[email protected]This overview of activities and sights in Montpelier was created by resident Don Lyons for the Montpelier Travel Information Council. Some of the suggestions here duplicate parts of the Central Vermont Points of Interest which should be viewed as a supplement to these activities.
1. The Vermont State House is an architectural treasure and a lively hands-on museum of the state's political and military history. That bright glittering dome is painted with genuine gold-based paint. M-F, 8-4 year-round; summer (July 7-Oct. 18) Sat, 11-3. Closed Sun. Call for guided or group tour schedules. (802) 828-2228. free.
2. Colorful Vermont history is on display at the Vermont Historical Society Museum. Lively exhibits, gift shop, library, photographs, and even Vermont's last catamount. Tu-F, 9-4:30; Sat, museum only 9-4; Sun, museum only, noon-4. (802) 828-2291. Small admission fee.
3. Historic Walking Tours explore a cityscape teeming with architectural gems -- churches, private homes, and office buildings, some dating back to the early 1800s. Small fee folder available Vermont Historical Society Gift Shop, on State Street.
4. Ascend the 50-foot stone tower in Hubbard Park for a spectacular and romantic view from the highest point in the city. Daylight hours. Free.
5. Run, hike, or walk through Hubbard Park's 180 acres of hills and dales on a well-groomed trail and par course. Picnic at the many tables and shelters nicely distributed through the park. Free.
6. Browse the many traditional and unique shops in the easy-walking downtown district.
7. Watch breads, pastries, and fine foods under student preparation at the New England Culinary Institute's Main Street locations.
8. Rest your weary feet and feed your eager mind in a deep leather chair in the Kellogg-Hubbard library's reading room. Hundreds of magazines and selected newspapers, plus thousands of books to choose from. M-Th, noon-8 (to 9PM winter/spring); 9:30-5:30 F-Sat (to 1PM on Sat in summer). Closed Sun & holidays. Free.
9. visit City Hall lobby and the "hall of history" to view old photographs of downtown Montpelier, including photos from the Flood of 1927; a contemporary arts exhibit and collection of curious artifacts. See world War II mementos from battle cruiser USS Montpelier on second floor. M-F, 8-5. Free.
10. Stop by Montpelier's famous Farmers Market. Sample the produce of numerous organic gardeners and farmers...and plenty of herbs, flowers, and baked goods. Sat 9-2, May-Oct.
11. A rainy day off-the-beaten track treat is the Vermont State Law Library, State St., where budding historians can view microfilm from an extensive collection of Vermont newspapers dating back to 1760. Find out what happened in Vermont on your birth date. M-F, 8-4:30. Free.
12. The Vermont Agriculture Dept. always has an interesting display of Vermont products in their even more interesting historic red sandstone building. State St., M-F, 8-4:30. Free.
13. Take a tour of Montpelier's four college campuses: New England Culinary Institute, Woodbury College, Vermont College of norwich University, and Community College of Vermont.
14. Tour Montpelier's dozens of quirky and quaint neighborhoods during the yard sale season. Follow signs April to October.
15. Hop on the free shuttle bus at any downtown Montpelier stop and ride the circuit. Make sure to make it up to the national Life Insurance Co. building for spectacular views of the city and mountains.
16. Visit the governor! Or at least the long hallway outside the governor's office where an exhibit of Vermont artists can always be viewed, in the Pavilion Building, State St., M-F, 8:40. Free.
17. For youngsters and would-be youngsters, shoot some hoops, throw some frisbees, baseballs, or play hacky-sack, volleyball and swim, at Montpelier Recreation Field, Elm St.
18. Tennis under the sun or stars at public courts at the local high school and Recreation Field, where you can also picnic or stroll nature trails.
19. Lost Nation Theater, Vermont's Capital Theater at City Hall Arts Center. (802) 229-0492.
20. visit the Artisans Hand on Main Street to see the work of printmakers, quilters, potters and weavers.
21. The T. W. Wood art Gallery, founded in 1895, features both historic Vermont art and innovative contemporary art in a breathtaking building and setting on the Vermont College campus of norwich University, College St.Tu-Sun, noon-4. (802) 828-8743. Small admission fee.
22. If golf is your weakness there's the Montpelier Elks Country Club, a nine-hole course built in 1903. April 15-Nov. 15. Modest greens fee. (802) 223-7457. For warm-up there's a golf driving range across the road from the Rte. 2 entrance to the course.
23. Need to get your bearing straight? Stop by the new information booth on State St. or the colorful kiosk at City Hall for more information on local activities.
24. Check out the Vermont Clay Studio and Shayna art Gallery, both in Main St. locations.
25. See art films and old favorites at the Savoy Theater, Main St. and first-run releases at the multi-screens Capitol Theater, State St.
26. visit the beautifully landscaped Green Mount Cemetery to view the exquisite carvings and statuary in local granite by local artisans. Lower State St., daylight hours.
27. Grab your bikes, or rent 'em locally and pedal the flat streets, rolling hills, and nearby back roads and trails.
28. Fish the Dog! The Dog River, that is. A scenic and clean trout stream that borders in Montpelier, plus other nearby streams.
29. Canoe the Winooski River along its scenic path from the Lower St. river entry to the first falls in Middlesex, 7 miles downstream.
30. Get out your camera and take memorable photos at many prime locations in and around and overlooking the city.
31. Explore the wonders of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science's nature walks, exhibits and displays, Rte 12N. 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Nature Trails open anytime. (802) 229-6206. Free.
32. Listen to summer evening concerts on the State House lawn, where toddlers bounce and dance to the beat of the city band. Wed. 7PM. Free.
33. Hunt the nearby hills in autumn (shotgun only in the city limits).
34. Enjoy varied entertainment at Vermont Legislature Farmers' Nights at the State House. Wed. 7 PM, Jan-Apr. Free.
35. During winter enjoy sledding, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing all free in Hubbard Park or take in the ice skating at the local indoor rink.
36. Spring is the sweet season when you can watch the "boiling down" of turning maple sap into delicious maple syrup, usually beginning in mid-February often into April at nearby sugarhouses. Free.
37. If your stomach craves Italian, vegetarian, Mexican, American traditional, Chinese, seafood, continental, fast food, or deli, you can stop the pangs at one or more of our 30-plus restaurants and eateries.
38. Join Montpelier's First Night festivities the afternoon and evening of December 31 where an alcohol-free celebration salutes the new year, complete with fireworks.
39. Looking for more? The Montpelier arts, entertainment, and sports scene is prolific. Pick up a copy of the daily Times-Argus or the weekly world newspapers and check out the calendar of events.
40. Ski internationally renown Stowe and Sugarbush resorts from Thanksgiving to Easter and longer, then return and relax at our multi-choice accommodations. Both areas within 40 minutes.
41. Meet local folks and interesting visitors and enjoy real home cooking at church-sponsored chicken pie suppers. Sept.-Nov.
42. Find a special gift for that special person in your life at pre-holidays church bazaars. Nov.-Dec.
43. Watch white-tail deer graze and feed in meadows at the outskirts of the city in early morning hours and at dusk. Spring-autumn.
44. Autumn foliage around Montpelier seems extra special. Leaves begin to change in mid-September. Red leaves show first on soft maples, before the gold and orange hues of other hardwood trees. Our peak foliage is between Oct. 3-15, though predicting when it will be best is a very inexact science. The State House with its golden dome set against a backdrop of green softwoods and accented with surrounding colorful foliage, make it the most photographed scene in all of Vermont.
45. Youths compete for prizes and dubious honors at the annual, nationally acclaimed Rotten Sneakers Contest. For youths 18 and under. March. (802) 223-5141. Free.
46. Come fly a kite. Join us at the annual Kite Flying contest in May, sponsored by the Recreation Department. (802) 223-5141. Free.
47. Don't miss the Onion River Arts Council Street Dance in June. (802) 229-9408.
48. Kids from second grade through age 12 can join counselor-guided activities in the Recreation Dept. Summer Day Camps. (802) 223-5141.
49. Let the kids have fun while learning boating safety, swimming, soccer and basketball in summer recreation programs for all. (802) 223-5141.
50. The annual Easter Egg Hunt, held in Hubbard Park on the Saturday before, is free to kids, 12 years and under. (802) 223-5141. Free.
51. Take in the big splash at the Recreation Department's Water Carnival in late June at the local pool. (802) 223-5141.
52. Music to enjoy summer by, at the Vermont Philharmonic Concert in July. Sponsored by the Onion River Arts Council. (802) 229-9408.
53. A must under the Big Top for kids and parents is the ORAC Summer Family Circus in August. (802) 229-9408.
54. If you're looking for a back-up pair, the annual Recreation Department Ski-Skate sale might be just the answer. Early December. (802) 223-5141.
55. For a season schedule of winter performing arts at the City Hall theater, contact the Onion River Arts Council, 41 Elm St. (802) 229-9408.
And just outside of Montpelier....
Central Vermont Points of Interest and...
The annual Vermont Quilt Festival is held in Northfield. 10 mi.
Washington County Field Days are staged in East Montpelier. 6 mi. at
Parker Field on Route 2. The dates for the 2001 event are July
13th-15th,
Friday noon - 8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. Admission
is $6
and includes unlimited midway rides. Parking is free. A discount
to
seniors is offered on Sunday. For more information: ED Larson
President, WCFFD, [email protected]
802-229-4851 or the Lyn Morris
229-1716. Additional people are needed to help pull field days
together!!
More summer theater out in the country is in store for those who wend their way to the Unadilla Theater in East Calais, about 17 miles out.
Russian choir music and folk dancing at the mid-July Slavic Festival by Russian School at norwich University. (802) 485-2165.
Formal retreat parades by norwich University cadets. Th 4:20 PM in fall and spring (weather permitting). (802) 485-2135.
Montpelier, Vermont
Situated in a beautiful valley on the Winooski and North Branch Rivers, Montpelier is at the crossroads of North Central Vermont with immediate access off Interstate 89. Approximate distances from key points are: New York City, 300 miles; Boston, 180 miles; Concord, NH, 125 miles; Montreal, 130 miles; Burlington, 38 miles; Albany, 155 miles; Hartford, 198 miles.
Population 1996 (est): 8,400 Elevation (City Hall): 523 feet Chartered in 1781.
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