Woodstock, VT Tourist Attractions
|
|
The idyllic village of Woodstock, situated on U.S. 4 between Rutland and White River Junction, attracts many visitors with its old-world beauty. On the northern outskirts of the village is Billings Farm and Museum, which re-creates everyday life on the farm around 1900.Woodstock (pop. 3,200) is a popular base for outdoor enthusiasts interested in skiing, golfing, hiking, and other outdoor sports. Also in the area are three covered bridges spanning the Ottauquechee River.
Billings Farm and Museum
The Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock was established in 1871 by Frederick Billings. Today it is both a working farm and a living museum depicting farm life in the late 1800s.The farm house was built in 1890 and has been restored to tell the history of the farm. It features the farm office, family living quarters, and creamery, where butter was produced for market. In the barns, see farm work first-hand, including care of the Jersey herd, draft horses, sheep, oxen, and chickens. Visitors can explore the horse barn, calf nursery, milk room, and dairy barn and get comfortable with the farm's livestock through interactive activities.
Sugarbush Farm
Sugarbush Farm is located northeast of Woodstock. It is a maple syrup and cheese producing farm that offers exhibits and demonstrations including 15 varieties of cheese and 4 grades of Vermont maple syrup. Visitors can tour the maple sugar house to learn how maple syrup is made during the spring, and can walk the maple nature trail to see how maple sap flows from the tree. During the summer and fall a variety of farm animals are available for petting.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park focuses on conservation and land stewardship in America. Tours of the mansion and surrounding forest are available.
Woodstock Historical Society
The Woodstock Historical Society Museum offers displays on the history of the town and region. The collection features books, documents, photographs, and music.
Surroundings
Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich
The Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich features displays on science, natural history and technology. The museum contains aquariums, animals, and interactive exhibits. There are nature trails in the vicinity.
White River National Fish Hatchery, Bethel
The White River National Fish Hatchery focuses on restoring Atlantic salmon to the Connecticut River. Visitors can view fish at various stages of development.
Quechee
Quechee was a small woolen mill village which has been turned into a resort town. The Quechee Gorge has a bridge that offers excellent views of the area and the Ottauquechee River.
Simon Pearce Glass at The Mill
In 1981, Simon Pearce moved his operations to Quechee, Vermont, where he completed a restoration of an historic woolen mill and harnessed the hydro-power of the Ottauquechee River to fuel his glass furnace.Visitors to The Mill can view the hydroelectric turbine on the Mill's lower level, observe glassblowers, watch a potter working on the wheel, browse the retail shop and enjoy a meal in the restaurant.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science houses injured owls, hawks, eagles and other birds which are too disabled to be released into the wild. There are nature trails on the grounds.
Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial, Sharon
The Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial is a 38-foot granite monument at the birthplace of the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith. There are also hiking trails and picnic sites in the area.
