2017 Vermont Summer Bucket List

Now that school is officially over and summer is upon us, we’ve compiled this “Vermont Summer Bucket List”. It’s sure to have something for everyone to keep you (and the kids) entertained for the next 8 weeks of summer vacation.

1. Watch a Sunset from the Burlington Waterfront

2. Visit the Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury Factory and Try a New Flavor
Take the tour and try a flavor of ice cream you’ve never tried before. It will be difficult to not go for their top 3 flavors: (1) Half Baked, (2) Cherry Garcia, (3) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – but you need to try something different!

3. Visit 5 Vermont Covered Bridges
There are over 100, so this should be fairly easy. In for a little bit of a spook? Visit Emily’s Bridge in Stowe at night… it’s haunted. Click here for a complete list of bridges.

4. Visit Dog Mountain and the Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury
Dog Mountain and the Dog Chapel was created by renowned artist Stephen Huneck in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. “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. Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen, bought the property in 1995. They turned the barn into studio space. After Stephen’s unique visionary experience, the Dog Chapel soon followed. The Dog Chapel opened its doors Memorial Day weekend of 2000. The unspoiled haven is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds. Wildflowers abound in the summer and snow-shoeing is a favorite activity in the winter. Year after year, the Dog Chapeland the Stephen Huneck Gallery get more and more visitors from all over the world. There is no leash law on Dog Mountain. Dogs are not just welcome here, they are cherished! Dogs are free to run, play, swim and best of all meet other dogs! It’s great to hear from tourists and local residents alike how much Dog Mountain means to them and their dogs.”

5. Go to the Sunset Drive-in
The Sunset Drive-in on Porters Point Road in Colchester has been a local landmark for nearly 70 years. There’s no better way to watch a movie than being as comfortable as possible; Sunset Drive-In allows you to enjoy the latest movies in the comfort of your own vehicle. They offer stadium style-seating, 4 colossal screens playing double features of the latest movies with all night entertainment, and snack bar. “Sunset Drive-In is perfect for date nights or family nights by offering entertainment under the stars from the comfort of your cars.”

6. Swim at the Alburgh Sand Dunes
The Alburgh Sand Dunes are a 625-acre state park and may be one of Vermont’s best kept secrets. “It is named for the sand dunes near the center and western end of the south-facing, natural sand beach. This beach is amongst the longest beaches on Lake Champlain. The beach and dunes together make up what is known as a barrier island, geologically similar to coastal formations more common along ocean shorelines. At Alburgh Dunes, the sand has come from a layer of glacial till- the soil that was left atop the low bluffs southeast of the beach when the last glacier melted. The bluffs have eroded over thousands of years, and the soil carried off by lake currents. Sand from that soil settles out in the pocket between the rocky “Point of Tongue” to the east and “Coon Point” to the west, forming the beach. ” Click to learn more

7. Visit ECHO Aquarium
Located on Burlington’s Waterfront, ECHO is a nationally acclaimed lake aquarium and science center. ECHO houses more than 70 species of live animal ambassadors in Vermont’s first LEED certified building. The innovative science center and aquarium displays life in the Champlain Basin and inspires visitors to positively impact the world around them. Check out the current exhibit on display

8. Visit Hildene
Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home is the former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln, located at 820 Hildene Road in Manchester, Vermont. The estate, now a museum, and gardens are breathtaking. It is the quintessential Vermont destination. Click to learn more

9. Visit Jay Peak Resort
There’s a plethora of things to do at Jay Peak this summer! The Pump House Indoor Waterpark is a place where you can surf, climb, float, slide, or leisurely swim. Back for the 4th year, the Jeezum Crow Festival will be held at the Stateside Amphitheatre July 14th & 15th. They’ll have 9 bands across 2 days! Additional Jay Peak activities include the Championship Golf Course, Disc Golf Course, Raised Jay Summer Camps, Raised Jay Wilderness Camps. Click to learn more

10. Hike Mount Philo
Mount Philo State Park is a 237-acre park. Climb Mount Philo for amazing views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains to the west.

11. Explore one of Vermont’s National Historic Landmarks – The Ticonderoga at Shelburne Museum
The steamboat Ticonderoga was built in 1906 and operated as a day boat on Lake Champlain, serving ports along New York and Vermont shores until 1953. Today, the remarkable Ticonderoga is on display at Shelburne Museum and portrays life on board in 1923 with guest rooms, table settings, newspapers, cars and more. Take a 3D interactive tour created by 3D Vermont

12. Attend a State Fair
State fairs are sometimes just what you need on a warm summer night – the Ferris wheel, fried dough, live music, and the dunk tank!

13. Play with Animals at Your Local Shelter (or Donate)
Stop by your local Humane Society or shelter and see if they have any animals who could use some play time or cuddling. If not, they usually have a “wish list” on their website with items that they need donated. You could drop a couple items and feel good about helping.

14. Take a Stowe Gondola SkyRide
For an amazing view and fun ride, take a Stowe Gondola SkyRide. From the top of Mt. Mansfield, you can access hiking trails, shop at the Summit gift shop, or enjoy lunch at the Cliff House Restaurant. Click to learn more

15. Make a Summer Scrapbook
There are so many apps that make it easy to order photos right off of your phone, but Costco is incredibly easy as well. You can print 100 photos for under $15.

If you have any questions about buying and selling real estate contact Mike Conroy at 802-363-3356 or [email protected].

Conroy & Company is a Keller Williams Vermont team of Realtors located in South Burlington, Vermont. Our mission is to serve our clients with the highest level of personal commitment to helping them reach their goals. Our focus is to bring the latest technology and marketing skills to our clients, and do so in the most personal, hands on way possible. Our collaborative, strength in numbers approach to exceeding your expectations, has helped keep us in the top 2% of Vermont agents/teams ever since 2003.