The votes are in... Rabbit Hill Inn Makes the "Best Of New England" Winners List!

We just received the great news! Yankee Magazine released their "2010 BEST OF NEW ENGLAND" Readers Choice Awards.

Rabbit Hill Inn has been chosen Most Romantic Place To Stay In New England!

Our heartfest thanks to all the wonderful Yankee Magazine readers. We are honored to be your #1 choice for your romantic place to stay.

In addition, we were thrilled to see so many of our nearby offerings also made the "Best Of New England" List. Check this out...

Best Romantic Getaway - The Northeast Kingdom (that's where we are!)

Best State Park - Franconia Notch State Park (just 20 minutes from RHI)

Best Lake - Lake Willoughby (just 45 minutes away)

Best Ski Resort - Burke Mountain (only 30 minutes away)

Best Historic Museum - Fairbanks Science Museum (10 minutes away)

Best Micro-Brewery - Trout River Brewery (20 minutes away)

Clearly, this is the place to getaway... for so many wonderful reasons!

The Perfect Short Vacation in Vermont

Meet Alex & Lori. They were anxious to escape Manhattan and all the stress that comes along with busy city life. Off to Rabbit Hill they went, for a perfect 3 day Vermont vacation. They wanted to do it all... adventurous fun, countryside drives, "Vermonty" things, visit the wonderful folks at Stave Puzzles, and yet, have time to relax and do as many Stave puzzles as possible, and maybe squeeze in a little "do nothing" time. Three days... hmmmm... is it possible??? Absolutely! They crafted the perfect plan and proved it very possible. Here's how they did it...

Day One - Enjoyed a leisurely drive to Rabbit Hill Inn, arriving in the evening, and cozied into their luxury suite.

Day Two - A day in the Kingdom

• Enjoyed a full breakfast (by candlelight)
• Drove to Norwich to visit the infamous STAVE Puzzle Shop. They have been addicted to Stave puzzles for so long it was time to meet the folks behind these tormenting treasures.
• Wandered the backroads of the Northeast Kingdom countryside.
• Visited Cabot Cheese factory (tasting room was the best part)
• Visited Grand View Winery & tasted several lovely wines (a few bottles made it to the car).
• Stopped at Braggs Maple Syrup Farm. Learned all about the process, from tapping to boiling (again, a few bottles made it into the car).
• Wandered off to Barre and found an "outstanding lunch spot".
• Returned home to Rabbit Hill to relax, soak in the whirlpool tub.
• Wrapped up the day with a glorious dinner at the Inn, some fine wine, and puzzled the night away in our Snooty Fox Pub. Alex & Lori were in charge of "lights out" that night.

Day Three - The adrenaline rush!

• A Full breakfast prepared them for the adventurous day ahead.
• Off to Alpine Adventures for a heart racing ZIPLINE tour.
• While the blood was still pumping, they headed to the local gym for a great workout.
• Returned home to the inn, simmered down for well-earned IN-ROOM MASSAGES.
• Spent the duration of the day "in the zone" with long soaks in the double whirlpool, and reading on the porch.
• The grand finale -- another outstanding dinner at the inn, more fine wine, and more puzzling into the night. We're not kidding...those Stave puzzles are addictive. Guess who was in charge of "lights out" again?

Day Four - Upon a sad departure, they left us saying... "We'll be back in the winter for skiing!"

The result: the perfect short vacation. Well, done Alex & Lori. Can't wait to welcome you "back home" when the snow flies. You'll always be in charge of "lights out".

FREEBIE FRIDAY! More fun stuff to do that's FREE or Dirt Cheap!

Don't stay home...get out and enjoy your summer. It doesn't have to cost you a dime! This week, it's all about biking. Saddle up your bike, fill the water bottle and ride the roads and trails of Vermont's beautiful Northeast Kingdom. Since we're so close, you can also explore the terrific biking trials of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Take a day trip, cycle for a few hours, or ride miles and miles of scenic backcountry roads. The varied terrain includes routes through valleys, along ridges, over mountains, through quaint towns and villages, across covered bridges on both paved and unpaved roads. You can easily find trails to accommodate all levels of availability.
This glorious summer day will cost you $0.

Looking for something more thrilling? In addition to the roads and paths, mountain bikers can enjoy the famous Kingdom Trails network, rated "among the top 10 in the world" by the International Biking Assoc. BIKE Magazine rated them the "Best trail network in North America". Need we say more?

Your cost for this adventurous day - only $10 per person.

Bike rentals are available on site. You'll find several videos of these trail adventures on YouTube. Check this out.

FREE (or dirt cheap) Summer Vacation Ideas ~ Stephen Huneck's Dog Mountain

Welcome to our 2nd blog entry of "FREE (or dirt cheap) Summer Vacation Ideas". Everyone should know that there is great stuff to do up here in Vermont & New Hampshire that DOESN'T COST MONEY! So check out this blog every Friday, and you'll discover a new and fun vacation activity idea. I'm talking about real activities, not just strolling through a gift shop.

This week, we introduce you to the internationally noted DOG MOUNTAIN. If you are an animal lover (or just an animal liker), you will be amused, entertained, and deeply touched by this place. Here you will discover Stephen Huneck's Gallery, the famous Dog Chapel and glorious hiking trails of Dog Mountain (great place for a picnic). You'll probably meet Stephen and his wife, Gwen.

Your cost $0. Your experience...priceless. Bring your camera.

Boston Magazine said it best, "The work of Stephen Huneck is like laughter, enriching to life and uplifting to the soul" Watch this.