Edition #48, 17 August 2009

Hello, my name is Cynthia, a mermaid from the cool waters of New England. As we have covered much of coastal New England in the past two years, let us turn our attention to inland areas.

Look for other articles in this series on the home page.

Tours of the Vermont State House (Capitol building) are available on the half-hour, free of charge. Tours are run from July to mid-October, 10am to 3:30pm weekdays, and 11am to 2:30pm on Saturdays. This picturesque State House is located at 115 State Street in downtown Montpelier, and features a gold leaf dome, marble floors, and spiral staircases.

Located at 109 State Street, the Vermont Historical Society Museum was founded in 1838, dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Vermont history. The museum houses several exhibits including a permanent exhibit titled Freedom and Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories, which opened in March 2004.

May I suggest a quick ~12 mile trip up I-89 to the Waterbury exit (Route 100 North) to the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory? Take the factory tour, sample the flavor of the day, create your own spin-art, and browse the gift shop. What better way is there to spend an afternoon?

Back in Montpelier, stop by City Hall or the information booth on State Street, and pick up information on the three walking tours of the city. The three tours cover State Street, Main Street, and College Street. You can also find tour information on the city's web site.

In the summer, outdoor activities in the Montpelier area include On-Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Golf, and Hiking. Winter activities include Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Snow-shoeing, and Snowmobiling.

On August 20th at noon, Christ Church Pocket Park is the site for a blues and soul concert by the Dave Keller Band. This will be the last concert in the church's Brown Bag Concert Series. The church is located at 64 State Street, and there is no admission charge for this concert.

Pay a visit to Bragg Farm Sugarhouse, and you will never buy grocery store maple syrup ever again. The farm features daily tours, a gift shop, and a maple ice cream parlor. Bragg Farm is located on Route 14, one mile north of the junction of Route 2 and Route 14N in East Montpelier. Take home a jug of maple syrup, make a big plate of pancakes, and enjoy! Be sure to have one for me!

If you are still hungry, make your way to the New England Culinary Institute at 56 College Street. Here you will find three great restaurants: The Main Street Grill is on the street level and serves excellent food at affordable prices. Upstairs is the Chef's Table which offers fine dining, and a delightful atmosphere. The Bar is located under The Grill and features a pub-type menu, and live music on Tuesday evenings.

Other area restaurants getting great reviews include Rhapsody, which serves Japanese cuisine at 28 Main Street, Suite 101. Another is Uncle Mike's Deli at 8 State Street. Be sure to try their wraps! The Thrush Tavern at 107 State Street serves steak, seafood, and dinner specials. Outdoor seating is available.

Learn more about Montpelier at www.montpelier-vt.org, and www.vtliving.com.

If your business would like to sponsor a past or future article, please email me for details. Prices start at $20 per year.

Look for me on Twitter as CynthiaMermaid.