vermont that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Camel's Hump Trail
Camels Hump Rd, Duxbury, VT 05676
Camel's Hump Trail is a 6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Huntington, Vermont that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.