(Published in 7 Nights 2008-09)

(Published in 7 Nights 2007-08)

Trying to convert lead into gold never worked out too well for anybody. But turning hops and barley into golden liquid brings hordes to The Alchemist Pub & Brewery in Waterbury, where the serious task of brewing is served with a side of fun. Just try the Holy Cow I.P.A, Type O Positive or Knuckle Dragger. Good thing the mosaic-tiled bar — made by local artist Heather Glenn — is long enough to accommodate lots of ale aficionados.

(Published in 7 Nights 2009-10)

Only a few Vermont restaurants consistently deliver exquisite food and gracious service. Michael’s on the Hill, located on a scenic stretch of Route 100 between Waterbury and Stowe, is one of them. There, in an intimate farmhouse setting, Michael and Laura Kloeti reign over the kitchen and dining room, respectively. When it’s warm enough, seating extends to an enclosed wrap-around porch with views of the surrounding countryside. 

(Published in 7 Nights 2006-07)

The Mad River Valley has plenty of historic inns, but few go beyond bed and breakfast to pamper walk-in gourmands with first-class dinners. 1824 House, a lovingly restored, white-clapboard farmhouse in Waitsfield, serves cozy, candlelit meals in its eight-table dining room and large-scale banquets in a newly renovated barn. John Lumbra and Karl Klein run the place. Klein is the carpenter/wine steward; his partner Lumbra, a professional chef, presides in the kitchen.

In winter, the road to Stowe sees a lot of slope-seeking Saabs and Subarus. The summer crowd tends to be driven by ice cream: The Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury is one of the top tourist destinations in Vermont. If your visitors have heard of one thing in the Green Mountain State, sadly, this is probably it. The guided tour doesn’t dwell on the company’s founding entrepreneurs — you have to search high and low for signs of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield — but it maintains their “If it’s not fun, why do it?” philosophy.