Dear Jane exhibit - Bennington, Vermont - questions for the area?
 

Hello all,
I have persuaded my DH to take me to the Dear Jane exhibit in Bennington Vermont, his only question was:
"What else is there to do in the area that I might like?"

We have a long drive to get there, and since I pulled the "but this is the 150th anniversary display" card to persuade him to go, I'd really like to find some stuff in the area that is of interest to him too - we will be travelling across New York state from Buffalo area to get to Vermont, so any suggestions along that corridor/region would be welcome.

Counting on the QB community,,,,,

Thanks,

GEMRM

Wow- that sounds like a Fantastic road trip!
When do you plan to go? I hope it is soon, because that whole area has jaw dropping Autumn colors! They should be at peak color over this next two weeks. Bennington isn't far from Albany, where we used to live, so we popped over for day trips a few times.
There are a lot of fun ways to spend your time - especially if you like eating and shopping. The town is full of great little shops. And if you like great specialty beer, the Madison Brewery is a wonderful restaurant. Make sure you go somewhere for breakfast that serves pancakes or waffles with real maple syrup. I just had to look this up, because I couldn't remember the name of this one place that is in a real, authentic old diner car (made from a train car) it's called the Blue Benn Diner. Here is a really good description of it: http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/R...lue-benn-diner
it is fun to eat there, but gets crowded during peak mealtimes.
The Bennington Museum is terrific. Is that where the Dear Jane Exhibit is? The museum has a large amount devoted to the American Revolution, but also a section of real Grandma Moses paintings. And the nature trail there is very beautiful.
They often have painted Mooses (is that the plural of Moose?) all over town that are really fun to see how each artist did them up.
The first thing you see in Bennington is the battle monument. You can go up into the top and look at the surrounding mountains. Just a gorgeous area!
you'll have a ball!

Oh! I also should add that if you are fans of Norman Rockwell, that only about 20 minutes north of Bennington is the Norman Rockwell Museum. Back when we visited in the early 90's some of the people who worked there were people that Norman Rockwell picked in his community to use as models for his paintings. The funny thing was that they really looked like he represented them. It is a quaint and charming town. If the local church is having a church supper while you are there, be sure take part in it - it's a lot of fun and the home cooking from all those ladies is great!

Sorry to be a serial poster, but some neat places along the way are:


The city of Batavia, just off exit 48 on Route 90. A lot of it looks like a city from an old movie about the fifties. I grew up on a farm near here and going to Batavia was a big treat. Pontillo's Pizzaria right on the Main Street through town makes the best pizza!


Watkins Glen is south of your route. Gorgeous natural gorges (of course gorges are gorgeous!) and waterfalls. Great restaurants. My daughter and her boyfriend love the Rooster Fish Brewery there. (I think that was the name)


Albany is great too. The Rockefeller plaza has a lot to do from there. Attached is the museum too. My grandpa spent a lot of time there examining their steam engine exhibits. He used to be chief engineer on the Alexander Hamilton, a steamship on the Hudson River Dayline. We practically had to drag him out of the place.


All along one your route the scenery is interesting, but it gets especially beautiful after you pass Amsterdam on the Thruway.

Buzznbumble,
THANK YOU so much for your ideas and input. You gave us some great ideas, and I appreciate your posts. Don't hesitate to post again if you think of something else!

GEMRM

You are welcome GEMRM! I hope you and your DH have a wonderful time!

After you see Jane's quilt you can drive to the Shaftsbury cemetery and you can visit her grave. It is not far and easy to find. Each time I've visited there have been little pieces of fabric left on her headstone under rocks. Since people from all over the world donated a few years ago to buy her a new headstone since the old was falling apart. Be sure and look for a white/newer one not an old worn down one. It is located along the little back road inside the cemetery. I could post a picture that I have of it here for you but I don't want to ruin it for you.

Send him to Manchester Center, 24 miles up the road. Wonderful bookstore you could spend hours in (we are in Bennington tonight and did just that)--and home of the Orvis flagship store and Orvis outlet. Lots to see and do, the leaves are just beautiful. Enjoy.