VERMONT

The Path of Life is a public sculpture garden in Windsor that tells the story of the great circle of life. Eighteen works of art symbolize the human journey from birth to death and beyond. The garden is located on 14 acres of trails, wildflower fields, and open spaces on the bank of the Connecticut River. The garden is the creation of Terry McDonnell, whose model for the garden was The Life of Man, a Japanese garden in Kildare, Ireland. Among the objects that McDonnell has assembled for the garden are hemlock trees that compose the maze of Adventure, a large granite Buddha for Contemplation, and a five-piece, 25-foot-tall, band representing Creativity, made from driftwood from California’s Russian River. Fun for adults and kids. Open year round.

Shelburne Museums is well-known for its historic paddlewheel steam boat and art exhibits, but the lavish grounds also contain magnificent gardens. Twenty gardens add splashes of color and natural beauty to the museum grounds throughout the season, from hundreds of lilacs and peonies in the spring to thousands of daylilies in the summer. Perennial and annual gardens, even an heirloom vegetable garden, are favorite attractions. A few of the gardens are the Danby Fountain Garden, where colorful annuals flow from decorative garden ornamentation; the Circus Building Daylily Garden; the Diamond Barn Garden, where bright blossoms shine against a backdrop of warm wood; Owl Cottage Garden, a playful pathway of zinnias; and the Hat and Fragrance Garden, with plants and herbs traditionally used for fragrances and dyes. Open mid-May through late October.

At Historic Park-McCullough, you experience the grandeur of the house often described as one of Vermont's jewels. The 35-room house was completed in 1865 for Trenor and Laura Park. This summer home is a classic example of French Second Empire style. The furnishings and decor are nearly unchanged. As you walk in the front door you will find rooms with 14-foot ceilings opening onto a gracious central hall with a sweeping staircase. The fine interior details include oak and walnut paneling, parquet floors, bronze chandeliers, and large, airy bedrooms.
The beautiful grounds feature a playhouse, rose gardens, and a Carriage Barn with a fine collection of horse-drawn carriages, buggies, and sleighs. Also onsite, the visitor will find a charming playhouse. It features miniature child-sized furniture and a working iron cook-stove. Open daily, Mid-May to mid-October, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for personal guided tours, with special events throughout the year. Fee charged.