With Every Changing Season,
The Northeast Kingdom Offers Plenty To Do!

WINTER

While some may hole up inside during the winter, that is not our way in the Northeast Kingdom. There is so much to do, and much of it can be found outside your door or just minutes away. Burke Mountain Resort, located in East Burke, and Jay Peak Resort , located in Jay, are considered two of the most challenging and best ski areas in Vermont.

In addition to downhill skiing, Burke Mountain also features Nordic skiing, and there is also winter mountain biking available through the extensive Kingdom Trails system. There are also numerous Nordic skiing centers throughout the Northeast Kingdom. At Jay Peak, numerous recreational opportunities abound, including Nordic skiing. There is also a year-round inside water park and hockey arena, available for public skating, at Jay. Both resorts feature a number of dining choices on site.

One of the area’s favorite pastimes is snowmobiling. The Northeast Kingdom, in fact, is considered one of the best places in the entire nation to snowmobile due to the extensive Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) trail system.

The Fenton Chester Arena, located in Lyndon Center, serves as the home ice rink for the Lyndon Area Youth Hockey Association (LAYHA), Lyndon Institute, St. Johnsbury Academy and Vermont State University-Lyndon. Many also ice fish during the winter, with shanties a familiar site on many of the region’s frozen lakes. Last but not least, you may find yourself transformed back in time when you see young children sledding down hills.

SPRING

Many of the winter activities described above can also be enjoyed, depending on snow cover, well into early spring. As the snow melts and the temperatures rise, people come out of the woodwork to walk, run and bike.

Spring is also the time for making maple syrup, a process time-honored in our region. Many sugarhouses are open to the public during the season. Be sure to check out our chamber calendar for dates of the open house weekend.

When the ground is dry enough to ensure trails are not damaged, mountain bikers revel in the opening of Kingdom Trails. The bike trail system is considered among the best in the world and has been recognized as such in many premier biking magazines. There is also mountain biking available at Burke Mountain.

This is also the season that anglers dig out their gear and head to streams and lakes as fishing season (fishing season link) begins. Although many seasoned anglers have their own favorite spots to cast out their lines, there are a multitude of rivers and ponds to choose from in the Northeast Kingdom.

SUMMER

As the temperatures start to rise ever higher, there is an additional flurry of activities, as mountain biking, hiking and camping are in full swing. The Northeast Kingdom is home to five state parks and our terrain includes some of the most beautiful views in all of Vermont. Whether one kayaks, canoes or enjoys speeding along in a motor boat, there are so many lakes to choose from to enjoy your respective interest.

Summer is so beautiful in the Northeast Kingdom that everyone wants to spend every precious moment that they possibly can outside, and there is much to do and see. There are six golf courses in the region, including Barton Country Club, Jay Peak Resort Golf Club, Mountain View Country Club, Newport Country Club, Orleans Country Club and the St. Johnsbury Country Club.

It is also lovely to take walks in our charming downtowns, many which feature farmers markets during the summer and early fall. These farmers’ markets include Craftsbury, Danville, Groton, Hardwick, Lunenburg, Newport, Peacham and St. Johnsbury.

FALL

It has been said by so many that autumn in the Northeast Kingdom is gorgeous, but the New York Times’ best seller “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” went so far as to put it in print, stating our foliage “could very well be the most beautiful place in America,” a distinction we are very proud of in these parts.

Many of the summer activities continue long into the fall, but there are a number of activities that are extra special when combined with the colors of autumn, especially checking out the covered bridges in the tri-county region and also birding. Just be mindful that when hunting season starts, there are as many humans in the woods as there are animals and to take that into consideration.

If you have any questions on what to do in our region during our wondrous seasons, please check out our web site, not to mention our calendar, or contact us, and we will offer some suggestions on possible activities to check out while you are in the Northeast Kingdom.