From world-class skiing, diverse landscape, and top-notch resorts. To exclusive restaurants, breweries, vistas, and far more. Northern Vermont has tons to offer for anyone looking to get away year-round! This beginner's guide to enjoying your northern excursion will assist you in confidently planning a getaway to remember! This is our guide to why you should visit Northern Vermont!

Why Visit Northern Vermont?  

With countless miles of vast terrain, it is easy to get lost among the seemingly endless outdoor paths. The breathtaking vistas, hiking trails, waterways, and quaint ski towns are just a few wonders you’ll encounter in our nek of the woods. Yes, “neck” was misspelled, but fret not! It is a customary acronym to familiarize yourself with. NEK, or the North East Kingdom, is the northeastern-most sector of Vermont that many of us have the pleasure of calling home. Often overlooked due to its harsh winters and mild summers, commonly referred to as “just an hour too far north” from jam-packed Loon NH, I presume, lays a one-of-a-kind playground for thrill-seekers and leisure vacationers alike.

Getting here :

A scenic trip up I-93 through the heart of the white mountains or a straight shot north, up I-91 from most western MA and NY locations. The NEK is the ideal destination for a weekend traveler or even a hardcore day tripper. Roughly 3.5 hours from Boston (on a good day) and slightly longer yet well worth the 6-hour drive from NYC (baring traffic, of course). Folks who embark on this Northern journey will be welcomed with crisp mountain air, a tranquil departure from mundane city life, and exceptional scenery.

For those visiting from other regions, nearby Burlington International Airport is merely 1.5 hours away and a breathtaking drive through the spine of the green mountains to most destinations in the kingdom. As for our close friends north of the border, Montreal, QC, is roughly 2 hours and a stone’s throw over the border from the east coast “powder Mecca” Jay Peak, Vermont, which boasts an average of 359″ of annual snowfall!

Staying here:

Lodging and accommodation have come a long way since the days of cheap motels, crowded hotels, and couch surfing. Host agencies like Airbnb and Vrbo offer many options alongside ski resort hotels, slopeside condos, cabins, and cozy inns. The struggle of accessing accommodations is a thing of the past! Though booking in advance and planning/preparing for the elements is highly recommended, we’ll have you covered with impromptu ideas even mom and dad will enjoy!

Where to go:

With countless eateries, breweries, and resorts scattered throughout Northern VT, there’s rarely a dull day in the kingdom. No matter the season. Take a splash year-round at Jay Peak’s Pump House, A mountain-side indoor water park/bar the kids and family are sure to love! On a warm summer day, jet over to Burke Mountain’s Kingdom Trails, where the 100-plus miles of pristine mountain biking await riders of all levels. Still craving a thrill? Jay Peak in the dead of winter will surely fill that void. With the annual snow totals previously mentioned (359″) plus its 385+ acres of skiable terrain alongside numerous surrounding peaks accessible with adequate ability and gear, you can get lost in the wonder of it all. Literally lost, as I once was, but that’s a story for another day. So if you decide to access this gnarly terrain, take all precautions and use the buddy system!

Now comes the best part, or my personal favorite. Food. So much food. There’s nothing more satisfying after a long day of skiing, hiking, paddling, or lounging than a hearty meal, from high-end restaurants and snack shacks to great food trucks (yes, food trucks). There’s ample flavor to go around! 

Moving forward:

As we continue our subsequent journey of the NEK, we will be taking a deeper dive into more specific vacation ideas in addition to the flourishing cuisine that fuels our community. All the while meeting key players in the area and offering insider insight on navigating northern Vermont effectively. Stay tuned as we create more detailed guides and continue growing our content library! Thanks for stopping by!