Why is it Called the Northeast Kingdom The northeastern corner of Vermont has a certain undisturbed, unhurried quality about it. Nature, not the modern world, rules, here, and the forests, mountains, streams, lakes and ponds all work a special magic on the human soul. The area is not backward, by any means, it just prioritizes life differently. A Vermont State Senator, George Aiken, visited the area in 1949 and was taken with what he saw. He said, "this is such beautiful country up here - it should be called the Northeast Kingdom." So it was, and so it still is, to this day. St. Johnsbury The nearby town of St. Johnsbury boasts the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, New England's largest natural history museum and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, an architectural treasure in its own right, is a combination library and art gallery and home to over 100 19th century paintings. Across town is Maple Grove Farms, America's oldest and largest maple factory, offering sugarhouse tours and samples. The Catamount Arts Center serves as a cultural center for the area and specializes in film, theatre, dance and visual arts. Moose Watching Moose are very slow, deliberate critters, so if you see one, you'll have plenty of time to watch it while it moves on. Problem is, to find one, you have to know where to look. Moose are most active at dawn or sunset - they frequent bogs and mud holes and are often seen along the treelines that border these areas. For whatever reason, they like dried salt on the roadways. This makes them very easy to find, but pose a big problem for your car if you hit one. Some townships in the Northeast Kingdom are said to have larger moose populations than human ones. Vermont Cheddar Cheese Vermont is nationally famous for its cheddar cheese and no company is more responsible for that reputation than Cabot Creamery. They are located in the eponymous town of Cabot, a few miles west of Joe's Pond on Vermont route 215. Spend an hour in the tasting room at the creamery and you'll understand why they have the reputation they do. Kingdom Trails The Northeast Kingdom is home to the Kingdom Trails network, a vast system of dirt trails, winding singletrack, long-forgotten cart roads, broad fire roads, and scenic country roads which can be used for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Nearby New Hampshire A mere 25 or so miles to the east is Littleton, New Hampshire, a typical New England town with good shopping on the main street and a terrific diner. The town is a perfect staging point for a day exploration of the famous White Mountains National Forest, Mt. Washington, the northeast's highest peak and home of the world's worst weather, scenic Kancamagus Highway (State Rt. 112) and Franconia Notch, the former home of the now-collapsed 'Old Man of the Mountain' (see photo at right). North Conway is a factory outlet town and a destination in its own right. Shopping There are no big box retailers in the Northeast Kingdom and no large malls. Shopping areas adhere to long-standing New England tradition - storefronts along a town's main street - it's been that way for a coon's age and no reason to change. More Cabin on a Cove ------------- Home Main Index Rental Information About the House Amenities of the House Pond Life Useful Links Autumn & Other Seasons Fun & Recreation Maps & Directions Click for larger map