Après Nordic in Vermont

Lately, I’ve been upgrading the traditional three-day weekend to a four-day meander, and it feels somewhat revolutionary. Day one’s agenda includes a leisurely drive to my destination and no other plans whatsoever, other than an arrival cocktail—preferably next to a wood-burning fireplace. The Inn at Burklyn has a few such fireplaces at their meticulously maintained Neo Classical-style mansion, and they tend to the embers and visitors with equal care.

These tenets are part of the inn’s heritage, after all. Local hotelier Elmer Darling designed and constructed his early 1900s home with guests in mind—from the still-in-use clubhouse, strategically set alongside the porte-cochere, to the sweeping views of the Green and White Mountains, framed in by the area’s bucolic farmland.  

These tenets are part of the inn’s heritage, after all. Local hotelier Elmer Darling designed and constructed his early 1900s home with guests in mind—from the still-in-use clubhouse, strategically set alongside the porte-cochere, to the sweeping views of the Green and White Mountains, framed in by the area’s bucolic farmland.  

Winter Adventure in Vermont’s
Northeast Kingdom As if plucked from a historic postcard, the inn’s same idyllic highlights await modern-day guests as well, plus the surrounding area now quietly offers some of the best adventures in the northeast.

But first, breakfast.
The Inn at Burklyn’s breakfast fare was one of the most surprising highlights of my stay. Each plate is a little masterclass on farm-to-table elegance, with fresh, edible garnishes like micro-carrots with their delicate greens still attached. The food? Spot-on, and hearty, enough to fuel plenty of snow-day fun or exploring the local area.

Guests enjoy direct access to Northeast Kingdom Trails, a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails, hailed as one of the top winter fat tire biking networks in the country. Intrepid travelers can also toggle between Nordic skiing and hiking—or even borrow from the inn’s supply of complimentary snowshoes.

Looking for more? The area also offers plenty of ATV and snowmobiling experiences and even sleigh rides at Rainbow Edge Farm. As you head out for the day, grab some piping hot lattes from Cafe Lotti, where you’ll find local goodies and top-notch ambiance. Or skip driving altogether and grab a seat on the inn’s shuttle to Burke Mountain (an Olympic training area) and Dashney Nordic Center.

When It’s Time to Warm-Up,
Explore St. Johnsbury
Just down the road, St. Johnsbury offers an eclectic roster of intriguing gems—from the $5 St. Johnsbury Athenaeum experience to the free trails-meets-dog chapel-meets-art gallery at the area’s beloved Dog Mountain (of course dogs are welcome!). And Catamount Arts remains St. Johnsbury’s go-to for all things art and culture, including shows, film screenings, and classes.

I’d planned on visiting these local attractions, but all that changed when I walked into Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, a cabinet of curiosities so expertly curated that I abandoned my itinerary to explore its wonderful exhibits. Everything there skews slightly fantastical—from the architecture to the planetarium talks and 1800’s fine art made from taxidermy beetles.

There are hands-on exhibits, naturalist wonders, and an ever-rotating line-up of daily talks on everything from butterflies to the night sky.

Leave time to grab lunch at The Buttery—a cozy nook of a bistro with rows of local wines, tinned goods, and locally roasted coffee. On the menu, you’ll find tasty bites including grilled halloumi, white bean tartine, dijon artichoke aioli, and plenty of crave-worthy combinations. For just $11, you can score a radish, butter, and baguette plate to pair with one of their many local brews. Better yet, indulge in the homemade Pistachio Pesto Gnochetti. 

Evenings at The Inn at Burklyn
Though I relished early mornings at the inn—reading by the fireplace, a mug of local maple sugar-infused coffee in hand—the evenings were especially lovely. Guests would trickle in, back from the trails and antique shops, and the cozy hum of chatter filled the sitting rooms. The bartender shakes up seasonal cocktails and folks settle into the dining room for a dinner better described as a petite feast.

Here, the daily soup is a meditation on harmony, and the menu includes riffs on regional classics and family recipes worthy of the mansion’s cozy grandeur. In a word: marvelous.  

After dessert, my 22-year-old niece and I sipped espresso martinis in our suite and played Yahtzee long into the night. Just outside our room, on the third floor, is an impressive sitting area, surrounded by wall after wall of color-curated books and soothing, minimalist objet d’art—a really lovely spot for reading, journaling, or savoring a mug of herbal tea or hot toddy before bed. 

If you’re more of a winter-loving night owl, the innkeeper can set up a bonfire, complete with s’mores kits. In fact, the inn goes all out for each season—from hundreds of pumpkins in autumn to cozy-centric offerings each winter, including seasonal packages and discounts.Check the website for winter and romance packages, including details on a 30% discount.

The Inn at Burklyn is one of two Select Registry properties I’ve visited this past year. This—an opulent wink to a bygone era of gilded opulence—and the other, a secluded lakeside retreat in Poland, Maine. On paper, they’re quite different, but both deliver on the collection’s promise of one-of-a-kind hospitality—from Poland, Maine’s most sought-after lakeside sauna and boat house dinner to East Burke, Vermont’s maple sugar and grandest manor.

For More Invormation Visit: www.theinnatburklyn.com www.discoverstjohnsbury.com
selectregistry.com www.thebutteryvt.com fairbanksmuseum.org www.kingdomtrails.org