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Southern Vermont Arts Center
The Southern Vermont Arts Center is a non-profit educational institution located on a beautiful 407-acre estate listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Hike the grounds along the Botany Trail, explore the Sculpture Gardens or enjoy an exquisite lunch at The Garden Café overlooking the gardens (May-October). And the exhibitions? Kids enjoy them no less than the trails (see photo). Lots of events - check website.
Driving time: 35 minutes. Open year round. Admission.
West Road, Manchester, VT 05254
802-362-1405
http://www.svac.org |
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Hildene
Mansion of Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of President Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln. Tour the 24 rooms of this beautiful mansion (built in 1902), explore the formal gardens with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Easy hiking in summer (grounds has a small farm). In winter, ski or snowshoe along 14km of cross-country trails. Concerts, festivals and other special events.
Driving time: 35 minutes. Open year round. Admission.
1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT 05254
802-362-1788
http://www.hildene.org |
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The Nature Museum at Grafton
Small museum highlighting the natural wonders of Vermont. Great for kids of all ages. Dig for fossils, discover minerals in a mine, watch honeybees at work, learn about local plants, animals and geology. Hiking trails, small pond & garden, picnic tables. Cross the street to visit kids playground. See a blacksmith at work in his studio nearby. Walk towards Grafton Cheese passing a pond, large pastures, sheep barn and two bridges.
Driving time: 40 minutes. Open year round, Sat & Sun 10-4. Admission.
186 Townshend Road, Grafton, VT 05146
802-843-2111
http://www.nature-museum.org |
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Robert Frost Stone House Museum
Robert Frost lived in this house between 1920 to 1929. Here, the poet composed many pieces that became part of "New Hampshire" volume (published in 1923) that won Frost his first Pulitzer Prize. Those include one of the Frost's most known poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Small kids will not be amused by this museum. However, for Frost's fans it could provide lots of inspiration.
Driving time: 50 minutes. Open May through Dec. Admission.
121 Historic Route 7A, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
802-447-6200
http://www.frostfriends.org
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Rudyard Kipling's House
Rudyard Kipling's home near Brattleboro for 4 years after marriage to the American, Caroline Balestier. The isolated "Naulakha" house - designed by the author himself in a form of a big ship - is the place where the famed Briton wrote his "Jungle Books" (both first and second), "Many Inventions", and other stories. Two daughters were born here. In 1896 the Kiplings returned to England.
Unfortunately, the place is not open to the public. But if you are a Kipling's fan, you will drive by this famous house and your heart will race faster as you contemplate the impact this man's writings have left on your life.
Driving time: 40 minutes.
Directions: take Rt.30 towards Brattleboro, after Newfane Village turn left towards Dummerston (via covered bridge), turn right after the bridge and proceed along East West Rd until Dummerston Center (4-corner intersection). Turn right into Middle Rd and soon after turn right into Kipling Rd (dirt road). Proceed along Kipling Rd past Scott Farm. Shortly after the farm you will see an iron gate on two stone pillars on your right. This is it. |
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Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Contemporary art exhibitions, educational programs and events. Green River garden, museum shop.
Driving time: 45 mins. Open daily, except Tue, 11am - 5pm. Admission.
10 Vernon St, Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-0124
http://www.brattleboromuseum.org
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The Bennington Museum
New England treasure of regional history and art. Has the largest public collection of Grandma Moses paintings and memorabilia including the schoolhouse she attended. Military and historical artifacts, American glass and furniture of 19-20th centuries, paintings and sculpture. Hadwen Woods nature trail. Local genealogy library. Museum store.
Driving time: 50 mins. Open daily, 9-5 (9-6 in summer). Admission.
West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-1571
http://www.benningtonmuseum.org |
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Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
Small nature museum with three stories of about 600 mounted animals and birds on display. Live hawks and owls. Great views - the museum is located on the top of Hogback Mountain. Gift shop, nearby restaurant.
Driving time: 50 minutes. Open year round, 10-5. Admission.
Directions: take Rt.100 to Wilmington, at a traffic light in Wilmington turn left into Rt.9 East. Proceed for 7 miles. The museum will be on your right on the top of the Hogback Mountain.
Route 9, Hogback Mountain, Marlboro, VT 05344
802-464-0048
http://www.vermontmuseum.org |
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American Precision Museum
The Museum celebrates mechanical arts, marvels at the ingenuity of our mechanical forebears, and explores the effects of their work on our everyday lives. It holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation. Covers a range of almost two hundred years, from foot power through water power to electric power to computer-operated machines. Industrial machine tools, sewing machines, typewriters, firearms, precision hand tools and much more. Great place to introduce children to what engineering is all about.
Driving time: 1.5 hours. Open May through October. Admission.
196 South Main Street, Windsor, VT 05089
802-674-5781
http://www.americanprecision.org |
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