Maple syrup. Skiing. Craft beer… All three are part and parcel of the Vermont brand. But did you know that the craft beer industry in Vermont has actually surpassed the ski and maple syrup industries with its economic impact on the state? It’s true! In 2016, the craft […]
It’s hard to believe we survived another winter in Vermont. And another mud season has nearly come and gone… I may be on an island on my own, but winter seems to speed up every year. Before we know it, the first signs of new life are popping up […]
Someone asked me yesterday which I prefer: Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks. My answer? Neither. In Vermont—specifically the Burlington area—we have so many options for locally roasted coffee that I never find myself dropping by a coffee chain for a caffeine fix. When it comes to coffee, I don’t […]
You know you have a problem when one of the vegetable bins in your fridge is dedicated to Vermont cheese: aged cheddar, extra sharp cheddar, kid-approved mild cheddar, vintage cheddar, alpine cheddar… cheese slices, cheese shreds, cheese snackers. You get the point. See, I have what some might think is a […]
Visiting Vermont this year? Here’s your bucket list for exploring Vermont like a local. Every year, I try to play tourist in my own backyard and explore new-to-me places in Vermont as much as possible. There are so many hidden gems in the Green Mountain State that I’ve […]
Around the end of January, RateBeer announces their awards for best new brewers, best beers in the world, best beers by style, best beer destinations, and so on. Every year, Vermont is being recognized more extensively for the seriously good craft beer being produced throughout our great state. In 2017, a whole […]
The Cutest Coffee Truck: Nomad Coffee I’m a sucker for good coffee (the stronger and darker the better). Carrier Roasting Co., Capitol Grounds, Brio Coffee Works, Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea and, of course, the many makers of cold-brew coffee are a few of my ever-evolving favorites in Vermont right now. So, […]
Where, oh where, has Erin gone? Hello friends near and far! Erin here. Thanks—as always—for stopping by, for reading, and for sharing your own thoughts on exploring Vermont like a local. You all are truly the best! I love the notes, the inquiries for custom itineraries, the last-minute questions […]
Made-in-Vermont Christmas Gift Ideas for 2016 I love nothing more than giving gifts. I would rather give gifts than receive something any day. I spend hours on end every Christmas season researching and brainstorming the very best gifts for the people in my life. I always like to […]
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.—Eleanor Roosevelt I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how our world is shifting from a society that focuses on and applauds material […]
I’m the first to admit that I can’t follow directions. Not even the cartoonish Ikea directions that are supposed to be interpretable in every language. When you have a hard time following directions, baking can be a challenge. I pride myself on being able to open up the fridge […]
You say soft serve, Vermonters say creemees. But nothing says it’s summer in Vermont more than your first creemee of the season. Whether you opt for the traditional vanilla-and-chocolate twist or a maple creemee, or a harder-to-find coffee, orange creamsicle or black raspberry flavor, creemees are a stable of a […]
I remember the first time I stepped inside the Lake House Pub & Grille, located on Route 30 overlooking Lake Bomoseen. I was meeting a friend from Killington nearly 10 years ago, and I fell hard for the little hole in the wall with stunning views of the lake, which […]
There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in Vermont. I’m not talking just farm-to-table, splurge-worthy restaurants either. From divey taco shops (looking at you, Mad Taco) to wood-fired burger joints (hello, Worthy Burger) to beer bars with the best nachos you’ll ever eat (I’m coming for you, Blackback Pub), […]
Between high school and college, I took on my first hospitality job at a Relais & Châteaux property in Darby, Montana: Triple Creek Ranch. I was fortunate to learn the ins and outs of fine dining from a chef who set the staff aside before service every day […]