Category: Excursions

The long days of summer allow a slower pace. There’s time for summit hikes, lake paddles, and games of Frisbee or catch. But don’t let your body have all the fun. Vermont has a wealth of museums that provide a dose of culture and things that make you go “hmm.” Many simply could not exist anywhere else; they represent the ingenuity or aspirations of a single person or group. These stops tell about the communities in which they reside, often with roots to local people, industries, arts, or town histories. Plus, they’re easy on the wallet (five bucks or less). Whether you check out the one closest to home or make it a road trip, get out and explore. Read More

A frosted glass in your hand. The earthy smell of brewer’s yeast. The smooth and bitter taste of a complex beer. Look around, and listen. Is that jazz? An abstract painting? A beer and arts tour is a thrill for all five senses. What better place than Vermont to undertake the experience? You’ll find arts of every kind and an abundance of beer styles to suit every palate. With your pleasure in mind, the Council consulted the Vermont Brewer’s Association’s website to plan a few perfect pairings. So, it's time to check the Vermont Arts Calendar, open your Brewery Passport Challenge app, and give a call to your favorite designated driver. This is a tour you don’t want to miss. Read More

Picture a perfect day for shredding the slopes: fresh white powder, bluebird sky, après drinks near a roaring fire. When these images flood our screens, it’s enough to make anyone long for a ski bum lifestyle. And Vermonters know these dreamy days aren’t just for shredding. After the sun has gone down or your legs have grown tired, the arts will be waiting. What better place to start than in Stowe? Stowe Mountain Resort has been a Vermont skiing staple for decades and garnered recent attention when it was purchased by Colorado-based Vail Resorts. This mountain village is noteworthy for its arts scene as well. Read More

In “Summer Blues,” Vermont poet David Budbill laments, “Ninety days is what we get, just Ninety days of frost free weather.” He then instructs, “we Just got to get outside and get together!” As the frost-free days accumulate, the Vermont Arts Calendar swells to include hundreds of events. Choosing becomes overwhelming. I find help in “How to Art Pack Your Day in Ten Easy Steps,” first published in July 2015. I begin by selecting my last stop: Rutland. A mural by Bill Ramage piques my interest. I'll follow it with free movie night at the Paramount. I decide to stay off the interstate. As I meander, I mentally highlight this part of tip #8: “Art can be found in the most surprising places.” I hit pay dirt on my first stop. Read More

The nation’s oldest hiking trail is 273 miles long and runs across the spine of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Also chasing along these peaks are towns and villages that were first established as farming and ski communities. Some of these towns are thriving arts hubs, as the state's valleys and dynamic mountains have both inspired and integrated the arts. The arts at the center of these communities have become as rich as the soil and steadfast as thru-hikers on the Long Trail. In this light, the Vermont Arts Council and the Green Mountain Club have partnered to provide arts and outdoors enthusiasts a collection of recommended regions that offer excellent arts and hiking opportunities. Read More

Vermonters are often said to have a way of being “unique,” from their one-of-a-kind politics and rock bands to the spelling of the state’s favorite sweet treat — Maple Creemees. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the state’s world-class outdoors and arts scenes are unprecedented in their access and offerings. In Vermont, you don’t have to travel far to see a biking trailhead or arts venue, and most often, they’re within close range of each other. Additionally, the Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) have forged their own paths to best serve their communities, including deeply-rooted partnerships with dozens of regional arts and biking organizations. Read More