Expert: David Beckett - 8/11/2008

Question
I am  flying into Burlington with my son and his friend this weekend to take my son to Norwich Univ. His friend is autistic, but not severely, so I want to take him to places since we have an extra day and a half, that he might enjoy. Can you recommend any place in Burlington or even in the area? How far is Maine coast from Barre, also? Thank you

Answer
I'd suggest The Church Street Marketplace, and (a 10 minute walk away) The E.C.H.O. Center/waterfront park area. You'd be hard pressed to be bored just spending a day or so on foot in and around downtown Burlington, I think.

Portland Maine is going to be a bit more than 3 hours from Barre. That might be more of a trip than you want to make in a short time... But it's a nice drive, entirely on secondary roads. You'd be going through The White Mountains in NH.

If I had a day and a half in VT, I'd consider a visit to The Shelburne Museum if I wanted something fun to do other than simply enjoying Burlington. It's unique, it's 20 minutes down the road, and it's kind of amazing. It's one of the prettiest places around, and it's the largest collection of "American Objects" this side of The Smithsonian in Washington. There's a paddlewheel steamer parked on dry land, a couple of dozen very old and unusual buildings, a world class collection of folk art, and probably the best small collection of impressionist paintings north of Boston.

Bon Voyage,
David Beckett