I know of a place, which is really hidden and unknown and it is in Highgate Center, Vermont. The name of the restaurant is Joey's Junction. Chef Joe Russo is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and has taught at New England Culinary Institute. The establishment features
maple products made on Joey's farm in Belvidere, Vermont. All of the bread used for the sandwiches and burgers are baked on the premises. His "chubby" rolls are a meal in themselves. When you order a burger and fries when he brings them into the dining room the first sound you hear is a sigh...wow. His fries are hand cut to order and great. He is incorporating maple recipes in almost everything he makes. His maple walnut chocolate chip cookies, his double
chocolate maple almond cookies and his vast selection of maple pies are fantastic. Of course maple syrup and other products are made there and sold.

He also makes soft serve frozen custard which is great and a maple sundae made with his fresh maple syrup. His apple pie sundae made with the frozen custard is something to experience.

There is also an art gallery on the premises, and during the summer months he grows most of the produce used in the sandwiches right at the bakery/restaurant site.

Breakfast is available all day and Joey's breakfast special with pancakes, eggs, and maple bacon served with his own syrup is a wonderful treat.

-Elroy in Eden (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

Owls Head Farm - Blueberry Picking, picnic and music - Richmond, VT

This is the best way to spend an evening in Vermont in July or August. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they have live music, so you can pick your blueberries to the sound of some great tunes. Make sure you bring a picnic and blanket - you and your kids will love it. (oh, and I highly recommend it if you have guests in town).

Sunset Drive-in Theatre - Colchester, VT

A second generation family-owned and family oriented Drive-in, the Sunset is one of the oldest continuously-operated in New England. Season runs from May to September, featuring 4 screens showing 2 movies each (FM radio local vicinity broadcasting for the movies' soundtrack). Amenities include snack bar, playground and mini putt. Enjoy a family movie together under the stars.

"For anyone who remembers drive-ins from your childhood, you'll love coming here. The parking lots are mostly grass, so it's easy to get out of the car and find a place to sit or lie down to watch the movie.

Getting in and out is really easy, courteous drivers, lots of families, etc."

Best place for dinner with Kids! - The Red Mill in Vergennes (across the street from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum)

Maybe you are a member of Basin Harbor Club, maybe you aren't. But luckily you don’t have to be a member to eat here. On a warm summer night this spot is definitely worth making the trip for as it is a bit off the beaten path. If you are looking for dinner with a side order of playground and an airstrip to boot, this is your place! Did I mention the small prop planes taking off regularly throughout your meal?! I am not even sure my kids came inside for their dinner. Cool factor = 1000%! Yes, at the playground there are picnic tables so they could eat in between playing and watching all the excitement. And don't worry mom and dad, there are big windows in the dinning room. You can keep an eye on them while they are outside and actually relax and enjoy your meal for once!

-Dana (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

A common summer Saturday for me would include a climb up the look-out tower at Allis State Park, followed by fishing off the floating bridge in Brookfield and dinner at Ariel's restaurant. The food is excellent.

-Matt in Northfield (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

y family and I love The Great Vermont Corn Maze in North Danville. It's a lot of fun and it's different every year. When the explorers have completed the maze, there's an aerial photo and we have fun guessing, "Oh, that must be where we kept getting stuck!" There's also a small petting zoo and a "very Vermont" mini golf course. We pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery and have a wonderful day. I highly recommend it to everyone!

-Barb in White River Junction (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

East Burke Vermont provides my family and me with a fantastic Vermont vacation. We live and work in the Mount Snow and Stratton region of southern Vermont and eagerly escape to the Kingdom Trails and the excellent folks at East Burke Sports. When we’re on our own we ride all the trails and when with the family, there are numerous trails to provide for all levels of rider. This trail network is well-known in the country for the public/private collaboration, and for their fun! Gorgeous rivers and of course nearby Lake Willoughby provide swimming and fishing. Breathtaking farms and the surprise of a Children’s Theater will enhance your experience. There are often country events and sometimes big-name bands. The campground on Burke Mountain makes for a satisfying connection with nature, and the restaurants and inns allow for a more refined experience. Many Canadians have discovered this special spot just off 91, so you can also practice your French!

-Roxanne in Stratton (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

For nature-lovers and campers, be sure to visit Four Springs Farm in Royalton, Vermont. I don't mind sharing it, because it never seems to be full. Plenty of room for us all!

The farmer and owner, Ginny, is a no-nonsense but warm host who you can see working from sun-up till sun-down all over her gorgeous organic farm. Find a tent-site and just sit outside and gaze down the valley and listen to the birds. Ginny touts the place as "bug-free" but I think that's some kind of Vermontey joke - it's an organic farm. Expect bugs. But the insects seem to draw the birds - of which I've never seen more species in one place before. In fact this is where my husband and I came about 6 feet from a great horned owl - one of my favorite moments ever.

Oh - and the fireflies are magical.

-Grace (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

Down in Chester, VT there is a great summer spot called Mountain Man Marketplace it features 5-7 little shops including a soft serve ice cream stand, a great roadside stand with the best lobster rolls, "The Mountain Man" who handcrafts jewelry, and a lady that makes tie dye
shirts and other handmade clothing. Its a great place to bring the kids because they can run around and they always love the goldfish pond. Its a great summer spot in this neck of the woods.

-Meshach (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

I wanted to let you know about a great place to visit in Windsor, Vt. The Path of Life Garden is a local gem.

-Jane (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

The Green Mountain National Forest is the largest contigious green space in Vermont. We can offer Vermonters wonderful back-country staycations: 900 miles of hiking and back packing trails, swimming holes, camping, fantastic fishing, canoeing and kayaking on high mountain lakes and ponds, picnicking, and lots of wildlife to watch and photograph. Stop in at one of our ranger stations for day hike brochures and to find out what recreational opportunities are available on the GMNF. The ranger stations are in Rutland, Rochester, Middlebury and Manchester.

-anonymous email (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

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My nominee is the Country Cremee in Weathersfield, Vt. Located at the corner of Routes 106 and 131. Great Food and nice owners.

-Jerry in Spring Lake, Florida (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

Wanted to share a great place to visit. Heard someone mention the Fisk Quarry on Isle LaMotte. Well, there is also an affiliated Goodsell Ridge Preserve only a mile away with a Visitors Center showing an interesting video as well as many colored illustrations about the fossils. There are also trails throughout the 80 preserved acres where one can see and self-discover more fossils in/on the rocks.

But the big bonus is this. If you go to Isle La Motte ANY Sunday afternoon in July or August, and visit the Fisk Farm Art Barn just north of the Quarry, there is the most fabulous tea garden with wonderful teas and cakes etc, on beautiful lawns and gardens overlooking the lake, as well art exhibitions in the large ca.1850 horse and carriage barn and when the old bronze bell tolls, one of 3 afternoon sets of musical performances start .. and both the exhibition and the music are FREE! (2,3 & 4pm). The quality I saw last year was really excellent and so were the performers. I heard a truly fine Broadway singer last year and I see at their website, that she's coming again this July 12th. All their activities are posted under their Art Schedule at www.fiskfarm.com and truly, this place IS worth the visit - come rain or shine! One hour from Montreal and a bit less from Burlington, I'm told.

-John in Montreal (posted by VPR's Sarah Ashworth)

My Staycation Pick
Remember when you spent all day discovering the mud puddle in the back yard? Summer was just an endless string of berries, sunshine, and adventures. The fun began when you opened your back door, and it didn’t even cost you a dime.
And really, why should that be any different today? We often think that to get away from it all we must go far, but our backyard can be just as adventurous as ever. So let that screen door creak open, and get ready to explore the world a little closer to home.
This summer the Vermont Marble Museum in Proctor, Vermont offers free admission for everyone Saturdays, and Sundays through August; and if you are a Rutland County resident you can discover the museum any day of the week free of charge! Whether politics, history, geology, or just the milky white beauty of the marble that interests you, the museum has something for every age. With no costs to cover, the museum is a cheap way for your family to add fun to your summer.
What you can see at the Vermont Marble Museum:
Hall of Presidents, Geology room with interactive displays, Movie Theater, Resident Artist & sculpture Gallery (try your hand at sculpting marble), over 100 exhibits, then picnic at the scenic Sutherland Falls Quarry or on the quaint Green in Proctor.

Extra benefit!
Part of The Vermont Marble Trail, a driving tour along the geological marble corridor running the length of western Vermont. Tourists and residents alike will find a wealth of historical, artistic and cultural experiences as they visit towns and villages where marble was quarried, manufactured and utilized. For more information and a free download of the Trail Guide, visit Dimensions of Marble online.