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SHELBURNE. In 1886, Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb began acquiring land on the Champlain in hopes of creating a model agricultural estate. To that end, they recruited two of the era's most prominent planners – landscape designer Frederick Olmstead and architect Robert Robertson – to design the grounds of what would become the 3,800-acre Shelburne Farms. The property featured a hackney horse breeding facility and an elegant Big House, whose Gilded Age "excess" included centralized heat, electric lighting, and indoor plumbing. Today, the manor home serves as a popular inn, and the estate itself is not only one of the area's leading tourist attractions but a model of conservation and stewardship.
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SHELBURNE. Spanning some 45 acres and featuring 37 buildings, the Shelburne Museum preserves New England's proud, pre-industrial traditions, like the historic Lake Champlain Lighthouse, an old-fashioned covered bridge, carriages and sleighs, 18th and 19th century furniture, and even the remains of an old jail cell. The museum was the brainchild of Electra Havemeyer Webb, who wanted to share her vast collection of Americana with her adopted home state.
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WILLISTON. Enjoy a brush with a bygone era when visiting this 900-tree, pick-your-own orchard, founded by John and Peggy Adams in 1972. In September, the farm hosts a family-friendly Fall Harvest Festival, and the Market carries a wide range of local products, including Cabot cheddar cheese, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters coffee, and maple syrup. Of course, the best sellers are varietal apples (more than 18 types) – some of them sweet and juicy, others sour and crisp, but all of them good enough to keep the doctor at bay.
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SHELBURNE. Founded in the early 1980s by native Vermonter Joe Sortino, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is the United States' largest teddy bear producer, shipping out more than 350,000 of its lovable bears annually. The Bear-Gram concept, which originated here, allows customers to order custom-made bears and have them sent with a personalized greeting and candy treat. Plant tours are available daily, and guests may design their own bears in the "Create a Friend for Life Factory."
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DOWNTOWN. Explore Lake Champlain in style when you book passage on the "Ethan Allen III," the lake's largest pleasure/excursion craft. Be sure to take plenty of film – few sights compare to the Adirondacks with shimmering Champlain in the foreground, especially at sunset. Cruise prices and times vary, with options ranging from the 1.5-hour Scenic Narrated and Lunch-on-the-Lake cruises to the 2.5-hour Murder Mystery and "Lobstah"-on-the-Lake cruises. Advanced bookings are a must during peak season, and cruises depart from the Burlington Boathouse on College Street.
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UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT. One of UVM's treasures, this museum boasts a substantial collection of art and artifacts – more than 20,000 objects. Among the Fleming's more impressive holdings are objects from the Ancient World: a 9th century Assyrian relief, an Egyptian mummy, and Sumerian cuneiform tablets. Those with an affinity for art rather than history will adore the museum's European and American collections, which include paintings by Homer, Wollaston, Corot, Flinck, and Romney, as well as a unique sampling of works by Vermont photographers, painters, and artisans.
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WATERBURY. Got a sweet tooth? Chances are you've already had a brush or two with this homegrown scoop of Americana. Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia®, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Karamel Sutra™ – Ben & Jerry's famously ingenious flavors and colorful brand-names have earned the company a loyal following both in the U.S. and abroad. Visitors to the Green Mountain creamery may participate in 30-minute guided tours, watch a 7-minute film in the Cow Over The Moon Theater, and pay a visit to FlavoRoom to sample the newest offerings. Reservations are encouraged for groups of 10 or more; however, no reservations are accepted during July and August.
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HUNTINGTON. Located on 250-plus acres of hemlock swamps, river marshes, deciduous forests, and meadows blanketed with wildflowers, the Green Mountain Center allows visitors to get in touch with nature and, perhaps, encounter local wildlife while learning about preservation and conservation of natural resources. The center hosts a variety of workshops and special programs throughout the year, including the immensely popular Haunted Forest, held each fall. Even when the center itself is closed, visitors can hit the trails for an up-close look at Varmont nature – also, a great place to cross-country ski and snowshoe during the winter.
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DOWNTOWN. Fall prey to your cravings at this award-winning chocolatier, whose sweet operation offers free tours year-round. The company's origins date to 1983, when local restauranteur Jim Lampman decided to open an upscale chocolate company specializing in truffles, which would be served at his restaurant, the Icehouse. After word of Lampman's delectable truffles spread throughout Burlington, increased retail sales and production levels demanded the plant leave its downtown nest and move into a newer 24,000-square-foot facility on Pine Street. The product line, too, expanded and now includes locally flavored Chocolates of Vermont, hot chocolate mix, Five Star Bars, and Signature Bars. A retail store is located at Church Street Marketplace.
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BURLINGTON. A primary reason that Burlington boasts one of the state's most thriving social scenes is the University of Vermont (or UVM – "Universitas Vinidis Montis"), which dates from 1791 and is the fifth-oldest university in New England. The campus, which sits atop a hill overlooking town, is noteworthy for its tree-lined pathways, rolling green spaces, and rich architectural styles, featured in Victorian, Federal, Colonial Revival, and Art Deco buildings. One of the campus's more popular attractions is Flynn Theatre for the Performing Arts, which hosts a wide repertoire of dramatic and musical performances throughout the year.
You want only quality attractions and activities to occupy your leisure hours. To that end, we've researched a diverse list of options, ruled out the wastes of time, and delivered only the 10Best. We provide detailed information about historical sites, theme parks, sporting events, and city sights that you won't want to miss. Peruse our lists, see what grabs your fancy, and then head out for some personal time!
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