Bottom’s Up: Beverage Tour

Shop and learn about some of your favorite adult beverages. This tour is ideally done on Sunday to enjoy the music at Silo, but do the tour any day and omit the music and if it’s winter the walk down the gorge.

Arrive at Harpoon around 12 pm

Harpoon offers tours throughout the year: Friday 5 – 7 pm,
Saturday 11 am – 5 pm, and Sunday 12 – 4 pm.  They last about 1/2 hr. and cost $5.  Enjoy a lunch at their restaurant on site after your tour.

Music and Marys around 1-1:30 (Sundays)

Come enjoy music and bloody marys from 1-3 pm on Sundays.  Not into bloody marys?  That’s okay, I recommend the chocolate vodka!  You can read more about Silo here. (Ps. There’s more seating than just this couch…)

Taste of Vermont after, around 3 pm

Looking for more? Travel north and check out Vermont Spirits in Quechee.  They pride themselves in making a product that reflects Vermont, gathering ingredients locally like maple syrup for their vodka, juniper berries for their gin, corn for their whiskey, and apples for their apple brandy.

They are open from 10 am – 5 pm daily for you to see their production room and enjoy some free samples in their tasting room.   Enjoy the modern rustic decor that just makes you want to relax.  Talk to the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will delight you with fun facts and the distilling process.  I especially liked the pirate facts; ask manager Mike Copp, who filled me in all the details and really made me experience shine.

Enjoy Shopping after, around 3:30-4 pm

Enjoy local products at the Quechee Gorge Village, which has at least six different stores to browse through with different local products.

Try on clothes made of alpaca fur, fall in love with the unique gifts like hand painted ornaments at Artifactory. Sample local food at the Cabot Store like chesse, spreads, dips, and more.  Step back into history by browsing the antique mall and toy museum in the same building.

Make sure to take a little of northern New England back with you to remember and enjoy when you get home.

View and Walk the Gorge, around 4-4:30 pm

View the beautiful Quechee Gorge during any season!  If it’s not winter, there are multiple types of walks you can do of varying lengths. Take a walk down to the bottom by the visitors center, on a Quechee State Park path, or along the Quechee Gorge path that heads to another viewing area and pond.

Enjoy a Stylish Dinner Out, around 5:30-6 pm

Quechee is home to many excellent restaurants, many are considered upscale.  Enjoy dinner overlooking the water at Simon Pearce, a cozy meal at the Inn at Marshland Farms, a delicious meal at the Parker House, or at the nore casual Public House.  Reservations are highly recommended.  I would reserve the day if you can.