Letters from Highland Lodge

02/26/2018

Explore the natural landscape of Vermont this March with the team from the Northwoods Stewardship Center. The Dashney Nordic Center Naturalist Tours are educational and enchanting, and are always enjoyable. Meet at Burke Mountain and trek the surrounding Nordic Trails. The $10 tickets are cheap and include your snowshoe rentals!

02/13/2018

March can mean many things to Americans. For some, it’s all about basketball. For others, it’s simply the end of winter, the de-thawing in preparation for the April rains. In Vermont, March means maple syrup season, or "sugaring," when thousands of maple farmers feverishly await the flow of precious maple sap from their sugar bushes. 

01/31/2018

The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is a picturesque landscape that teeters between the civilization of its small villages and towns and the pristine, natural wilderness of its breathtaking landscape. Because of the distinctive terrain found here, we have some of the most remarkable and exhilarating outdoor activities in the country, especially during wintertime. With heavy snowfall, freezing...

01/17/2018

A quirky local favorite, Parker Pie Company, started as a small pizza shop in the back of a country store in West Glover, Vermont, near Lake Parker. The foodie destination boasts famous pizza and great American pub fare, along with a revolving beer menu with many selections that feature both Vermont brews and beverages from around the globe. Stop for a quick bite along your adventures, a cool...

12/22/2017

Only a half hour drive to the east, you’ll find Lyndon, Vermont and its welcome sign that reads: Welcome to Lyndon, The Covered Bridge Capital of the Northeast Kingdom. With five bridges in close proximity, Lyndon has been revitalizing the old structures for their scenic beauty, their utility, and their history rooted deep in the heritage of the state, not to mention their unique...

12/08/2017

Vermont is a winter adventurer’s paradise. Between snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and even sledding, the outdoorsmen of the colder months will find that there is no better state to be in than this mountainous mecca. The world’s best beer and cheese are just bonuses!

So between slices of sharp cheddar and growlers of Edward IPA, use this handy guide to find...

11/22/2017

If snow is your thing, then the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is where you want to be this winter. One of the adventures we love is snowmobiling near St. Johnsbury less than an hour away from the Highland Lodge. So plan your trip and get snowed in with us here at Highland Lodge; with thousands of miles of trails, spacious fields, and glorious mountain peaks, getting snowed in just means another...

11/10/2017

Vermont is one of the best states to be in during winter. The famous landscape of the Green Mountains and steep water-filled valleys transforms into a snow-covered paradise during the winter season, and some of our biggest summits become meccas for winter sport enthusiasts and athletes. Between a daytime lesson, an alpine plunge from a true Vermont summit, and a moonlit snowshoe walk, these...

10/23/2017

Vermont is home to one of America’s best kept secrets: Smuggler’s Notch a nice day trip from the lodge to Stowe. The narrow pass in the Green Mountains, with scattered caverns and caves, once helped anything from alcohol to cattle to runaway slaves across the border between the United States and Canada. If you’re looking for a glimpse at pristine America, or a Prohibition-era...

10/09/2017

Fall is the perfect time to visit Vermont’s rolling hills, forested valleys, and unbelievable vistas. It’s even better to do it on horseback as you journey along backroad paths and grass fields instead of paved roads and highways. At D-N-D Stables, autumn views and the peaceful off-road trails are more than just a tour of the natural landscape; it’s an experience. And it...

09/21/2017

Vermont is famous for its rivers and ravines that unfold into broad expanses of dairylands blanketed in green grass. It’s the dairy farms that allow Vermont to produce another characteristic of its world-renowned reputation: cheese. To make a single pound of cheese, it takes ten whole gallons of milk; with the average person eating about 34 pounds of cheese per year, the United States...

09/07/2017

Originally built as a dormitory for the Orleans County Grammar School, the Old Stone House Museum is a historical granite block building known for its massive structure—and it’s lucky to be around. In the early 20th century, a building company targeted the Grammar School dormitory for its granite to use as blocks for railroad bridges. Its builder has a prominent place in...

08/25/2017

Any bookworms and art aficionados, history buffs and collectors will find a welcoming atmosphere at the scholarly hub and local public library known as the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. The Athenaeum is a combined art gallery and library housed in an architecturally and historically phenomenal building designed in the Victorian style and full of the flavors of the 19th century, inside...

08/25/2017

Not too far north of the Highland Lodge sits the looming peak of Mount Pisgah, one of Vermont’s most iconic mountains best known for its location along the crystal clear water of Lake Willoughby. With a half-mile high summit and a breathtaking view of the lake below, Mount Pisgah is a serene escape into the natural side of the world that offers hiking opportunities on its three trails...

07/27/2017

So what if your Highland Lodge getaway was supposed to be all about rest and relaxation? You can still escape the stress and bustle of everyday life while remaining active with a visit to the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont’s tranquil and picturesque “Northeast Kingdom.” The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a great headquarters for the region’s athletes, nature-lovers...

07/05/2017

Inspired by the panoramic views from atop the Barr Hill Nature Preserve, Caledonia Spirits makes Barr Hill craft gin and vodka using raw local and regional ingredients. The distillery’s mission is to support working landscapes and local agriculture from its vista views on Greensboro’s highest point, all while carefully crafting some of the world’s best gin. Its signature...

06/22/2017

Continue the tradition of craft beer at the nearby Hill Farmstead Brewery, a local craft brewery. The Tap Room is open Wednesday through Saturday 12 PM to 5 PM and features craft brews such as Mary, Marie, Edward, and George, as well as the ominous Birth of Tragedy, the oak barrel-aged version of Hill Farmstead’s annual winter porter called Twilight of the Idols. Available for onsite...

06/09/2017

Looking for that postcard-worthy view that has made Vermont famous? If you missed Barr Hill last month or are seeking something a little more spectacular, take the time to make the short drive down to Owls Head Mountain in the northern edges of Groton State Forest. Besides the world-class Owls Head vista, Groton State Forest also has a year-round network of hiking trails and one of the state...

05/30/2017

For over 65 years, Caspian Lake has been one of Vermont’s most popular vacation destinations and we’re just feet away from it. We have a great view of the lake, too, so we understand why so many people want to vacation here. Besides being famous for its quiet serenity and solitude in northern Vermont, the lake is also great for outdoor activities like water skiing, sailing,...

05/16/2017

The popular idiom—take a hike—takes on a whole new meaning with our proximity to Barr Hill Natural Area. Lace up your hiking boots and head straight from the Lodge or your private cabin up through the trail into the woods to the celebrated nature conservancy.