Brattleboro North KOA

Vermont Open Studio Weekend

2012 marks 20 years of Open Studio Weekend in Vermont and is a unique opportunity for people to meet a wide variety of artists and craftspeople in their studios, some of which are only open to the public during this event. As always, the two-day event is held over Memorial Day weekend, this year on May 26th and 27th. Visitors will be able to learn how art and craft is made at the studios of glass blowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, furniture makers, weavers, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, quilt makers and wood carvers. Many galleries will also host gallery talks and feature special exhibits in conjunction with Vermont Open Studio Weekend.

www.vermontcrafts.com

Strolling Of the Heifers Parade and Festival

Brattleboro June 1-3, 2012

Stroll Weekend is filled with fun and education for the whole family, built around the world-famous agriculturally-themed Strolling of the Heifers Parade — Saturday, June 2 at 10 a.m. sharp on Brattleboro’s historic Main Street.

Watch scores of lovable heifer calves led by future farmers, followed by many other farm animals, bands, tractors, floats, clowns and much more. When it’s over, follow the crowd to our all-day 11-acre Live Green Expo for food, music, dance, demonstrations, exhibits and fun, all related to our mission of sustaining family farms by connecting people with healthy local food.

www.strollingoftheheifers.com

13th Roots on the River Music Festival

June 7-10 Eclectic American Music at its best over 4 days in 5 venues.
Headliner is the Fred J. Eaglesmith Band
http://www.vermontfestivalsllc.com/ROTR_Schedule.htm

The Renegade Playground Challenge

The Renegade Playground Challenge heads to beautiful Stratton Mountain, VT on June 9, 2012. The Challenge is a 5k-ish run that takes place on an off-road course over rough and rugged terrain. This isn’t your ordinary 5k run down quiet, tree-lined streets. This one is actually fun, and involves things like obstacles, mud holes, water, trails, walls to climb, beer, mud, and music. Yes, we meant to say ‘mud’ twice! The world is your playground, baby!

Bromley Adventure Parks

Mountain Adventure Park encompasses all you've always loved about Vermont's Summer Adventure!  The Alpine Slides, Trampoline Things, Climbing Wall, Mini Golf, Space Bikes, Giant Swing, Big Splash Waterslide, Twin Spin, Scenic chair lift rides and Kidzone fun park for the little guys are great for a whole day of fun on their own!
If that's not enough, our NEW Aerial Adventure Park is scheduled to open in July!  Climb, glide & slide through the canopy on 5 different courses of ropes, ziplines & bridges.  Explore Bromley from a whole new angle! 
Sun Mountain Flyer is a 50 mph, half mile long thrill!  We've got 4 tracks of straight up awesome flight to satisfy your craving for adventure!

Visit www.bromley.com/attractions for more information and e-coupons.

White Water Rafting and Funyaks

Crab Apple Whitewater is pleased to bring you five different white water rafting adventures. River rafting trips range from mild to WILD, full or half-day in rafts and inflatable kayaks. From beginners to more experienced rafters, they  will enjoy taking your family down these beautiful rivers. Their beautiful base camp is located on the banks of the Deerfield River along the Mohawk Trail in Charlemont which is 45 minutes from the campground.
www.crapapplewhitewater.com

Kringle Candle Company

The original Kringle Candle retail store opened in October 2010; the destination shopping experience now includes Kringle Christmas Barn, the Farm Table restaurant and the Chocolate Cottage. Michael Kittredge II, the 59-year-old father of the family, and his 21-year-old son Michael Kittredge III are collaborators in the new company. The father is formerly of Yankee Candle, which he founded, turned into a booming business, and later sold.
The complex is in Bernardston MA, just one exit off of I91 into Massachusetts from Vermont. www.kringlecandle.com

Kringle Cars and Coffee

This entertaining monthly event is returning to Kringle Candle once again for 2012 on the second Sunday of each month, rain or shine. Hours are 8am to 11am. Coffee and catering will be provided onsite by The Farm Table, Kringle's incredible new restaurant.

Retreat Petting Farm

How would you like to hold a newly hatched chick? Feed a one ton oxen? Groom a miniature horse? Play with baby goats and lambs? Feed the piglets? Visit with the farmer? Drive toy trucks? Play in the old silo? And receive a kiss from a majestic llama! You can do that and much more at the Farm.

Open Memorial - Columbus Day
Wednesdays - Saturdays 10 a.m. - 4 pm
Sundays 12 - 4 p.m.
Also open Mondays over Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends from 12-4 p.m.

Next to Grafton Village Cheese Co. and Retreat Trails

Grafton Cheese Company - Brattleboro

Our Brattleboro Specialty Cheese & Wine Shoppe is located close to Route 91, across from the river and next to the Retreat Petting Farm. A visit to our Brattleboro store includes an opportunity to watch our cheddar being made via our viewing area.

"The store is pretty big inside and has a variety of cheeses that they make on site and they have samples available of all of them. So no need to wonder if you will like it or not or if paying extra for the 2 year aged over the 1 year aged is worth it or not. They also stock a wide range of cheeses from other local Vermont companies and farms. I picked up some fresh goat cheese as well that was awesome.

In addition to cheese they had Vermont wines (which I never realized existed) and selections from every brewery in Vermont I have ever heard of. They also had lots of other food products and trinkets made in the area."

Saxtons River Distillery

Production and Bottling of Sapling Vermont Maple Liqueur, 2011 Gold Medal Winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  Distillery, tasting room and store is close to Grafton Cheese Co. and Retreat Trails/Farm
www.saplingliqueur.com

Brattleboro Area Farmers' Market

The Brattleboro Area Farmers' Market is Southern Vermont's premier farmers' market featuring over 50 vendors with agricultural products, crafts, live music and animals and ethnic foods from around the world. Whether you are local or a tourist, you can stop by to get your weekly produce and grab a quick lunch, or come with your family and stay for the day!  Opens May 5th.

Basketville and Putney Mountain Winery

Basketville is a vast old barn in Putney full of handcrafted items for the home. We specialize in the Vermont lifestyle – and in baskets from around the world. We’re also the home of Putney Mountain Winery – wine tasters welcome! We hope you’ll make our landmark store part of your next Vermont vacation. Open 7 days/week. www.basketville.com

Vermont Country Store, Rockingham, Vermont

"The Purveyors of the Practical and Hard to Find" This second Vermont Country Store in Rockingham dates from 1967. Conveniently located just off Interstate 91, Exit 6, it too contains intriguing merchandise, antiques and curiosities. Explore the grist mill, water wheel, and covered bridge, and then walk nature trails that wind through 81 acres. See www.vermontcountrystore.com for hours.

Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts, Chester Vermont

Grand Opening May 5th, 2012. 
VTica is a Gallery-Museum-School dedicated to supporting the innovative contemporary artist, creating an inviting space to engage the community through diverse thought-provoking art works and events. 
The Gallery provides artists the opportunity to exhibit their finest works to collectors and art enthusiasts in a newly modernized facility located in Chester, the heart of South Central Vermont.
The Museum holds and celebrates a growing permanent collection of work that speaks to the creative impulse in us all.
The School offers art instruction to youths and adults, as well as residential studios for artists who are looking to participate in small group retreats.

Gallery at the VAULT, A Vermont State Craft Center, Springfield

The Gallery is housed in a restored 1908 bank and showcases the work of 125 artisans from Vermont and the region.
"We serve the community as an educational resource with our schedule of workshops and lectures. We serve our artist community by providing a venue for their work.  Both the gallery and the gift shop carry only original, juried, handcrafted local and regional artwork."

Old Deerfield Village

Situated on a 330-year-old, mile long street, Historic Deerfield preserves and interprets the architecture, artifacts and lifestyle of a prosperous early New England town. Historic Deerfield is a family friendly museum with many offerings for "kids" from 8 to 80. The Children's History Workshop provides a variety of learning experiences, as well as a space where children and grown-ups can relax. See www.historic-deerfield.org for schedule.

Yankee Candle Company and Bavarian Christmas Village

South Deerfield, MA is the birth place and flagship store for this famous candle company. There you will find an unbelievable mix of history, shopping, entertainment and dining. A visit here combined with Historic Deerfield is a full day of fun! See www.yankeecandle.com for hours and events.

Magic Wings

Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens Monarchs Restaurant www.MagicWings.com The newly expanded 8,000-square foot conservatory houses nearly 4,000 native and tropical butterflies year round. It is also home to many plants and a pond with a small waterfall and brilliantly colored Japanese carp, called koi. Visitors are delighted with the many different varieties of butterflies swooping gracefully amidst the plants and flowers.

Fort #4, Charlestown New Hamphire

The Frontier of the 1730's Flowing 410 miles from the north all the way to the Long Island Sound, Connecticut means “Long River” in native Algonquian. Along with the Indians, colonists utilized it as a major route for trade. European powers also used it for the movement of troops during the French and Indian War era. Land grant No. 4 was located where the Black River comes in to the Connecticut, about 60 miles north of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Squarely in the path traveled by Indian hunters, the Massachusetts Land Grant No. 4 was positioned at a crossroads of rivers and overland routes; a strategic location that would give the settlement a key role in the events from its establishment through the American Revolution. Experience a day in the life of an 18th century settler at The Fort at No.4 Living History Museum. See www.fortat4.com for schedule including encampments.

American Precision Museum, Windsor VT

This museum celebrates the invention of industrial design and production. It is housed in a large brick armory built in 1846 for the manufacture of guns and machinery using the "American System" of precision mass production. 2011 Exhibits include "From Muskets to Motorcars" www.americanprecision.org Combine this with Fort #4 for a complete day of history and adventure.

Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, Manchester VT

His father was born in a log cabin and called from the humblest rank in life to preside over our nation during the most momentous period of its history. One generation later, Robert Todd Lincoln, the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood, became Chairman of the Pullman Company, the largest manufacturing corporation at the turn of the 20th century. He built his Georgian Revival mansion in 1905 in the scenic village of Manchester. It became home to only Lincoln descendants until 1975, longer than any other Lincoln residence. It is the Great American Story. The estate includes the mansion, farm, trails, and gardens. Tours daily.

Outdoor Activities

Choose from hiking, river tubing, swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. We even have directions to 'off the beaten path' spots for exploration. Vermont-style workouts are available for all fitness levels. For more information on hiking in the area click here.

Spofford Lake

Spofford NH The lake offers two public beaches: North Shore and South Shore. The North Shore beach offers lifeguards during part of the summer and is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily - there is no admission. The sandy beach offers both sun and shade and is rarely crowded. There are bathrooms, grills and picnic tables. If you prefer the south shore, and more amenities, choose Wares Grove Beach. The large sandy beach is great for toddler and teens with shallow water for a long way out. You'll find a concession stand, volleyball court, basketball, tetherball and a swing set. Wares Grove is open from 9 am to 9 pm, with lifeguards on duty until 6 pm. There is a small admission fee. In addition to swimming, Spofford Lake is a favorite destination for boaters, with one boat launch and a yacht club. It also boasts an island to visit with no houses, only a rope swing.

5, 40, 60, 70 YEARS YOUNG

2012 is the 50th Anniversary of KOA. 2012 is also a multi-anniversary year for family operations on this property that have been welcoming travelers to southern Vermont. Join us this season as we celebrate these milestones with special events and savings!

• 2007 Kenney Family Ownership Begins
  
• 1972 Brattleboro North KOA Campground Opens
  
• 1952 Coolidge Highway Motor Court Cabins Completed
  
• 1942 Coolidge Highway Gift Shop Opens
  

First Annual Melinda Bussino Memorial Motorcycle Run May 19

Honor our local hero by riding and raising funds for the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center.
Special rate for riders is stay Friday night and get Saturday free - all sites and cabins.
Please call 800 562 5909 to make a reservation and for more information.

Vintage Camper and Tiny House Rally featuring the COMET Camper Project July 20-22

Calling all vintage campers/converted vans/gypsy caravans/custom buses/unique mobile dwellings for a great weekend, including a rate of 50% off the second day. Enthusiasts are also welcome!
Our special guest is Mariah Coz and her mobile classroom, the COMET Camper Project. "The COMET (Cost-effective, Off-grid Mobile Eco Trailer) is an exercise in sustainability and small space living. It is an educational tool for children and adults alike. It is a DIY guide for others wanting to pare down and have little to no negative impact on the environment, other humans, and themselves. She is a preservation of incredible design of the past meshed with the essential design of the future." Mariah is a featured speaker at this year's Tumbleweed Tiny House Design/Build workshop in Boston.

Win with Us All Season Long!

Upon registration, a member of your party can take a free chance at our Plinko board. Prizes will include free fire wood, store discounts, and free nights of camping. It is our way of saying thank-you for being part of our anniversary celebration!

Vintage/Retro Campers or Cars - Events and Special Rates

Part of our anniversary celebration are events and special rates for Vintage and Retro Campers and Cars. We are talking about all restored vans, tag-alongs, motor homes, and automobiles made prior to 1980 and new retro models. Any time during the season, except for holidays, book one night and get the next night at 50% off! Check out our Hot Deals page for details.
Keep checking back for special events!