Resource Library
The Upper Valley Journal
Genuine, locally-researched guides on the towns, mountains, seasons, and regulations that matter most to Vermont visitors and vacation rental owners.
Town Guides
Deep dives on each Vermont destination we serve
Hartford, VT: The Five Villages Most Visitors Don't Know They're In
Hartford, VT is more than Quechee. It's White River Junction's emerging arts scene, the Connecticut River confluence, Dartmouth across the river, and five distinct villages with completely different characters.
West Windsor, VT: Vermont's Horse Country and Best-Kept Secret
West Windsor doesn't have a ski mountain or a famous gorge. What it has is Mount Ascutney, working horse farms, stone walls through the forest, and the kind of quiet that's getting harder to find in Vermont.
Ludlow, VT: The Honest Skier's Guide to the Okemo Area
Ludlow is a working Vermont ski town built around Okemo Mountain. No resort veneer, no manicured village center — just a solid mountain, good restaurants, and the kind of après-ski that doesn't charge you $28 for a beer.
Woodstock, VT: What You Actually Need to Know Before Visiting
Woodstock earns its reputation as Vermont's most beautiful small town, but there's more here than the Instagram version. A practical guide to visiting, staying, and understanding the local STR landscape.
Quechee, VT: A Real Guide to Visiting and Staying Here
Quechee punches well above its size. The gorge, Simon Pearce, hot air balloons, and direct river access make it one of Vermont's most rewarding short-term rental destinations.
Vermont Short-Term Rental Laws: What Every Host Needs to Know
Vermont doesn't have a statewide STR registry, but it does have a 9% rooms tax and towns that are increasingly active about permits and enforcement. Here's the complete breakdown by municipality.
Outdoor Adventure
Skiing, hiking, foliage, and everything the outdoors has to offer
Vermont Winter Beyond Skiing: The Cozy Season Guide
Vermont winter is more than lift lines and lodge bars. Maple sugaring, snowshoeing through managed forest, covered bridges in fresh snow, and the particular pleasure of a wood stove in a farmhouse — here's what winter in this part of Vermont actually looks like.
Skiing Near Quechee and Woodstock: The Quieter Vermont Mountain Experience
No Epic Pass, no 2,000-foot vertical, no lift lines that make you question your vacation choices. The Quechee and Woodstock area has Suicide Six, the Woodstock Nordic Center, and the Dartmouth Skiway — and a winter vibe that's entirely its own.
Skiing Okemo Mountain: The Complete Guide for Every Level
Okemo in Ludlow, VT is one of the best all-around ski mountains in New England — 121 trails, 667 acres, Epic Pass access, and a ski town that hasn't lost its character. Here's everything you need to plan your trip.
Woodstock, VT Fall Foliage: The Village Green, Covered Bridges, and Mountain Views
Woodstock in October is the Vermont foliage experience most people are imagining when they plan the trip. Here's how to see the best of it — from the village green to the summit of Mount Tom — and what to do between the views.
Quechee Gorge in Fall: How to See Vermont's Best Foliage Views
Quechee Gorge at peak fall foliage is something people drive six hours round-trip for. Here's how to make the most of it — the best viewpoints, hiking trails, timing, and what to do while you're in the area.
Vermont Fall Foliage: When to Go, Where to Look, and What to Expect
Vermont fall foliage is real — but timing it correctly, avoiding the worst of the crowds, and knowing which spots are worth the trip takes more than a Google search. Here's what we actually tell our guests.
Vermont in Summer: The Season Most Visitors Underrate
Summer is Vermont's most underrated season — less crowded than fall, more activity than winter, and genuinely beautiful. A practical guide to swimming holes, hiking, farmers markets, and the events worth planning around.
Events & Festivals
Vermont's best celebrations, weddings, and seasonal events
Vermont State Fair 2025 — Rutland's Annual Late-Summer Tradition
The Vermont State Fair in Rutland has been running since 1846. A week of agricultural competition, midway rides, live entertainment, and genuinely good fair food — twenty minutes from Ludlow and Okemo's summer trail network.
Stowe Summer Events 2025 — Music, Gondola Rides & the Best of Vermont's Mountain Town
Stowe doesn't hibernate between ski seasons. A full summer calendar of outdoor concerts, gondola hikes, farmers markets, and mountain activities makes it one of Vermont's top warm-weather destinations.
Vermont Brewers Festival 2025 — Burlington's Best Summer Weekend
For two days in mid-July, fifty-plus Vermont craft breweries gather on the Burlington waterfront for one of New England's premier beer festivals. Here's what to expect, how to plan it, and why it's worth the drive.
4th of July in Woodstock, Vermont — America's Most Beautiful Small-Town Celebration
Woodstock's Independence Day is everything a Fourth of July should be: a village green parade, fireworks over the Ottauquechee, lawn chairs, and the particular magic of celebrating in one of America's most beautiful towns.
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival 2025 — A Weekend Guide for Upper Valley Visitors
For ten days every June, Burlington transforms into one of New England's great music cities. Here's how to make a weekend of it from your Upper Valley base — what to see, where to eat, and what the drive looks like.
Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival 2025 — Vermont's Most Spectacular Summer Weekend
Every June, Quechee Gorge Village fills with hot air balloons, live music, craft vendors, and thousands of visitors. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of Vermont's most iconic summer event.
Quechee, VT Wedding Venues: Getting Married at Simon Pearce and Beyond
Quechee offers some of Vermont's most distinctive wedding settings — Simon Pearce above the falls, the Quechee Club, and a valley setting that photographs beautifully. Here's an honest guide to what's available and how to make it work.
Woodstock, VT Wedding Venues: An Honest Guide to Getting Married Here
Woodstock is one of Vermont's most sought-after wedding destinations. Here's a realistic look at the venues, what to expect from each, how to use vacation rentals for your wedding party, and what makes this area genuinely special for a celebration.