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May 11, 2013

Kayaking in Vermont

You have GOT to get on the water!  Vermont’s best kayaking and canoeing is here.  Imagine 40,000 acres of lakes and 4,000 miles of rivers and streams define the Northeast Kingdom and White Mountain regions. These waterways, both large and small, offer boat loads options.  Choose placid waters for leisurely paddling, or more active rivers and larger lakes for more challenging paddling.

A few of our favorites are Clyde River, Passumpsic River, Lake Willoughby, Crystal Lake, Harvey’s Lake, Joe’s Pond, Shadow Lake, Echo Lake in Franconia Notch State Park, NH,  the Connecticut River and Moore Reservoir.

Getting on the water is so easy – you don’t need to bring a thing with you. Gear and boat rentals of all kinds are available. To make it even easier – shuttle services are available to get you back to your starting point.  Just tell us what you prefer, and we’ll match you up with the perfect outfitter.

Check out our popular Lazy River Paddle Add-on Package: includes kayaks for 2, a great day on Clyde River, full drop-in & pull-out services, great picnic for 2, and a 3 course dinner at RHI that evening. This is what your day will look like:

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Great routes for Motorcycling in Vermont


Northern Vermont offers some of the best motorcycling in New England. There are many routes for every type of rider – scenic country road cruising, twisty curvy roads, or touring small towns with rural character.

Adventurous motorcyclists can ride on over 8000 miles of dirt roads. And sport riders can hit the twisty route 232 through Groton State Park Forest and the 53 turns in seven miles along Route 17 (the Appalachian Gap).  Cruisers can ride through Cabot into Waterbury, stopping at the Alchemist for craft brew.  Ride the Northeast Kingdom Byway – 51 miles of pure Vermont, with interesting towns and stops along the way.

For motorcyclists, the route options are virtually endless.  See more information on motorcycling in Vermont, check our www.Motorcycle-Vermont.com

May 9, 2013

20th Annual Lupine Festival, June 1-15 2013

Calling all nature and flower lovers…  The Fields of Lupine Festival, now in its 20th year, is scheduled for June 1-15, 2013.  People will flock from far and near to admire, photograph, and walk through this amazingly brilliant field of lupines. It’s a rolling sea of vibrant purples, pinks, blues and whites. As a bonus, these long-lasting blossoms attract equally dazzling butterflies and create a breathtaking floral display against the majestic backdrop of the Franconia, Presidential, and Kinsman Mountain ranges.

You are guaranteed abundant photo and recreational opportunities in the Northeast’s most spectacular mountain region. The communities of Franconia, Easton, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Littleton and Lisbon join together to showcase this colorful pageant. And it’s less than 20 minutes from Rabbit Hill Inn

Complementing the natural beauty of the floral show, the Fields of Lupine Festival offers special events within the festival.  Retailers and restaurants will be offering, promotions, discounts, entertainment, and refreshments, as will museum and historic inn tours, an open-air market on Main Street Sugar Hill, and other locations throughout the communities all month long.  Here is the daily & weekly schedule of events.

Join us for a well-deserved summer getaway this June and  check out the breathtaking fields of lupines.  Some say it’s the “fall foliage” of summer!

April 25, 2013

Vermont Open Studio Weekend May 25 & 26, 2013

Need a getaway plan for Memorial Day Weekend?  It’s the perfect time to visit Vermont.  Over Memorial Day Weekend, Vermont will celebrate the 21st Annual Open Studio Weekend.  Yellow signs will dot the Vermont landscape as 240+ artists and craftspeople open their studios to the public. You are invited to step inside and watch these fascinating artists and crafters in action. Most of these studios are only open to the public during Open Studio Weekend, May 25 & 26.

Participating artists include furniture makers, glass blowers, ironworkers, jewelers, painters, potters, printmakers, quilt makers, sculptors, weavers, and wood carvers. With studios clustered throughout the state, visitors can meander along quiet back roads or through the heart of Vermont’s historic districts with relative ease by using the Open Studio Guide Map.

Download the Vermont 2013 Open Studio Guide Map here. Open Studio Maps and directions will also be available at Rabbit Hill Inn. Simply ask an Innkeeper to guide you to the studios throughout the Northeast Kingdom.  Be sure to make room in the trunk… you will not go home empty handed!

April 15, 2013

The Kingdom Trails – best mountain biking in No. America!

You’re anxious to get on that bike, aren’t you? You’re chomping at the bit to blaze a new trail.  We totally get that.  So why not bike the best trails you’ll ever find?  Bike Magazine has, once again, named Kingdom Trails the “BEST MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL NETWORK IN NORTH AMERICA” !  And Rabbit Hill Inn is only 25 minutes away from this internationally known biking mecca. The Kingdom Trails at Burke Mountain is a “secret” that over 50,000 bikers enjoy every summer.  Imagine 100+ miles of thoughtfully designed and carefully maintained multi-use recreational trails offering a perfect trail for every level of biker.

You don’t even need to bring your bike!  You can rent everything you need (protective gear and all) from East Burke Sports, located right at the base of the trail network.

 


These trails have two distinct sections:

  • Darling Hill Trails (open May 1 – Oct) – This picturesque hill holds the majority of the single track trails in the network ranging from easy country roads to challenging, FAST singletrack.  Every ability level will find a rewarding challenge and mind blowing scenery, including panoramic views of surrounding countryside and the Willoughby Gap.  The scenery almost rivals the incredible trails. More details on the Kingdom Trails in Burke Vermont.
  • Burke Mountain & Burke Bike Park (Open June 8 – Oct. 20) – More challenging terrain can be found at Burke Mountain, including 3 downhill trails from the summit. Lower on the mountain, you’ll find more of the singletrack trails that made KT so renowned.  In 2010, they opened the Burke Bike Park, a gravity downhill trail system and park accessed by the Sherburne Express High Speed Quad. From the top of the lift, riders can access singletrack and slopestyle trails rated from intermediate to advanced. Burke Mountain Bike Path hours: Fridays 3-7 pm, Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, Holidays 10am -4pm.  Ticket prices and more details on Burke Mountain Bike Park
So what are you waiting for?  Book your stay and get on up here! The best mountain bike trails in North America are waiting for you!

The Red Chair had fun at Rabbit Hill inn

Well, we finally met the famous Red Chair.  This well-traveled Red Chair checked into the Rabbit Hill Inn for a few days of well deserved R&R.  For those of you who are unaware, the Red Chair is on a unique journey; making his way to all the most beautiful and interesting nooks and crannies of New England.  Without doubt, “Red” knows how to travel – staying at all the best inns, and discovering the lesser known places that make a trip more memorable.  If you were to plan a trip,  Red would be your “go-to” guy for all the hot travel tips.  His ongoing journey is well-documented on his popular, photo rich blog, RedChairTravels.com.

After weeks of being on the road, Red’s visit to Rabbit Hill Inn was a well-balanced combination of exploration and pampering.  Yes, even a chair could use a little pampering from time to time.  We noticed right away that Red likes to mingle; he was even invited by fellow guests to join them on a horse-drawn sleigh ride.  But he also embraced the peaceful setting here – hiking the winter trails and wandering into the historic honor-system library across from the inn.

Red jumped at the chance to hang out with Chef Slayton, hung out with our cat, Reese, and surprised us by hopping on the tractor to help Mike with snow plowing.  After mentioning that his back and legs were weary, an in-room fireside massage seemed like the perfect ending to his perfect stay.  Red did not want to get off that massage table.  As Red departed, I admitted that I was a bit envious.  Red has experienced much more of New England than me.  But when the time comes to plan trips throughout this incredibly beautiful region, I know who to ask.

Check out the ongoing journey of The Red Chair Travels; it may help you plan the best New England trips you’ve ever imagined.

March 23, 2013

Top Craft Breweries in Northeastern Vermont

Fact: Vermont makes very, very good craft beer. And beer lovers are flocking to Northern Vermont to taste (and fill their trunks) with all the nationally award-winning craft beers made right here in the Northeast Kingdom. Our guests love to go on our “Top Local Breweries Tour” – featuring the best of the best for Vermont craft beers.  Case in point, the world famous Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, Vermont has become the ultimate beer pilgrimage. This is why we proudly list it as first place for our Top Six Brew Tour. Here’s what you need to know:

Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, VT: Without doubt, this deserves first position. It IS the ultimate beer pilgrimage.  Hill Farmstead Brewery has been named 2013 Best Brewery in the World, as well as Best Brewery in Vermont and Best Brewery in New England by RateBeer, the world’s largest, most popular beer review and rating website. Also, eight of its beers were listed in the top ten new beers in the world by RateBeer. DO NOT MISS a visit to Hill Farmstead.  Make sure there is ample room in your trunk.

The Alchemist Brewery in Waterbury, VT: You’ll taste a good variety of great brews here. The Alchemist is home of the flagship double IPA, Heady Topper!  Heady Topper is the third highest-rated beer in the world, according to BeerAdvocate.  Beer pilgrims come from afar to get their hands on this beer.  People still hoard Heady Topper beer.  Go there. You’ll start hoarding it too.

Trapp Lager Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT: Known for their traditional European style Lagers; you can taste a flight of varieties in their bakery/Deli.

Trout River Brewing Co. in Lyndonville, VT: The closest brewery to Rabbit Hill Inn.   Be sure to call first, hours are limited. Taste a variety of seasonal brews here. On weekends, they also make terrific  hand tossed pizza.

Rock Art Brewery in Morrisville, VT: These guys produce a large variety of Vermont beers — 17 at our last count.  Tastings and self-guided tours await you here.

Kingdom Brewers in Newport, VT: This northernmost brewery in Vermont sits high atop Coburn hill in Newport Center one mile past the end of Route 100. Brian and Jenn Cook started Kingdom Brewing with the intent to brew terrific craft beers with American grains and local ingredients. Visit them and their beer- loving Angus herd.

These are just a few of our favorite Vermont craft breweries. Next time you stay at Rabbit Hill Inn, be sure to plan a day to go on a Brewery Tour.  There are so many others to explore. Check out the official Vermont brewery map.

March 9, 2013

Rabbit Hill Inn’s Homemade Pop Tarts Recipe

Smiles are huge when Pastry Chef Phyllis serves her homemade pop tarts on the breakfast buffet. They bring us all back to our childhood, yet these fresh-from-the-oven homemade pop tarts are SO much better.  By very popular request, Phyllis is sharing her recipe with you.  Remember… you may fill these heavenly treats with any fruit filling, chocolate chip cookie dough, or anything your heart desires. And then there are the possible finishing touches… icings, glazes, a dusting of cinnamon or powdered sugar. The options are endless when it comes to Pop tarts.  Have fun – go crazy.  And remember, they freeze well. So be sure to make big batches.  This basic dough recipe below will get you started.

Rabbit Hill Inn’s Homemade Pop Tart Recipe (Dough recipe only)

Yield:  approx 16-20 pcs (depending on size). Food processor is helpful, but not necessary. You’ll find some great pictures below too.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups butter, cut up
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 Tbsp milk
  • filling of your choice
  • egg wash mixture in small bowl
  • sugar, for coating

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  • Place flour, sugar, salt, and butter in food processor.  Process (on pulse) until butter is the size of peas
  • In a small bowl, beat eggs and milk together. Pour milk/egg mixture in food processor. Pulse until dough forms a ball.
  • Place dough on your work table, which is prepped with a little flour to prevent sticking.  Knead dough together.
  • Chill dough for at least an hour
  • Roll out dough and cut pieces to desired shape. We cut in traditional pop tart size (about the size of a typical switch plate) or heart shaped (using large cookie cutter)
  • Lay out all your bottom layers
  • Fill with your favorite jam or filling, over 2/3 of the pastry area
  • Brush your “cover pieces” with egg wash on the inside.  Place on top of each filling piece. Use fork to secure edges.
  • Egg wash the tops. Then sprinkle with sugar.
  • Poke each tart 3 times with fork tines (vent holes to prevent explosion)
  • Bake at 350 until golden brown

**  If you are freezing them, you can freeze them unbaked or baked (to be re-heated before serving.)






March 2, 2013

Rabbit Hill Inn is honored to be nominated

Great News! Rabbit Hill Inn is honored to be included among the nominees in TWO major national travel surveys. You are invited to participate. It’s your chance to share your opinions about your favorite travel experiences.  Two links below will take you to these surveys:

(1) Vote now in the Travel + Leisure 2013 World’s Best Awards survey! Share your opinions about Rabbit Hill Inn and all your favorite travel spots. Your vote will contribute to the results which will be revealed in the August 2013 issue of Travel + Leisure.

(2) Take the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards Survey 2013… Vote before April 30th 2013, and you will be eligible to win a trip to One & Only Palmilla (Mexico) or Qualia on Hamilton Island, Australia!

Each year, Condé Nast Traveler readers are asked to rate the world’s most celebrated cities and islands, inns, hotels and resorts, cruise ships and airlines. Join in—your expertise will help select the best travel experiences right now. The results of the survey then become the basis of a variety of awards published throughout the year including Readers’ Choice (November issue), the Gold List (January issue), the Cruise Poll (February issue), the Golf Poll (April issue), and the Spa Poll (June issue).

To take the 2013 survey, simply follow the steps below and you’ll be on your way! Limit one vote per person. Voting ends April 30, 2013.

THE STEPS TO VOTE:

  1. Click on the survey link and fill out the form with your contact details.
  2. Fill out the initial pages with the basic personal info and travel preferences.
  3. To vote for Rabbit Hill Inn – be sure to check the box for Vermont and you will be able to vote for favorite places in VT
  4. For every region you check as having visited in the past year, you’ll be presented with a page to rate your stay. So, the more selections you chose, the more pages you’ll go through with your votes.

Rabbit Hill Inn is honored to be included among the nominees! We sincerely appreciate support from all of our guests and invite you to share your insights.

Thanks for voting and sharing your opinions about Rabbit Hill Inn with other travelers.

Taste Vermont On The Cheap

During your next visit to Rabbit Hill Inn, don’t miss out on one of our most popular day trips, “The Tasters Tour“.  It’s a wonderful, inexpensive way to explore and eat your way through the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Enjoy several delicious stops and NOT spend much money.  You’ll taste all grades of Goodrich maple syrup (free), tons of cheese varieties at the Cabot Cheese factory ($2.00), Grand View Winery (free). In Waterbury Vermont, stop at Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream Factory ($ 4.00), Green Mountain coffees (free), cider and local wines at Cold Hollow Cider Mill (free), micro brews at the Alchemist Beer Tasting Room (not free), and much more.

Then you will find yourself in Stowe Vermont. While in Stowe, you must stop in and sample the goodness at Laughing Moon Chocolates (directions). If you are there at 2:00, you can participate in their daily free chocolate dipping demonstration.

You may choose to brings a lot of Vermont goodness back home with you.  Don’t hesitate. We will gladly refrigerate anything that must stay cold.  And most of these wonderful places will ship directly to your door.

As you digest all the snacking, meander your way home to the inn through gorgeous mountains and country roads.  Relax at the inn, prepare for an awesome dinner, and enjoy a cocktail in the pub, toasting to the perfect day.

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