WHAT’S NOT TO MISS ▼
In the smallest U.S. capital city, the Vermont State House is one of the
oldest and best preserved state capitols, dating back 150 years. Free
guided tours are offered year-round of the Greek Revival structure, topped
by a distinctive gold leaf dome. vtstatehousefriends.org
From MPR Station: 1.8 miles car
Quechee State Park in Hartford is home to Quechee Gorge, “Vermont’s
Little Grand Canyon.” At 165 feet, it’s the deepest gorge in the state,
formed by glacial activity 13,000 years ago. It can be viewed from the U.S.
Route 4 Bridge and from trails on both sides. vtstateparks.com
From WRJ Station: 6.4 miles car
The Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory gives 30-minute guided tours
year-round that demonstrate the ice cream manufacturing process, and
end with a free sample. Outside, visitors can stroll through the Flavor
Graveyard of retired flavors. benjerry.com
From WAB Station: 1.9 miles car; 23 minute bus
Hermit Thrush Brewery
Middlebury: Much More Than the College
PHOTOS: (BEER) COURTESY HERMIT THRUSH BREWERY; (NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MORGAN HORSE, OTTER CREEK BREWING, SHELDON MUSEUM) MALERIE YOLEN-COHEN
By Malerie Yolen-Cohen
WHY GO: Most people come to Middlebury for the liberal arts college
TOUR: Sheldon Museum. The
of the same name. But another college—and a certain kind of horse—
are also prominent features of this tidy town. The origin of the sturdy
but graceful Morgan Horse can be traced to Middlebury, and the University of Vermont maintains one of the best “attractions” in the state—the
Morgan Horse Farm—two miles out of town. But Middlebury is also
becoming known for a variety of beverages—from wine to beer to
spirits—and even hard cider,
with tasting rooms just minutes
apart. So, come to Middlebury
for the college and horses, stay
for the food and drink.
1829 Judd-Harris House was built
by “two guys in the marble
business” next to Middlebury’s
marble quarry. It became a
rooming house, and then a brothel,
before former boarder Henry
Sheldon
Sheldon bought the place and
Museum
started to collect things. In 1882
Sheldon chartered the building as a museum—making it the “Oldest
Community Based Museum in the Country,” and it is now known for its
architecture, its six black marble fireplaces and a beloved garden.
VISIT: National Museum of the
EAT: Storm Café. Sit outside on the deck that hangs over the river near
Morgan Horse. This little brick
and mortar establishment in
National
downtown Middlebury
Museum of the
Morgan Horse
celebrates the Morgan horse in
many forms; paintings, sketches,
periodicals and sculptures. Pop in to this small storefront spot for a look
after you’ve visited the farm.
the falls. The café has been a local “farm-to-table” favorite for years.
Locals also love Two Brothers—a lively pub on the edge of Middlebury
College campus, Jessica’s at Swift House for upscale dining, and
American Flatbread for pizza.
Malerie Yolen-Cohen is co-publisher of Getaway Mavens, a travel site
describing some of the best offbeat escapes in the Northeast.
DO: The Middlebury Tasting Trail. It’s only five miles end to end, so
you can easily sip the fruits of vine, tree and earth in one afternoon.
Establishments are open Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Begin at the
Lincoln Peak Vineyard, which grows all of its own grapes and has won
awards for its Red Marquette. Next, head to Woodchuck Cider House,
the cidery that brought the world Gumption. You’ll never buy another
bottle of Kahlua again after sipping Appalachian Gap Distillery’s
Kaffevan (that lists among
Otter Creek
other ingredients, “magic.”)
Brewing
Follow the Gap with the
Otter—or Otter Creek
Brewing, the most commercial
on this list. Finish up at
Drop-In Brewing—an outpost
of the American Brewer’s
Guild’s brewing school.
Amtrak.com
We asked Kim Knox Beckius, Yankee Magazine
Contributing Editor and About.com New England
Travel Expert, to recommend an off-the-beatenpath attraction to visit on our next trip to Vermont.
“There’s one place in Vermont where you can
see snow all year long—and truly appreciate this
frozen phenomenon. Inside the Old Red Mill in Jericho, the Jericho
Historical Society displays some of the 5,000+ photographs
snapped through a microscope by ingenious Vermonter Wilson A.
Bentley. In 1885, this local farmer became the first person to
photograph an individual snowflake. Admission is free to examine
the original scientific evidence that proves: No two are alike.”
New York By Rail | 59