Vermont: Green Mountains Abounding

Vermont, nicknamed the Green Mountain State, is most famed for its lush hilly scenery, extensive woods and agricultural output. Dairy products range amongst the exported products as well as maple syrup. Vermont is a veritable refuge in the North Eastern United States.

Vermont is one of the smallest states in terms of area as well as population. The state only spans a total of 9,620 square miles with a mere width of 80 miles and a length of 160 miles. The total population of some 600,000 people is the second smallest of any state in the Union. The eastern border is made up of the Connecticut River. Lake Champlain, the state’s major lake, separates Vermont from New York State. The Green Mountains are the name-giving landmark of Vermont. They comprise a spine-like figure in the middle of the state, running from north to south.

Mount Mansfield at 4,400 feet is the tallest elevation in Vermont. Vermont deserves like probably no other American state the attribute “rural.” The largest city, Burlington, hardly deserves the term with its mere 39,000 residents.

The climate in Vermont is continental moist. Warm, humid summers go in turns with cold winters that can be often freezing especially in the higher elevations. The most spectacular season in Vermont is undoubtedly the fall. It is the months of September and October when the leaves of the state’s trees shine in a fascinating array of different shades of red, yellow, and ochre.

For thousands of years, the area was settled by various native tribes, among them the Iroquois. The first European in Vermont was Jacques Cartier in 1535. French explorer Samuel de Champlain built a fort and remains until today the patron of Lake Champlain. Disputed first between England and France and later between the neighboring states of Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire, Vermont was declared independent in 1777. In 1791, the state was the 14th to be admitted to the new-found Union.

French and French-Canadian ancestry still accounts for the majority of heritages within Vermont. Farming, especially dairy farming contributes largely to the state’s economy. Though the actual number of farms has declined steeply in the past 60 years, the output at the same time still rises, mostly pouring into the Boston metropolitan area. Vermont produces one quarter of the US maple syrup supply.

Vermont is a place that is ideal for a variety of outdoor recreational activities like hiking, fishing, biking, paddling, playing golf on one of the fine courses around the state, or in winter snowboarding and skiing. The small towns of Vermont receive their visitors with a warm hospitality. Bed & breakfasts and country inns range among the more popular accommodation choices, but there are also many luxurious resorts and spas.

Burlington / Lake Champlain Valley

Burlington is the smallest “largest city” of any US state. Idly placed on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, the city nevertheless boasts a wide array of cultural, fun, and relaxing activities. The nearby city of Vergennes with its Basin Harbor Club offers some upscale sports. Accommodation really spans all imaginable options, from hotels, bed & breakfasts to inns, campgrounds and resorts.

Situated next to the large lake, the mountains, as well as lush forests, Burlington invites for all kind of natural relaxation, be it summer or winter. Inside the city, there are several cultural facilities including theaters, museums, and galleries. The Burlington Waterfront provides a fascinating view of Lake Champlain as well as the ensuing Adirondacks.

Greater Burlington, on the eastern shore of the lake, is a prime destination within Vermont. Rivers, mountains, forests, historic farms – the list is long.

Central Vermont

In winter, central Vermont attracts thousands of ski and snowboard enthusiasts. Mad River Glen and Sugarbush Ski Resorts are the two most prominent destinations. In the center of the state, the capital city of Montpelier is located. Historic communities please the tourist’s eye, and the Winooski River is home to great water sports. Tradition and quality vacation is what the central portion of the state is about.

Green Mountains

Rutland sits in a valley between the Green Mountains and the Taconics. Due to the nearby mountains and lakes, thousands of people come here to ski, hike, swim, and enjoy the fall foliage. The ski resorts of Killington, Pico, and Okemo are situated towards the northeast, only some minutes’ drive from Rutland.

Killington Mountain is a prime destination both in winters and summers. It makes for equally great mountain biking and hiking and skiing and snowboarding. For more hiking, enjoy the famous Appalachian and Long Trails that transverse the mountains of the Killington and Rutland area. Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails dot the landscape for other winter activities.

Rutland is a fascinating mix of the old and the new. Embedded in a beautiful natural scenery, Rutland also boasts a rich history. Shopping and dining options are as divers as numerous, and so are the accommodation options. The infrastructure is perfect for the East Coast. New Yorkers can take a straight connection into the Heart of the Green Mountains with the Ethan Allen Express which ends in Rutland, Vermont.