Vermont is a wonderful state to explore.* The hills and valleys are filled with interesting sites, sounds, creativity, and culinary delights. If Maine is also on your agenda check out our blog post on Maine. Here are a few places you might consider visiting while in the Norwich area:
Norwich Green + King Arthur Flour Bakery Store, Cafe, and School
Enjoy a few hours wandering around Norwich. Enjoy a meal at the Norwich Inn stop by several lovely shops including Dan & Whits Vermont General Store (a must visit), Norwich Bookstore, and King Arthur Flour Bakers Store and Cafe. Norwich is the corporate headquarters for the company that sells baking products all over the country. If you are planning a longer stay in the area check out the class schedule at the King Arthur Baking School for a fun day of culinary education. Looking for a museum in Norwich consider visiting the Montshire Museum of Science (open everyday from 10-5pm).
Outdoor Adventure Canoeing @ Dartmouth Ledyard Canoe Club
Rent a canoe or two kayaks ($10 an hour) and head out on the Connecticut River for a few hours. The Canoe Club is located just over the New Hampshire border approximately 1.5 miles from downtown Norwich. This would be a great option for Saturday morning before the wedding.
Hanover, NH + Dartmouth College Camups
Take a quick trip across the Connecticut River to explore Dartmouth College campus and downtown Hanover, NH. The Dartmouth campus is home to an impressive green space great for kids to run around in and the impressive Hood Art Museum (open Tues - Sat, 10 am - 5 pm). Hanover offers a selection of restaurants, delicious gelato, a movie theater, and fun shops. See the work of local glass artist of Simon Pierce at his Hanover store.
Woodstock VT + Billings Farm Museum
Woodstock is a lovely town about 30 minutes from Norwich. The streetscapes and buildings retain much of the historic character of their early 1800's roots. One branch of the Rockefeller family invested heavily in the town helping to insure its character and charm. While in Woodstock take a short drive outside town to visit the Billings Farm Museum a historic Vermont Dairy Farm. Enjoy a slice of early Vermont farm life including museum exhibits and the historic farm home and outbuildings. Each month includes new activities for kids and adults. In August, explore the Windsor County Quilt Exhibition.
Windsor VT + Museum of Precision Engineering + Miss Windsor Diner
Windsor is located about 25 minutes from Norwich. Visit and enjoy two of Kimo's favorite things a museum about making things and a diner. The Museum of Precision Engineering (open daily, 10-5pm) is described online as a place that "preserves the heritage of the mechanical arts, celebrates the ingenuity of our mechanical forebears, and explores the effects of their work on our everyday lives." The small scale of museum makes it a great quick stop. If you are hungry on your trip through Windsor try the Windsor Diner for a plate of toast and eggs.
"Discover the home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s greatest sculptors. See over 100 of his artworks in the galleries and on the grounds, from heroic public monuments to expressive portrait reliefs, and the gold coins which changed the look of American coinage. Enjoy summer concerts, explore nature trails, or indulge your hidden talents during a sculpture class."
Feel free to email us for additional ideas. We are happy to share some of our favorite spots in Boston or the greater Vermont/New Hampshire area.
*Disclosure: This page is currently written by the only non-vermonter in this couple. Hopefully Kimo will be lured into adding a bit of embellishment or a wholesale rewrite.