Best Attractions Vermont 2011

BEST DAY PADDLE
Batten Kill Canoe, Arlington
Plan a two-hour or two-day paddle down the beautiful Batten Kill with the able assistance of the folks at Batten Kill Canoe, who are familiar with every nook and cranny of the river known as “the Valley of Vermont.” _{Photo Credit: Carl Tremblay} Maps for every level of expertise, as well as transportation at the end of your ride. 6328 Route 7A. 800-421-5268, 802-362-2800; battenkill.com

BEST ‘QUE WITH A VIEW
Jay Peak Resort, Jay
On Friday nights spring through fall, chow down on all-you-can-eat barbeque, hop aboard the aerial tram to the summit for sunset, and then toast s’mores over a crackling campfire … all for under $20 per person. 4850 Route 242. 802-988-2611; jaypeakresort.com

BEST REALLY OLD BUILDING
Rockingham Meeting House, Bellows Falls
A testament to Georgian symmetry and Yankee austerity, and one of rural New England’s best-preserved public buildings, this structure was built between 1787 and 1801 as a church and community center. Meeting House Road (off Route 103). 802-463-3456

BEST WALK ON THE WILDFLOWER SIDE
Vermont Wildflower Farm, Charlotte
Wander through six acres of lush paths and meadows, with an abundance of blossoms from April through October. Terrific selection of wildflower seeds, too. 488 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7). 802-425-3641; vermontwildflowerfarm.com

BEST SAIL
Friend Ship, Burlington Enjoy an intimate two-hour sail and learn a bit of Lake Champlain’s history aboard a classic 43-foot gaff-rigged sloop. Lunch and sunset sails available. 2 College St. 802-598-6504; www.whistlingman.com

BEST BIRDWATCHING
Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area,Addison Spring and fall are peak times to view massive flocks of migrating snow and Canada geese as they take a much-deserved rest here, but summer residents of this 2,858-acre preserve include egrets, owls, eagles, and hawks. Type Dead Creek into the Web site’s search bar to view a PDF map detailing the area. Viewing area south side of Route 17, one mile west of Route 22A. www.vtfishandwildlife.com

BEST DOG DAY AFTERNOON
Dog Mountain, St. Johnsbury Let your best pal romp the fields leash-free and take a plunge in the pond–then pause for a moment of reflection at the late Stephen Huneck’s incomparable Dog Chapel. Spaulding Road (off Route 2). 800-449-2580, 802-748-2700; dogmt.com

BEST HIKE IN THE KINGDOM Mount Pisgah, Westmore Pisgah rises above the southeastern shore of lovely Lake Willoughby. Choose the North or South Trail to the summit–either way, you’ll have a falcon’s-eye view of the water and vistas of the Green and White mountains. Off Route 5A. 802-751-0110; vtfpr.org

BEST CUSTOM CHEESE TOURS
Vermont Farm Tours, Central Vermont Chris Howell’s all-day excursion includes a visit to several artisanal cheesemakers, plus a workshop, lots of samples, and a three-course picnic lunch. (Other offerings include a Champlain Islands bike tour, a Vermont vineyards tour, a farm tour, and a tour of the Intervale area’s organic farms in Burlington.) 185 North Winooski Ave., Burlington (office). 802-922-7346; vermontfarmtours.com

BEST LOCAL DISGUISE
Johnson Woolen Mills, Johnson The secret to looking like a real Vermonter? Plaid wool outerwear goes a long way, and this 169-year-old mill is your best bet for shirts, pants, and cozy jackets. 51 Lower Main St. East (Route 15). 802-635-7185; johnsonwoolenmills.com

BEST KITCHEN WOODENWARE
J. K. Adams Co., Dorset Cutting boards, pizza peels, salad bowls–all crafted in Vermont and made to last. Full line of non-wooden kitchen items, too. 1430 Route 30. 800-451-6118, 802-362-4422; jkadams.com

BEST ECLECTIC GIFT SHOP
Unicorn, Woodstock Jeff Kahn hand-picks and jam-packs his shop with a splendiferous selection, ranging from pocket knives to kaleidoscopes to remote-control flying saucers. 15 Central St. 866-457-2480, 802-457-2480; unicornvt.com

BEST POTTERY
Waitsfield Pottery, Waitsfield Ulrike Tessmer, who learned her craft in Germany, has been making her distinctive hand-thrown and hand-painted pottery here for more than two decades. 4366 Main St. 800-496-7155, 802-496-7155; waitsfieldpottery.com