The Rokeby Museum, conveniently located off of Route 7 in Ferrisburgh, is open May through October, offering visitors a 90-acre historic site that includes a fully-furnished 200-year old home, and its eight outbuildings, all open to view. The Rokeby hiking trails wander through over 50 acres of working and former farmland and are open year-round. The site hosts several special events and newly added in 2014, a new exhibit featuring Vermont’s underground railroad.
Chimney Point, on Route 17W, tells the history of over 9000 years occupation at Chimney Point on Lake Champlain, one of the earliest and most intensely settled sites in the Champlain Valley. The Chimney Point History Trail is an informative stroll that teaches about the area’s early inhabitants. Permanent and rotating exhibits can be viewed from the museum. From the museum’s porch, you’ll have a perfect view of the newly completed Champlain Bridge. The tiny Chimney Point Post Office is a charming step back in time. From spots along the shoreline, you’ll appreciate beautiful vistas across to the Crown Point State Historic Site, the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse, and the Adirondack Mountains beyond.
Mount Independence in Orwell, open late May through October daily, features permanent exhibits highlighting the role Mount Independence played during the American Revolution and the Northern Campaign. The outdoor exhibit begins at the museum building and includes four separate trails, from .2 miles to 2.5 miles in length, each included in the trail guide and maps offered in the museum.
Other notable points of interest include the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum on Basin Harbor Road in Vergennes, with a campus featuring the Nautical Archaeology Center, Westport Marina Winch House, Conservation Laboratory, the Hazelett Watercraft Center, Blacksmith Shop, and Schoolhouse Gallery among others. Educational Programs, including for Teachers, offer courses and workshops (including in boat building), blacksmithing and rowing opportunities, summer programs for children, and lecture series. The LCMM is open from June through October daily.
The Basin Harbor Club is located along the Lake Champlain waters just a 20 minute drive North from Addison in Vergennes. This three-season hotel and resort is designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a “Historic Inn of America” – one visit and you’ll experience the nostalgia locals cherish, with its Adirondack style décor, friendly Staff, sprawling gardens, wide covered porches, and an activities schedule loaded with authentic family-style programming. With both hotel and cottage accommodations, great dining options, children’s camps, fishing, swimming, boating, tubing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and an 18 hole golf course, Basin Harbor offers something for everyone!
Long Point is one of several historic summer destinations along the shores of the lake. Surrounding Long Point, you’ll find communities sharing the reputation for warm weather shoreline retreats, including Thompson’s Point and Cedar Beach in Charlotte, and Mile Point in Vergennes. The 120 plus cottages make Long Point a destination for tourists, an annual tradition for several second home owners, and permanent home to a handful.
Addison County Fair and Field Days is Vermont's largest agricultural fair, taking place annually in August, in New Haven, under 4 miles West of Route 7. "Field Days" is a must-do spot of summer fun, most find hard to resist year after year. From the Children’s Barnyard to Demo Derby, ox pulling to the midway, the 5 days of Field Days fun is chock-full with country fair events, entertainment, and community fellowship. The showing events bring draft horse teams from across New England, farm animals of all kinds to highly competitive youth and adult contests, the best pies from several counties surrounding, and a huge number of local showcase products from furniture to taxidermy to honey. Field days is an exciting Ag-fair located on some of the most beautiful rolling hills and lush valleys in the State.
One of Ferrisburgh’s own, Vermont Cookie Love, was founded in 2007, and now offers passerby a bakery stop conveniently located on Route 7. "The Love Shack" is their 1500 square foot production facility and cookie shop, and the starting point for burrito-rolled frozen dough now sold in over 60 stores across five states (and counting). With flavors like “Puppy Love” (peanut butter chocolate chip), “Addicted to Love” (mocha chocolate chip), and “Summer Love” (white chocolate chip with dried berries), the husband and wife owners have developed a loyal following.
The famous Dakin Farm keeps home in Ferrisburgh along Route 7. At the farm take a self-guided tour, including a visit to the Sugarhouse and smokehouse. Dakin Farm has helped to build a strong international reputation for quality Vermont food products, through their mail-order business disseminating “What Vermont Tastes Like.” At the original Dakin Farm Store at the farm, try the smorgasbord of tempting samples, including a variety of local cheeses, summer sausage, specialty spreads, honey, and maple creams. A particularly popular warm weather treat is the maple frozen yogurt, and of course, the variety of homemade fudge is available year-round.
The Starry Night Café is your Ferrisburgh go-to, for an exquisite meal. Some might even say it is your go-to for several towns surrounding. Located along Route 7, at the mid-point between Charlotte and Vergennes, this historic rendezvous offers indoor and outdoor seating, an understated elegant atmosphere, and seasonal, local foods, creatively prepared. Whether the Mole Braised Beef Short Ribs, Blood Orange Salad, or Spicy Seafood Ciopinno, you’ll find familiar foods laced with unexpected flavors. Add one of the café’s expressive cocktails and you’ve got a memorable meal.
One of the best websites you’ll find, loaded with information on Addison County’s most prized, is the County’s Chamber of Commerce collection of information, here. You’ll also find a downloadable PDF of the most up-to-date area guide on the Chamber’s site as well – an invaluable resource for those hoping to make the area home.
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