Glass Blowing Exhibit and the Belfry Inne & Bistro in Cape Cod

In the Glass Blowing exhibit a guest was selected randomly to try glass blowing for himself!

Feel the heat as you watch molten glass being turned and twisted into exquisite forms at the Sandwich Glass Museum. Here you will find many exhibits and activities that could easily fill up an entire vacation for you and your loved ones of any age. Currently, Edward and James Poore explain their journey through the glass realm and display their expertise in the contemporary exhibit called “Two Generations of Glass Engravers, Cutters and Sculptors”. Learn about dining in the Victorian Era as Hannah “Rebecca” Burgess flourishes the glass made finger bowls, celery vases, epergnes, butter dishes, knife holders, and even individual salt shakers. Get some fresh air on a walking tour highlighting the historic town’s American architecture and the people of the village and their past. Be sure not to miss the Annual Cape Cod Glass Show and Sale featuring 45 nationally prominent glass dealers offering antique and collectible American & European glassware dating back to the 18th century.

For rates, directions, and any other information click here.

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Thanksgiving in Vermont

Thanksgiving at Billings Farm & Museum
Woodstock, VT

Come celebrate Thanksgiving and Billings Farm & Museum’s 25th Anniversary. Grab everybody in the family for a Wagon Ride pulled by the Percheron teams through the farm. It’s running every Saturday and Sunday in November from 10am-4pm. In the last week of November you can learn about the Thanksgiving traditions in the Victorian Parlor during the holiday weekend. Just to top off the spirit, feast to a wonderful 19th century Thanksgiving meal prepared by costumed guides.

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A Boston Walking and Historic Tour

THE BOSTON HISTORIC FREEDOM TRAIL

Discover 16 nationally historic sites in 2.5 miles

Start at any point you choose and experience the American history firsthand. Many tours run daily with the most popular being Walk Into History. This tour takes you on the famous red line while a 18th Century Costumed Guide tells the tales of courageous Bostonians and Colonialists. Learn how their intrepidity against Britain helped create the democracy we know today. Some of these 18th Century Costumed Guides are Ebenezer Hancock, James Otis, Thomas Savage, Mercy Otis Warren, and plenty more. All tours run 90 minutes and are suited for anybody interested. On your tour these are some places you will encounter:
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7 Attractions to Visit in Vermont

1. Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

There is no way a true New Englander can visit Vermont without exploring the place that makes cold and delicious joy in a cup or cone. That’s right… Ben & Jerry’s. Now you can witness first hand where all the magic happens on the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour. Start with a “moovie” about the success of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, watch the live action of the ice cream making process, and lastly try ice cream and check out cool stuff at the gift shop. Tours start and end every half hour and reservations are recommended for parties of 10 or more. This summer Ben & Jerry’s Factory hosted a free outdoor movie festival every saturday night. As the nights are getting colder, the last showing will be August 23rd with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Ben & Jerry’s Factory – 1281 Waterbury/Stowe Road (Route 100) – Waterbury, VT – (802) 882-1240

2. Vermont Teddy Bear Company

Hop on a 30 minute Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tour and see firsthand how those fuzzy and cute little bears are made. Throughout the year, between their location in Newport and this Shelburne Factory they will make 430,000 bears. On the tour, you’ll understand how they do it and learn their tricks and tips. The Hungry Bear Cafe serves up breakfast, lunch, and snacks and in the summer days ice cream is there to cool you off. Check out the store at the factory or online and get some great ideas for birthday and christmas presents. You can customize any bear to whatever your recipient likes and stitch their name in the bear too! All bears are sent as a Bear-Gram which comes with gourmet caramels, a friendly colorful note written by you, and a fun box with air holes to ensure the bear gets nice fresh air.

Factory – 6655 Shelburne Rd – St. George, VT – (802) 985-3001

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The Largest Contemporary Art Museum of the Country – MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts

In 1999, the 13-acre campus in North Adams, Massachusetts renovated into today’s largest contemporary art museum in the country. MASS MoCA has succeeded to adduce the most recent, empowering, and inspiring material. Beside their such competent art, at least 75 outstanding performances are enacted per year. Shows could be popular music, contemporary dance, alternative cabaret, outdoor silent films with live music, documentaries, world music dance parties or avant-garde theater. MASS MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, and the Williams College Museum of Art combined to provide a place for children to study and create art. Named Kidspace, kids also have the opportunity to experience world-class music, theater, and dance. Eight major sections of the campus bring something so diverse from the other and in November of 2008 MASS MoCA will present the ninth segment.

Over the summer you can watch over a dozen artists and drafts people collaborating on the art works for Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective. LeWitt, considered the founder of Minimal and Conceptual Movements, died shortly after he created the plans for this new addition to MASS MoCA. In dedication to him, twenty four LeWitt trained professionals and their associates will contribute to the 30,000 square foot production. Their own works outside of the LeWitt project will be showcased in an offsite exhibition called Primary Secondary: Volume 1 and 2 until August 29, 2008. 

Tickets for MASS MoCA run at a great price and allow you to experience 110,000 square feet are purely popular and famed contemporary art. Check out some of the inns and bed & breakfasts in and around North Adams, Massachusetts and book your calendars.

Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective- Opening Nov. 16, 2008

Scenic Walk in Newport, Rhode Island: The Cliff Walk

A simple trail charted by local deer more than 200 years ago transformed into today’s lure of Newport, RI. That trail, now called The Cliff Walk, borders part of the spirited town of Rhode Island presenting such aged and wealthy homes of the 1800’s. New Yorkers of that time urbanized the shore of the Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean in their vastly prosperous mansions. In spite of the rich owners’ competitiveness, they shared one unanimous strive for summer retreat. Walk the three and half miles of extravagance and you will feel the peace and tranquility those men reached for.

A featured and luxurious accommodation of Newport, RI located walking distance from the shore is The Cliffside Inn. The residence, once owned by a well-known artist, Beatrice Turner, now imparts a splendidly calming stay to the New England travelers. The authentic fireplace, synthetic bedding, “Legendary style” room service, and endless points of charm craft a terrifically soothing quarter for visiting guests. With an art museum, fine cuisine, and complete wine bar personally served who would ever want to leave? Select your room and book the date online for a spectacularly serene getaway from your busy world.

Deerfield, Massachusetts

Often times, Deerfield, Massachusetts is referred to as New England’s gem. Deerfield is home to thirteen beautifully restored, historic homes built in the 18th century, as well as the Flynt Center of Early New England Life Museum and two memorial libraries.

The Flynt Center of Early New England Life is a great place to visit if you are interested in learning about 18th and 19th century New England, with its constantly rotating exhibitions and knowledgeable staff. Currently, the Flynt Center is showing the following exhibits:

“Clothes Make the Man: The Colonial Gentleman in New England.”
“Engraved Powder Horns from the French and Indian War and the American Revolution: The William H. Gutham Collection.”
“Celebrating the Fiber Arts: The Helen Geier Flynt Textile Gallery.”

Just this past weekend, the Flynt Center opened a new exhibit – “Into the Woods: Crafting Early American Furniture,” where visitors can learn about antique furniture.

Deerfield is also home to the jointly administered Henry N. Flynt Memorial Library and the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association Library with volumes totaling 41,000 combined. These volumes include not only books, periodicals and microforms, but also local account books, diaries and letters.

To top off a visit to Deerfield, be sure to relax at the Deerfield Inn. The Inn offers 23 guest rooms and an award winning dining room that serves both lunch and dinner.

Celebrate the Warm Weather at the Manor on Golden Pond

Warm weather means being able to relax outdoors – and where better to take a stroll through the woods than beautiful New Hampshire. Holderness, NH, located in Grafton County, is home to the pristine Squam Lake and Rattlesnake Mountains. The area’s serene scenery was discovered in the 19th century by visitors to the area, and continues to bring guests each year.

The Rattlesnake Mountains are home to 173 acres of protected, public property with a network of trails waiting for your footprints. If you are adventurous, you can even climb Mount Webster, the highest point in Holderness, reaching an elevation of 2,076 feet.

After your tranquil hike, visit the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center to learn more about the wildlife in New Hampshire. Open for over forty years, the Science Center offers live animal exhibits, education programs and even lake cruises. Visit http://www.nhnature.org/for more information. To complete your stay in Holderness, enjoy a relaxing getaway at the Manor on Golden Pond where elegant surroundings, kind hospitality, and fine dining await.