Located in picturesque Grafton, Vermont, Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center is a perfect vacation destination in all seasons. Delight in skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, fat biking, and sleigh rides in the winter, or visit in the summer for mountain biking, swimming, hiking, and canoeing. At Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, you’ll find activities, recreation, and events sure to entertain the entire family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-FmRGvOrdk
Grafton is just 10 minutes north of the Cabin and after a day snowshowing, cross country skiing and tubing with the family you can drive into the cute little town of Grafton and have a bite to eat at the Old Tavern and Phelps Barn Pub in the Grafton Inn. It’s a great rustic barn with good food and drinks, and come back in the evening for some music.
Seasonally Available • Early May – October 21, 2018
Due to its remarkable location, weather, and history, the Mount Washington Auto Road is unlike any other driving experience in the Eastern United States. A trip on Mount Washington Auto Road is a one-of-a-kind experience offering ever-changing weather extremes, panoramic views and the opportunity to pass through four distinct climate zones as you climb to the highest peak in the Northeast.
The constantly-changing weather adds to the allure and mystique of the famous peak, often allowing visitors to experience high winds and dramatic cloud formations. With an average grade of 12%, a single mile of hard-packed gravel road around mid mountain, and above-treeline views beginning around 4,200 feet, this is truly one of the most spectacular drives in the Northeast!
DRIVE YOURSELF RATES
Car & Driver
$31
Motorcycle & Operator
$17
Adult Passenger
$9
Child (Ages 5-12) Passenger
$7
Under 5 Yrs.
FREE
Driving the Mount Washington Auto Road is about a new experience at every turn, even if you’ve already driven it several times. Weather, foliage, views…they’re always changing and keep the trips exciting. Drive yourself and earn the famous “This Car Climbed Mount Washington” bumper sticker.
https://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/drive-yourself
Guided Tours
They offer a unique opportunity to learn the true nature and history of Mount Washington and the Auto Road. Driven by one of our accomplished and dedicated tour guides, your “stage driver” will offer stories, anecdotes, legends, history and insight into the ecological wonder of Mount Washington as well as point out interesting features and scenic opportunities from the base to the 6,288-foot summit.
A trip on Mount Washington Auto Road is a one-of-a-kind experience offering ever-changing weather extremes, panoramic views and the opportunity to pass through four distinct climate zones as you climb to the highest peak in the Northeast.
Keep those cameras handy because once you arrive to the summit, you’ll be surrounded by the 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest, where views on a clear day may extend as far as 130 miles to Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Quebec, and at time even the Atlantic Ocean!
But be prepared, as the Mount Washington summit reaches 6,288 feet into the clouds meaning you’re far more likely to experience some of the exciting weather extremes which Mount Washington is so well known for. Great for short videos to share with friends!
Also on the summit, you’re free to explore the many historic buildings and exciting opportunities available. Enjoy a historic stroll through the 1853 Tip Top House or find unique gifts at the Summit Stage Office. This is the building you’ll find chained down to the ground … the same building where the highest world record wind speed (observed by man) was recorded on April 12, 1934 … 231 miles per hour!
Additionally, the Sherman Adams Visitor Center offers a cafeteria, restrooms and gift shops, while the Mount Washington Observatory offers the interactive “Extreme Mt. Washington Museum”. Admission to this recently completed summit museum is included in your toll or guided tour fee, and offers interactive displays as well as opportunities to experience just what it’s like on top Mount Washington during the extreme winter months!
https://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/guided-tours
SnowCoach Tours
Join us this winter for a comfortable winter tour to an extreme world at treeline on Mount Washington!
Driven by 4 tracks rather than wheels, the 12-passenger (we typically seat only 7- 9 persons) Mount Washington SnowCoach transports guests up to treeline on Mount Washington, at approximately 4,200 feet, into a sub-arctic world for a truly unforgettable adventure.
Tickets sales start at 8:30am on a first come, first serve basis, weather permitting
Advance reservations are now available for 9am and 10:30 most days. We do also “set aside” on Coach for walk-ins at 9:00am and 10:30am
All other tickets are sold first come, first served as guests arrive throughout the day
Due to the popularity of these tours we urge you to arrive here as early as possible (we generally open at 8:30am – sometimes earlier)
Tours are approximately 1.5 hours in length
RATES 2017-2018
Adult/Senior $49
Junior (5-12 Yrs.) $30
https://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/snowcoach
Sunrise SnowCoach Tours
Experience a winter sunrise at treeline from the comfort of the Mount Washington SnowCoach.
Our experienced SnowCoach drivers will take you to treeline (weather permitting) at 4,200ft on the Mount Washington Auto Road for a chance to watch the sun rise. We leave promptly at 6:15am in January and 5:45am in February from the base lodge and will not hold back the trip as we need to keep a tight schedule throughout the day for all our guests.
Even if we don’t actually get to the see the sun rise, you can be sure the early morning lighting at treeline will make for incredible and unforgettable scenes. Although you are riding in a heated van, you should dress warm as you will have an opportunity to get out of the SnowCoach for pictures and to experience the weather on Mt. Washington.
Weather info can be found here and you are always welcome to call for the latest conditions at the top of our tour.
SNOWCOACH RESERVATIONS AND THE MOUNTAIN WEATHER
SnowCoach Tours give passengers a glimpse into extreme weather at the top of the tour, treeline, where the relative safety of the trees gives way to the barren rock expanse above. However, a few days throughout the season the mountain weather makes it impossible to safely make the trip up the mountain.
In case extreme mountain weather prevents the SnowCoach from operating, tours may be delayed or cancelled. Should that happen we will reach out to you to make arrangement to reschedule or refund your booking.
Check out our rustic Moose Pond Cabin that sleeps 8 and is just about 25 miles away from several ski resorts. This would be a major day trip to Mount Washington, but so much to see along the way and it would be a wonderful way to spend a beautiful summer day exploring northern New England.
Take a Winter Day Trip and have a wild ride on the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster at Okemo Mountain! You’re going to love taking a ride on this in the winter with the kids!
Londonderry VT
Taylor Farm
Head to the Taylor Farm for a Winter Day Trip and a taste of the past. Their two sleights accommodate up to 10 people each. They are box-style sleighs on runners pulled by Belgian draft horses. Blankets are provided on every ride. Sleigh rides are offered on the hour during the weekends and last approximately 45 minutes including a fireside stop in the woods with beautiful views of the various ski mountains.
They encourage you to create your own bread, cheese and dessert picnic from the various Vermont products in their farm store before heading out on the ride. Call for reservations at (802) 824-5690.
Pricing · Adults – $25 · Children aged 3 to 7 – $15 · Children aged 2 and under – Free · Private rides – $185 1-5 people · Private rides – $250 6-10 people · Mid week rides are available upon request with advance notice – $185 (1-5 people), $250 (6-10 people).
I will try and post every so often about a different spot in VT to cross country ski. There are some beautiful Centers throughout Southern Vermont.
VIKING NORDIK CENTER
Come see why our 39 km trail system is loved by so many. Beautiful and interesting trails wind through old woods, past classic Vermont scenery, around a busy beaver pond, and along side the West River. Our terrain is mixed from easy, short wooded loops that keep skiers out of the wind and near the ski center to longer treks out to picnic tables placed at scenic vistas. We meticulously groom 35 km of ski trails for both classic and skate ski techniques and have 4 km of dedicated snowshoe trails. Snowshoes are allowed on most of our ski trails and if conditions are right, fat bikes too.
We are known for our fun, relaxed atmosphere that embraces all types of skiers, young and old, those going out for an easy tour and those going out to train for a race. Viking is an especially great place to introduce your kids to the joys of cross country skiing. Youngsters can participate in our ‘Great Cookie Search’, skiing our trails looking for enough hidden snowflake signs so they are rewarded with a cookie for their day of skiing.
For a unique winter experience join us on special nights when we light 3 km of trails, including a gorgeous section lit by gas lanterns. We also have a clubhouse that groups can reserve as their private ‘home base’ during their visit and we rent the night ski trails for races, parties, and corporate gatherings.
We’re a full service nordic center: our cafe makes wonderful soups, chili’s, grilled cheese sandwiches, and tasty treats. We have a full rental and retail shop, including kid sized gear and ski pulks and we offer private, group, and family lessons. On site lodging is available any time of the year in our 10 bed farmhouse and our 7 bed apartment.
Viking is in Southern Vermont, easy to get to from Okemo, Stratton, Bromley and Magic Mountain ski areas. We are located halfway between Manchester and Chester, just south of Weston, just over a mile from the junction of Rt 100 and Rt 11.
NIGHT SKIING – A very unique experience!
Ski or snowshoe under the lights for a unique Vermont experience. We have 3km of intersecting trails lit by both overhead lights and old railroad lanterns. The lantern section is locally known as ‘The Tunnel of Love’. Night skiing does not happen every week, so don’t miss it. If these dates don’t work for you, you can rent the course for your group. Please click on the link below for more information:
Future Ski Nights 2018:
Saturday February 17, 2018
http://www.vikingnordic.com/
Travel Tip created by Arielle in association with Vacation Soup
1938 the Latchis Theater has brought the latest art and culture to southern Vermont. It is the only movie theater in Brattleboro and it is both a grand stage for a variety of performances and cozy theater to watch regular films.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure PG-13
2HR, 24MIN
6:40 and 9:10
The Post PG-13
1HR, 56MIN
6:50 and 9:00
The Shape Of Water R
1HR, 59MIN
6:40 and 8:55
Darkest Hour PG-13
2HR, 5MIN
8:55
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
1HR, 55Min
6:50
https://theater.latchis.com/
Travel Tip created by Arielle in association with Vacation Soup
A great little Brewery Restaurant and Bier Garten right on the Connecticut River in Brattleboro. It’s perched right over the river with great views. They have a nice interior dining room open 7 days a week from 11:30am until late with a bar that serves over 60 craft beers.
The official Vermont/New Hampshire USGS State Geographic boundary also runs right through the brewery so it can be fun to have a beer in both states.
Step outside on the beautiful casual rooftop biergarten for some waterfront dining. A great place to have a drink or a bite to eat in the summer.
Travel Tip created by Arielle in association with Vacation Soup
Superdope live sets are an amorphous, genre-bending eruption. Originally from New York, this DJ/Producer has roots firmly planted in hip-hop. That foundation has been the backbone to the diverse mix of sounds used by Superdope on stage. Throughout the years, Superdope has performed with acts such as Excision, Bear Grillz, Jantsen, ill.Gates, MiTiS, Dirtyphonics and Savoy. No genre is safe. No crowd is spared. This is Superdope.
Travel Tip created by Arielle in association with Vacation Soup
You will need to stop by this little gem of a distillery on your way to the cabin to pick up a delicious bottle of one of their craft-made liquors. It is located north of Brattleboro on Rt 30 just after you pass under 91. They have a nice tasting room where you can try a few samples. Our favorite is the Sapling Vermont Maple Rye! Enjoy.
www.saxtonsriverdistillery.com
Travel Tip created by Arielle in association with Vacation Soup
Located on the shore of Snow Lake at the junction of South Access Road and Handle Road (right across from the Sundance Lodge Parking Area), Snow Barn is home to one of the best live music scenes in southern Vermont with performances every Friday and Saturday nights during the winter and more during holiday weeks. The lively bar features local brews on tap, cold Jägermeister and plenty of bartenders so no matter how busy it is you never have to wait long for your drink.
Bud Light Concert Series – Pink Talking Fish plays Bowie
Saturday January 13
Time:
9:00 p.m.
Location:
Snow Barn
Description:
Pink Talking Fish is a Hybrid Tribute Fusion Act that takes the music from three of the world’s most beloved bands and creates a special treat for fans of the music.
Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads and Phish are all more than just bands… they are Phenomenons. Their creations have artistically inspired people and their mindblowing live performances have brought people together to form a special sense of community around the love for their favorite band.
Although the music from each act is different, Pink Talking Fish has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd…. The funky, danceable layerings of The Talking Heads…. The multitude of styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish…. to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience.
Pink Talking Fish features Eric Gould (former/founding member of Particle) on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums and Dave Brunyak on guitar. This is a band created by musicians who love the music of these acts. It’s purpose is to heighten people’s passion for this music by creating something fresh and exciting for fans.
Tickets available online for $20. Tickets will be $25 at the door if still available.
Located in picturesque Grafton, Vermont, Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center is a perfect vacation destination in all seasons. Delight in skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, fat biking, and sleigh rides in the winter, or visit in the summer for mountain biking, swimming, hiking, and canoeing. At Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, you’ll find activities, recreation, and events sure to entertain the entire family.
