Barre/Montpelier

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You can’t miss the gold dome of the Vermont Statehouse. Montpelier’s “bling,” as a couple of local teen rappers described the building, doubles as the seat of the Vermont General Assembly. The building is open to the public all summer, with weekday tours every half hour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, it’s 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If all the old portraits pique your interest...

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Seven Days Pick: Biking

The Bike Touring Center at Millstone Hill

Quarry country has its own unique beauty. Explore it the “hard” way at Millstone Hill, a bed-and breakfast located in East Barre. The proprietors have developed a 50-plus-mile network of bike trails — both challenging singletrack and more moderate ones — that brings you alongside dozens of old quarries and “grout” pile lookouts. One hundred years ago, it was the site of a small, independent quarry operation, one of more than 75 in the area. Millstone offers camping, too, and indoor accommodations start at $95. The whole lodge rents for $490. Photo: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

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Seven Days Pick: Hiking

Hunger Mountain

The four-hour hike is considered “advanced” by the Green Mountain Club. The reward — on a clear day — is stunning views of the Green and White mountains. The most popular approach is from the Waterbury side, but you can also get there from Middlesex. Looking for trail mix? You’re in luck. Central Vermont is the granola capital of the world.

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Seven Days Pick: Attractions

Thunder Road Speedbowl

How do the people of modern-day Barre blow off steam? If it’s summer, thousands make the trek every Thursday night and Sunday afternoon to “the nation’s site of excitement.” Atop Quarry Hill, they watch mostly local drivers compete in street-stock and late-model races. There’s even a state senator — Phil Scott — tearing around the track. Photo: Jay Ericson

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Seven Days Pick: Restaurant

That's Life Soup

It’s not easy to get the recipe right in small but sophisticated Montpelier. The capital city is both crunchy and world-wise, localvore and price-sensitive. Pam Root satisfies all the constituencies at That’s Life Soup, a cozy café on Elm Street that serves up soothing, steaming bowls to state workers, townies and tourists... Keep reading...
Photo: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

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Seven Days Pick: Attractions

Hope Cemetery

Barre proudly calls itself “the Granite Capital of the World” — a slight exaggeration, perhaps, but not much. The city’s quarries produced the world-famous “Barre Gray” granite steps on the east side the U.S. Capitol. But gravestones are Barre’s niche. The personalized memorials the workers made for each other — and many other people — are all over the city’s most remarkable cemetery. Look for the life-sized armchair, big soccer ball, race car and airplane, all with accompanying sad stories. Photo: Alice Levitt

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Seven Days Pick: Attractions

Vermont Statehouse

You can’t miss the gold dome — Montpelier’s “bling” — on the outside, but the inside of the Vermont Statehouse interior is full of treasures, too. Meticulously restored to its original glory, the building is a lesson in architectural evolution, with excellent examples of Neoclassical, Greek Revival, American Empire, Renaissance Revival, Rococo Revival and Aesthetic Movement styles. Phew. The legislative session runs January through May, but the building is open to the public all summer, too. Weekday tours are every half hour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, it’s 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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