Make a self catering cottage or holiday rental in the Northeast Kingdom, USA your home away from home

The three most northeastern counties in Vermont are Caledonia, Essex and Orleans. In 1949, Vermont Senator George Aiken exclaimed, "This is such beautiful country -- it should be called the Northeast Kingdom!" The area adopted this name, and it has affectionately been called "The Northeast Kingdom" or the "NEK" ever since. The area is rich in cultural history, stunning natural beauty and has plenty of recreational opportunities. It has a very French influence as it borders Quebec, Canada and draws many visitors to the area throughout the year.

Things to Do in the Northeast Kingdom Winter Activities

The Northeast Kingdom offers skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling along with ice hockey at the newly opened NHL Hockey Rink at Jay Peak Ski and Golf Resort. Snowmobiling fans will enjoy the miles of groomed snowmobiling trails in Essex County which wind their way through Bloomfield and Canaan to the Canadian border.

Outdoor pursuits

During the summer, the Northeast Kingdom is a wonderful place to explore for those who enjoy hiking, scenic drives, fishing, hunting and mountain biking. In the fall, leaf-peeping is popular to see the leaves turn vivid shades of orange, gold and red.

Birdwatching

Nature spotters and bird lovers will find an abundance of wildlife in this unspoilt area. Bird watchers will see dozens of native species and some rare visitors too. Brousseau Mountain is one of the few nesting sites for Peregrine Falcons.

Places to Visit in the Northeast Kingdom Visit Local Farms

The area around your Northeast Kingdom holiday home is littered with farms and many are open to the public. Drive along to Peacham and visit Snowshoe Farm which rears alpacas and demonstrates shearing, spinning and knitting with alpaca wool. At Meadow View Farm in Lyndonville you can learn about the prize herd of belted Galloway Cattle whilst Agape Hill Farm in Hardwick offers llama trekking. There are also several farms in the area which produce and sell delicious maple syrup.

Rated as one of the best small towns in America, St Albans is just 25 miles from Burlington and has a great home town atmosphere. In years gone by, this charming town was nicknamed "Railroad City" for its part in the locomotive manufacturing industry. It now has a wonderful array of shops, galleries and restaurants.

Mount Pisgah State Park

Mount Pisgah rises to an impressive 2260 feet and there is a hiking trail with stunning panoramic views from the summit. The area is ideal for hill walking and ice climbing. At the base of the mountain is Stephen Foster Lake which covers 75 acres within Mount Pisgah State Park and offers boating and fishing in the summer and ice fishing and skating in the winter.

Weather in the Northeast Kingdom

The Northeast Kingdom has warm summers with average temperatures reaching around 75°F (24°C). The winters are very cold but ideal for those visiting for snowsports. The area has considerable rainfall throughout the year and has up to 20 inches of snowfall, making it one of the best areas in the US for snowsports.

Travel to the Northeast Kingdom, USA

The nearest major airport to the Northeast Kingdom is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) Airport in Montreal, Canada. The closest U.S. airport to your Northeast Kingdom holiday rental is Burlington (BTV) International Airport or Portland (PWM) ) International Airport in Maine.