The Shaker Bridge Theatre is a wonderful part of arts in the central part of New Hampshire. It is…read morecollocated with the Whitney Hall Auditorium in the historic town of Enfield NH, steps away from the Shaker Museum and in an imposing Victorian edifice. The theatre's season extends from October through May, becoming a welcome cultural respite for the otherwise lugubrious weather season in Northern New England. Its proximity to an Ivy League University, Lebanon, New London and other centers of culture, allows for a steady crowd of culture seekers who delight themselves in professional quality plays. The Shaker Bridge Theatre is able to attract nationally renowned actors who cast quality plays. We went there to watch Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune by Terrence McNally, a thought-provoking play of human interaction and middle-age love. Exquisitely done, superbly cast, and thoroughly enjoyable. Oh... And cash or check only

We arrived at the Enfield Shaker Museum shortly after 10 a.m., which was its opening time. You park…read moreeither on the right side (facing the buildings) or possibly around back also. You enter at the front and the tickets are sold in the gift shop immediately on your right. The lady selling the tickets was friendly and chatted with us. She said there was a tour starting at 11 a.m. Another guy wandered in who turned out to be the guide. After a little confusion, he led us through the building to a sunlit room towards the back. Here they had some chairs set up facing a TV. He first discussed a bit of general Shaker background with us and then started the ~ 10-minute video about them. It was interesting. The video ended at about the same time that another group of 3 German tourists was escorted back by the ticket lady. Our guide seemed a bit torn, and asked if we wanted to see the video again. We deferred, figuring that we could wander around outside for a few minutes (it was still only around 10:40 a.m.) before the tour. He then started the video for the new group. We walked around some of the buildings and took a few photos now that the morning fog had burned off. We then went back in and asked the ticket lady about the tour, as it was then around 10:50 a.m. She said that it may have already started, so we walked back to the video room. The guide was indeed discussing a topo map of the site with the Germans. We joined in and the tour then began. This was interesting; he discussed how the building was laid out (mostly to allow separation of the male and female Shakers). He showed us the basement workshops / storage areas as well as the common dining room. An older couple passed us at one point early in the tour and headed inside. A couple of minutes later, the ticket lady led the couple back to the tour group. They had intended to join the 11 a.m. tour (at 11 a.m.) and were somewhat irate that they had missed part of it. The staff tried to be helpful and offered them a refund, but in the end they settled down and just joined the tour. I sympathized with the couple in this case - if you state that you have an 11 a.m. tour, it seems like you should at least designate where to meet (presumably at 11 a.m.). The tour here just seemed to coalesce at some time in the neighborhood of 11 a.m. We continued touring the ground floor and then made our way upstairs to the 2nd floor, where there was an even larger central room for worship services. The way the builders included cabinets in almost every part of the interior walls, and how they arranged shutters for the windows, was quite interesting. Note that one of the 'simple gifts' that the builders were not able to include here was an elevator. Hence, if you have mobility issues, climbing the stairs between floors may be something you should factor in to your planning. The tour then headed next door to a church that the subsequent owners (a Catholic organization) had built. The interior was interesting with plenty of stained glass. Our guide wrapped up the tour with quick stops at a couple of mostly gutted outbuildings. It was about 12:10 p.m. at that point. I thought this was an interesting site. You should just allow some flexibility on tour timings.

Stay overnight, enjoy Shaker architecture and sensibility from the inside. Hike up to Smith Pond,…read moresavor fresh cider at the harvest festival. Friendly people, rustic interiors, gratuitous coffee, I'd come again.

I have been coming here since I was a kid. At the time another Drive in existed closer to home…read morehowever that is now a lumber yard. The Fairlee Drive In has withstood time despite many road blocks. I am so happy and encouraged to see them still thriving every summer. It is such a small town area and the old school charm here is exactly what I am looking for at a drive in. All grass parking. Completely covered by the trees and they still even have some working sound boxes. I highly recommend that if you are in the area to experience this for yourself. Nothing but love for them!!

Yes! Always play two good movies and have a good snack bar. Plenty of spots every time we've went…read more Will always come, keep it up.

Stopped here after visiting Quechee Gorge nearby. This is an impressive musuem! I have been to a…read morebunch with my kids, and we could have spent quite a bit of time here. Inside, there are exhibits and events, with tons of hands on activities. My kids went right for the Bubble exhibit. The exhibits appealed to both the kids and adults in our group, from aquarium tanks to contraptions, puzzles and instructions on how to solve a Rubik's cube, to natural history and a live leaf cutter ant colony. The kids also had a blast creating a marble run in the "Tinkering Lab", a classroom full of supplies to get your imagination and creativity flowing. There is a large gift shop, filled with all kinds of goodies from toys to science kits. I love that the museum extends outside. There are trails, a summer cafe under a tent, water features, and more. This was a great way to spend the day, and if we lived locally, I would definitely get a membership so that we could come back.

Museum is a children's paradise that entertains the young and enchants the young at heart. However,…read moreas a mother with two special needs children, I do not recommend it. The hyperstimulation caused by some of the exhibits is far too stressful for them and there needs to be more ADA infrastructure for physically challenged children. For example, I could not take one of my children on the beautiful nature path because the gravel would have gotten lodged in their wheelchair. Also, some of the visitor services staff were quite short and impatient with us, because we were not aware and familiar with all their rules and policies. One of them actually yelled at my child for tapping repeatedly on the fish glass because it was 'annoying' them. My advice: do some research on the museum to see what kind of amenities, rules and policies they have in place before you go to decide if it's the right place to spend a family afternoon.

(I believe this place is now known as the 'Bethel Drive In'?) My family and I have been coming here…read morefor 20 years and we are so glad they are still open! They have a cute little blue bus in the back where they sell drinks, snacks, and food for great prices. I hope they stay open so I can continue the tradition and bring my kids here in the future.

As if Woodstock Vermont wasn't already so charming, so beautiful and so perfectly New England,…read morethere is Wassail Weekend to make one fall even more in love with the village and with this part of the country. This event has taken place every December for the past 26 years. The town gets crowded as people show up from near and far to take part in any number of festive events transpiring over the weekend. One of the highlights is the parade of horses and riders decked out in early 19th century garb making their way along the streets of downtown Woodstock. There are riders on saddled horses and others in surreys and sleighs. Everyone waits for the end where Santa makes an appearance. And to keep things tidy there is a costumed man on roller-blades making fast and short work with his shovel of picking up the "droppings" the horses leave behind so the streets are kept pristine. There are various open-houses throughout town including one at the historical society, there's a reading of a Child's Christmas in Wales at the picturesque library, and later a big bonfire on the town green. You'll see throngs of people, dogs and kids on the town green and everyone it seems is in great holiday spirits. We always appreciate how welcoming and friendly the locals are whenever we've visited Vermont and Woodstock is no exception. Stores are open and beautifully decorated, some offering treats and beverages. Christmas cheer abounds. We love Vermont any time of year but for me, I truly find it a winter wonderland and love to go during the Christmas season. Although Wassail Weekend is over for another year, if you have a chance to visit Woodstock (and neighboring Quechee) before Christmas, I say take your horses and sleigh and hurry on over.

Wassail Weekend is the quintessential New England holiday experience in the most picturesque quaint…read moretown of Woodstock, Vermont. Hubs and I first fell for this adorable town in autumn of 2014 and just HAD to return for the holidays that same year (and every year after) when we found out just what the town does for their famous weekend. People were talking about it even in October! Besides all the charm the town has to offer all year round...covered bridges, adorable shops filled with homemade goods, family owned businesses, friendly inhabitants, historic farms, general stores, home made candles, made in the USA flannels and more, there's an entire weekend filled with holiday festivities.... Story telling, open house at historic homes, caroling around a Yule long bonfire, a life sized gingerbread house the kids will flip over, dog sledding, horse-drawn carriage rides, a horse parade and of course, Santa. The green is where 500 paper lanterns are lit and Christmas carols are sung is in the center of town. The Woodstock Inn sits just behind and is where most people prefer to stay. These rooms are the most popular in town and definitely fill up way in advance so book early! Don't fret if you don't have a room booked here, you can still enjoy a glass of wine by their lovely fireplace, charcuterie boards in the cozy game room and dinner at one of their fine restaurants such as Richardson's Tavern. Do not miss stopping by the Inn! The festivities run Friday through Sunday all day. There's a schedule of events listed in the event website so you can plan accordingly. The parade and singing are definitely highlights for us. Other things not to miss while in town are: -a trip to the Gorge...because it's gorg-ous (I can't help myself). If you're feeling up to it, it's a pretty nice hike to the base although the overlook is stunning alone! -dining or at least shopping and watching live glass blowing demonstrations at Simon Pearce. If you dine, ask for table #5! It's located over their waterfall and it's voted the most scenic in all of Vermont! We sat their for our anniversary one year and it was dreamy! The glass blowing is in the basement and There's a door that leads out to the waterfall! -We have enjoyed staying at Parker House Inn, a delightful Bed & Breakfast directly next to Simon Pearce with delicious farm to table meals. (This one is adults only however!) -A trip to Cabot Creamery for all the Vermont cheese tasting you can handle! If you're vegan, don't worry, there's plenty of other locally made things to taste such as maple syrups and mustards. -Made in The USA flannel at Woodstock Flannel Company. Ladies, you must own at least one pair of "vongs" aka Vermont things. -Mountain Creamy for peppermint stick ice cream. A perfect seasonal treat. -Bentley's for cocktails and live music. The place is always decorated so sweet for the holidays with tons of hanging ornaments above. -Woodstock Farmers Market for locally made wine, chocolates even candles. -Farmhouse Pottery for live throwing and the most gorgeous made in house, simplistically stunning wares. -FH Gillingham & Sons which has been family owned and operated since 1886!! Reason enough!! You'll find an awesome selection of craft beer!! Tons of local gems and the option to create your own 6 packs. Childrens' toys, locally made jams and such. I always pick up some paper white bulbs here too. Wassail Weekend is truly the "All American" Christmas experience, one you'll enjoy even if you don't celebrate. There's just such a love in the air, a sense of community and a warmth to the town. It's absolutely lovely!

Honestly, just a super great time. Awesome Yoga, good people, and when the festival occurs in early…read moreAugust great food! There is also a year round Yoga studio with excellent classes. Come check it out!

I had an amazing weekend at Vermont Be True Yoga Festival. Great classes. Beautiful setting in…read morethe quintessential Vermont area with rolling green landscapes. Best part. Completely unplugged so no digital distractions. It felt so amazing to wake up to crystal blue skies and a gentle yoga class and teaching to start the day. Great vendors and fantastic food options too. And it's for a great cause. Yoga for the underserved, at need and at risk populations.

I went to the 21st Annual Sheep and Wool festival last year and had a blast! While the weather was…read morerainy, there were still plenty of people there. I love talking to all of the artisans and my friend and I enjoyed seeing some of the "attractions", like a sheep shearing demonstration. This is one of the very unique Vermont traditions that I'm glad to have experienced during the two years I am living here. If you're interested, they also have some on-site workshops for attendees. I have not participated in one so I can't review them. They also have limited concessions available (Hot Dogs, Flatbread, and Coffee/Hot Chocolate, etc.). Overall, I had a very nice day there and is definitely one of the events that makes Vermont truly unique.