Summer Recreation Guide

AMUSEMENT PARKS
Santa’s Land USA
635 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT
800-SANTA-99
www.santasland.com
     Santa’s Land is a safe, friendly park designed for family fun! Located in the beautiful foothills of Southern Vermont, Santa’s Land has been a popular New England travel destination for over 50 years. Features kiddie rides, slides, North Pole Village, animals, and more. Open from Memorial Day weekend through Christmas. Check the web site for weather conditions.

BERRY-PICKING
Alyson’s Apple Orchard
Wentworth Road, Walpole, NH
(603) 756-9090
www.alysonsorchard.com
     Raspberries,blueberries, blackberries, sweet and sour cherries.

Blueberry Acres
283 Derry Hill Road, Acworth, NH
(603) 835-2259
     Blueberries.

The Blueberry Haus
809 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT
(802) 257-0068
     Farm stand with PYO blueberries.

Boyd Family Farm
125 East Dover Road, Wilmington, VT
(802) 464-5618
     6/10 mile from Route 100 on East Dover Road. Farm stand with blueberries, kale, cabbage, pumpkins, mums, PYO flowers, Christmas wreaths.

Cortland Hill Orchard
72 Miller Road, West Brattleboro, VT
(802) 254-6925
     A farm stand with peaches, plums, and PYO apples, pumpkin patch and grazing sheep.

Dutton Berry Farm & Stand
Route 30, Newfane, VT
(802) 365-4168
     Large, year-round farm stand and market, with PYO strawberries and raspberries.

Dwight Miller Organic Orchards and Berries
Miller Road, East Dummerston, VT
(802) 254-9158
     Organic strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples. Pears also pre-picked.

Family Heritage Farm
89 Route 5, Putney, VT
(802) 722-3109
     A farm stand with PYO apples.

Green Mountain Orchards
West Hill Road, Putney, VT 05346
(802) 387-5851
     Farm stand with PYO blueberries and apples.

Harlow’s Sugar House
563 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT
(802) 387-5852
harlows@sover.net
     Three miles north of Putney Village on Route 5. A maple sugar house and farm stand with PYO blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and apples.

High Hopes Orchard
582 Glebe Road, Westmoreland, NH
(603) 399-4305
www.highhopesorchard.com
     Raspberries and blueberries. Other activities: Farm Adventure Entertainment Park with animals, rides, and ice cream.

Monadnock Berries
545 West Hill Road, Troy, NH
(603) 242-6417
www.monadnockberries.com
     Blueberries, summer raspberries. Other activities: picnicking, sandbox, farm animals, farm stand, and gift barn.

Mountain Mowings Farm
1999 Black Mountain Road, Dummerston, VT
(802) 254-2146
     Farm stand and PYO, with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, vegetables, perennials, jams, pickles.

Peachblow Farm
Old Claremont Road, Charlestown, NH
(603) 826-5729 or (603) 826-3980
     Strawberries.

Robin Roost Farm
195 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT
(802) 387-4805
     Route 5, one mile north of village of Putney; PYO flowers, produce in season.

Rosaly’s Farmstand
Route 123, Peterborough, NH
(603) 924-7774
www.rosalysgarden.com
     Organically-grown raspberries and blueberries (in August.)

Tenney Farm
1 Main Street, Antrim, NH
(603) 588-2020
Strawberries.

Walker Farm
1190 US Route 5, East Dummerston, VT
(802) 254-2051
     Farm stand and nursery, featuring organic and heirloom vegetables and annual and perennial garden plants.

Whetstone Ledges Farm
P.O. Box 30, Marlboro, VT
(802) 257-7328
     MacArthur Road, Marlboro, one mile from Route 9; farm stand with maple syrup and PYO blueberries, raspberries, vegetables.

MUSEUMS, FARMS AND EDUCATIONAL CENTERS
Adams Family Farm
15 Higley Hill Road, Wilmington, VT
(802) 464-3762
www.adamsfamilyfarm.com
     The Adams Family Farm is worth visiting year round, from maple sugaring in the spring, to afternoon and evening sleigh rides in the winter. The petting farm is home to horses, calves, goats, sheep, donkeys, llamas, pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and a farm cat, as well as a one-story indoor hay jump. Seasonal activities may include goat milking demonstrations, afternoon tea, and tractor rides to explore bear caves.

Bellows Falls Watershed Center and Fish Ladder
Bridge Street, Bellows Falls, VT
(802) 843-2111
     The Grafton Nature Museum offers educational programs for the Bellows Falls Watershed Center and Fish Ladder which is operated by the US Gen Inc. Power Company. The Bellows Falls fish ladder was completed in 1982 to reintroduce salmon to the upper Connecticut for the first time since the 1790s, when the river was first dammed. Visitors can now observe fish moving up the ladder much the way earlier canal boats moved up the locks. Just above the powerhouse is a visitor’s center with exhibits, displays and activities about the Connecticut River and its watershed. Call for information on educational programming.

Billings Farm & Museum
Route 12 and River Road, Woodstock, VT
(802) 457-2355
www.billingsfarm.org
     Billings farm is a working dairy farm, dating to 1871, as well as a living museum of Vermont’s rural past. Exhibits use artifacts, oral histories, and photographs to depict the seasonal activities of Vermont’s early farm families. The self-guided tour covers planting and the harvest, dairying, the general store, maple sugaring, and ice cutting, among other exhibits.

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center
West Brattleboro, VT
(802) 257-5785
     Programs include A.M. Ambles (Sunday hikes), camps, and educational nature programs.

Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
Brattleboro, VT
(802) 257-0124
www.brattleboromuseum.org
     A private, nonprofit institution founded in 1972, BMAC is a non-collecting museum which produces frequently changing exhibitions of current art. Educational programs are available for children, teachers, homeschoolers, and adult learners, with exhibits that include: “Instinctive Color” and “Comic Art in the Green Mountains,” and special events such as family workshops (making woven decorations) and the Airdance concert. Hands-on activities and books for children and adults are available.

Butterfly Heaven and Bird Aviary
3417 VT Route 30, Jamaica, VT
(802) 874-4160
     The butterfly pavilion and bird aviary features native butterflies and birds in a colorful ecosystem with gardens, arbors, bridges and ponds with gold fish, koi fish and turtles. The pavilion is also home to a quail farm. The menagerie at the petting farm includes a herd of llamas, Shetland sheep, horses, ponies, Pygmy goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and rabbits. Extensive display gardens feature ponds, streams and water gardens.

Fair Winds Farm
511 Upper Dummerston Road, Brattleboro, VT
(802) 254-9067
     For over 20 years, the Jay and Janet Bailey family have been farming this 40 acre diversified farm using only horse power. The farm produces eggs, vegetables, perennials and piglets. The Baileys also offer training for draft and light horses. Call for hours, reservations and prices.

Green Mountain Flyer Railroad
54 Depot Street, Bellows Falls, VT
(800) 707-3530
www.rails-vt.com
     A scenic ride on the Green Mountain Flyer’s beautifully maintained vintage railroad cars, powered by a vintage diesel locomotive follows along the Connecticut and Williams Rivers, with views of Brockway Mills Gorge and two historic covered bridges. Board the train at Bellows Falls Union Station—the waiting room and ticket office look just as they did in the 1940s. The train stops at the Chester Depot, an 1852 station restored to its original appearance, where gifts and souvenirs are available. Outside, enjoy lunch at the adjacent picnic area. Refreshments are also offered on the train.

KidsPlayce
20 Elliott Street, Brattleboro, VT
(802) 254-5212
     KidsPlayce is a public play space with interactive exhibits and colorful storybook structures appropriate for children through eight years of age. This is a great place to go on a rainy day where children will never tire of the variety of activities and caregivers can relax on the comfortable couches. What you’ll find at KidsPlayce: a twostory village townhouse; a castle, ship and a train for climbing and dramatic play; an art room used for crafts and projects; Storytime Stairway, a quiet place to read with small children; the Space Maze, a multilevel climbing structure; a small stage for dramatic and musical performances; and the Ball Run, an interactive display demonstrating gravity. Also offered are educational programs for children ages 5–12, theme camps during school vacations, and rental of the facility for birthday parties.

Main Street Arts
Saxton’s River, VT
(802) 869-2960
www.mainstreetarts.org
     A non-profit arts center in Saxtons River, Vermont. Four sessions of varied art classes and workshops for children and adults are offered throughout the year. The center is located in the heart of the village and has a large art studio space, a kitchen, an upstairs dance and theater space plus a few small meeting areas.

Mariposa Museum of World Cultures
26 Main Street, Peterborough, NH
(603) 924-4555
www.mariposamuseum.org
     Interactive exhibits, both rotating and permanent, showcase the creativity of people across cultures through folkarts, folk traditions, and story telling. Performance space encourages sharing cultural legacies such as folkdance, music and rhythm, oral tradition. Hours: Weekdays, 3-5pm; weekends 12-4pm, except major holidays. The Museum can be booked or rented for special events, including dances, cabarets, weddings, blessings, workshops, performances, and sleepovers.

Mary Meyer Museum of Stuffed Toys
Route 30, Townshend, VT
(800) 451-4387
www.marymeyer.com
     A warm and fuzzy experience! That is what the Mary Meyer Toy Company created when designing this museum. Whether you are a seasoned seamstress, local historian, stuffed toy collector or young child, you will enjoy the interactive experience of the Museum of Stuffed Toys. The focus of the museum is on Mary Meyer history, their toys, and how plush toys are made, past and present. The early years are well documented with many photographs depicting life in the toy factory. There are plenty of interesting hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages.

Montshire Museum of Science
Exit 13 off of Route I-91, Norwich, VT
(802) 649-2200
www.montshire.org
     The Montshire Museum of Science has over 60 exciting exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, technology, and astronomy.

Nature Museum at Grafton
186 Townshend Road, Grafton, VT
(802) 843-2111
www.nature-museum.org
     Open on school vacation weeks, holidays, and other special occasions and able to open any other time for individuals or small groups by appointment. Walking trails and Self-Guided nature trails are open year round. Maps and trail guides are available.

Retreat Petting Farm & Gift Shop
350 Linden Street, Brattleboro, VT
(802) 257-2240
www.windham-foundation.org/retreatfarm
     The Retreat Petting Farm is walking distance from downtown Brattleboro and features both familiar and exotic animals to feed, pet and groom. The variety of creatures including chicks, miniature horses, cows, llamas, baby goats and lambs will appeal to the animal lover in everyone. A gift shop offers agricultural products, farm toys, and a variety of Vermont-made items including Retreat Farm Farmstead Cheese, cheddar cheese handcrafted from the farm’s Holstein milk.

Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
Hogback Mountain, Route 9, Marlboro, VT
(802) 464-0048
     One of the most unusual museums in the area and set on a breathtaking summit with panoramic views, the Natural History Museum showcases a collection of over 500 mounted birds in over 150 dioramas, one of the largest collections on exhibit in New England. The museum also features several albino mammals and birds, as well as a complete collection of mammals native to the Northeast, including three extinct birds: the Heath Hen, Eskimo Curlew, and Passenger Pigeon. Recently added were Minerals of the Northeast.

The Belle of Brattleboro
Main Street/Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT
(802) 254-1263
belle@sover.net
     For a unique perspective on the Connecticut River, take a ride on the “Belle,” a flat-bottom 49-passenger wooden vessel, similar in design to boats that plied the river one hundred years ago. A competent and amusing boat operator will narrate your scenic and relaxing cruise on the river, entertaining passengers with tidbits of local history as the boat floats by spectacular scenery and bountiful wildlife. Call for schedule and cost.

Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS)
27023 Church Hill Road, Woodstock, VT
(802) 457-2779
www.vinsweb.org
     VINS is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging individuals and communities in the active care of their environment through education and research. Designed for children from pre-school age on up, their innovative, hands-on educational programs are offered in schools and other sites throughout Vermont. The VINS Raptor Center is a one-of-a-kind raptor care and educational facility, home to over 20 species of birds of prey, including eagles, falcons, owls, hawks, vultures and ravens.

Wheeler Farm
Wilmington, VT
(802) 464-5225
     The Wheeler Farm is a working family dairy farm producing cheese for Cabot cheese products as a part of the Cabot Cheese Cooperative. The family does not offer formal tours, but always welcomes visitors who want to see the milking process.

TOURS: A SNEAK PEEK
Fanny Mason Cheese
Walpole, NH
(877)-541-3953
www.fannymasoncheese.com
     Boggy Meadow Farm is rich in New England tradition and history. This farm is situated in the Connecticut River Valley, and produces the delicious Fanny Mason Cheese, including Baby Swiss, regular, and smoked. The area, famed for its incredibly rich soil, has been farmed since the late 17th century.

Stonewall Farm
Keene, NH
(603) 357-7278
www.stonewallfarm.org
     Schedule a tour to visit the bee hives with Stonewall Farm educator Jodi Forcier; observation hive (behind glass) available to those who are feeling less adventuresome. Honey from local producer available on the farm; classes and workshops on bee-keeping held during the year. Also has a small animal petting area, playground, horse and cow barns, and learning center.

Tom & Sally’s Handmade Chocolates
485 West River Road (Route 30), Brattleboro, VT
(800) 827-0800
www.tomandsallys.com
     For anyone who has delighted in the sweet fantasy of the Wonka factory in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a visit to Tom and Sally’s is in order. Friendly and enthusiastic tour guides will walk you through the process of making handmade luxury chocolates, offering delectable samples from the day’s production.