Weekend Away: Why You Should Visit Vermont’s Mad River Valley

08/18/2016 1:44 pm

Don’t be fooled by the Mad River Valley’s rustic rural charm because there’s also luxury dining and lodging. Nestled in the heart of Warren village, The Pitcher Inn offers world-class accommodations and a regionally-focused restaurant with the area’s best wine list that is worth a visit all on its own.

Read the full article here 

How To: The Thai Five O

07/27/2016 4:18 pm

There’s more than a few delicious new drinks on our summer cocktail menu, thanks to bartender Tara Downs. Our favorite creation though, is the Thai Five O, a delicious and infinitely refreshing blend of Gin, fresh squeezed lime juice, and creamy coconut milk. Join us for a drink under the new carnival lights on the Tracks Patio, or try your hand at the Thai Five O from your own bar cart. Either way, we think you’ll enjoy it.

Thai Five O 

20z Hendrick’s Gin

1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

1 oz. coconut milk (canned coconut milk, not the carton stuff)

.5 oz simple syrup

3-5 basil leaves

4 black or pink peppercorns

Muddle all ingredients, shake, serve on the rocks with a basil and lime garnish. Enjoy!

Vermont’s Mad River Valley: A Cycling Paradise

07/26/2016 2:38 pm

If you love tackling wild twists and turns on two wheels, then the Mad River Valley is a veritable paradise. Located in the heart of one of New England’s most stunning scenic areas, there’s a one-mile stretch known as “The steepest trail in America“, or the LAMB ride. Weaving through four gaps (Lincoln, Appalachian, Middlebury and Brandon) across the spine of the Green Mountains, this route is sure to have your legs burning and your heart pounding, especially when the gradient reaches 24% on Lincoln Gap!
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Embracing Wanderlust in The Mad River Valley  

07/13/2016 2:12 pm

The Pitcher Inn isn’t just a place for relaxation. Yes, our eclectic suites and guestrooms are filled with a myriad of plush places in which to kick back and relax. But our location in the Mad River Valley, between two picture-perfect stretches of the Green Mountains, is beyond stunning. The natural beauty surrounding us begs to be explored, even by the least intrepid wanderer.
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The Best Resorts in the American Northeast

07/08/2016 5:40 pm

Whether you’re looking to spend your vacation on a rocky coastline, in rolling farmland, or in a verdant valley surrounded by mountains, there’s a spot in the Northeastern U.S. for you. The best resorts in the area, from Maine down to Maryland, provide a slew of outdoor activities as well as pampering experiences for those looking for a little bit of rejuvenation.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In the hotels category, readers rated properties on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Hotels were categorized as city or resort properties based on their locations.

Rhode Island takes the Northeast trophy, with three out of the 10 properties in the list. Westerly’s Weekapaug Inn sits on the edge of quaint Quonochontaug Pond, and looks less like a hotel and more like a grand 19th-century estate. “Truly a remarkable treat along the New England coast,” as one survey-taker put it. The Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport and Ocean House in Watch Hill provide serious doses of Gilded Age–style glamour.

In Vermont, No. 2 Twin Farms, in Barnard (one of two resorts in the Green Mountain State that made this year’s top 10, along with the Pitcher Inn), had readers raving about the impeccable service. “The staff is friendly, warm, and seems to be there to make your every wish come true,” said a guest.  See the full article here. Travel and Leisure

America’s Most Charming Inns

07/07/2016 3:02 pm

Located in the small hamlet of Warren, Vermont, The Pitcher Inn has provided lodging since the days of the Civil War. After a major makeover in 1997, the Relaix & Chateaux property now boasts a fine-dining restaurant and carefully curated rooms and suites. The whimsical yet playful decor in each accommodation represents either a popular local activity or a point of Vermont heritage. (The Mallard room has a distinct duck hunter theme, with antique decoys and guns, camouflage pillows, and a life-size Canada goose hanging from the ceiling.) While most people flock to the Mad River Valley for ski season, activities like kayaking, hiking, or hot air balloon rides make it just as vacation-worthy in the summer—particularly if you arrange for a picnic. Like the upscale 275 Main restaurant and Tracks tavern, the “to-go” menu is a cut above, with items like brown rice salad with grapes and pistachios, or a baguette with artisanal cheeses. Article originally ran in Depatures.com. 

The Best Vermont Restaurants You’ve Never Heard Of

06/03/2016 6:25 pm

There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in Vermont. I’m not talking just farm-to-table, splurge-worthy restaurants either. From divey taco shops (looking at you, Mad Taco) to wood-fired burger joints (hello, Worthy Burger) to beer bars with the best nachos you’ll ever eat (I’m coming for you, Blackback Pub), Vermont boasts a wide selection of kick-ass eateries.
Vermont’s restaurants are just one of the reasons why Vermont really is the best place to live (and visit). Vermont has attracted many talented chefs who traded the hustle and bustle of city life in New York, Montreal or other foodie destinations around the world to embrace the eat-local, grow-your-own mentality that defines Vermont restaurants and Vermont as a whole. (Learn more about Vermont’s top chefs here.)

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Farm-to-Table Cuisine in Vermont & Spring Onion Gratin

06/02/2016 2:38 pm

Vermont is rich in history, scenery and culture and home to some of the most fantastic restaurants in America. Why? Because long before the “farm-to-table” trend was a national rage, we were embracing the concept. Vermont was one of the first states to recognize the farm to table idea, but more importantly, the first to see how it benefited everyone in the community. It’s easy to see. As you drive through our fabulous state, whether in the spring, summer, fall or winter, you’ll see a vibrant food scene full of small diners, roadside farmer’s markets, micro breweries, vineyards, and creemee stands all inviting those passing by to stop and take in their fresh fare. It’s not a gimmick in Vermont, it’s a lifestyle.
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Exploring Vermont’s Mad River Valley

04/28/2016 5:10 pm

Vermont is known for its long winters, well maybe not this year, but those long nights dreaming of summer are finally over. When the weather is cool and pleasant, the grass gets greener everyday, and the scenery takes your breath away. The beautiful backdrop and temperate weather make our backyard perfect for all your favorite outdoor activities.
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Maple Sugaring in Vermont

03/31/2016 2:35 pm

As winter does its slow roll into spring, the Mad River Valley — and Vermont in general — is happily in the thick of one of the undisputed highlights of the New England calendar: maple-sugaring season!
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