Have Some Family Fun
The Islands and neighboring communities are the perfect place to get outside and have fun together. This is just a sampling of the activities for families.
Hit the beach.
Islands beaches offer fun for kids and often breathtaking views for their parents. In addition, many of our local beaches are in parks that also include a playground, walking trails and picnic areas.
Islands beaches offer fun for kids and often breathtaking views for their parents. In addition, many of our local beaches are in parks that also include a playground, walking trails and picnic areas.
The Alburgh Dunes State Park.
Visit a nature area. The 6,700-acre Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 200 species of bird as well as other animals. It’s open from dawn to dusk for hikers, kayakers and nature lovers of all kinds. The Visitor Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the weekends seasonally.
There is also the Pelot’s Point Nature Area in North Hero, with a three-mile trail through varied habitat and the two-mile Roy Marsh Trail in South Hero.
There is also the Pelot’s Point Nature Area in North Hero, with a three-mile trail through varied habitat and the two-mile Roy Marsh Trail in South Hero.
Take a step back in time.
Visit the Goodsell Ridge and Fisk Quarry Preserves to see fossils of animals who lived in a very different world, nearly 480 million years ago.
Visit the Goodsell Ridge and Fisk Quarry Preserves to see fossils of animals who lived in a very different world, nearly 480 million years ago.
Spiral Shaped Cephalopods on exhibit.
Photo by Linda Fitch, Isle La Motte Preservation Trust.
Photo by Linda Fitch, Isle La Motte Preservation Trust.
Goodsell Ridge 83-acres preserve is covered with trails, including a self-guided tour. There is also a visitor’s center staffed seasonally with volunteers. Stop in, enjoy a lovely walk and view some of the oldest reef fossils in the world. To reach the preserve, follow directions for 69 Pine Street in Isle la Motte.
Fisk Quarry is a 20-acre preserve with a kiosk explaining the area’s geology and fossils visible in the old quarry walls. It can be accessed from 4039 West Shore Road in Isle La Motte.
Fisk Quarry is a 20-acre preserve with a kiosk explaining the area’s geology and fossils visible in the old quarry walls. It can be accessed from 4039 West Shore Road in Isle La Motte.
Pick some apples or berries.
Be sure to visit one of the many farms and orchards and bring home some of natures bounty. Harvest begins in late summer. Apples aren’t the only fruit available for picking on the Islands and in neighboring towns. Many farms offer pick your own berries, as well as pears and other tree fruits.
Be sure to visit one of the many farms and orchards and bring home some of natures bounty. Harvest begins in late summer. Apples aren’t the only fruit available for picking on the Islands and in neighboring towns. Many farms offer pick your own berries, as well as pears and other tree fruits.
Lacey Lazarski-Brock scales an apple tree.
Photo by ROB SWANSON.
Photo by ROB SWANSON.