Barre, Vermont

Barre = granite. It's certainly Vermont's granite capitol (and located just five miles from Vermont's actual capitol), providing roughly a third of the country's memorial stones. The quarries here have been producing for the past 200 years, and analysts predict that they'll keep going for the next 800.

And there are many granite-associated things you can do here. A visit to the Rock of Ages (the world's largest granite quarry) with its tour of stonecutting will give you a window into the origins of granite and how it shaped the town. Just driving through the streets of town, you'll see numerous examples of granite architecture in the buildings and sculptures, or you can visit the Mount Hope Cemetery, which serves as a museum for memorials and features some of the finest and most elaborate specimens in the world (designed by stonecutters for themselves and their loved ones).

Other attractions include the Barre Opera House, and of course easy access to the state capitol.

Lodging:

Autumn Harvest Inn & Restaurant - Eighteen rooms on a 1000 acre dairy farm. Near trail riding, with riding packages available.

Days Inn - Barre - Heated indoor pool, whirlpool, restaurant.

The Knoll Motel - Offers 14 rooms, two pools with a BBQ area... "Queen Beds, Suites have Two Double Beds plus a Full size Sofa Bed. Personal Control of Air Conditioning & Heat. 25" or 27" Cable Color TV's."

Maplecroft Bed and Breakfast - A handsome Victorian home within walking distance of Barre restaurants, Vermont History Center (next door), and the Barre Opera House. Discounts for quilters, librarians, magicians, and visitors to asrea colleges.

Restaurants:

Autumn Harvest Inn & Restaurant - Dine with a view of the great outdoors, or request a table on the veranda and enjoy the outdoors first-hand. Breakfast daily for guests. Dinner for guests and the public Tuesday through Saturday evenings. Fine steak, chicken, seafood, and specialty dishes.

.Days Inn - Barre - Heated indoor pool, whirlpool, restaurant.

See also:

• Graniteville Photos
• Hope Cemetery Virtual Tour
• Robert Burns Statue
• Barre Granite Festival
• Vermont Farm Show
• North-Central Vermont