A Summer Weekend in Southern Vermont
Vermont became a refuge for my husband, Adam and I during covid. Every summer for the last 6 years, any chance to escape New York City and head north on the Taonic, we took it. I often thought the novelty might wear off, there are so many places I’d love to explore within the US and abroad, yet somehow we continue to find ourselves craving a few quiet days in the woods.
At just under 4 hours from Manhattan, southern Vermont sits at the perfect distance. Close enough to allow for a spontaneous weekend getaway (with our furry friends in tow), but far enough to feel like an escape. Yet even in the relatively short time we’ve been visiting, we’ve witnessed remarkable growth. The restaurants have become increasingly impressive, the towns more vibrant and lively, and each trip seems to uncover another hidden gem.
After all these years, we felt Vermont deserved a proper ode. Adam suggested I write about it, and all the places we love, and so, here we are.
Friday Evening
Arrive and head straight to dinner at The Crooked Ram. Order the crudo, a chilled glass of Sardinian wine, and one of their wood-fired pizzas. Save room for the chocolate semifreddo.
Saturday Morning
Start the day with an early morning run along River Road. Cyclists love this route too, though I'll happily leave the biking to them.
Post-run coffee historically, we'd grab ours from The Crooked Ram's café, but since they've closed their daytime operation we've rerouted to Colburn Café in Manchester, which has become a worthy alternative. On our next visit, I'm looking forward to trying The Crooked Ram’s sister café, Bondville Bodega.
With caffeine in hand, wander through Petal on Main. This was a recent discovery for me. Their collection of gifts, homewares, and thoughtfully curated finds makes it nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.
Next, head to the Equinox Pond Trail. It's the perfect option if you're not quite ready to tackle the hike to the summit of Mount Equinox.
Lunch
Reward your efforts with lunch at Dorset Bakery. I always order the BLT, and the hand-cut chips on the side are so perfectly crisp that you'll quickly convince yourself they're healthy.
Relax and regroup. Over the years, we've stayed everywhere from The Dorset Inn to Barrows House, both longtime favorites. This trip, however, we opted for a charming Airbnb in Arlington perched right along the river.
It gave my fisherman easy access to the water, plenty of room for the furry companions to roam, and the ideal backdrop for me to host my own alfresco aperitivi in the garden as the sun went down.
From there, make the drive to Chester and spend the evening at Bliss Farm. From June through October, the farm hosts family-style dinners in its beautifully restored barn every Friday and Saturday night.
It's the very definition of real farm-to-table dining: long communal tables, ingredients harvested just steps away, and the kind of experience that feels uniquely Vermont.
It's the very definition of real farm-to-table dining: long communal tables, ingredients harvested just steps away, and the kind of experience that feels uniquely Vermont.
If you have a few more days to spare...
The Hill Farm — A relatively new farm-to-table restaurant and inn. We had an exceptional meal here, one that rivaled some of our favorite restaurants in Upstate New York.
Honeypie — An unassuming roadside spot serving some of the best burgers around and honeypie
Roadrunner — Home to one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I've ever had.
Barrows House — One of my favourite places to spend a summer evening on their outdoor patio.
Earth Sky Time Community Farm — A wonderful community farm offering exceptional produce, coffee, and baked goods. They also host live music on Sundays.
The Marble House- an artist residency in Dorset that sits on a beautiful property of meadows and historic buildings.
