Vermont Hostels
The White River Junction hostel is located in a historic railroad town and arts village in Hartford, Vermont. Keeping with Vermont tradition, Hartford is divided into five historic villages, White River Junction being one of them. White River Junction, a National Historic District, was the first and largest railroad center in Vermont and New England north of Boston. Today, it’s a quirky town with artsy charm and several annual festivals, including the Glory Days of the Railroad Festival - held every September, the festival features train rides, rail car displays, music, and other entertainment. Held every June, the nearby annual Vermont’s Premiere Balloon Festival fills the sky with hot air balloons, with arts, crafts, and music on the ground. The nearby Quechee Gorge is a Vermont sightseer’s favorite – the 165-foot deep gorge, which runs a mile in length, is a part of the Quechee Gorge State Park, which offers superb hiking.
On the southern tip of Vermont, Bennington is home to the Woodford hostel. As Vermont’s first chartered town, Bennington has a deeply historic past, evident by its famous Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-foot stone obelisk built in the late 1880s to commemorate the 1777 Revolutionary War battle. The Bennington Museum is a great source of early American furniture, art, and memorabilia, with the world’s largest collection of the town’s famous pottery, as well as the largest collection of the famous painter Grandma Moses’ art available for public view. The nearby Robert Frost Stone House Museum, which was the poet’s home in the 1920s, is open for public tours – in fact, Robert Frost is buried in the Old Bennington Cemetery. Close to the Appalachian Trail, Bennington also offers great outdoor adventures, including hiking trails, fishing, and boating.
Vermont climate is known for its long, snowy winters and short summers. Vermont weather conditions can change quickly throughout the day. Spring brings 40 to 50 degree temperatures, while summer temperatures rarely break 90 degrees. Precipitation is moderate throughout all four seasons, while Vermont can typically receive anywhere from 60 inches to 120 inches of snow each year. Fall is mild and enjoyable, with beautiful foliage and comfortable temperatures.
