In 1949, Vermont State Senator George Aiken said, “This is such beautiful country up here – it should be called the Northeast Kingdom.” A picturesque way to travel through the NEK is via the Northeast Kingdom Byway Main Corridor, which is a 51-mile journey that begins in the community of St. Johnsbury and extends north through the communities of Lyndonville, East Burke, West Burke, Westmore, West Charleston, Derby and concludes in Newport. Let’s take a look at these communities and some of the wonderful things they have to offer.
- Fairbanks Museum and Planetorium, St. Johnsbury
Flickr/Jay Parker You’ll love this museum and planetarium which is northern New England’s premiere museum of natural history. Whether you enjoy the stars or check out the bug art, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
- St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury
Flickr/Don Shall This private, nonprofit public library and art gallery fills two roles: it serves the people of St. Johnsbury by enriching their lives, and it stands as a regional and national treasure. It’s a monument to the nineteenth-century belief in learning.
- Winter and Summer Farmers Markets
Facebook/St. Johnsbury Farmers’ Market The farmers markets have friendly people and great products. Check out the year round farmers market in Lyndonville - the summer market is Fridays from mid May - early October from 3 - 7 pm in Bandstand Park. The winter market is at the Breslin Community Center (next to the park) on the 2nd Saturday of each month from November - April. The St. Johnsbury Summer market is on Saturdays behind Anthony’s Diner (corner Route 5 & Route 2) from mid May - early October from 9 am - 1 pm, the winter market is at the St Johnsbury Welcome Center 1st Saturday of each month from 10 am - 2 pm.
- Miss Lyndonville Diner, Lydonville
Yelp/Matthew A. Don’t miss a great meal at this beloved diner. Some say it’s the best kept secret in the Northeast Kingdom, but it doesn’t seem like much of a secret - it’s always packed!
- Randall Covered Bridge, Lyndon
Flickr/Doug Kerr Built in 1867, this 68-ft Queenpost bridge has unusually open construction, making it easy to observe the truss structure. It’s located on Route 114 in Lyndon.
- The Kingdom Trails, East Burke
Flickr/David Dufresne This extensive network of scenic recreational trails provides some epic mountain biking and was constructed to accommodate all levels and abilities.
- Auto Toll Road, East Burke
Flickr/Jay Travel along the peaks of the toll road and check out the views from the top. Pictured is a distant view of the Willoughby notch (Mounts Pisgah and Hor) and a surrounding landscape.
- Lake Willoughby, Westmore
Flickr/Jack Flanagan You’ll love the beaches at both the north and south ends with excellent boating, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Or simply sit back and enjoy the view.
- Vermont Reindeer Farm, West Charleston
Facebook/Vermont Reindeer Farm Check out the only live reindeer in the whole state of Vermont! They also have many other farm animals to pet and feed. You’ll also enjoy the nature trail, reindeer games and gift shop.
- The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, Derby Line
Flickr/Stan Hieronymus One library, two countries. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located in both Canada and the US - Rock Island, Quebec, and Derby Line. And, yes, it was intentionally built this way!
- Newport Ciderhouse Bar & Grill, Newport
Facebook/Newport Ciderhouse Bar & Grill This is one of the absolute best restaurants in the Northeast Kingdom where everything is fresh, fresh, fresh. Just look at this savory Flatbread topped with fresh mixed greens, Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Bleu cheese, apples, almonds, cranberries, and crispy bacon. Paired below with Eden Sparkling Dry Cider which is made on site.
- Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center, Newport
Facebook/Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center Prepare to be amazed at the vast selection of specialty products from Vermont. Sip a sweet ice cider at The Tasting Bar, savor a sticky maple treat from the Maple Shop, enjoy fresh breads and pastries from Jocelyn & Cinta’s Bake Shop, order a specialty coffee from Beans by the Border, or sit and enjoy a bite at the Newport Ciderhouse Bar & Grill. Just look at these freshly baked cinnamon buns!
- Lake Memphremagog, Newport
Flickr/Michel Filion End the trip looking out at Lake Memphremagog, a 30-mile-long lake that crosses the border into Canada.
Looking for more scenic road trips? Try one of these 9 country roads in Vermont for a scenic drive.
Flickr/Jay Parker
You’ll love this museum and planetarium which is northern New England’s premiere museum of natural history. Whether you enjoy the stars or check out the bug art, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Flickr/Don Shall
This private, nonprofit public library and art gallery fills two roles: it serves the people of St. Johnsbury by enriching their lives, and it stands as a regional and national treasure. It’s a monument to the nineteenth-century belief in learning.
Facebook/St. Johnsbury Farmers’ Market
The farmers markets have friendly people and great products. Check out the year round farmers market in Lyndonville - the summer market is Fridays from mid May - early October from 3 - 7 pm in Bandstand Park. The winter market is at the Breslin Community Center (next to the park) on the 2nd Saturday of each month from November - April. The St. Johnsbury Summer market is on Saturdays behind Anthony’s Diner (corner Route 5 & Route 2) from mid May - early October from 9 am - 1 pm, the winter market is at the St Johnsbury Welcome Center 1st Saturday of each month from 10 am - 2 pm.
Yelp/Matthew A.
Don’t miss a great meal at this beloved diner. Some say it’s the best kept secret in the Northeast Kingdom, but it doesn’t seem like much of a secret - it’s always packed!
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Built in 1867, this 68-ft Queenpost bridge has unusually open construction, making it easy to observe the truss structure. It’s located on Route 114 in Lyndon.
Flickr/David Dufresne
This extensive network of scenic recreational trails provides some epic mountain biking and was constructed to accommodate all levels and abilities.
Flickr/Jay
Travel along the peaks of the toll road and check out the views from the top. Pictured is a distant view of the Willoughby notch (Mounts Pisgah and Hor) and a surrounding landscape.
Flickr/Jack Flanagan
You’ll love the beaches at both the north and south ends with excellent boating, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Or simply sit back and enjoy the view.
Facebook/Vermont Reindeer Farm
Check out the only live reindeer in the whole state of Vermont! They also have many other farm animals to pet and feed. You’ll also enjoy the nature trail, reindeer games and gift shop.
Flickr/Stan Hieronymus
One library, two countries. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located in both Canada and the US - Rock Island, Quebec, and Derby Line. And, yes, it was intentionally built this way!
Facebook/Newport Ciderhouse Bar & Grill
This is one of the absolute best restaurants in the Northeast Kingdom where everything is fresh, fresh, fresh. Just look at this savory Flatbread topped with fresh mixed greens, Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Bleu cheese, apples, almonds, cranberries, and crispy bacon. Paired below with Eden Sparkling Dry Cider which is made on site.
Facebook/Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center
Prepare to be amazed at the vast selection of specialty products from Vermont. Sip a sweet ice cider at The Tasting Bar, savor a sticky maple treat from the Maple Shop, enjoy fresh breads and pastries from Jocelyn & Cinta’s Bake Shop, order a specialty coffee from Beans by the Border, or sit and enjoy a bite at the Newport Ciderhouse Bar & Grill. Just look at these freshly baked cinnamon buns!
Flickr/Michel Filion
End the trip looking out at Lake Memphremagog, a 30-mile-long lake that crosses the border into Canada.
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