Saturday, October 30, 2010

Cabot Creamery

The Cabot Creamery is almost 2 hours from Burlington and about 45 minutes from Montpelier, so it isn't a very central location to most of the areas you'll probably be in for your Vermont vacation.  However, if you're a cheese fan, it's definitely worth the trip.  The cost of the tour is only $2/person.  To start the tour you'll learn the history of Cabot and how it is not really a company, but a co-op formed by many local farmers where they split the profits.  By not being a company that is only driven by Wall Street numbers, it allows them to focus on creating a quality product.

After the history lesson, you'll get to view the factory itself and watch the cheese being made.  The process is quite unique and your tour guide will give you a detailed explanation of everything that goes on in the factory.  Following this, you'll be treated to many various samples of their cheeses, as well as recipes you can use their cheeses in.  My personal favorite was the bacon cheddar and I can't wait to get some to make a grilled cheese sandwich out of!



Friday, October 29, 2010

Rock of Ages

No, this isn't the Broadway play or the Def Leppard song.  Rock of Ages is one of the top granite companies in the world that runs quarries in Graniteville, Vermont.  They offer a tour where you drive up to the top of the quarry and look down for a very unique view.  This tour is quite different than what most tours are and is quite cheap at only $3/person.  You'll learn about the history of the company and where their granite has been sent around the world.  You'll also get insight into the process of the extraction of granite from the earth.  In addition, not far from the quarry is Hope Cemetery, where all of the gravestones are made out of granite from the quarry.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Stowe Resort Gondola Ride

One of the top ski resorts in Vermont is the Stowe Mountain Resort located by Mount Mansfield.  When it isn't ski season though, the resort uses the ski lift lines for a gondola ride at $24/person.  Despite the high price, it does allow you a quick and scenic ride to the top of Mount Mansfield for a gorgeous view, especially when there is snow on the mountain.  The best way to decide if this is right for you is to look at some of our pictures below and see if it's worth it for you to see with your own eyes.






Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Moss Glen Falls - Stowe

This hidden gem can be hard to find.  If you use Google Maps, it will get you in the right direction.  Some more specific directions can be found by clicking here.  As you walk from the very small parking area (which you'll know you've hit since you'll see a sign that says Moss Glen Falls), be cautious as it can get muddy and steep towards the end.

However, you'll be rewarded with a gorgeous view of this waterfall if you make the short hike to it.  Unfortunately, when we went it was just turning into nighttime, so our camera wasn't picking up the waterfalls, but you can see photos at the link above.  If you're in the area, which is right by the Stowe Ski resorts and the Ben & Jerry's Factory, you should definitely check this waterfall out!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Moss Glen Falls - Granville

The Moss Glen Falls in Granville is much easier to find than the one located in Stowe.  Located directly on Route 100, this waterfall is beautiful.  There is a decent amount of parking right off the road, and then a walking path to get to the waterfall.  The picture below I think speaks for itself and for anyone driving through the Green Mountains area, you should definitely check it out.  For some more details about the falls, click here.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Shelburne Museum

The Shelburne Museum is quite unique as it is set up as a community of what Vermont used to be like 100-200 years ago.  You'll be able to see what a doctor's office and apothecary was like during this time frame.  You can walk over one of Vermont's famous covered bridges.  You can see what a printing press was like.  You can see toys from the 19th century.  You can view the vessel of the Ticonderoga, which used to sail on Lake Champlain in the 1920's.  There's also various art exhibits around.

This definitely leaves what a traditional museum is behind, and gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself a bit more in the past.  The entrance fee is $20/person, but you can usually find a few $2 off coupons around town before heading there.

And, as you can see Leann doing below, this is one of the few museums you can walk around in with a hot cup of coffee in your hands!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Spirit Of Ethan Allen III Cruise

Leaving from port in Burlington, the Spirit of Ethan Allen III Cruise offers spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the land surrounding it.  Throughout the cruise, a recorded audio plays over the loudspeakers giving the passengers a history lesson of both Burlington and Lake Champlain.  However, the highlight comes from the gorgeous views that you'll see as you make a big circle around the lake.  The tour is only one hour in length, and features both indoor and outdoor seating to allow you to be comfortable for the varying seasons.

The general sight-seeing cruise will run you $12/person, but they do have other options available that include food.  This is a tour we'd recommend if you're in Burlington during the months they operate as you'll get a great view of Lake Champlain in a very relaxing setting.