The Green Mountains of Vermont are its state prize possession! Although I had visited Vermont several times in the past, this region was new to me. Thus, my road trip adventure was a must for me this summer!

My itinerary was pre-planned, including much research on vegan dining options. You see, this region of the state does not offer much in the vegan dining scene. However, there are just enough veggie-friendly establishments that will satisfy your hunger pangs! When I arrived in the region, I drove to the city of Bennington. Bakkerij Krijnen (Bakkerij Krijnen) is a vegetarian/vegan-friendly bakery. They occasionally provide vegan treats. The day I arrived, the vegan options available were their freshly baked vegan breads. My selection was the kalamata olive sourdough bread. The soup of the day was a vegan spicy Indian curry. I was given a sample to try. Its flavor was superb! The hearty bread was baked to perfection, with the flavorful olives as adding to each tasty morsel!

After taking a bite out of the bread, I placed the loaf into my tote bag and made my way back on the road to my breakfast destination. The Works Bakery Cafe (Works Bakery Cafe) in Manchester, Vermont includes a vegan cream cheese on its bagel menu. For the lunch time crowd, they offer a veggie wrap with a vegan dressing. I opted for the garlic bagel with the vegan cream cheese! My inexpensive breakfast was really delectable!

The town of Manchester is in the “heart” of the Green Mountain region. The first stop on my agenda was Hildene. This magnificent mansion was the summer home of President Lincoln’s son Robert. The self-guided tour of the spacious home was a superb experience! Ornate period furniture and belongings were proudly showcased through the interior. Some of Abe Lincoln’s personal belongings are displayed in the home. If time allows, visitors may also take the minibus ride to the century old Pullman car train on the property. Robert Todd Lincoln became president of the Pullman Company in the late 1890s.

The vibrant green mountains behind the home make for stunning views!

The palatial home also includes gorgeous gardens on the grounds behind it. Hildene is a must-see on every tourist’s itinerary in Vermont!

After my visit to the glorious Hildene mansion, I headed to the old historic town center of Manchester Village. The Equinox Resort & Spa is a luxurious accommodation that has historical significance. The Marsh Tavern portion of the inn was the spot where Ethan Allen’s brother held meetings to raise funds to equip The Green Mountain Boys during the American Revolution. President Lincoln and his wife visited the property and their granddaughter actually lived in the 1811 House on site around 1905. The beautiful Equinox Mountain provides the backdrop scenery.

Heading further on the outskirts of town, my next stop was the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Within the two buildings, one finds works by local artists. Mountainous Vermont landscapes and babbling brooks painted with Fall and Summer color palates are lovely to behold.

Outside the gallery buildings, one finds many unique and fanciful statues and sculptures on the grounds! Pieces of a game of jax, a silver palm tree, a multi-color horse, and a giant metal person in a dance pose greeted me upon my arrival!

Onward I went to a town further north, nestled with the Green Mountain region! The quaint village of Weston has gained quite a bit of popularity among tourists! The Weston Village Store was first on my agenda. Nostalgic signs, Vermont souvenirs, local pottery and maple syrup products, and toys are found here. I purchased a couple of yummy maple syrup candies. This historic shop has been serving customers since 1891.

Across the street, the Vermont Country Store welcomes visitors to peruse its aisles! The massive shop offers difficult to find products of decades gone by. Behind the old fashioned register counter, candy containers are displayed on shelves.

Even a vegan cookie brand displays on a nearby shelf!

Jars filled with classic candies greet visitors upon entering the store.

Various new and classic food items are showcased throughout the shop, offering free samples to visitors. I tried some old fashioned potato chips, pretzels, and some salsa with multigrain crackers.

Titanic soap, toiletries from the 1970s, and cold and medicinal remedies from the World War II era are just a few of the items I noticed.

The final shop I visited, was the Weston Village Christmas Shop. What a fabulous gem this is! Unique and beautiful Christmas ornaments, holiday figures of Santa Claus and Snowmen, Nativity scenes, and many other Christmas items can be purchased at this enchanting shop! This is a “have got to see” attraction!

My visit to lovely Weston had come to an end. Lunch time arrived and I was indeed hungry! I headed to the town of Londonderry, Vermont for my meal. “Garden Market” (Garden Market) is a wonderful market where one can find shelves lined with vegan snacks, beverages, deli foods, produce, and anything that vegan tastebuds can desire! The shop includes a vegan-friendly deli counter where one can purchase sandwiches and beverages. I selected the bbq tempeh sandwich with avocado, red onion, peppers, and tomatoes in a grilled flatbread. It was delicious! My beverage was a lavender, freshly squeezed lemonade. I enjoyed it, as well!

Driving further south a bit, I appreciated the spectacular landscape of the mountains and valleys.

My next destination was the town of Dorset. The important landmark to note in this small village is the Dorset Quarry. It is the oldest marble quarry in the United States, dating back to the year 1785. Locals use its waters as a swimming hole. The surrounding large marble pieces are spectacular to say the least. The marble and surrounding trees provide stunning reflections in the water.

The pretty mountain vistas met my glance as I headed back to the town of Manchester.

Back in Manchester, the red Kimball Grist Mill built in 1853 looked very picturesque with the gushing waterfalls before it.

Adjacent to the main mill building, lies a vibrant green one. In the background, an attractive and historic red church stands.

Farm stands selling local produce are dotted along the roadways in Vermont. I came across one such stand “Dutton Berry Farms”. It was more of a large wooden building selling local fruits and veggies. I purchased a newly harvested tomato and some local black raspberries to take home with me.

Another popular attraction on every tourist’s Vermont itinerary is any of the splendid covered bridges, along many local routes. I found this one by sheer coincidence heading southeast from Manchester towards Brattleboro on Route 30.

My final meal of my Vermont excursion was had at Superfresh Organic Cafe (Superfresh Organic Cafe ) in Brattleboro. This Vermont city is actually outside of the Green Mountain Range. However, I wanted to try this vegan-friendly “new kid on the block” on my way back home to Massachusetts. The restaurant is almost all vegan, except for a couple of items. Rice bowls, vegan pizzas, burritos, baked goods, and wonderful smoothies round out their extensive menu.

The vegan, chocolate chipolte cupcake was my first purchase. After taking a bite of the yummy treat, I saved the remainder for the next day’s snack.

The restaurant serves up several wonderful rice bowls. I chose a quinoa and lentil bowl with avocados, seasonal veggies and greens, an amazing sunseed scramble, cashew cheeze, chipolte aoili, mild salsa, and sprouts. My food was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend dining here for their nutritious and flavorful bowls.

Thus ended my visit to the Green Mountains! This jewel of a region in southwestern Vermont is a breath-taking experience that any traveler would enjoy! I drove back to my neighboring state of Massachusetts feeling content and fulfilled by my Vermont sightseeing adventure.