Vermont Attractions 2009
ATTRACTIONS Best Recreation Path: LAMOILLE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL Stretching 92 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton along an old railbed, this gentle trail traverses a wide variety of landscapes, often following the scenic river. Surfaces vary; cyclists should use mountain bikes. 802-644-5750; lvrt.org Best Jam Session: VERMONT JAZZ CENTER, Brattleboro Jazz improv in Vermont? This […]
ATTRACTIONS
Best Recreation Path:
LAMOILLE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
Stretching 92 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton along an old railbed, this gentle trail traverses a wide variety of landscapes, often following the scenic river. Surfaces vary; cyclists should use mountain bikes. 802-644-5750; lvrt.org
Best Jam Session:
VERMONT JAZZ CENTER, Brattleboro
Jazz improv in Vermont? This joint is jammin’ every Wednesday night from 8 to 10, when amateurs and pros show up from miles around. Workshops, instruction, and concerts. 72 Cotton Mill Hill. 802-254-9088; vtjazz.org
Best Three-Season Live Theater:
OLDCASTLE THEATRE COMPANY, Bennington
These professional Equity actors stage Broadway-quality productions–from Dickens to our own David Budbill–from March through late November at Bennington Center for the Arts. 44 Gypsy Lane. 802-447-1267, box office 802-447-0564; oldcastletheatreco.org
Best Alternative Bookstore:
SEASONED BOOKS AND BAKERY, Rochester
The shelves are stocked with volumes on sustainable living, homesteading, and wilderness adventure, but you’ll probably want to curl up in one of the shop’s cozy nooks with a book and an espresso before trekking out. 30 North Main St. 802-767-4258; seasonedbooks.com
Best Family Hike:
HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN, Wilmington
This four-mile round-trip, half-day hike in the southern Green Mountains offers spectacular four-state vistas and tops out at a lookout over lovely Haystack Pond. Upper Dam Road (off Route 9); wilmingtonvermont.us
Best Specialty Museum: BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, Huntington
Naturalist and master carver Bob Spear’s lifetime opus of 469 intricately detailed birds fill the museum he founded in 1987. Adjacent is the 250-acre Audubon Center. 900 Sherman Hollow Road. 802-434-2167; birdsofvermont.org
Best Chamber Music:
CRAFTSBURY CHAMBER PLAYERS, Burlington/Hardwick
A six-week series begins in mid-July, with superb string, wind, keyboard, and vocal artists performing at the University of Vermont’s Recital Hall in Burlington and Hardwick’s Town House. 800-639-3443; craftsburychamberplayers.org
Best Beach:
CRYSTAL LAKE STATE PARK, Barton
Tucked at the northern end of one of the Northeast Kingdom’s loveliest glacier-carved lakes, this never-crowded park offers clear water and magnificent views. Route 16. 888-409-7579, 802-525-6205; vtstateparks.com/htm/crystal.cfm
Best Auction House:
ELY COMMISSION SALES, Bradford
Ernie Stevens presides over Vermont’s only biweekly year-round auction house. Show up Monday nights at 6 for “cleanouts” of lower-priced items such as flatware and books; on Fridays at 6:30, it’s better antiques and collectibles. 799 Lower Plain Road. 802-222-5113; elysales.com
Best All-Around Community Cultural Center:
CATAMOUNT ARTS, St. Johnsbury
A spacious restored Masonic hall is St. J’s new home for first-run and art films, Sunday afternoon jazz concerts, a Friday-night music series, and one of the Northeast Kingdom’s largest art galleries. 115 Eastern Ave. 888-757-5559, 802-748-2600; catamountarts.com
Best Women’s Shop:
SALAAM THE BOUTIQUE, Montpelier
European fabrics, Vermont craftsmanship: This downtown boutique sells current and last season’s discounted lines, plus locally made jewelry. 40 State St. 802-223-4300; salaamclothing.com
Best Winery:
SHELBURNE VINEYARD, Shelburne
Ken Albert marries cold-hardy grapes with lakeside terroir to produce award-winning, organic wines. 6308 Shelburne Road (Route 7). 802-985-8222; shelburnevineyard.com
Best Dairy Tour:
SHELBURNE FARMS, Shelburne
Sample the finished product on a tour of this award-winning cheesemaker’s historic facility on the shores of Lake Champlain. 1611 Harbor Road. 802-985-8686; shelburnefarms.org
Best Summer Theater:
ST. MICHAEL’S PLAYHOUSE, Colchester
Named one of the best U.S. regional theaters by the New York City Drama League in 2008, the Burlington area’s professional Equity house has presented top-notch fare since 1947. Mid-June to early August. McCarthy Arts Center, St. Michael’s College, 1 Winooski Park. 802-654-2617, box office 802-654-2281; saintmichaelsplayhouse.com
HIGHER GROUND, South Burlington
When big-name acts play Vermont, they play here. (Phish’s Trey Anastasio chose HG in 2008 for his first local concert in two years.) Smoke-free. 1214 Williston Road. 888-512-7489, 802-652-0777; highergroundmusic.com
