I stopped by on the way back from Burlington to New York to stretch my legs and I'm so glad I did!…read more When I stopped by they were having an international contest of atlatl, an ancient hunting weapon, a wooden handle to help launch spears. I have never heard of it, but the mechanics of it made sense to me when explained - it works a lot better than throwing spears with bare hands. Apple trees in front of the museum was loaded with nice apples. I was so surprised to see them, because in Central New York we had a terrible apple year this year, producing something like only under 10% of the usual year. Our local orchard that usually have their stands full of apples had none this year, and they were selling vegetables instead. I asked and I was told that it's because Lake Chaplain protected those trees from frost damage at a wrong time of year. Whoa! I am so glad that I feel like I learned quite a bit at the museum about the history of Vermont in this quick visit. For example, I learned that Burlington where my son is at was under water many thousands of years ago. The history of Native Americans (Abenakis), the French, the British and Americans were nicely organized and displayed. I loved looking at the preserved tavern, and explanations about period clothings that were displayed upstairs. Loved photographs and paintings of local birds, also upstairs, in the hallway. I also enjoyed reading bout Olmsted and looking at the carved canoe. I had no idea they burn the wood to hollow out the wood to make those canoes - it makes complete sense but somehow I used to imagine they must have carved the woods out by hands. It was cool to look up at the bridge from below, too! It's definitely a great place to make a stop to stretch your legs during your drive.

What a fantastic not-so-hidden gem with about 9000 years of history, some of which is on display…read more And for $5 admission....what a bargain. This description form their website tells it better than I can: "Chimney Point on Lake Champlain in Vermont is one of the earliest, most intensely settled, and most strategic sites in the Champlain Valley, with human habitation dating back as far as 9,000 years ago. Exhibits and special events present the story of the three early cultures in the Chimney Point area - Native American, French Colonial and early American." The 18 photos I've posted only scratch the surface and begin to tell this marvelous story. Please check the calendar. Hours and dates are limited: (2018) OPEN: May 26, 2018 - October 14, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open Wednesday through Sunday and Monday holidays

Easy little hike to the tower and the payoff is nice and peaceful. Great for kids and dogs.read more

Cool little park with an easy walk/hike up to the historic Ethan Allen Tower. It's pretty easy to…read moreget up to the top of the tower and has a great view once you're there!

I'm a lover of the hard to find on my trips across the states, and this was something I'd read…read moreabout in my art history classes but never dreamed I'm stumble across on my journey up to Canada. It's quite a sight to see - two giant whale's tails emerging from the ground next to the interstate! I didn't get a chance to stop over and explore it up close unfortunately due to time, but there's directions on the artist's website if you want to get a closer look (and it's encouraged!). A real roadside treat for any driver. Plus I find it funny that it's now the cover of the book I used in art history class... full circle, full circle.

Wilson's Castle is worth a visit. It's currently going through renovations which it needs. I will…read morehave to visit when the renovations are finished. Smaller than it looks. It is kinda spooky and is located in beautiful Vermont. I visited in October, went through a short tour and we were free to explore on our own. I would recommend

Hidden gem well worth the trip! The castle is full of intricate trinkets and oddities, especially…read moresince we visited around Halloween time. We especially loved the painted ceilings and stained glass. And the tour guides showed us such hospitality! They even let us play the antique organ

I haven't actually been to the museum but I walked the trail behind the mill twice this spring so…read morefar! Lovely walk, not difficult and there is the river to enjoy the sound of rushing by. There are some interesting parts like waterfalls, rock steps, wooden bridges and an area with some artful graffiti. I haven't walked the whole way because of too much water (wet shoes) and darkness falling. Some day this summer I will when the days are long and the trails are dry!

Nice little trail system conveniently located on Route 15. The Snowflake Bentley exhibit is…read morecharming. The gift shop has a surprising variety of local art and hand-made items. Carefully curated with friendly service.

We had such a blast! The musket and cannon demonstrations were so fun. There was a lot for the kids…read moreto enjoy. Walking throughout the fort there were games for the kids to play, they tried writing with a qu'il, and were given small wool scraps to take home. We explored the gardens and the kids ran and got all of their energy out in those wide open spaces! There were beautiful apple trees and more buildings to explore. We didn't sign up to do the boat ride but that is available and is a great way to extend your stay at the fort! The staff was all incredibly friendly understanding of children's needs. We couldn't ask for more with a family day out at a historical site! It was such a joy to enjoy! The gift shop had so many gems it could be very easy to end up with super cool toys Tshirts and yummy treats. Drive out slow and be ready to pull over to read the informative stones on the way out. Worth it!! Don't forget to check out mount defiance after visiting (otherwise it's $10 a car to check out) and on your way there there is a park with a beautiful waterfall to look at.

We spent the day here at the fort, just awsm to see all the History…read more It's a Must see if you like this sort of thing. Great gift shop, cannons, re enactment, all working there are in that time periods clothing. 2nd time there, we highly recommend!!

This small and very unassuming bridge located in Stowe is actually said to be haunted !! The name…read moreof this covered bridge, the Gold Brook, is also known as Emily's Bridge. It was built in 1844, and the most famous of the (many) stories about this bridge is that back in the 1800's, a farmer's daughter, Emily, fell in love with a young man from a rich family, but his parents refused to allow their wedding to occur. The young man told Emily to wait on the bridge at midnight, but he didn't show, and she was so distraught, she is said to have taken her own life. Allegedly, her ghost appears during the nighttime around Halloween, haunting those who come to the bridge. We drove over the quiet bridge during a summer day, but we saw no sightings of Emily !!

If you are already in Stowe, you might as well make your way over to this bridge and take a photo…read more Luckily it wasn't raining when we went.

The Old Round Church is worth a side trip if you happen to be in the area. Richmond is a very nice…read moreold New England town. It is pretty lively for how small it is. We went in winter and it was beautiful with snow and ice everywhere, but I believe it would be equally pretty when it's warmer and one could wander about a bit more. There is a pretty library nearby as well and a nice truss bridge. It is closed in winter (after October?) so we'll have to back for a better look.

The Old Round Church in Richmond is a scenic spot for a wedding-- and everyone seems to know it…read more In the summer, if you drive through Richmond between 10am and 4pm you will nearly always see vestiges of wedding. Because the Church is not a practicing church (there are no weekly services) they do as many as three weddings there a day on Saturdays and Sundays May-October. The up side of this is that your date is unlikely to be fully blocked out. The down side to this is that you have little buffer on either side of the ceremony to decorate and un-decorate the building. The inside of the church is well-restored and if you're into a super-new-england-yankee aesthetic, you're in for a treat. It's unique inside and out and the views of the surrounding mountains outside add to the ambiance. Another tiny set-back (but not enough to knock a star off in my opinion, there are too many great things about the space) is that those Yankee Protestants of the early 1800s were by an large a lot smaller than we are today, so the pews can be a little tight for larger (or pregnant) guests. Also, it's BYO - officiant-- so you can have the scenic, yankee, vermonty setting in a church and you can have your ceremony be any denomination you want...or none. Fab.

This is a gem in Vermont. A part of American history that must never be lost. Thank you to the…read morevolunteers and curators of this special place. Call ahead to make sure you can go on the tour of the house. Amazing artifacts, letters, stories about the 4 generations of the Robinson family. Wish more people would learn about the truth of slavery in America and the abolition movement.

Are you seriously calling the Underground Railroad a myth!…read more Currently in the tour, even when I asked for clarification, the tour guide denied the network and organization of the underground railroad. I have a graduate degree in history and have visited Underground railroad homes in Kentucky and Ohio and the information the guide is giving is counter to history. She also said the family stopped supporting slavery and in the same breath said they made ships...USED for the slave trade!!! Which means they still made their wealth through slavery. This is the most disappointing historical house I've visited and for an abolitionist home, I expect more than a slavery apologist giving false history to the masses. Even southern homes in Alabama provided a more realistic truth. Underground Railroad was coined BEFORE the Civil War (in Kentucky). There WERE indeed hideaways in house (my hometown has houses with them still today). The Underground Railroad was relatively organized at the time. Communication, lights in windows, extractors, etc. Please visit Rugby, Ohio. Read some books. Get a history degree.

I had seen the other sculpture on the interstate but I made it a point to stop at this one because…read moreI love how the tails are curved around. Makes for a great shot.

We stumbled on this beautiful landmark getting gas. I felt so lucky to see something so cool and…read morebeautiful out in a distance! If you're ever in Vermont Google directions to see this in person. I don't think anyone would be disappointed.