Fun Friday
Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.
Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to the beautiful state of Vermont
1.) Hildene,The Lincoln Family Home located in Manchester Hours of operation are Thur-Mon 10-4:30pm Historic home of Robert Lincoln, only child of President and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. The estate has beautiful gardens, restored 1903 wooden Pullman palace railcar, goat farm and cheesemaking facility, 12+ miles of walking trails, teaching greenhouse and cross-country skiing in winter.
2.) Shelburne Museum hours of operation are Wed-Sun 10-4pm Museum in Vermont that displays approximately 80,000 items of folk art and similar works.
3.) Shelburne Farms hours of operation are 9-5:30pm A nonprofit organization educating for sustainability. Its campus is a 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark. Year-round walking trails and programs; seasonal inn, property tours, and children's farmyard (mid-May to mid-October)
4.) Quechee Gorge If you're visiting Vermont, don't miss Quechee Gorge, also known as the state's "Grand Canyon." The 165-foot gorge cuts through the Ottauquechee River and is the crown jewel of Quechee State Park. The park offers easy hiking trails on both sides of the gorge, and camping and kayaking are popular activities here too, making it an ideal destination for outdoor lovers. The best time to visit is during the fall when the foliage colors are at their peak. While in town don't forget to check out the Vermont Toy Museum
5.) Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) located in Quechee hours of operation are 10-5pm We offer locally relevant and compelling environmental education programs and services to a wide audience. Our programs combine environmental science concepts with hands-on exploration to build empathy for nature and empower individuals to care for local natural ecosystems. VINS Nature Center offers special daily educational live bird programs! Admission includes entrance to exhibits, Forest Canopy Walk, Nature Trails, Outdoor Classroom, and 17 State of the Art Bird Enclosures. ADA/ABA accessible. Open picnic areas, and gifts, beverages and snacks are available at the Nature Store. The VINS Nature Center is located 1/2 mile west from the Quechee Gorge. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas days. For special events and classes visit the web-site for a full schedule. We have been a non-profit since 1972. Mission: is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research and avian wildlife rehabilitation.
6.) Billings Farm & Museum located in Woodstock Sat-Mon 10-4pm An award-winning outdoor history museum and fully-operating dairy farm, combining a herd of Jersey cows, draft horses, and other animals with educational exhibits, daily interactive programs, and a yearlong calendar of fun, family-friendly events. Hours and attractions are subject to change, see website for up to date information. While in town check this place out also Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park
7.) Bennington Battle Monument hours of operation are 10-5pm Monument to a key battle of the American Revolution. The monument stands over 300 feet tall.This is just a short drive from the Battlefield. For a small fee of $8 you can take the elevator up the monument and see the area around. They have a couple of small exhibits in the base you can view before or after you go to the top. The also have statues and monuments to Colonel Stark and Colonel Warner on the grounds.
8.) Bennington Museum hours of operation are Fri-Mon 10-4pm Bennington Museum - a Museum of Art, History, and Innovation. Home to the largest public collection of Grandma Moses paintings and 19th-century Bennington Pottery, it also presents Battle of Bennington memorabilia and weaponry, and Gilded Age Vermont, highlighting the industrial and cultural innovation of the late 1800s to the 1920s including the 1924 Wasp Touring Car, paintings by William Morris Hunt, and works by Lewis Comfort Tiffany. Bennington Modernism Gallery celebrates the art created from the early 1950s through the mid-1970s by a group of avant-garde artists working in and around Bennington who led the nation in artistic thought and innovation. Artists may include Pat Adams, Paul Feeley, Helen Frankenthaler, Patricia Johanson, Vincent Longo, Kenneth Noland, and Jules Olitski. Early Vermont Life Gallery presents life in Vermont from the time when the earliest European settlers arrived in 1761 to the early 1800s. 14 galleries. Changing exhibitions. Museum Store & more.
9.) Baird Farm Vermont Maple Syrup Our 560-acre farm is located in Chittenden, Vermont and has been in the Baird family for four generations. Today we tapped 14,000 maple trees on our farm. Our farm store is open Wednesday - Monday 9-5. Closed Tuesdays. We offer maple tours on our farm by appointment. Please schedule ahead of time through our website. We also offer free samples of all four grades of our pure organic Vermont maple syrup in our farm store.
10.) Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks located in Montpelier hours of operation are 10-5pm Free sugar house tours and tasting, multimedia displays in a real woodshed theater, a nature trail, country store, and an outdoor Vermont farm life museum make up the Morse Farm experience, and sprinkled throughout, are whimsical carved folklife characters created by Burr Morse.
11.)Rock of Ages Visitors Center & Quarry Tours located in Graniteville The Rock of Ages tour experience is open to the public May - November. Come visit us to experience one of the natural wonders of the world. Only here can you witness the largest deep-hole quarry, located in Graniteville, Vermont! Join us for a one-of-a-kind tour experience on a guided tour.
Tours are caravan style to the quarry with our tour guide, road not recommended for motorcycles or RVs. Enjoy a game or two of bowling on our outdoor granite bowling lane, & view video and photographic displays inside the Visitor Center. Beautiful gift shop featuring granite gifts and warm Vermont hospitality awaits you at Rock of Ages. The Rock of Ages Craftsmen Center/Manufacturing Plant self-guided is not to be missed!
12.) Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery located in Saint Johnsbury hours of operation are Fri-Sun 10-5pm Dog Mountain is a nonprofit set on 150 acres on a private mountain top spot in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The grounds are open from dawn til dusk to people and their dogs. Artist Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen, bought the property in 1995. They turned the barn into studio space. After Stephen’s unique visionary experience, the world famous Dog Chapel was built. The unspoiled haven is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds. Wildflowers abound in the summer and snow-shoeing is a favorite activity in the winter. Year after year, the Dog Chapel and the Stephen Huneck Gallery get more and more visitors from all over the world. Leashes are optional on Dog Mountain. Dogs are not just welcome here, they are cherished! Dogs are free to run, play, swim and, best of all, meet other dogs! It's great to hear from travelling visitors and local residents alike how much Dog Mountain means to them and their dogs.
13.) Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium located in Saint Johnsbury hours of operation are Wed-Sun 10-5pm An inspired, eclectic collection that started as a "cabinet of curiosities" during the Victorian era. Displays include taxidermy, shells, tools, mummies, and artifacts from around the world. Don't miss John Hampson's "Bug Art" -- mosaics made entirely of beetles and moths -- and the seasonal native butterfly house (in the summer). Home to Vermont's only public planetarium and the Eye on the Sky weather center.
14.) Lake Champlain Ferries located in Burlington hours of operation are 8-4:30pm during the season This business is temporarily closed. Board the ferry to Port Kent, New York for a one-hour boat ride offering some of the most beautiful mountain and lake views in the world.
15.) Montshire Museum of Science located in Norwich hours of operation of 10-5pm The Montshire is an award-winning hands-on science museum. You'll experience over 140 exciting exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. As a 110-acre museum on the Connecticut River, there's always plenty to explore, both indoors and out! Open daily 10-5. Summer Admission (May 17-September 7) $19 for adults, $16 for children 2-17. Regular Admission: $17 for adults, $14 for children 2-17 Two day passes available. Free for members and children under 2 years of age. Water exhibits in outdoor Science Park are in mid-May through early October.
16.) President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site located in Plymouth This is a whole town that has been left in the 1900's. There is his birthplace, childhood home, and old barn. There is a small museum and there is a nice video on the life of Calvin Coolidge. They have 2 small rooms of exhibits. 1 is gifts given to the President by foreign dignitaries, the other follows his life in politics with a timeline of his life. Afterwards you can walk up to the town and go through the buildings. The store that his father used to run is still a store. Above it they have an exhibit detailing how this space was used during the summer when Coolidge came here. In the back of the store is where Coolidge was born including the bed that he was born in. Across the street is the house the Coolidge's moved to and the parlor of that house was where Coolidge was sworn in by his father when he found out that President Harding had died. Both of these buildings have docents which will tell you about the building. There are a couple of other buildings. A cheese company that Coolidge's father helped found that still makes and sells cheese, the town chapel and a barn which has a lot of farming equipment and other tools used during the period.You can look through some of the buildings without purchasing tickets, plus they have a little general store on the property. If you want to tour the house, you need to purchase tickets definitely do the guided tour.
17.) American Precision Museum located in Windsor hours of operation are 10-5pm The American Precision Museum provides visitors with a unique experience as they step back in time into an 1846 armory building. Discover the story of the three founders who boldly refined a process of manufacturing that is used globally today. Make your way through the evolution of machine tools until arriving back in the present-day manufacturing industry to see modern machines in action.
18.) Bread and Puppet Theater located in Glover hours of operation are 10-6pm A barn-museum crammed with huge paper-mache puppets, masks, sculpture and bas-reliefs.
19.) Lake Champlain Maritime Museum located in Vergennes Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a free museum on the shores of Lake Champlain with outside and indoor exhibits, summer camps, boat building, rowing, underwater research, and more. Museum exhibits are open mid-May through mid-October, programs run year-round. Explore the history, archaeology, and ecology of Lake Champlain, through hands-on experiences, exhibits, and events.
20.) Burke Mountain Resort Nestled in the northern corner of Vermont and the serenity of East Burke's countryside, Burke Mountain Resort is a playground for adventure. Seasonal offerings include Ski / Ride, Ski Lessons, Downhill Mountain Bike Park and lift fed trails. Year round community and resort events will round out your perfect getaway.
21.) UVM Morgan Horse Farm located in Middlebury hours of operation are 9-4pm UVM Morgan Horse Farm is an excellent place to visit for those who are interested in horses. The stables are beautifully kept, and our guide gave us an excellent tour of the main barn. We were allowed to see the mare and foal barn, as well. I gained a new appreciation for the Morgan horse breed and its history. After the tour you have plenty of time to watch the video and look at all the pictures and Morgan horse pedigrees on the walls of the main barn.
22.) Vermont Marble Museum located in Proctor hours of operation are 10-5pm Vermont Marble Museum is a hidden gem in Vermont! Come and discover how many buildings and monuments in Washington, D.C. have been built with Vermont marble. Learn about geology in our "Earth Alive" discovery room. Try your hand at marble sculpting with Allen Dwight - our resident sculptor.See the original blueprints for the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" - and see the award winning film about the quarrying and carving of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
23.) Wilson Castle located in Proctor hours of operation are 9-5pm This castle was surely a delight to visit. The guides were all very attentive and personable and the rates were reasonable. Exquisite furnishings and workmanship throughout the castle. How nice this gem is being shared as it is while refurbishing is going on. The view of the mountains and countryside were stunning. The stained glass and curved windows created a mystical air to the castle and made me recall an era of fantasy that was so fanciful that I could almost feel as If I lived here. Wonderful down to earth people sharing their world with others in the effort to restore the castle to its former glory. The tour was informative, interactive and touchable which made this an immersive unforgettable adventure. This castle is beautiful! The house has so many details to look at and explore. From the hand carved wood to the very old newspapers in a chest by the foot of a bed. I loved it here! Not sure if I'd be brave enough for a candle lit tour. It's chilly here, so dress in layers.
24.) Norman Rockwell Exhibition located in Arlington hours of operation are Thur- Sun 9-4pm An exhibit focusing on Norman Rockwell's years in Arlington, 1939-1953. Rockwell used over 200 local models for his works. The exhibit displays reproductions of many of his works as well as stories about many of the townspeople who were his models.
25.) Park–McCullough Historic House located in Bennington hours of operation are 10-2pm The Park-McCullough House is the crown jewel of North Bennington, Vermont. Representing 150 years of Vermont history, Park-McCullough also serves as a contemporary prism through which citizens of North Bennington and surrounding towns gather to share myriad perspectives and pleasures. The grounds are open daily, and tours are available on weekends. Additionally public programming, theatre and a music series are provided seasonally. Arguably the finest intact Victorian mansion in New England, the house was built in 1864-65 by attorney and entrepreneur Trenor W. Park (1823-1882) who amassed his fortune overseeing the California mining interests of John C. Fremont. Four generations of the family have lived on the property, including two governors, Hiland Hall and John G. McCullough. The thirty-five room mansion stands an important example of American Second Empire Style set on 200 acres in Southern Vermont. The mansion is the perfect venue for unique and memorable weddings and celebrations. Guests may tour the mansion, stroll the grounds, play games on the expansive lawns or relax on the wrap-around veranda during cocktail hour. The Carriage Barn is the perfect venue for live music, receptions and dance.
26.) Sunset Drive-In Theatre located in Colchester Great 4-screen drive-in. If you stay at the Starlight Inn next door it allows for free entrance to the drive-in. Great customer service! Great snack bar with many choices. Bathrooms on site. Bring bug spray as the bugs can get annoying.
27.) New England Maple Museum located in Pittsford We so totally enjoyed this experience! We then went into the museum and learned SO much! Note: While the (extensive) gift shop was heated the museum was not - dress accordingly in the cooler months. Just don’t miss it! The $3 museum admission is definitely worth the experience! The museum contains extensive historical murals and artifacts - we also enjoyed the push buttons to hear the actual voices and reminiscences of old timers. Also be sure to watch the brief 8 min video. It added much to our understanding of the syrup making process. Since we all love maple syrup this was a super fun stop! Do look at the Wall of Shame also to see which brands try to trick us.
TIP Before you leave be sure to get directions to one of the local covered bridges - a must see!!
28.) Saint Albans Museum hours of operation are Wed and Fri 11-4pm and Sat 10-2pm Open seasonally, from May to October. Discover 200+ years of northwestern VT history and heritage in the Saint Albans Museum. Admission is FREE thanks to Handy Cars. Exhibits include a Railroad Room, Agriculture room, Military room featuring the story of the St. Albans Raid (the northernmost land action of the Civil War), a historic classroom, an award-winning women's history display, a room dedicated to the Smith family who brought the RR to Saint Albans, local medical history, Underground RR/Black History, Abenaki archaeology, and more! We also host traveling exhibitions, arts performances, educational programs, and family-friendly activities. SAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Guided and self-paced tours are available.
29.) Pastime Pinball hours of operation are Fri and Sat from 12-7pm and Sun 12-6pm A family friendly playable pinball museum in the heart of beautiful Manchester, VT featuring more than 60 top-rated American-made pinball games from 1947 to today set to FREE PLAY (pay admission at the door)— plus a snack bar dishing out classic boardwalk fare with a Vermont twist, craft beer and locally sourced nonalcoholic beverages. The arcade is a perfect small event space and is available for children’s birthday parties and private events such as corporate retreats, milestone birthdays, holiday celebrations and wedding weekends.
30.) Vermont Teddy Bear Company located in Shelburne hours of operation are 10-4pm Vermont Teddy Bear Company is the largest maker of hand-crafted, American-made Teddy Bears! Embraced by the scenic Green Mountains, Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory colors the countryside in beautiful Shelburne, Vermont, USA. Visit Us In Vermont - See How Vermont Teddy Bears are Born! Read about our Factory Tour, Bear Shop, Make A Friend For Life(R) program, and upcoming Special Events, all here at our fun-stuffed Teddy Bear Factory.
With over 300 things to do and see here in this state you really can find a hidden gem around every corner. Lot's of waterfalls, state parks and many other things to do to get back into nature, especially the few covered bridges in the state. This is one of my favorite states to vacation in.
I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.
Written by: BeautifulChaos318
