The Scenic Drive Everyone In Vermont Needs To Take
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Kristin Grimes
Author
A picturesque way to travel through the Northeast Kingdom Byway in Vermont is via the NKB Main Corridor. This 51-mile journey begins in the community of St. Johnsbury and extends north through Lyndonville, East Burke, West Burke, Westmore, West Charleston, and Derby. It ends in Newport by which time we may be compelled to echo Vermont State Senator George Aiken who said in 1949, “This is such beautiful country up here – it should be called the Northeast Kingdom.” Let’s discover what inspiration is in store for us as we travel one of the prettiest scenic byways in Vermont.
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, 1302 Main St, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA
We love this museum and planetarium, which is northern New England's premiere museum of natural history. Whether you enjoy the stars or check out the bug art, there is something for everyone to discover. Find out more on the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium website.
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main St, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA
This private, nonprofit public library and art gallery fills two roles: It serves the people of St. Johnsbury by enriching their lives, and it stands as a regional and national treasure. It's a monument to the 19th-century belief in learning.
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Bandstand Park, 115 Park Ave, Lyndonville, VT 05851, USA
Depot Square, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA
The farmers markets along Vermont byways have friendly people and great products. One of our favorites to check out is the year-round farmers market in Lyndonville. Read about it on the Lyndon Farmers Market Facebook page. The summer market is on Fridays from June-October from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Bandstand Park. The winter market is at the Breslin Community Center next to the park. And the St. Johnsbury Summer Market Facebook page shows it takes place on Saturdays at Depot Square from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., May 13 to Oct. 28. The winter market is at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center.
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Miss Lyndonville Diner, 686 Broad St, Lyndonville, VT 05851, USA
Don't miss a great meal at this beloved diner along one of the best drives in Vermont. Some say it's the best-kept secret in the Northeast Kingdom, but it doesn't seem like much of a secret - it's always packed! Read the daily specials on Miss Lyndonville Diner's Facebook page.
Burrington Bridge Road, Burrington Bridge Rd, Vermont, USA
Built in 1867, this 68-ft Queenpost bridge has unusually open construction, making it easy to observe the truss structure. It's located on Route 114 in Lyndon. Learn more about the bridge on the Vermont Covered Bridge Society Facebook page.
Kingdom Trails, 478 VT-114, East Burke, VT 05832, USA
This extensive network of scenic recreational trails provides some epic mountain biking and was constructed to accommodate all levels and abilities. Find the schedule on the Kingdom Trails Facebook page.
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Burke Mountain, 223 Sherburne Lodge Rd, East Burke, VT 05832, USA
Travel along the peaks of one of the scenic drives near me (and near you!) at the toll road, and check out the views from the top. Pictured is a distant view of the Willoughby notch (Mounts Pisgah and Hor) and a surrounding landscape. More information, including rates, is available on the Burke Mountain Resort website.
Lake Willoughby, Westmore, VT, USA
We love the beaches at both the north and south ends of this lake, which also offers excellent boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Or simply sit back and enjoy the view from Northeast Kingdom Byway.
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Vermont Reindeer Farm, 3108 Chilafoux Rd, Orleans, VT 05860, USA
Check out the only live reindeer in the whole state along the scenic byways in Vermont. Many other farm animals are available to pet and feed. You'll also enjoy the nature trail, reindeer games, and gift shop. Get the details on the Vermont Reindeer Farm website.
The East Side Restaurant & Pub, 47 Landing St, Newport, VT 05855, USA
From smothered New York strip to Shrimp Risotto, and a tremendous breakfast buffet, featuring all of the favorites, this place is unforgettable.
Lake Memphremagog, Lake Memphremagog
End this extraordinary trip on one of the best drives in Vermont looking out at the amber hues of Lake Memphremagog, a 30-mile-long that Vermont shares with Canada.
Get a better look at the unforgettable experiences available along the scenic byways in Vermont.
For some help organizing this scenic trip on the Northeast Kingdom Byway, take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. And find a cozy Vrbo with a view to curl up in for the night.
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More to Explore
Scenic Hikes In Vermont
What are the best scenic hikes in Vermont?
Here is a list of 18 best hikes in Vermont: The top-rated hiking trails to visit in 2023.
- Sterling Pond Trail (Stowe, VT): This 2.1-mile out-and-back trail is a moderately challenging hike. And the reason we go is the beautiful alpine lake in Smugglers' Notch State Park. Watch out for some tricky spots including mud and rocks, but the views make the effort worthwhile.
- Camel's Hump Trail (Huntington, VT) The 6-mile loop trail is graded hard, which means we may need some training before taking this hike. The landscape is challenging and steep in parts, especially near the summit, the state's third tallest peak. But the payoff, again, is the 360-degree panoramic views taking your eyes all the way to Canada on some days.
- Red Rocks Park Loop Trail (Burlington, VT): An easy 2.7-mile loop trail offers pretty views of Lake Champlain that are arguably even more lovely in the winter for snowshoeing.
- Quechee Gorge Trail (Quechee, VT): After 1.3 miles we are out and back on this easy trail. Pack a picnic, and enjoy the sights along the Ottauquechee River, where the dam and waterfalls offer delightful scenery in any season.
- Thundering Brook Falls (Killington, VT): At only a half-mile, this easy boardwalk trail affords access to the Appalachian Trail for a longer hike. The path leads through the Green Mountain National Forest to Thundering Brook Falls. Here we love the babbling sounds of the rapids and rushing upper and lower waterfalls.
- Mt. Mansfield via Nebraska Notch, Long, Sunset Ridge, and Frost Trail (Underhill Center, VT): We must be pretty good to take this 13.3-mile loop trail because it's difficult with a 4,583-foot elevation gain. From rocky inclines to forested woods, and even a few caves, this unforgettable day will bring a level of satisfaction that comes from such an investment. And Mount Mansfield State Forest is always worth exploring, especially since there is so much of it - 44,444 acres with plenty of extraordinary vistas.
- AllTrails website provides data, directions, photos, shared experiences, and ratings for folks to make their own list of trails. From easy to difficult, with waterfalls, mountains, birds, and butterflies, they are here for us to enjoy in every season. Happy hiking!