As Vermont prepares for the busy summer tourism season ahead, the Vermont Attractions Association (VAA) welcomes six Vermont businesses as new members. Accepted to VAA this year are: Chaffee Art Center, Rutland; Goodrichâ s Maple Farm, Cabot; Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, St. Johnsbury; Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center; Shackleton Thomas, Bridgewater; and Vermont Folk Rocker in Starksboro. VAA membership identifies businesses as excellent family destinations, with a proven ability to represent the best of Vermont while meeting high standards in visitor service.
Focusing on education as a component of the visitor experience, travel destinations accepted into membership offer unusual Vermont experiences in the areas of agricultural tourism, art, excursions, galleries, guided tours, history, museums, recreation, shopping, and specialty foods.
Members of VAA enjoy many benefits, including a presence on the websitewww.vtattractions.org, and on 1.15 million copies oftheâ Official Vermont Road Map & Guide to Vermont Attractions,’which is widely distributed across the country and internationally as Vermontâ s highway map.
TheChaffee Art Centerin Rutland is a fifty-year-old not-for-profit community art center offering exhibitions and fine art by artists from all over Vermont, gallery talks and demonstrations, art and craft classes, and camps for adults and children, the twice annual award-winning Art in the Park art and craft festivals, and a gift shop including prints, cards, books and other items by artists for sale.www.chaffeeartcenter.org
Goodrich Maple Farmin Cabot is open year-round, with educational tours of the family-owned maple farm. Visitors who come during sugaring season (March and April) can see the large evaporator in action. The farm has combined cutting edge technology with good old fashioned hard work and know-how to make award-winning maple products and confections. Retail and mail order services are also available. http://goodrichmaplefarm.com
Maple Grove Farmsof Vermontin St. Johnsbury is the worldâ s oldest and largest maple candy factory, and largest packer of pure maple syrup in the US. Visit the Sugarhouse Maple Museum and learn about how to make maple syrup. Browse the Red Roof Gift Shop for candy samples, taste all grades of maple syrup, and stock up on Vermont made products. http://www.maplegrove.com
Northshire Bookstorein Manchester is one of New England's premier, award-winning bookstores. Find out why Stephen King called it "a special place" andYankeemagazine dubbed it "Best Bookstore in New England." Expert booksellers with a hand crafted selection and an old world ambiance make it easy to spend hours browsing. Kids of all ages will enjoy the children's department. Beyond the best in books...gifts, stationery, games, toys and much more.http://www.northshire.com/
ShackletonThomasin Bridgewater offers exquisite and world-renowned furniture and pottery made by hand, one by one, using traditional techniques. Visitors to the store and workshops can will enjoy browsing among beautiful pieces while observing Vermontâ s finest craftspeople at work.www.shackletonthomas.com
TheVermont Folk Rockerin Starksboro is Shaker inspired; simple, classic, aesthetic and designed to last for generations. Visitor will experience a small shop engaged in producing from scratch a handcrafted rocking chair with rich wood texture of highest quality.www.vermontfolkrocker.com
To browse VAA member destinations or for more information about VAA, visitwww.vtattractions.org. Maps are available by the piece or by the carton free of charge; contact Karen Foote ([email protected]).
Vermont Chamber of Commerce. 4.24.2012.