Things To Do in the Upper Valley

Depending upon how far you have come, you may not want to drive all the way back home while we are caring for your pet. Take advantage of all that our area has to offer. We’ve put together some ideas that we think you might find enjoyable.

Right Here in Windsor, VT

  • American Precision Museum – Windsor, VT, This Museum 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 American Precision Museum, housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, now holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation.
  • Mt. Ascutney State Park – Windsor, VT, This park features camping, hiking, and a road that takes you close to the summit of 3,143 ft. Mt. Ascutney. You can walk to the summit from the parking lot.
  • Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company – Windsor, VT, Our farmstead cheeses are made using fresh whole milk from our own mixed herd. Artisan cheeses use 100% Vermont milk. All of our products are rBGH free, all-natural, hand-crafted.
  • Path of Life Garden – Windsor, VT This one of a kind garden is no ordinary arrangement of flowers tucked into the woods. The Path of Life Garden is a landscape shaped by a revelation of the human spirit and inspired by our relationship with the natural world.
  • Brownsville Trail up Mount Ascutney – Windsor, VT This trail leads to an old quarry, which offers views of the hills and farms in Vermont.
  • South Congregational Church – Windsor, VT Known as the Old South Church, it has both an attractive exterior (including clock tower) and interior. In addition, many of Windsor’s founding fathers are buried in the adjacent churchyard.
  • Windsor-Cornish Covered Bridge – Windsor, VT This is the oldest and longest covered bridge in the US. It is a great bridge to photograph with a variety of excellent backgrounds and vantage point. Mt. Ascutney stand majestically in the background.
  • Paradise Park – Windsor, VT Located within the village, Paradise Park is a must see. Pleasant hiking, exceptional bird watching and wildlife.
  • Boston Dreams Cafe – 7 State St, Windsor, VT You can’t get great coffee and delicious pastries except in a few special places. Boston Dreams is one of those special places that will quickly become a regular stop. Coffee • Tea • Espresso • Hot Chocolate • Ice Cream • Smoothies • Shakes • Fresh Baked Goods

Museums

  • Hood Museum of Art – Hanover, NH, The Hood Museum is North America’s oldest museum in continuous operation. They house over 65,000 objects among their permanent and visiting exhibitions.
  • Montshire Museum of Science – Norwich, VT, The Montshire Museum is a small, hands-on, self-guided museum. It has exhibits on anatomy, math, mechanics, astronomy, and natural history. This is a great place to spend a day with the kids. Bring a lunch and picnic outdoors at one of the many picnic tables. There are also outdoor exhibits and nature trails for the hiking enthusiast.
  • Shaker Museum – Enfield, NH, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this museum features furniture, clothing, tools, photographs, and agricultural implements made and used by three Shaker “families” from the 19th century. Enjoy the museum’s flower and herb gardens, exhibits, special programs, concerts, guided tours, and craft demonstrations.
  • Billings Farm & Museum – Woodstock, VT, Billings Farm is one of the finest operating dairy farms in America. The museum features an exploration into Vermont’s rural past and heritage. The farm demonstrates many aspects of farm work, including care of the Jersey cows and other livestock, milking of the herd, crop rotation, and feed production.
  • American Precision Museum – Windsor, VT, This Museum 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 American Precision Museum, housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, now holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation.

Historic Sites

  • Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site – Cornish, NH, Discover the beautiful home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s greatest sculptors. Over 100 of his artworks can be seen in the galleries, from heroic public monuments to expressive portrait reliefs, and the gold coins which changed the look of American coinage.
  • Fort No. 4 – Charlestown, NH, You can view an authentically reconstructed settlement of the 1740’s. Here you can watch demonstrations of hearth cooking, musket firings, military drills and much more.
  • Dartmouth College

State Parks

  • Mt. Ascutney State Park – Windsor, VT, This park features camping, hiking, and a road that takes you close to the summit of 3,143 ft. Mt. Ascutney. You can walk to the summit from the parking lot.
  • Paradise Park – Windsor, VT, This beautiful park features lovely trails for hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing. At any time you may witness the beautiful nature of Vermont among the deer, foxes, otters, beavers, or many of the native and migratory birds. The park is adjacent to beautiful Lake Runnemeade.

Nature

  • V.I.N.S. (Vermont Institute of Natural Science) – Quechee, VT, V.I.N.S. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and research to benefit the natural heritage and environment of the state. A major role of V.I.N.S. is to take in sick and/or injured birds and nurse them back to health to release them back to the wild.

Shopping

  • Quechee Gorge Village – Quechee, VT, This once Woodsman’s Museum, has become one of the area’s premier shopping attractions. Some of the shops include, The Vermont Antique Mall, Cabot Quechee Store, The Vermont Toy & Train Museum, and The Ottauquechee Valley Winery.
  • Simon Pearce – Windsor, VT & Quechee, VT, Here you can witness the art of hand blown glass and handmade pottery before buying the finished products in the gallery store.
  • Powerhouse Mall – Lebanon, NH, TAn AIA award-winning retail development, the PowerHouse Mall combines the appeal and charm of village retail with the convenience and infrastructure of a modern retail center. Stores include LL Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports, Amidon Jewelers and Phoenix Rising Boutique.
  • Scotland By The Yard – Quechee, VT, Shop for Celtic imported items from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. This unique shop is a favorite of many locals and visitors to the State of Vermont.

Lunch Time

  • Harpoon Brewery – Windsor, VT, Tavern style food at the famous Harpoon Brewery Beer Garden and Riverbend Taps.
  • Country Creemee – Perkinsville, VT, This local fast food stop has been a favorite among families for years. Whether you’re biking, hiking, or trucking through the Green Mountains, or just spending a day with the family, stop by Country Creemee for some hand-mixed ice cream or some of the best deep fried food in the area.
  • Panera Bread – Plainfield Rd, Lebanon, NH. If you have never eaten at Panera Bread, you are in for a treat. Free WiFi also.