HIKING
Quechee Gorge: The Quechee Gorge Walk is a beautiful 1.4 mile roundtrip hike that can be extended if you wish. Along the trail you can view Quechee Gorge, the Ottauquechee Dam and waterfalls. For directions and more information: QUECHEE GORGE WALK
Mt. Ascutney State Park: Mt. Ascutney offers several different hiking trails of various lengths to reach the summit (there is even a driving option). At the top you'll find an observation tower providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. For more information: ASCUTNEY MOUNTAIN HIKE
Mount Peg: Mount Peg hike is a short easy hike near Woodstock Village. This is a great hike to go on with children. The summit opens up to a beautiful grassy area with views of Woodstock and surrounding areas. For more hiking details: MOUNT PEG HIKE
Mount Tom: Get a big bang for your buck with this hike. The trailhead is also very close to Woodstock Village. Roundtrip this hike is about 2.75 miles. At the top, you can see all of Woodstock Village and the surrounding mountains. For the shortest route, take the trail head at the back of the park on Mountain Road in Woodstock, just past the town green. For more information: MOUNT TOM
Gile Mountain Trail: Gile Mountain trailhead is in the town of Norwich, Vermont. It is a 1.4 mile out and back that is well-groomed hike and perfect for families. It is also close King Arthur Flour and Hanover NH. For directions and more information about the hike: GILE MOUNTAIN
Northern Rail Trail: This is a long rail trail conversion starting in Lebanon, NH and extending to just a few miles north of Concrod, NH. It crosses the Mascoma River many times. It can be biked with hybrids or mountain bikes. Parking located in downtown Lebanon, NH along Taylor Street and in lots behind Lebanon City Hall. For directions and more information: RAIL TRAIL
River Trail: In Hanover, NH (where Dartmouth College is located and several good restaurants, this relatively easy 1.1 mile walk starts at the intersection of Maple St and Downing Rd, and goes along the river to South Main Street (make a left to return to the shops and the start of the trail head). For directions and more information: RIVER TRAIL
SWIMMING/ BOATING
North Hartland Lake: The North Hartland Lake is a 215 acre lake with a picnic area, nature trails, a playground and horseshoe pits. It is only about a 15 minute drive from the farm. For more information: NORTH HARTLAND LAKE
Silver Lake State Park: Located in Barnard, Silver Lake is the perfect place to spend the day on the beach and swimming in the lake. Other activities at the park include fishing, boating, picnicking, horseshoes and volleyball. For more information and directions: SILVER LAKE STATE PARK
Twenty Foot Hole: Located in Reading, Vermont, the Twenty Foot Hole is a natural swimming area with three pools and a small set of waterfalls. People do cliff dive here but there are warnings that it can be very dangerous so please be safe! For more information and directions: TWENTY FOOT HOLE
Storrs Pond Recreational Area: Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, the park features scenic woodland, a 13 acre pond, two sandy swimming beaches, tennis, a heated swimming pool and a 1/2 basketball court. STORRS POND
Boston Lot Lake: Located in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, offers a beautiful hike around this gorgeous lake (2.4 miles). You can also swim in the lake. BOSTON LOT LAKE
Great River Outfitters: Offer activities including kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and river tubing for all ages and skill levels. Check out their website for more information: GREAT RIVER OUTFITTERS
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Ascutney Mountain: You’ll find a 30 mile network of mapped and marked spanning the ski area in Brownsville. ASCUTNEY MOUNTAIN
The Greens Woodland Foundation: Located in Lyme, New Hampshire, they have over 50 miles of trails dedicated to mountain biking, open from June - November. THE GREENS
PARKS/ SANCTUARIES
Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS): Only 20 minutes from the farm, VINS is one of the most popular places to visit in Quechee. Check their website for a schedule of their animal encounters, and information about their new exhibits. You can also get up close to over 40 raptors that call VINS home. They have all sustained injuries and are unable to be reintroduced into the wild. VINS also has nature trails and a natural playground. Website: VINS
New England Falconry: For a deeper dive into raptors, you can handle and free-fly a hawk or eagle in a private session. Website: NEW ENGLAND FALCONRY
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park: The park is located across from the Billings Farm Museum. The park offers both guided and self-guided walks, landscaped grounds and the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller mansion. For more information: MARSH-BILLINGS-ROCKEFELLER PARK
Path of Life Sculpture Garden: The garden is about a 15 minute drive from the farm in Windsor, Vermont. The Connecticut River runs along this 14 acre garden. There are 18 works of art to explore, each of which symbolizes our journey through life. The garden is a fun destination for people of all ages. For more information: PATH OF LIFE
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site: This is the home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. You can see over 100 pieces of his artwork on the grounds. There are also nature trails and summer concerts. It's only 20 minutes from the farm. For more information: SAINT-GAUDENS
Eshqua Bog Natural Area: In Hartland, the Eshqua Bog is a 40 acre natural area that protects 8 acres of wetlands. A boardwalk has recently been constructed to make it easier and more enjoyable while viewing the wetlands. During mid to late June you can see a variety of wild orchids in bloom. For directions and more information: ESHQUA BOG
MUSEUMS
Billings Farm & Museum: Billings Farm is a working farm in Woodstock. You can explore their livestock barn that houses their dairy herd, draft horses, sheep, and oxen. The museum gives you a glimpse into what farm life was like a century ago in Vermont. Billings Farm always has special events going on throughout the year. Check out their website for more information: BILLINGS FARM
Montshire Museum of Science: The Montshire Museum has over 125 hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits relating to natural and physical sciences, ecology and technology. Located in Norwich, Vermont it's only a 25 minute drive from the farm. For more information: MONTSHIRE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
American Precision Museum: The American Precision Museum has the most impressive collection of historically significant machine tools in the country. You will understand the history of machine tools and their impact on society. Check out their website: AMERICAN PRECISION MUSEUM
LOCAL ARTISANS
Farmhouse Pottery: At Farmhouse Pottery you can walk through the pottery workshop and learn how the potters make authentic stoneware pieces. You can also wander through their retail store and admire all of their handcrafted pottery, furniture, home decor, jewelry and clothing. Website: FARMHOUSE POTTERY
Simon Pearce: Visit the famous Simon Pearce in Quechee. You can watch the glassblowers at work, shop at the Simon Pearce store, enjoy a drink and a small bite at the bar, or enjoy a delicious meal and the beautiful views of the Ottauquechee River. Website: SIMON PEARCE
Andrew Pearce Bowls: Watch the craftsmen in their workshop creating their unique wooden bowls and shop at their store. Website: ANDREW PEARCE WOODEN BOWLS
DOGGY ACTIVITIES
Dog Mountain: Dog Mountain is set on 150 acres on a private mountaintop spot in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The grounds are always open to people and their dogs. DOG MOUNTAIN
Watson Upper Valley Dog Park: Watson Upper Valley Dog Park provides a fenced, off-leash dog park where people with well-behaved canine companions can exercise in a clean, safe environment without interfering with people, property or wildlife. WATSON DOG PARK
Forest Walk at Fat Sheep Farm: Your dog will love to walk through our one mile trail through our woods. If your dog has excellent recall skills, you may allow your dog to run off leash through the woods, but make sure to have your dog leashed again once you exit the wooded area. Thank you!
Our Goat Pen: Our goat pen can also be used as a dog run. It was actually made for our dog when he used to be a bad dog. If you worry about taking your dog off leash, but want your dog to have a chance to run around, just let us know and we’ll set up a time for you to be able to use the goat pen.
MAPLE SYRUP TOURS
For all the information you would ever want or need about Vermont maple syrup, check out the website: www.vermontmaple.org.