It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold.
This historic house was built around 1881 and has served the community first as a Clock and Jewelry shop, then as the Post Office, and more recently as a private vacation home. It was restored in 2022 and we now offer it to you as a vacation spot. It has an enviable deck overlooking the Lamoille River and is only a 3-minute walk to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. It is in the center of the Village of East Hardwick, a small rural community in the North East Kingdom of Vermont. In the 1880s this part of the village housed several mills. The Grist and Lumber Mill that stood on this site have been torn down and this is the last remaining structure that sits on the banks of what was the old mill pond. In 2023 , after being open about a year , we were forced to close due to flooding and the river bank erosion that undermined our foundation. On Sept, 10, 2025 the work was completed to restore the river bank and we poured a new foundation encasing the original. We have now reopened, better than ever and good for another 100 years!
Location!!! - 3 minute walk to Lamoille Valley Rail Trail where you can walk, run, bike, ski, or snowmobile along this 93-mile path traversing Vermont from Swanton to Saint Johnsbury. We are at the 1/3 point of the trail near MM 31. - 11 miles to Craftsbury Outdoor Nordic Center for some of Vermont's best Nordic adventures - 55 minutes gets you to Stowe Resort or Smugglers Notch for great downhill -Approx 1 hour to Burke Mountain or Jay Peak. -.5 miles to access an endless network of gravel roads for biking. - 3.1 miles to Highland Center for the Arts and year-round entertainment (http://highlandartsvt.org) -3.4 miles to Circus Smirkus campus in Greensboro -4.5 miles to Caspian Lake Beach -4. 2 miles to Hardwick Village with several nice restaurants, a bookstore, liquor store, churches and two grocery stores -4.6 miles to shuttle stop for Lamoille Valley bike tours from Wolcott Street in Hardwick May 24 to October, 4 days per week on M-W-F-And Sat. by reservation http://www.lamoillevalleybiketours.com/ -6.3 miles to Hill Farmstead Brewery with its best beer in the world reputation
This beautiful part of Vermont is known for its rural nature. Enjoy it in any season whether to catch some spring sugaring, fish in the Lamoille for trout, enjoy other summer fun on the lakes and rivers, marvel at our fall foliage, or enjoy all the winter sports that the area has to offer. We are in a great central location for it all.
In 2022-2023 we poured our hearts into saving this deteriorated building with a major renovation. It has a new half bath upstairs, new stair rails, new kitchen, and a renovated downstairs bath. Our renovations bring you an updated kitchen with a new floor and cabinetry, a ten cu ft refrigerator, a combination microwave/ airfryer/ convection unit, an apartment-sized dishwasher, and a countertop conduction two-burner stovetop.
Please Note: The stairway to the bedrooms is only 22 inches wide and steep and may not be suitable for young kids or those with physical limitations. The house sits close to the road and the snowmobile trail passes right by it. Though it is on a town road and not heavily traveled you should expect some road noise. You cannot access the river for fishing or wading directly from the property due to the steep bank, but we welcome you to come to our property just across the street to get down to the Lamoille River.
LVRT Bikers: If you are overnighting and arriving by bike we will offer a simple breakfast option. We are rail trail ambassadors and will support you in your journey however we can.
We live directly across the street so we are right here to assist with any needs you might have. Just ask!
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Amenities
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Breakfast available
Parking available
Water view
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
NO SMOKING ON PROPERTY
NO PARTIES
Park only in designated areas.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Frequently asked questions
Is It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold.?
As of 8 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold. on 19 Apr 2026 start from AU$185, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold.?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is It's sugaring season!Come to the beautiful NEK to relax and watch spring unfold. located?
Situated in East Hardwick, this holiday home is steps from Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and within 6 mi (10 km) of Mountain View Country Club and Wilson Farm Market. Highland Center for the Arts and Hardwick Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Clean, well appointed house. Host was super responsive and we enjoyed our short stay. Listening to the river at night was amazing.
Brett T.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr 2026
Thank you Brett for taking time to review our River House. I also love hearing the white noise of the river. You were here for spring thaw when it is especially dramatic. In summer it’s a gentle river and so lovely from the deck.
Incredible, adorable house right on the river! The hosts were super friendly and very easy to communicate with. The house has a great kitchen, and the living area and bedrooms were so cozy! There’s lots of space on the deck, which looks over the rushing river below. Great spot!
Cute, super clean, nicely appointed house. Fantastic communication from owners. Great for a couple looking to explore the area. We will be back if heading to the area again!
bill c.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2026
Thanks Bill, So glad you enjoyed your stay. Come back and experience some summer time on the deck!
This is such a charming rental. The decor is beautiful and everything you need for a comfortable and pleasant stay is right there. I loved the quilts on the upstairs beds and had fun looking through the book library downstairs. Everything is clean and tidy and the hosts are just great! I highly recommend this for your vacation getaway!
Sarah H.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
R. John
31 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
What a wonderful experience! The house is adorable! So many wonderful books and games - which may sound strange but they are so inviting we had to indulge! Having two bathrooms - one up and one down was great. The kitchen is surprisingly well equipped.
Perfect set up for our needs. We were looking for an inexpensive stay before heading to our expensive weekend hotel and found just the right place. The owners did an excellent job setting up this house. Our only discomfort was the sleeping pillows. Not our fav.
Beth M.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jan 2026
Thank you for booking your short stay at River House. I am glad it met your needs. Hope the rest of your trip was enjoyable.
We enjoyed the beautiful river flowing behind the property. And it’s great seeing historical houses restored. It’s definitely a nice touch to include the history with pictures as well.
I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars, because this was consistently above and beyond with being welcoming. Hyper communicative hosts, who turned the lights on for me late at night to make my life easier (without being asked). Rustic cabin right by a river. Everything inside was well labeled and the check in/out process was documented. Free maple syrup. Not a whole lot of extra work to check in or out. Neighborhood was nice, felt on the more rural side of suburban, but 10min away you got a city center and, I mean, it’s Vermont. Blazing fast WiFi so AI could do my job while I went skiing. I think overall it’s just everything I like about Vermont rolled up into one place. People are nice, everything generally works, you get a nice river by you, etc etc. Hard recommend.
Rajat M.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2026
Rajat, Thank you for leaving us a great review. We really appreciate it. We work hard at being goid hists and offering a Uunique exoerience on the river. Hope you can return to enjoy the river and deck on a lively summer day.
Gail and David were earthling welcoming before and during our visit. Their historic property was incredibly charming and well appointed. Gail's quilts are beautiful and give the place a wonderful homey feel. The narrow staircase to the bedroom level will not work for people with mobility challenges, but otherwise is fine. Bathrooms on both levels is very convenient. Parking space in front of the building is very helpful, as is the electric outlet in front of the house is great for charging an electric vehicle.
Lynn L.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Jan 2026
Thank you for taking time to submit a review. We enjoyed histing you and hope to do it again soneday.
We have a great stay for a long weekend! We loved exploring the area nearby and the house right on the river was beautiful! It was great to see older photos of the house in its original uses. A beautiful and peaceful stay!
We loved our stay in this quiet riverside cottage in Vermont. The hosts are so welcoming and accommodating. It was a perfect, affordable place for us to get away for a few days!
Thomas S.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jan 2024
Thank you Thomas for taking time to review your stay at River House. So glad you enjoyed it. Please come again.
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
What a great stay at the river house! House was very cozy and had everything we needed, and you cannot beat the view on the back deck. Hosts are nice and accommodating. We will definitely be planning another trip to enjoy this property.
River House is an awesome place to stay in the Hardwick Vermont area. The house is steps off of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail which is some of Northern Vermont’s best bike riding. Gail and David were awesome hosts and were on hand with suggestions on how to navigate the area. The home is spotless and the house obtains everything you need for a great stay. Note that the property is two story house and there is a narrow 24 inch staircase between floors. To save time consider keeping your suitcase on the first floor. We definitely would recommend staying and after staying 9 times in the area, the River House is the best!!!
Fred F.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Oct 2025
Thank you for taking time to review our property. It was our pleasure to host you at River House and we look forward to your return.
It is such a great place to have a family reunion and graduation party. I would recommend it to anyone.
Phillip R.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
hannah
24 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Wonderful, unique home with everything our family needed for a comfortable and fun stay. The owners have thought of everything. The property sits right over a river, which is beautiful. Look forward to returning!
The River House was one of my all time favorite VRBO stays EVER!
The house was immaculate, equipped with everything and anything you could possibly need, artfully arranged and cozy as can be. I will be rebooking most definitely.
Alexandra L.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 July 2023
Thank you for the lovely review. So glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope to see you back. Maybe next time the weather will cooperate so you can enjoy the deck.
This house was in the middle of town, that wasn't a bad thing at all. With the river just outside I had the pleasure of feeling like I was in the wilderness. The bouse is warm and cozy. The host were very attentive to making my stay enjoyable and memorable. I'd stay there again for sure.
Lorraine P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
About the host
Hosted by Gail & David O'Brien
During Covid in 2020 we moved back " home" to East Hardwick from Southern Vermont. When this little neglected house across the street came on the market we saw an opportunity to restore it and add value to our neighborhood AND we are always looking for a project as David doesn't know how to be idle.
Why they chose this property
This village is where Gail grew up and we now are the third generation to live in our house across the street. Though the Lamoille River has had its recent challenges with flooding, we love living on the river and in a small town.
What makes this property unique
This property is perched on a steep riverbank of the Lamoille River. The deck literally extends out over the River. The river sounds will lull you to sleep at night and entertain you during the day as you get mesmerized by its beauty. If you are lucky you may see our blue heron or a family of ducks. We have preserved the house as much as possible keeping much of the original floors and walls and clapboard siding. We literally put cases of caulk into restoring the exterior of the house. It has been a labor of love to restore it and then again to recover from the flooding of July of 2023 and July 0f 2024. We are so happy to once again have it available for you to enjoy.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests