| No matter which season you take Vermont | | | | After the snow melts, families have an endless |
| vacations, you'll see these seven scenic wonders | | | | assortment of things to do on their Vermont |
| and fall in love with the Green Mountain state. And | | | | vacations, including swimming, hiking, horseback |
| just in case you mistakenly think there are only | | | | riding, canoeing, kayaking, and scenic driving tours. |
| seven wonders - think again. Each of these is a | | | | Mount Mansfield itself provides hiking trails for the |
| vacation in itself, full of the wonders of | | | | fit and energetic, or you can take in amazing |
| adventure, breathtaking views, wildlife, and fine | | | | views from your own car as you drive to the |
| dining and lodging. | | | | summit ridge on the historic toll road. |
| It all begins here... | | | | LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND ISLANDS |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST | | | | Lake Champlain seems like a lost cousin of the |
| The Green Mountain National Forest is 400,000 | | | | Great lakes. Long and deep, but with an average |
| acres stretching across two-thirds of the length | | | | width of only 12 miles, its northern area is dotted |
| of Vermont. The Forest comprises six wilderness | | | | with a magnificent string of Islands popular for |
| areas offering camping and 900 miles of trails, and | | | | Vermont vacations. Routes 2 and 78 connect the |
| a backcountry environment for all ages. | | | | larger ones together and to the Vermont |
| Campgrounds are available on a first-come basis | | | | mainland. One of the last "undiscovered" treasures |
| during the summer season. | | | | of New England, the Lake Champlain Islands offer |
| Popular destinations in the Forest include the | | | | magnificent vistas of Vermont's Green Mountains |
| Robert Frost Trail near Ripton, Texas Falls | | | | to the east, and New York's Adirondacks to the |
| Recreation area close to Hancock, the | | | | west. |
| Moosalamoo area near Brandon, and Lake | | | | NORTHEAST KINGDOM |
| Dunmore and Brandbury State Park | | | | The Northeast Kingdom is a vast 1.3 million acres |
| QUECHEE GORGE | | | | of mostly wilderness land, which includes public |
| Located in central Vermont near the town of | | | | forests, parks, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. |
| Woodstock, Quechee Gorge is a geological | | | | This is an area where little has changed since the |
| wonder. Nicknamed Vermont's Grand Canyon, the | | | | glaciers left, and the adventurous will find plenty |
| gorge was carved when the last glacier covering | | | | of opportunity to live out their dream Vermont |
| New England receded about 12,000 years ago. | | | | vacation. |
| Today the Ottauguechee River flows through the | | | | Nature shares the Northeast Kingdom with people, |
| gorge and is spanned by a bridge, which offers a | | | | and this is an area where wildlife and scenery is |
| marvelous photogenic vantage point for visitors. | | | | king, and folks gladly take a back seat. Load up |
| The entrance to the park is just west of the | | | | your camping stuff and supplies in St. Johnsbury, |
| bridge, and offers trails down to the gorge and | | | | check your gas level, and be prepared for an |
| wooded nature walks. | | | | exhilarating experience! |
| SCENIC ROUTE 100 FROM KILLINGTON TO | | | | COVERED BRIDGES |
| WATERBURY | | | | No mention of Vermont wonders can bypass the |
| Vermont boasts many scenic drives but none | | | | finest collection of covered bridges in the United |
| more scenic than the portion of Route 100 from | | | | States. If you include the bridges shared with New |
| Killington to Waitsfield. The route borders the | | | | Hampshire and spanning the Connecticut River, |
| Green Mountain National Forest and meanders | | | | the state has 106, which is more than any other |
| through mountain valleys, rivers, streams, | | | | New England state. Most bridges are accessible to |
| waterfalls, and small farming villages. Along this | | | | the public, in excellent condition, and a joy to |
| route you'll move from open farmland to steep | | | | discover and photograph. |
| mountain cliffs either side of a winding narrow | | | | The craftsmen who designed these monuments |
| road, and then eventually back to open fields. | | | | had no idea they were building a legacy now |
| The latter part of the journey to Waterbury | | | | enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. |
| offers marvelous views of the distant northern | | | | Wherever you are in the state you're not far |
| Green Mountains. | | | | from a Vermont covered bridge |
| STOWE | | | | This brief journey has been but an introduction to |
| Nestled between two mountain ranges is perhaps | | | | an area in the U.S. where not only the people, but |
| the most picturesque town in New England - | | | | nature, does things just a little differently - And |
| Stowe. The draw and attraction for many to | | | | that makes all the difference for Vermont |
| Stowe is Mount Mansfield, and the mountain | | | | vacations.the difference for Vermont vacations. |
| dominates the landscape. | | | | |