PREVIEW: Visit Southern Vermont Travel Guide

This is a preview page for our forthcoming travel guide to Southern Vermont. We are a couple of flatlanders splitting time between Dorset and NYC. Sam is a photographer and Sarah is an art director.

We’ll be sharing our favorite places in Southern Vermont, along with food and drink recipes, art, design and culture commentary.

We find many great spots in Southern Vermont are overlooked by many of the visitor resources for Vermont and the region.

This travel guide is focused on connecting with tourists and second-home owners from the Tri-State region.

Users will find places by town, region and categories
Each location will link to a page with more info
Readers will click on them to find more information
Each business/place will be shared as a newsletter and social post to our readers

Join us as we spread the word:

The First Upcoming Posts:

Dorset Garden Market

The Dorset Garden Market is easy to find on the corner of Rt 30 and Morse Hill Lane. It’s open seasonally from the spring through fall. They are a small garden supply and nursery with a daily selection of local fresh produce.

Foodie Note: they have a very small dry goods section that features an excellent selection of Asian sauces and dried noodles, many of which can be hard to find in Vermont.

Hours: Open for summer May 7th. CLOSED FOR WINTER.

3584 Morse Hill Rd, Dorset | no website

Hildene | The Lincoln Family Home

Hildene is a lot of things: a museum, a garden, a working farm, a nature preserve, a home for events, including the annual Lincoln scholar event every May and, above all, a sliver of Vermont paradise. One visit and you’ll see why Robert and Mary Todd tried to spend as much time here as they could.

Hours: 10 AM – 4:30 PM, Thursday – Monday

Admission: $25/adult, $8/children, Free/Children Under 5

1005 Hildene Rd, Manchester | https://hildene.org/ | 802 362-1788

Historic Marble Rail Trail

The Historic Marble Rail Trail is a 2.3 mile bike path connecting North Rd to Hunter Park, the rec park (Dana L Thompson Memorial Park) and Manchester Elementary School. Great for walking, biking, running or cross-country skiing in the winter months. This beautiful trail is mostly flat and welcoming for all everyone, especially your friends who “don’t hike”.

Hours: Dawn-to-Dusk

North Rd Parking Lot 1451 N Rd, Manchester | https://bikemanchestervt.com/bike-routes/bike-paths/

North Star Pizza

Pizza, wings and weird bowling

Hours: 11:30 AM – 10 PM

179 Rt 100 Wilmington | https://northstarpizzawilmington.com/

Posts Coming Soon:

Dorset Union

The Dorset Union store is one of the oldest operating retail stores in the US. It’s long history is pretty interesting. It’s been at the heart of the Dorset community for 200 years or so. You’ll hear it called Peltier’s by many, the previous name for 80-ish years. Stop by to find groceries, coffee, breakfast and lunch to go, ready-to-eat meals for home, catering and many made-in-Vermont goodies. The maple syrup selection is impressive. On a nice day, locals and tourist take their lunch outside on the town green with tables and a seating area. They also have a small, but mighty, wine selection with wine tastings on Saturday afternoon. The GM is very knowledgable and stocks some excellent wines.

Foodie Note: they stock Le Saunier De Camargue Fleur De Sel. It’s hard to find anywhere else locally.

Wine Tastings 1 – 3 PM Saturdays

Hours: 7:30 AM – 5 PM; Sundays 9 AM – 3 PM, CLOSED MONDAYS

31 Church Street, Dorset | https://www.dorsetunionstore.com/

Mettowee Mint

Mettowee Mint is a regular stop for us, whether to get coffee, pick up a plant, gardening supplies or just browse and enjoy the green house. We’ve written about visiting Mettowee Mint in the winter, but, obviously it does shine in the summer months. Their full-service espresso bar serves some of the best coffee on the East Coast, Carrier Roasting from Northfield, VT. They also sell the beans by the bag. Highly recommend it.

Summer Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM Everyday

4977 Route 30, Dorset | https://mettoweemint.com/

Mach’s Market

Mach’s is a must for any foodie. We stop by as much as we can. Only a 10 minute drive north of Dorset, Mach’s is the local market for Pawlet. They have one of the best selections of local cheese and meat from all over Vermont and Upstate NY. Along with local produce, they have a hot food counter going all day. The beer cave is in the back stocked and the fridge and freezers by the wine are filled with local frozen goods, in-house made stocks, soups and sausages. Lots of great snacks and Vermont made goodies.

Oh, and ask to see the hole in the floor… its pretty fun.

There is minimal cell reception in this pocket of Pawlet…

Hours: 6 AM – 8 PM Everyday

18 School St, Pawlet | http://www.machsmarket.com/

Woodlawn Farmstead

On your way to Mach’s, you’ll drive right by Woodlawn Farmstead. Woodland is a Pawlet farm, dairy and creamery. They have a farm stand there selling their own beef waygu, among other items. You can find their cheese at Mach’s and other markets around the area. Some speciality cheese shops out-of-state will carry it too. You might be able to find it locally. Formaggio Kitchen and Van Hook’s in NYC usually have it.

Also, their dairy supplies other known Vermont cheesemakers, like Plymouth Artisan cheese.

Hours: Everyday 8 AM – 6 PM

8128 VT-30, Pawlet | https://www.woodlawnfarmstead.com/

Dorset Farmers’ Market

The Dorset Farmers’ Market is a producer-only market with a summer location and a winter location. The vendor list seems to be growing all the time. It is every Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM. The vendors are all excellent local farms and producers. If you’re around on a Sunday, definitely check it out. Obviously, it’s bigger in the summer, but the winter location is well-attended too.

Many of the vendors are cash-only (cell service is a little too spotty for Square/credit card readers/etc), but they also take Crop Cash tokens which you buy from the market table with your debit, credit or EBT cards. Also, at the summer location, there is an ATM in the HN Williams parking lot across the street.

They switch to the summer location on May 10th.

Hours: Sundays 10 AM – 2 PM

Summer Location: 2732 VT-30, Dorset (across from HN Williams)

Winter Location: JK Adams, 1430 VT-30, Dorset

https://www.dorsetfarmersmarket.com/

HN Williams General Store

HN Williams has been serving Dorset since 1840 as a classic general store with a deep, intertwined connection to Dorset history and lore. They stock a wide variety of goods; from delicious breakfast sandwiches to horse feed to tools to beer and wine, and, of course, gas. Their hot deli counter stays busy. They also have a big selection of Vermont-appropriate clothing and workwear, boots and footwear, animal feed, pet food and gardening supplies. The hardware section is useful too. They even have an outdoor ATM from a local bank. In the summers, the Dorset Farmers’ Market is across the street. They have you covered.

Foodie note: they do have a good kitchen supply section, like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, ziploc bags and what not, but it is a bit hidden. Go downstairs, take a left, head behind the stairs and in the back by the hardware supplies is the kitchen supply section.

Hours: 7:30 AM – 6 PM

2732 VT-30, Dorset| http://www.hnwilliams.com/

Mount Brook Farm

Local pioneering beefalo producer. Mount Brook Farm used to be only wholesale but started offering resale services via their website during covid. You can buy directly online and pick up at the farm or have it shipped/delivered.

Hours: Order Online | https://www.mountbrookfarm.com/

West River Creamery

West River Creamery is the best cheddar in Vermont. Cambridge is their 5 year old English-style cheddar is and it is perfection. The Edelwiess and Middletown Blue are favorites. Of course, you gotta try the Marinated Feta. The newest one, Mount Tabor, has a blackberry rind. Whoa.

From Londonderry, they don’t have a store or a website. You can now find them at the Dorset Farmer’s Market every week and Dutton’s frequently stocks all of them. See the photographic proof. And you’ll find them in many cheese sections locally.

Shop: Dutton’s | Dorset Farmers’ Market

Londonderry | (802) 824-6900

Dorset Inn

Sunday Brunch at the Dorset Inn is a staple. The brunch menu is classic Vermont recipes with local ingredients and cooked oh-so-right. The cocktail list is always fun and tasty (is it “brunch” if you don’t get an adult beverage? Isn’t that just breakfast). And, a warning, the cinnamon buns are dangerous. But, don’t leave without trying one.

Of course, they do dinner too. Any time spent there is a treat in one of the oldest inns or hotels in the US.

Hours: Sunday Brunch 11 AM – 2 PM, Dinner 5 – 8:30 PM Monday – Sunday

8 Church St, Dorset | https://www.innsofdorset.com/dorset-tavern-restaurant

The Barn Restaurant & Tavern

Hours: 5 – 9 PM, Thursday – Sunday

5581 VT-30, Pawlet| http://www.thebarnrestaurantvt.com/

JK Adams: The Kitchen Store

You may be familiar with JK Adams’ made-in-Vermont kitchenware, but you might not know they have an excellent kitchen supply and factory store right inside their Dorset headquarters.

1430 Route 30, Dorset | https://jkadams.com/

KaraFinn Oriental Rugs

Beautiful, traditionally-crafted imported rugs, new and used, in a wide variety of sizes, designs and price points. No website. Just go check it out in person to buy an heirloom quality rug for your home, to peruse or just be inspired. Right at the Dorset Town Green on Rt 30.

Hours: Friday, Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM | +1(518) 227-4271

3390 Rt 30, Dorset | https://www.facebook.com/people/KaraFinn-Oriental-Rugs/100068044291632/

Pinnacle Forest and Tower

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Pinnacle Town Forest | https://www.dorsetvt.com/story-item/hiking-in-southern-vermont/

Pinnacle Forest is a small town forest of 35 acres that is perfect for a quick break in the woods. It was the estate of Cecillia de Nottbeck, an Astor family heiress, and a big supporter of Dorset and the Dorset Church. The forest was all grazing land in the early 1900s and she built the Pinnacle Tower to mimic old ruins in the UK countryside. Now, it is a small trail network maintained by the town.

You can access the trails from Dorset Village Lane, essentially a parking lot (but you can’t park there!) behind Kara Finn Oriental Rugs and the Church Street Hospitality office across Rt 30 from the Dorset Inn. Or access the trails from Pinnacle Lane.

The 5 Trails

Orange Trail: a 1 mile loop around the hill, connecting all of the trails. The Tower is in the middle of the loop, off the Blue trail.

Blue Trail: takes you to the Tower from the Orange Trail.

Red Trail (Dorset Green Connection Trail): 1/3 of a mile and connects you from Rt 30 and the village Green to the Orange loop trail

Green Trail: a shortcut from the Orange trail to the Tower via the Blue trail

Yellow Trail: an alternate route from the Blue trail to the Tower

Listing all the trails like this makes it sound more complicated than it is. All the trails are well-maintained and well-marked. The signs are easy to follow. Getting lost will be a challenge. Just don’t park on Dorset Village Lane and enjoy the stroll.

Parking: Park at the Dorset Village Green to access the Dorset Green Connection Trail on Dorset Village Lane. Or, there is a small lot on Pinnacle Lane, about 3 cars or so. From there you can get on the Orange Loop or Blue trail.

Humphrey’s Trail

Humphrey’s is a black diamond rated mountain bike trail right in town. The trailhead is on Dorset West Road, just south of the T-intersection with Church St.

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/humphrey-s-trail-49524/

Parking: There is no parking at the trailhead. Park at the town green on Church St and make the short ride west down Church St until you hit Dorset West Rd, take a left and the trailhead will be on the right side.

More tips for biking around the area: https://bikemanchestervt.com/bike-routes/mountain-biking/