[maja]

We are considering a one week vacation in Essex Junction this summer. Can anyone advise if there is enough to do in the immediate area or on day drive trips from this spot. We are a family of four with two daughters aged 6 and 9. We enjoy general sight seeing; museums, kids museums, parks, shopping, historical sights, etc. How long a drive is it to Boston? Montreal? Any other interesting little Canadian or American towns. Thanks for any feedback.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by maja

We are considering a one week vacation in Essex Junction this summer. Can anyone advise if there is enough to do in the immediate area or on day drive trips from this spot. We are a family of four with two daughters aged 6 and 9. We enjoy general sight seeing; museums, kids museums, parks, shopping, historical sights, etc. How long a drive is it to Boston? Montreal? Any other interesting little Canadian or American towns. Thanks for any feedback.

?????? WTF?

Copyright long since expired.

The Lay of the Lost Traveler
By the Honorable Edward J. Phelps

With saddened face and battered hat
And eye that told of black despair,
On wooden bench the traveler sat,
Cursing the fate that brought him there.
"Nine hours," he cried, "we've lingered here,
"With thought intent on distant homes,
"Waiting for the elusive train,
"Which, always coming, never comes;
"Till, weary, worn, distressed, forlorn,
"And paralyzed in every function,
"I hope in hell their souls may dwell
"Who first invented Essex Junction!"

"I've traveled east; I've traveled west
"Over mountains, valley, plain, and river;
"'Midst whirlwind's wrath and tempest's blast,
"Through railroad's crash and steamboat's shiver;
"And faith and courage faltered not,
"Nor strength gave way, nor hope was shaken,
"Until I reached this dismal spot:
"Of man accursed, of God forsaken!
"Where strange, new forms of misery
"Assail men's souls without compunction,
"And I hope in hell his soul may dwell
"Who first invented Essex Junction!"

"Here Boston waits for Ogdensburgh,
"And Ogdensburgh for Montreal,
"And late New York tarrieth,
"And Saratoga hindereth all!
"From far Atlantic's wave-swept bays,
"To Mississippi's turbid tide,
"All accidents, mishaps, delays,
"Are gathered here and multiplied;
"Oh, fellow men, avoid this stop
"As you would plague or Peter Fink shun!
"And I hope in hell his soul may dwell
"Who first invented Essex Junction!"

"And long and late conductors tell
"Of trains delayed or late or slow,
Till e'en the engine's bell
Takes up the cry, `No go! No go!'
"Oh, let me from this hole depart,
"By any route, so't be a lone one!"
He cried with madness in his heart,
And jumped aboard a train: the wrong one.
And as he vanished in the smoke
He shouted with redoubled unction,
"And I hope in hell his soul may dwell
"Who first invented Essex Junction!"

I'd as soon vacation at the site of the old Waterbury dump as in Essex Junction. (No offense to the citizens of that town, but as a bedroom community to Burlington, and the only claim to fame as the residence of an IBM plant, it ain't a vacation town.)

Shelburne? Yes. Burlington? Maybe. But Essex Junction??? Maybe for Chevy Chase and the Griswalds.

[flu189]

Can only assume that the OP either has scored a great deal for lodging to use as base to travel from or threw a dart at the map of Vermont. Nothing against Essex Jct or Essex, but the real attractions are located in adjoining areas. Check the Vermont tourism website for local and regional attractions. What appeals to some may not appeal to all, but for a familiy trip there are numerous options.

[Lilybeans]

I agree. Not much to see in Essex Junction. Burlington is close; so is Stowe.

[quickdraw]

I'm guessing you are staying at the Inn at Essex.

My wife stayed there when we moved here. It looks nice on the internet, but in reality it is very close to a drab shopping mall area. Nothing special at all. I'd go to another town. Without a doubt.

[woodguide]

Welcome to Vermont and enjoy your vacation! There are many, many things to do in Vermont while on vacation (if you are based in Essex Junction,) as long as you have transportation. You are not very far from:
1. Burlington downtown;- a great, safe, 4 block-long place to walk, shop, and explore. ECHO children's museum on the waterfront has hands-on exhibits, great for kids. Also, you can take boatride cruises on Lake Champlain and walk along the lakeshore. There are a large number of restaurants in all price ranges in the Burlington area. When you arrive, check the Burlington Free Press for a listing of what is going on in the area. There are activities and festivals happening all summer long in the area.
2. Shelburne;- Shelburne Museum is one of the best museums in the country for all ages and caters to families. There is so much to see there, your admission is good for two days. (With 150,000 artifacts on display, it can take that long to see everything!) Better (and cheaper) than going to a movie with a family, and well worth the visit. It is one fun place for children and adults to actually learn and experience all kinds of things not found elsewhere. Look up ShelburneMuseum.com on the internet for more information.
3. Stowe area;- Very pretty area to drive to. Great restaurants, but many are pricey as it is a resort area. There is an alpine slide at the mountain resort that is fun for young children to go on with an adult.
4. Waterbury (on the way to Stowe;-) Ben and Jerry's factory tour is fun (and fattening.) There are factory stores in the area on route 100 that sell Vermont cheese and chocolate. Cold Hollow Cider Mill is also good to visit.
5. On a rainy day you can usually find an indoor activity, such as going to ECHO or the University Mall in South Burlington. We also have many movie theaters in Burlington and the surrounding area.

[maja]

Originally Posted by woodguide

Welcome to Vermont and enjoy your vacation! There are many, many things to do in Vermont while on vacation (if you are based in Essex Junction,) as long as you have transportation. You are not very far from:
1. Burlington downtown;- a great, safe, 4 block-long place to walk, shop, and explore. ECHO children's museum on the waterfront has hands-on exhibits, great for kids. Also, you can take boatride cruises on Lake Champlain and walk along the lakeshore. There are a large number of restaurants in all price ranges in the Burlington area. When you arrive, check the Burlington Free Press for a listing of what is going on in the area. There are activities and festivals happening all summer long in the area.
2. Shelburne;- Shelburne Museum is one of the best museums in the country for all ages and caters to families. There is so much to see there, your admission is good for two days. (With 150,000 artifacts on display, it can take that long to see everything!) Better (and cheaper) than going to a movie with a family, and well worth the visit. It is one fun place for children and adults to actually learn and experience all kinds of things not found elsewhere. Look up ShelburneMuseum.com on the internet for more information.
3. Stowe area;- Very pretty area to drive to. Great restaurants, but many are pricey as it is a resort area. There is an alpine slide at the mountain resort that is fun for young children to go on with an adult.
4. Waterbury (on the way to Stowe;-) Ben and Jerry's factory tour is fun (and fattening.) There are factory stores in the area on route 100 that sell Vermont cheese and chocolate. Cold Hollow Cider Mill is also good to visit.
5. On a rainy day you can usually find an indoor activity, such as going to ECHO or the University Mall in South Burlington. We also have many movie theaters in Burlington and the surrounding area.

Thanks so much. This is what we are looking for (and yes, to the previous posters, we have, at times referred to ourselves as "the Griswalds" - still LOL. Am loving the Vermont sense of humor!!!) Anyhow, we are coming from California and trying to make use of the dreaded "timeshare availability" which is definitely a challenge for those of us who can't seem to plan a year or two in advance. Are all of the interesting places mentioned within an easy days drive from Essex Junction? How easy a drive is it to Canada or Boston? Again, thanks so much.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by maja

Thanks so much. This is what we are looking for (and yes, to the previous posters, we have, at times referred to ourselves as "the Griswalds" - still LOL. Am loving the Vermont sense of humor!!!) Anyhow, we are coming from California and trying to make use of the dreaded "timeshare availability" which is definitely a challenge for those of us who can't seem to plan a year or two in advance. Are all of the interesting places mentioned within an easy days drive from Essex Junction? How easy a drive is it to Canada or Boston? Again, thanks so much.

Burlington is what, 20 minutes? 15 minutes? Waterbury is about 20 minutes. Montreal is easily less than 2 hours. Boston is probably about 4 hours. The entire state is within an easy day's drive of Essex. The northeast is small.

[MassVt]

..not really much to see there, unless you want to take a tour of the local IBM plant.

I recommend, as others have, a tour of the UVM campus, downtown Burlington (aka Church Street), the Webb Museum on Route 7 in Shelburne, a trip to Mount Mansfield,the South Burlington mall, etc. Essex Junction is a nice, pleasant suburban community, but not a tourist destination.

BTW, Burlington is about 3.5-4 hrs from Boston (Interstates 89, 93), and Montreal is about an 1 1/2 to 2 hrs away. NYC , crossing over to I-87 on the NY state side, migh be possible in 5-6 hrs (I'd check filghts first for prices).