Saturday Sojourn...

Vergennes, Vermont

Planning a trip for the whole family?  Consider this quaint little spot, actually the smallest city in America.  Established in 1788, Vergennes is Vermont's oldest city.   The city is located on Route 22A in Addison County, right on the shores of Lake Champlain, and is named after Comte de Vergennes who negotiated the Treaty of Paris.  Because of its proximity to Lake Champlain, Vergennes became the site of a U.S. Navy shipyard during the War of 1812.  Today you can visit the sites of shipwrecks in Lake Champlain and view replicas of the 1862 Canal Schooner Lois McClure and the 1776 Gunboat Philadelphia II at the Maritime Museum.

Memorial day offers Vermont's largest parade through the city or French Heritage days, two days in early July when you can enjoy a traditional French Canadian supper and an evening of Quebecois music, including song and dance with instruction on the first day and the next day enjoy free, "educational fun-filled family day with Franco-American music, French Canadian fiddling,  learn French response songs, step-dancing, clogging, reenactors, French food, antique vehicles and engines, traditional craft demonstrations, fencing demonstrations, exhibits, hands-on fun such as churning ice cream, pumping water, old time games, horse and carriage rides, French Canadian Genealogical Society will help you trace your roots, children’s educational activities, farmer’s market, Bastille Day Waiter’s Race, narrated English and French historical walking tours, boat cruises on Otter Creek."  For more information on this years events check the Vergennes annual events calendar.

There are also wonderful parks available for boating and hiking. The first is Settlers Park you can park and load a boat into the water. From this point, you can paddle your way along the Otter Creek for beautiful views and foliage along the banks.  The other park is Falls Park, which is located on Six and one half acres of land and has system of walking paths, picnic areas as well as great spots for fishing from the banks and a boat launch for Otter Creek.

All that fresh air is going to make you tired and right now Sniqueaway has a great deal on stays at The Basin Harbor Club and Resort Vermont with rooms starting at $105 per night and large studio cottages starting at $165 per night.  The hotel is on of the Historic Hotels of America and part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, so what does that mean? Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has identified more than 234 hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic architecture and ambiance, so you get more of a feel for the history of an area.  Personally I really enjoy staying in hotels that are part of this program, it gives you a real sense of times gone by, but the properties are all well kept.  The Basin Harbor Club and Resort is also pet friendly!  Pet amenities include Vermont made biscuits, pick up mitts and a welcome letter from the BHC Mascots, Piccolo, Ava and Fannie. Piccollo and Ava host a dog walk weekly with their owner, Pennie Beach and dog walking/dog sitting services are available.  Other amenities include:

• Olympic-size swimming pool
• Serenity Spa at Basin Harbor
• 18-hole championship golf course
• 2 Har-Tru and 3 all-weather tennis courts
• The Treehouse Wellness Center
• Nature Center
• Basin Harbor airstrip
• Miles of hiking and biking trails
• Arts and crafts classes
• Cooking classes
• Complimentary paddleboat rentals
• Canoes, kayaks, outboards and powerboats
• Sailing and water-skiing lessons
• Croquet court
• Floating water trampoline
• Kids Camp and Baby Champs daycare (available after June 17)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Concierge

The Lodge can take care of your dining needs as well, with anything from a picnic lunch to a fine dining dinner, but should you want to venture out you can find some great food around town.  The Antidote Bar and Restaurant offers a menu of pub fare, including burgers, the Three Squares Cafe offers just what they say, 3 squares of Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner with a great menu including things like Green Eggs and Ham for breakfast, a grilled Chicken Cob Salad for lunch or dinner, a kids menu is available as well. 

If you are looking to get a little shopping in check out Linda's Apparel and Gifts located right on Main Street, she has cloths for women and children as well as jewelry and goodies for your bath.  There are antique stores, Simply Nice Things on Button Bay Road and Holly Hocks on Main Street that sells Fresh flowers, Lotions, Gifts, Pottery, Cards, Plants and more.  For a unique shopping experience located nearby, be sure to stop in at Kennedy Brothers Market Place a craft and antique center for local artisans and antique dealers and is a destination attraction for travelers to Vermont looking for pure Maple Syrup, Maple Sugar and Cheddar Cheese and some great fresh fudge.  You can also find some fancy foods and fine Kennedy Wood ware. While your there you can grab a bite at the Scoop Shop and the Deli.

Today's pick was based on the Sniqueaway sale and looked like a place my husband and I would really enjoy, what would you like to see featured next week?  I would love to check out a place you love or want to know more about. 

Have a great weekend!
C.Q.