Hotel at a Glance: Barrows House

Located in the historical district of the quaint Vermont town of Dorset, Barrows House resembles a miniature resort, with separate houses and cottages linked by winding paths. This more-than-200-year-old inn is a within a short drive of golf, hiking, and canoeing.

• Unforgettable rooms: Each room is unique—check out the Wren’s Nest, a standalone white cottage with high ceilings, a gas fireplace, and a two-person whirlpool tub.
• Wake up: The complimentary breakfast features french toast with Vermont maple syrup, sausages, and fresh daily omelets.
• Onsite dining: Get scotch quail eggs, steamed Prince Edward Island mussels, or an oyster po’ boy at the gastropub.
• Go for a stroll: Barrows House is set on 6 acres of gardens and wide, green lawns dotted with old trees, gazebos, and thoughtfully placed benches.
• Don’t miss: The Dorset Theatre Festival (June–August) stages classics such as Barefoot in the Park and award-winning new shows in three historic barn theaters.

Dorset, Vermont: New England Town Surrounded by Forested Mountains

If you’re looking for the quintessential New England village, look no further. The town of Dorset—which Boston Magazine aptly compared to a Thornton Wilder play come to life—has all the necessary elements: clapboard homes, a central town green, a forested backdrop of mountains and valleys, and not a skyscraper in sight. Browse the local stores and you’ll likely come away with an armload of fresh cheese, maple syrup, and warm woolens.

About 20 minutes south of town stands Hildene, a Georgian Revival mansion built by Robert Todd Lincoln, the only child of the 16th president to survive to adulthood. Tours of the home include access to a restored Pullman train car and a herd of nubian goats. Drive just a few miles to the west and you’ll find the Merck Forest & Farmland Center, a beautiful, 3,000-acre stretch of countryside in the Taconic Mountains. Visitors can explore numerous walking trails or take part in farming demonstrations.

The slopes of nearby Stratton and Bromley mountain resorts fill up with skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer. At Stratton, you can ride a gondola to the top of the mountain, which rises to nearly 4,000 feet. On a clear day, the view spans four states and several mountain ranges, including the Berkshires of Massachusetts and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.