VERMONT SCENIC BYWAYS
Northeast Kingdom Byway
Explore northeastern Vermont through village stops, lake scenery and local history. Choose a section of the drive and leave time to enjoy what you find.
Photo credit: Scenic Vermont Photography
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DISCOVER NORTHEASTERN VERMONT
From St. Johnsbury to Newport
The regional tourism organization describes a 51-mile byway through St. Johnsbury, Lyndon, East and West Burke, Westmore, Charleston, Derby and Newport.
Explore one section in a day, or make a longer visit with time for museums, village walks and outdoor activities. Work out where you want to stop before deciding how much driving to fit into the schedule.
Published route length: 51 miles.
Plan for: a main activity, a meal and a few nearby stops.
Check: road access, visitor hours and weather before leaving.
CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT
Explore the byway in three parts
These groupings help you plan an outing; they are not turn-by-turn directions or a fixed loop. Use a route map and current navigation to connect your stops.
St. Johnsbury, Lyndon & the Burke area
Start with time in town and choose one activity before continuing along the corridor. The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium is an option in St. Johnsbury; check the visitor schedule if it is the focus of your day.
Planning tip: Build your morning around that main stop, then add a village meal or short walk. An unhurried beginning leaves more flexibility later.
Westmore & Lake Willoughby
Consider a public scenic stop around Lake Willoughby. The lake divides Willoughby State Forest, with Mount Hor and Mount Pisgah on opposite sides. Use the state forest’s visitor information to choose appropriate access.
Planning tip: A lake view and a mountain hike are different outings. Check trail distance, terrain and conditions before choosing a walk; use designated parking and respect private shoreline.
Charleston, Derby & Newport
Give the northern part of your trip its own time. Choose a town visit or activity near your destination rather than finishing with a series of rushed detours.
Planning tip: Decide whether you will stay nearby or return south. Add the return drive before booking your final activity, especially when daylight or weather limits the schedule.
GIVE YOUR DAY A FOCUS
Museums, scenery & optional side trips
Choose the experiences that matter most to you and group them geographically. Confirm opening information directly with each operator.
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
Retain this original-page highlight for a St. Johnsbury visit. Check current admission, exhibits and planetarium arrangements, and leave enough time to enjoy the museum rather than treating it as a brief roadside stop.
Lake Willoughby & Willoughby State Forest
Use official visitor information to plan a scenic stop or suitable walk. Check current access and conditions before heading out, and choose an activity that works for everyone in your group.
Old Stone House Museum — side trip
The Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village is in Brownington. Keep this original suggestion as an optional detour, allowing separate travel time and checking tour arrangements before visiting.
More Northeast Kingdom outings
The wider region offers more than the named byway. If you want to add the original guide’s Peacham or Barton ideas, plan them as regional side trips and check the extra mileage rather than assuming they lie on the direct corridor.
A RELAXED DAY PLAN
A few good stops can fill the day
Morning: Begin in your chosen area with a museum visit or a suitable outdoor stop. Allow time to park and explore before adding another destination.
Midday: Choose a village for lunch and a look around. Check opening times in advance if a particular café or shop is important to your plans.
Afternoon: Add one nearby highlight, then leave time to return comfortably or reach your overnight base. Keep a shorter option ready if the weather changes.
This outline is a flexible plan, not a timed tour of the entire byway. Completing the drive and visiting several attractions are different commitments, so choose the pace that suits your group.
For a longer stay
Choose accommodation near your main interests and explore a different section on another day. Confirm arrival arrangements, parking and meal options before booking the rest of the trip. A longer stay can leave room for an optional regional detour without rushing the byway itself.
PLAN FOR THE CONDITIONS
Practical tips for a Northeast Kingdom road trip
Make the season part of the plan
For fall foliage, check current reports close to departure and include activities you will enjoy regardless of the color. Summer outings may give you more outdoor options, while colder-weather travel calls for extra time and current road checks.
Do not assume every museum, attraction or facility has the same hours year-round. Confirm the details before making a special trip.
Prepare for time away from town
Download your route, carry water and layers, and plan meal and fuel stops before leaving. Use the exact route you intend to travel rather than accepting an unfamiliar shortcut without checking it.
Park only where allowed, keep driveways and travel lanes clear, and respect private fields and shoreline. For walking stops, check the terrain and access details that matter to your group.
MAPS & REGIONAL RESOURCES
Plan your Northeast Kingdom Byway route
The regional scenic-drive guide is a starting point for route context. Vermont Tourism’s statewide byways brochure also includes the Northeast Kingdom Byway.
Use these resources for planning, then check current navigation, road access and visitor information separately. The 51-mile route figure does not include every side trip or your return journey.
HELPFUL ANSWERS
Northeast Kingdom Byway FAQs
How long is the Northeast Kingdom Byway?
The regional tourism organization lists it as 51 miles. Your total trip distance depends on your starting point, side trips and return route.
Where does the route go?
It connects St. Johnsbury and Newport through the Lyndon, Burke, Westmore, Charleston and Derby areas. Use the regional guide and a current map to plan your chosen section.
Can I enjoy it in one day?
Choose a manageable drive and a few nearby stops for a day outing. Leave more time if you want longer museum visits, hikes or detours across the wider region.
Is the Old Stone House Museum directly on the route?
Plan it as a side trip to Brownington. Check the museum’s visitor details and add travel time to and from your chosen byway section.
What if I do not want a long hike?
Plan around museums, village visits and public scenic stops. Check parking, walking distances and surface conditions at each location if accessibility is important.
When should I visit for fall foliage?
Conditions vary from year to year and across the region. Check foliage reports close to your visit and keep the schedule flexible rather than relying on a guaranteed peak date.
Where can I compare other Vermont scenic drives?
Use our scenic byways hub to find another route near your next destination and compare the kind of outing each offers.
Keep exploring Vermont
Find another scenic byway or a covered bridge for your next Vermont outing.
Route resource: Northeast Kingdom regional tourism guide.