Compiled by Dianne Emmick
The lodge is a good place to visit year-round. Plan a vacation with the lodge as your staying-over place. Here are some great places to visit in Vermont, many within 40 miles of the lodge.VERMONT COUNTIES AND TOWNSLodge is in Addison County;Just east is Orange County,Just southwest is Rutland County,Just southeast is Windsor County,Just north is Washington CountyNearby Villages (distances are approximate miles from our lodge)
Barre, VermontBarre Opera HouseHosts 70-100 events each year Local theater and arts organizations to internationally renowned musicians and dancershttp://www.barreoperahouse.orgBrandon, Vermont Home of Warren Kimble, world famous folk artist Visit the Warren Kimble House, 4 Conant Square802-247-3026Stylized animals and Vermont scenesHistoric brick building featuring a museum of Kimble paintings and other folk artGift shopKimble’s work also sold at Liza Myers Gallery in Brandonhttp://www.vtliving.com/warrenkimble/index.shtmlBrandon, VermontVisit Brandon Farmer’s Market on FridaysYear-round events in townhttp://brandon.org/events.phpBrandon, Vermont Maple View Farm AlpacasOpen Houses at various times throughout the yearVisit the alpacasCookies and ciderGift shops185 Adams Street802-247-5412http://www.mapleviewfarmalpacas.com
Bristol, VermontArt on Main and Artists’ AlleyCommunity Art Center and galleryArtists’ demonstrationsArtists’ alley is an outdoor summer space featuring murals, musicians, crafts peopleBurlington, VermontEssex Junction (just north) campus of New England Culinary Institute(Main campus in Montpelier)Dine at their restaurant, Butler’s; reservations recommended http://www.necidining.comCharlotte, VermontCharlotte Village WineryFruit and grape winesWine tasting802-425-4599http://www.charlottevillagewinery.com/index.htmlGranville, Vermont Granville BowlJust down the road from the lodge, this bowl company is world-famous.Make one-piece hardwood wooden bowls.The mill contains original machinery designed in the 1899s.Bowl Mill store open 7 days a week, 9-5Bowl Mill tours M-F. 9-3 http://www.bowlmill.comJericho, Vermont Exhibit about Jericho farmer Wilson A. Bentley (the "snowflake man") who was the first man to photograph a single snowflake. He eventually photographed more than 5,000 of them, proving that truly no two are alike.Visit the "Snowflake" Bentley Exhibit at the Old Red Mill in Jericho. See http://jerichohistoricalsociety.org/ and http://www.snowflakebentley.com/.Jericho, Vermont The Old Red MillThe old mill is not only the home of the Bentley exhibit, but is a tourist attraction in its own right. It was declared a National Historical Site in 1972 and houses mill machinery and artifacts.Next door is a residence, the Mill house, gingerbread style with Gothic gables. While you’re in Jericho, don’t forget to stop in at Snowflake Chocolates. http://www.snowflakechocolate.com/.Middlebury, VermontVermont Soap WorksTours and gift store802-388-4302http://www.vermontsoap.com/ Middlebury, VermontMaple Landmark WoodcraftLargest wooden toy factory in the U.S. Visit factory showroom802-388-0627.http://www.maplelandmark.comMiddlebury, VermontFrog Hollow Vermont State Craft CenterGift shop and classesAn old mill building next to Otter Creek Falls.Visit neighboring cafes and unique shops802-388-3177http://www.froghollow.org/galleriesMontpelier, VermontNew England Culinary InstituteEat at one of the two Culinary Institute Montpelier restaurantsChef’s Table and Main Street GrillVisit bakery / café, La Brioche, for baked goods or lunchReservations recommended at restaurantshttp://www.necidining.comPittsford, VermontNew England Maple MuseumMuseum tour and exhibits about making maple sugar Gift shopOpen all year except for January, February, and first half of March (802) 483-9414http://www.maplemuseum.com/index.html Proctor, Vermont (between Pittsford and Rutland)Wilson CastleTours May through OctoberHaunted Halloween tours in late OctoberChristmas tourshttp://www.wilsoncastle.com
Proctor, Vermont (near Rutland/ Pittsford) Vermont Marble MuseumOpen May through OctoberHistory of marbleQuarry walkGift shop, artist-in-residence800-427-1396http://www.vermont-marble.comRipton, VermontFarm owned by Robert Frost, was his final permanent residence.Robert Frost Interpretive Trail; several of his poems mounted along the trail.http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/gmfl/green_mountain/recreation_management/dayhiking/rfrosttrail.htmSharon, VermontVisit the birthplace of Mormon leader Joseph SmithWaterbury, VermontBen and Jerry’s Ice CreamGuided toursFree sample of the dayGift shophttp://www.benjerry.comWaterbury, VermontCold Hollow Cider MillToursGift shopGrand View winery tasting room as wellhttp://www.coldhollow.com
*Dates can change from year to year, so do call and check that the event is scheduled and get the dates before you travel.
Fall brings numerous fall fairs and festivities to Vermont. It seems as if every small town is having a leaf festival or an apple festival or a Halloween festival. Check the Internet for events. Check out http://www.travel-vermont.com/seasons/fall.asp.Barnet, VermontBen’s Mill DayThe event is fun for the entire family and features a Rubber Duck Race, Rib Dinner,Live Music, and chance to views this marvelous old mill and Blacksmith Shop.Tours from 10 am - noon.Rubber duck race starts at 11. A rubber duck can be purchased for the race; call for more informationUsually first Saturday in OctoberBen Theshers Mill, Barnet Road, Barnet VT Barre, Vermont Old Time Fiddlers' Contest, 61 Seminary Hill, Barre, VT, 05641,This event is dedicated to preserving and promoting Old-Time Fiddling and its related arts and skills. Usually last weekend in September (802) 862-6708. http://www.central-vt.com/web/nefiddle/index.html#contestBarre, VermontRock Solid: Annual Stone Show, Stone Carvers’ Show. Stone carvers from Barre and around the area show their talent. Contemporary and classic designs in 3-D sculpture and 2-D relief, stone assemblages, and paintings or drawings that show the beautiful qualities of stone. Usually through the month of October.Bennington, VermontAnnual Garlic and Herb FestivalFirst weekend in SeptemberBrandon, VermontTango VermontHeld in SeptemberAn enchanting Full Moon Tango weekend in Brandon. Brandon, VermontCelebrate Harvest FairHeld in OctoberCatch a glimpse of the spinning wheel at work.See treasures in wood, iron, wool, and fabric.Taste quality baked goods, vinegars, honey, mustards, and maple syrup. See the patchwork of color. Pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and wreaths. Bring home the charm of small town.Savor the tastes and treasure tomorrow's antiques. 10 am - 4 pmBrattleboro, VermontBrattleboro Literary FestivalThree day literary festivalCelebrate authors, readers, and books themselvesOver 25 authors attendVarious events for all family membersHeld in October800-284-3243.http://www.brattleboroliteraryfestival.org Cabot, Vermont Cabot Apple Pie FestivalAnnual event. Local cooks compete. Free apple cider, crafts fair, light lunch, and lots of pies for sale Exhibits, entertainment, fun for family.FreeHeld the Saturday after Columbus Day802-563-3396http://www.cabothistory.org/ApplePie.htmlKillington Ski Area. Killington Brew Fest A variety of micro breweries and craft breweries from Vermont and New England will each have on hand a few of their top choice ales, pilsners, stouts, and hand-crafted lagers, for beer enthusiasts to sample.Admission is charged. Please have your ID with you during the Brew Fest, as you must be 21 years or older to sample beer.Usually the first Saturday in October.For more information call 800-734-9435.Pittsford, Vermont. Halloween & Fall Celebration New England Maple MuseumExhibits and decorationsEnd of September through October802-483-9414Rutland, VermontVermont State FairFirst week in September Tunbridge, VermontTunbridge World’s FairReal country fairHas run continuously since 1867 (except in 1918 due to flu epidemic and during WWII) Generally 2nd weekend in September
Brandon, VermontBasin Bluegrass Festival held in July
Annual Pickin' By The Pond 3-day festival celebrating all things Bluegrass! Held in July 802-247-3275 or e-mail basinbluegrass@yahoo.com Brandon, Vermont Annual Great Brandon Auction Benefit auction offering quality goods and services! Great fun, lots of bargains. Held in July 4 pm in Central Park (2 pm preview); 802-247-6401 http://brandon.org/auction.php Brandon, Vermont Yard Sale Day Day-long event Merchant's Fair and Town-Wide Yard Sales; Held in August 802-247-6401http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2006/07/28/the_price_might_be_right_at_brandons_yard_sale/Also see http://www.brandon.org Mad River Valley (Waitsfield area)Vermont Festival of the ArtsLiterally hundreds of eventsAlong or near Rt. 100, mostly between Waitsfield and WarrenFairs and Festivals, Galleries and Exhibits, Health and WellnessLectures, Literature, Music, Dance, Open Studios, Theater and CinemaCulinary Events, Garden tour, Workshops and Demos, PhotographyThree weeks in Augusthttp://www.vermontartfest.com800-517-4247Orwell, VermontMount Independence State Historic SiteSite of Revolutionary War fort housing 12,000 soldiersTrails through 300 acres of pasture and woodlandsViews of Lake ChamplainRemains of Revolutionary War 759-2412 or in season: (802) 948-2000Fortificationshttp://www.historicvermont.org/mountindependenceStowe, Vermont Trapp Family Meadow Concerts700 Trapp Hill RoadClassical concerts in the Trapp Family Lodge Meadow Sunday evenings, late June-mid-August(802) 253-8511.Stowe, VermontStoweflake Balloon Festival Stoweflake Resort Field, Hwy 108. More than 20 balloons launched continuouslySecond weekend in July800-253-2232 Swanton, Vermont, and points eastNorthern Forest Canoe TrailOver 100 miles from the lodge, but it sure does sound neat. Part of a 740-mile trail through New York, Vermont, Ouebec, New Hampshire, and Maine174-mile section in Vermont802-496-2285http://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org
Throughout VermontVermont Maple Open House Weekend Public kick-off to the maple season in Vermont. An invitation to the public to visit one or more sugar houses throughout the state.Activities usually include maple sugar house tours where visitors can watch maple syrup being made, often sample maple products and much more.Generally the last weekend in Marchhttp://www.vtmaple.org/open-house.html?src=vtvacation