Things to do in Vermont
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Mistral’s
Nestled deep in the woods (off VT 30 and VT 11 east of town) and overlooking Bromley Brook, Mistral’s offers fine dining on Norwegian salmon or roast duck in an incredibly intimate setting.
reviewed
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Trattoria la Festa
Just north of Topnotch at Stowe, this trattoria has very good Italian fare made by Italian chefs. Check out its spaghetti pescatore, which is chock-full of mussels, clams and shrimps for $18.50.
reviewed
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Three Needs
Whatever your needs, this small college hangout doles out award-winning suds from its microbrewery. The crowd gravitates toward the pool table in the back, which can get pretty raucous on weekends.
reviewed
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Curtis’ Barbeque
In a retrofitted school bus, Curtis’ Barbeque dispenses some of the best ribs and barbecue chicken north of the Mason-Dixon line. Wash it down with one of Curtis’ own bottled sodas.
reviewed
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VINS Nature Center
A mile west of the gorge, rehabilitates injured bald eagles and other raptors. Get a close-up look at these magnificent birds, then enjoy a nature walk on the center's 47 acres.
reviewed
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Trattoria Delia
A longtime favorite, this dimly lit Italian restaurant with a large stone fireplace serves homemade pastas and specialties like osso buco ($26.50) and couples them with selections from their award-winning wine list.
reviewed
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Umiak Outdoor Outfitters
Interested in river trips, tours, camps and instructional classes? Or how about double kayaks and canoes? Umiak Outdoor Outfitters can fulfill all these needs; for the rest you’re on your own.
reviewed
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Vermont Historical Society
Next door to the State House, the Pavilion Building houses an excellent museum that recounts Vermont’s history with exhibits, films and re-creations of taverns and Native American settlements.
reviewed
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Restaurant Swisspot
In addition to the selection of pastas and meat dishes, this cozy spot in the village offers an impressive array of fondues, running from the bizarre (scallop and beef or whole peeled shrimp) to the more traditional.
reviewed
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Riverview Café
Enjoy alfresco dining smack on the Connecticut River at this celebrated restaurant emphasizing fresh regional ingredients: wild blueberry pancakes topped with real maple syrup, homemade vegetable soups and juicy steaks.
reviewed
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Frog Hollow Craft Center
An excellent contemporary and traditional craft center, Frog Hollow Craft Center feels more like a museum gallery than the retail store that it is. A rigorous jury process screens artisans for acceptance.
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Straw Corner Mercantile
Stowe has no shortage of galleries and fine craft shops with artists of local and international renown. Look for the Straw Corner Mercantile, featuring folk art, Americana, prints and artsy home accessories.
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Amy's Bakery Arts Café
The best place for lunch. The baked goods are terrific but it's the healthy fare – tapenade mozzarella sandwiches and salads – that rake in the crowds.
reviewed
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Northshire Bookstore
An enormous independent bookstore with comfy nooks everywhere. It shares a huge hangout space with the attached java-and-munchies joint, Spiral Café, which offers wireless internet access and two computers with free usage.
reviewed
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Liquid Lounge/Liquid Energy
By day, order wheatgrass concoctions, veggie tonics and other enhanced nutritional drinks, and enjoy them in front of TVs, DSL internet stations or your own wireless gizmo. Undo all that healthy stuff with beer or wine at night.
reviewed
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Alléchante
A gourmet bakery-café, Alléchante makes everything from scratch, including organic artisanal breads, delectable pastries and a free-range chicken pot pie to die for. The best place in Woodstock for breakfast, bar none.
reviewed
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Peltier’s
Peltier’s has been an institution since 1816. It sells all manner of edible Vermont items, especially high-end gourmet goodies and picnic fixings. Staff will even prepare almost any kind of fish on request.
reviewed
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Old Mill Marketplace
The three-story converted 1820s mill has space for some 20 local craftspeople selling soap, pottery, furniture, jewelry and more. The Hillbilly Flea Market in the basement is an upscale treasure trove open from Thursday to Sunday.
reviewed
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Little Rooster Café
This popular little café, near the outlet stores in Manchester Center, serves home-style fare that really hits the spot. The eclectic menu ranges from leafy salads and thickly stacked sandwiches to grilled portobello focaccia.
reviewed
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Five Spice Cafe
This café is incredibly popular for Sunday dim-sum brunches (11am to 2:30pm, $2 to $3 per dish), but it’ll be worth the wait. The café also serves excellent dishes from China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
reviewed
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Brattleboro Books
One of a trove of bookstores in Brattleboro offering a long list of store-sponsored readings and events. This is a used-book junkie’s dream, with endless aisles containing more than 75,000 used, out-of-print and even new titles.
reviewed
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Spirit of Ethan Allen II
In addition to lunch and dinner cruises, the Spirit of Ethan Allen II plies the lake with a 1½-hour, scenic, narrated day cruise (adult/child $12/6), and a 2½-hour sunset cruise (adult/child $17/13) at 6:30pm.
reviewed
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Moles Eye Cafe
This popular, subterranean hangout in an oak-paneled café has live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and good meals at moderate prices (dishes from $7 to $11) served until 9pm. Thursday’s open mic is usually a blast.
reviewed
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Farmers Diner
Grab a booth in this old-fashioned diner and feast on fresh Vermont-grown delights like maple syrup-laden pancakes, creamy organic milk shakes and juicy burgers. This cornerstone of the buy-local, eat-local movement is well worth seeking out.
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Stowe Craft Gallery & Design Center
Stowe has no shortage of galleries and fine craft shops with artists of local and international renown. Stowe Craft Gallery & Design Center offers some of the most adventurous, eclectic and surreal works of art and craft.
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