New York By Rail 13th ed. | Page 61

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