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Vermont's Upper Connecticut River Valley
Brattleboro,
Bellows
Falls, Springfield,
Ascutney, Windsor,
White River Jct., Norwich, Fairlee,
Bradford, Thetford & Wells River
 The
Area: This area borders the Connecticut River, Interstate
91,
and the State of New Hampshire. It has something for everyone, from skiers
to kayakers and history buffs. Bellows Falls
is much like it has always been, like a train set under a Christmas Tree.
Springfield is now The Home Of The Simpsons; Ascutney, is
best known for the Ascutney Mountain Ski Area. Windsor is "The Birthplace of Vermont"
White River Junction is the crossroads between North, South, East & West; and
Fairlee, is the home of Lake Morey.
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Bellows
Falls & Rockingham Area
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Bellows Falls:
This is a unique area of Vermont. Although it has numerous
things of interest to the visitor, it is also very much "Hometown
Vermont" and caters equally to visitor and resident alike. This is not a place
 of condos and
contemporary architecture, this is very much Vermont as it has always
been. The area provides the visitor with the best of both
worlds...a taste of real Vermont, and some very interesting
attractions. And, it's all located within five or ten minutes of Exit
6 on Interstate 91. Click On Photos For Larger Images
Bellows Falls, the hub in that it has numerous
Shops, Lodging and Dining establishments. Nearby
Rockingham is the
municipality, although it has no downtown, it is the home of The Vermont Country
Store [Original Store In Weston] and is a very short distance from
I-91 Exit 6, heading toward
Ludlow.
 If
you were ever fortunate enough to have an electric train set when you
were a child, the town you had laid out for it was Bellows Falls. If
you liked that town, you'll love Bellows Falls, it has all of the
charm, ingredients, and then some! It's set neatly beside the
Connecticut River, with train tracks following its bank. Several
bridges cross the river to New Hampshire within the equivilant of a
few city blocks. The clock tower of the town hall in the village
square stands out against the mountain backdrop. The remains of one of
America's first canals is still there. With few exceptions you can pretty much take in the whole
picture as you approach Bellows Falls on Route 5.
 There's
lots to do here! Check out the centuries old Indian carvings down by
the river. When the salmon are heading upstream you'll want to check
out the fish ladder. And, you'll certainly want to take a ride on
Vermont's famed Green Mountain Flyer, which leaves from the railroad
station operated by the Green Mountain Railroad! The Miss Bellows
Falls Diner is also a not-to-be-missed stop...you won't find another
like it anywhere!
There's much more to see,
but perhaps the greatest
attraction of all is Bellows Falls itself. Walk the Village Square,
comprised of nineteenth century brick buildings. Maybe even take in a
$4 movie at the Bellows Falls Opera House... the town-owned movie theatre
which is nothing short of a treat compared to other present-day cinemas.
Saxtons River:
Saxtons River is
another village where time seems to have stopped earlier in this
century. However, even though a small town, it is the home of the
Vermont Academy (founded in 1876 and a prep school since 1932). Located just minutes of I-91, Saxtons River is a pleasant place to
stay for those visiting the Connecticut River Valley or who are
seeking a place off the beaten path.
Rockingham: You'll know you
are definitely in Rockingham when you see the
Rockingham location of The Vermont Country
Store. Although there's no village in here, The Old Rockingham Meeting House is
also a place of
interest in that it is the oldest unchanged public building in the
State of Vermont. It can  be found just off of Route 103, a short
distance from I-91 as you are heading toward Chester.
Bartonsville, Cambridgeport, North Westminster, Westminster,
Westminster Station, Westminster West & Athens (Pop. 313): These
towns would be better described as areas.
Cambridgeport has a general store on Route 121, but that's about it.
Bartonsville can be found just off of Route 103, between I-91 and
Chester. And, unless you have a
relative living in Athens there's no reason to visit. There's nothing
here for the visitor...no shops, no lodging, no dining, no nothing.
However, it is in pretty country so when you're in the area check it
out. If you're heading to Grafton on Route 121 you hang a left on
Route 35 immediately after passing Cambridgeport. Turn
back if it starts to snow, even if it's July!
Springfield & Weathersfield
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Springfield - Hometown of The
Simpsons! Although not primarily thought
of as a visitor destination, Springfield is a major stop for those traveling
I-91, or seeking a "Home Base" for visiting Vermont's Upper
River Valley. It's one of Vermont's largest towns, containing all of the
basics, plus a variety of Lodging & Dining facilities.. from
Fine Dining to Fast-Food.
Springfield has some interesting sites, and a truly
fascinating history. It's also a great spot for putting your
kayak, canoe or boat in the water and cruising the Connecticut River.
Great View! Great Fishing! And plenty of parking space at the boat
launching site immediately off of I-91
 Downtown Springfield is wedged between steep hills
leading away to its residential and farming areas, and is
located beside the Black River, a tributary of the Connecticut
River. Residents are proud of the series of waterfalls through
which the river drops 110 feet over an eighth mile span in the
center of downtown. The falls still provide electric power The best and closest view of the falls is from the Park
Street bridge, a few feet off Main Street.
In earlier days, the source of hydroelectric
power brought industry to Springfield. And Springfield was no
lightweight in this regard. In fact, Springfield was a major producer
of war materials in WW2, and was listed on Nazi target maps as
a priority bombing site.
On a lighter note,
in 2007, Springfield Vermont hosted the world premiere of the "Simpsons
Movie." The town beat out 14 other cities and towns named Springfield
across the country with its Hometown
of The Simpsons Winning Video.
Main Street [Downtown] is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Check out
The Miller Art Center, housing a
permanent exhibit of antique toys  manufactured in Springfield in
the late 19th century. And, make
certain to stop by the Eureka Schoolhouse, the oldest existing
schoolhouse in Vermont. It's on the way into town when
coming from I-91. The Hartness House Inn is also of interest
in that it was built in 1904 as
a private home by former Governor James Hartness, and includes an
observatory and telescope built in 1910. James Hartness was also
a well-known inventor, one of Vermont's earliest pilots, and
responsible for building the State's first airport...now,
Hartness State Airport.
Springfield is also the site of the annual
Stellafane
Convention, and event which draws thousands of amateur telescope
makers each summer. This isn't a convention hall type gathering,
this is star gazing in the great outdoors!
And although it's in that other state just across the river,
you may want to visit Fort
No.4. It's three minutes the other
side of the Cheshire Bridge. Built during the French &
Indian War, it consists of over 50 buildings and is New
England's only living history museum of this time period.
Maybe Springfield is more of a place to visit than you
thought?
Ascutney
Area of Vermont
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Ascutney, Brownsville, Hartford, Perkinsville, Reading,
Weathersfield, Wilder:
These are all very small towns, even by Vermont
standards. Some don't even have a general store. However, some do
have a very nice Inn or two. Check out the Lodging
Page covering this area. Interactive
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Ascutney Mountain
Resort & Ascutney State
Park are the two most popular destinations here.. Ascutney Mountain is Vermont's
most accessible ski resort. It is conveniently located only 6 miles off
I-91, in Brownsville, and is a summer destination as well. The State Park,
close by!
Windsor Vermont
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Windsor - The Birthplace of Vermont: Vermont
was founded in 1761 and, in 1777, the Constitution giving birth to the
Republic of Vermont was written here. 
The tavern where this historic event
took place is preserved here as the Old
Constitution House.
In 1791 Vermont became the Fourteenth State, thereby becoming the first
state to enter the union after the original thirteen colonies. If
history is of interest to you Windsor is definitely a place worth visiting. Or, if
you would just like to drive across the longest wooden covered bridge in
the United States and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world...
This is where it's at! It is the Cornish-Windsor Bridge connecting
Windsor, Vermont with Cornish, New Hampshire. There
are also a few interesting shops here, a few B&B's, and
eateries. Check
out our Photo Gallery covering this area for a look-see at what Windsor it
all about.
White River Junction Area of Vermont
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White River Junction:
It's always been a crossroad,
and still is. This is where the Connecticut and White rivers meet. So, way
back when, visitors came by steamboat, and before them, by anything that
would float. Next came the railroad. In the 1840's, it became a busy place
with steam driven locomotives  hauling freight and passengers. This all
peaked in the 1870's. However, in time, as we all know, railroads
unfortunately went out of style. And so did White River Junction. TODAY..
They're Back! Visitors have rediscovered "The
Junction".. And, nearby business professionals are moving in... which
all makes for an interesting place. Dartmouth College and the nationally renowned
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center are just a few short minutes away. And
now, the intersection of I-91 and I-89 are the crossroads... Also, single-digit minutes away. And,
Lebanon
Airport is a 10 minute drive! Here
in White River Junction, you'll not only find the legendary Hotel
Coolidge, you'll also find today's modern-day lodging establishments...
Including, a Holiday  Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, and a Super 8
Motel. This abundance of places to stay within a stones throw of the
Interstates, make White River Junction a jumping off place for those
traveling between Massachusetts and Canada. Likewise, being within a
few short miles of Quechee
Gorge and Woodstock, make this a "home base" for visitors to
Vermont. If you're looking for lodging during Parent's
Weekend or during graduation time at Dartmouth College,
GOOD LUCK! Book "yesterday". What's to do?
Here's a few ideas... Take a ride on the railroad [The
White River Flyer]. A night at the Northern
Stage Theater should definitely be on your list. The nearby Montshire
Museum of Science is a great place to take the kids! And, there's
Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Float Trips out of White River
Junction. Take note that Amtrak's
Vermonter stops here daily as it travels between Washington DC
and St. Albans, Vermont. White River Junction is also a hub for Vermont
Transit Long Distance Bus Lines, which link the major cities of New
England with Boston, Montreal and New York City. Eateries? How about funky sun-lit café by day,
and full-service candle-lit bistro by night? Yup, it's right
here on Main Street, WRJ. In
short, there's "tons" to do in the area. Make sure that
WRJ is on your travel itinerary! Interactive
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Norwich Area
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Norwich: This small town is home to the Montshire
Museum of Science, a must-visit, and King
Arthur Flour, another well-worth the visit attraction!
An attractive town, Norwich is located just across the Connecticut River
from the Hopkins
Center for Performing Arts, the Hood
Museum, and Dartmouth College.. thereby making it a very popular place
for Lodging & Dining. Make certain to place it on your travel itinerary!
Fairlee & Lake Morey
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Fairlee [Home of Lake Morey]: How long has it been since you've been
to a Drive-In Movie, if ever? They came into vogue right after WW2.
However, almost 85% of them no longer exist. Well, you can step back into
the 1950's here at the  Fairlee
Drive-In.
It's located on Route 5 North, in Fairlee. A great place to take the
kids!
Lake Morey is, of course, the centerpiece of the
area. During the warmer months it's kayaking, canoeing, and pontoon boats
cruising the lake, swimming and fishing. You can rent almost anything that
floats nearby. Golf at the beautiful 18 Hole Lake
Morey Country Club, open to the public.
In the winter, Lake Morey is famous for Nordic Skating
[Scandinavian-Style Cross Country
Ice Skating]. You use entirely different equipment than for normal figure
skating or for ice hockey... Check
It Out! Also check out the Annual
Lake Morey Skate-athon. Of course, the lake also the scene of
snowmobiling and ice fishing. DO NOT venture on to the lake during the
winter months unless the proper authorities has designated the lake
SAFE!
Bradford, Thetford &
Wells River
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Bradford, Thetford & Wells River: These are very small
communities, but with a wealth of history... a long history of log drives
and railroading. And, nobody covers this history more accurately, and more
interestingly, than the
Connecticut River Scenic Byway Council. Whether you are a history buff or
not, we urge you to visit this site. You'll be glad you did!
And yes, there is Lodging in the area.. and plenty of whitewater!
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