(Published in 7 Nights 2007-08)

(Published in 7 Nights 2009-10)

It’s not easy to get the recipe right in small but sophisticated Montpelier. The capital city is both crunchy and world-wise, localvore and price-sensitive. 

Pam Root satisfies all the constituencies at That’s Life Soup, a cozy café on Elm Street that serves up soothing, steaming bowls to state workers, townies and tourists — not to mention the hungry lawmakers who take over Montpelier for four-plus months a year. 

The highlight of a visit to Cabot is our guided tour. View our award-winning cheese as it's being made. You'll learn a ton about cheesemaking, and Cabot's history - not to mention a bit about Vermont agriculture. Following the tour, you're invited to nibble our many varieties of cheeses, including the World's Best Cheddar and Best Flavored Cheddar.

Tour Fee: $2.00, children under 12 Free

This famed 270-mile footpath travels the entire length of Vermont, from Massachusetts to the Canadian border. The Green Mountain Club, which maintains the trail, lists 175 miles of side trails, and nearly 70 primitive shelters. Hike the whole thing, or just a few choice stretches.

Barre proudly calls itself “the Granite Capital of the World” — a slight exaggeration, perhaps, but not much. The city’s quarries produced the world-famous “Barre Gray” granite steps on the east side the U.S. Capitol. But gravestones are Barre’s niche. The personalized memorials the workers made for each other — and many other people — are all over the city’s most remarkable cemetery. Look for the life-sized armchair, big soccer ball, race car and airplane, all with accompanying sad stories. PHOTO: ALICE LEVITT