Grafton VT: Ski Magic and Irreverent History

$5 dollars and a jug of rum was the price of naming rights when Grafton VT was renamed in 1791, the same year Vermont entered the Union. Samuel Spring was already selling spirits on the site where the Old Tavern now stands, but over time the enterprise added a hotel.

A popular stopover on the Boston-to-Montreal and Boston-to-Albany routes, Grafton Inn hosted the likes of Rudyard Kipling, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Henry David Thoreau.

Nowadays Winter visitors to Grafton, Vermont find history, community ties, and some of the USA’s most magical snow terrain.

McWilliam Bridge, a covered bridge at Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center in Grafton, VT.
Covered bridge at Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center in Grafton, VT.

Things To Do In Grafton VT

HIKE/NORDIC SKIING: Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center

Winter fun at Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center runs the gamut: FAT biking; dog sled rides; tubing on the 600-foot run; snowshoeing over 10K trails, even Wine & Cheese Snowshoe tours; plus cross-country skiing at one of Southern Vermont’s best Nordic areas.

Mystery trail at Magic Mountain Ski Area in Southern Vermont.
Mystery trail at Magic Mountain Ski Area in Southern Vermont.

Ski Magic Mountain Ski Area

Nothing but corduroy-packed powder lay ahead on a trail named, “Mystery.” My son and husband had ditched me in favor of double-black diamonds, and only the wind whispered in my ear as I leaned over the jumpoff onto the intermediate trail at Magic Mountain Ski Area in Londonberry, Vermont.

It was 2 o’clock, well into a bluebird day on a Winter weekend, but pristine snow belied the presence of skiers. It’s not unusual to have ski trails all to yourself, even in peak season. Skiing in New England isn’t like skiing in Park City and other Western mountains, but it’s a special experience too.

Ski Glades - Magic Mountain - Vermont
Skiing the glades at Magic Mountain.

Sleigh Rides

Reserve a sleigh ride from Friesians of Majesty, and glide through 650 acres of forests and snow meadows pulled by jet-black Friesian horses.

SHOP: Grafton Village Cheese

Buy cheese and specialty food items at Grafton Village Cheese, one of Grafton’s earliest businesses. Founded in 1892, in the days before refrigeration, local dairy farmers formed a cooperative to turn their surplus milk into cheese.

Grafton Village Store - Grafton VT
Can you spot the dog guarding the snow plow, motor running, while his human picks up a cup of Joe?

EAT/SHOP: Grafton Village Store

Grab a cup of coffee and check local flyers at Grafton Village Store where you can also stock up on staples and Vermont products.

VISIT: Grafton Nature Museum

Environmental education and the Fairy House Festival draws visitors to Grafton Nature Museum. Hands-on exhibits focus on the region’s plants, animals, and geology; outdoors, explore hiking trails and “the cave,” a historic rock structure created in the early 1900s.

Grafton Forge
Grafton Forge

SHOP/VISIT: Grafton Forge

Observe the ancient art of blacksmithing at Grafton Forge as practiced by master craftsman, Aaron Anderson. The shop houses a rotating exhibit of historic tools and artifacts; home and garden ironware is available for sale and also on display. (Note that it’s temporarily closed.)

SHOP/SUGAR HOUSE

During sugar season (mid-February through mid-April) stop by Plummer’s Sugar House to see sap turned to Vermont’s finest maple syrup. Gift shop is open 7 days a week year round, free tour of house with any purchase.

Old Fire Station - My Mind's Design - Grafton VT
My Mind’s Design located in landmark Old Fire Station.

SHOP: Jason Ballard Designs

Housed in Grafton’s historic fire station, Jason Ballard’s woodworking studio carves out whimsical heirloom furniture. Open Monday-Saturday, by chance or by appointment. Phone: (802) 289-5123.

Phelps Barn Pub - Grafton, VT
Phelps Barn Pub

Where To Eat In Grafton VT

EAT/DRINK: Cosy up to one of two fireplaces in Phelps Barn Pub where the casual menu turns extraordinary: ambrosial Arugula Salad, grass-fed Vermont burgers topped with Grafton cheddar, plus Flatbread Fridays and Live Music Saturdays. Word to the wise, don’t miss the house-brewed 1801 Ale. (Tip: Get there early, the restaurant stops serving at 9pm.) 

Old Tavern Restaurant - Grafton VT
Old Tavern Restaurant

EAT: Surprisingly affordable farm-to-table fine dining at historic Old Tavern Restaurant served in period rooms at Grafton Inn. Full Vermont Country Breakfast, complementary to hotel guests, includes a very generous entree, as well as homemade muffins served and cream, served in fine pewter accompanied by decorative butter and fresh jam.

EAT/DRINK/NIGHTLIFE: On the top floor of Magic Mountain’s lodge, Black Line Tavern faces e ski and tubing trails (perfect for parents taking a break while kids play.) Hearty entrees–e.g. Chicken Pot Pie and Tuna Melt–and Friday Taco Bar, plus a laid back après-ski scene.

The Old Tavern at Grafton Inn - Grafton, Vermont

Grafton Vermont Hotels

Entering Grafton Inn is like stepping back in time at a very well-preserved historic museum where it’s OK to sit on the furniture. Small-scale rooms, as was typical of early 19th-century architecture, feature-rich blue wall paneling, leather-bound books, and gilt-trimmed portraits.

Grafton Inn Lobby

Run by the Windham Foundation, committed to preserving and promoting Vermont’s rural communities, the Grafton Inn is a great example of a historic inn that doesn’t skimp on modern comforts.

Grafton Inn offers guest rooms in the Main Tavern, as well as in multiple annex buildings spread about town. Our room, a Village Room with 2 double beds, was housed on the second floor in the Woodard House (circa 1874.)

The upstairs housed two rooms with 1-2 more rooms on the ground level; common areas included a full kitchen, dining room, and TV/living room.

Grafton Inn Village Room at Woodard House in Grafton VT
Grafton Inn Village Room at Woodard House.

The guest room itself was very spacious, while an entrance alcove provided space to store luggage out of sight. The beds were comfy, with fluffy comforters and better-quality linens. Extra pillows and blankets were stored in a closet. 

The bathroom, adorned with a cheery colonial print wallpaper and country lace curtains, was more than adequate, while the stash of free toiletries was both eco-friendly and pleasant-smelling.

Ski Getaways

Eager to Ski The East? We’ve gathered a few more travel guides:

Visitors to Grafton, VT find history, community ties, and some of the USA's most magical snow terrain. #vermont #wintergetaways

Author

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  • Sandra Foyt

    Sandra Foyt is a storyteller, road trip junkie, and award-winning travel photographer. A veteran of many cross-country road trips, she drove Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, the Fossil Freeway, the Extraterrestrial Highway, and even “The Loneliest Road in America.” Sandra is based in Upstate New York, with family homes in California and the Caribbean. Her work is influenced by tropical colors and warm relationships. And she believes that the best travel photography connects us across time, place, and culture.