Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont | Photographs

I recently spent a weekend in Shelburne, Vermont, representing Yankee Magazine at this year’s Vermont Cheesemakers’ Festival, which is hosted to perfection at the farm’s Coach Barn each year. I was there for an extra day, so I took the opportunity to make a return visit to the farm. Having only witnessed the farm in full-blown cheese-event mode, I was eager to experience Shelburne Farms during an “everyday visit,” and I’m so glad I did! Shelburne Farms, a working farm and nonprofit education center for sustainability, is the kind of place you can spend the whole day exploring. Its on-site offerings include an interactive children’s farmyard, cheesemaking operation, and bakery, as well as nature trails with great views, and an historic inn like no other. Armed with a handful of hours on a perfect summer morning in mid-July, I set out to see and do as much as possible. Here’s a closer look at the beauty of Shelburne Farms in photographs.