Barre Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Barre, located in the Vermont region of the United States, is a city that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains, this charming city is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

For nature lovers, Barre is a paradise waiting to be explored. The area is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, with rolling hills, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Take a hike through the stunning trails of the nearby Groton State Forest, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of Vermont's wilderness. In the warmer months, enjoy a leisurely picnic by the serene shores of Lake Champlain, one of the largest lakes in the United States.

Barre is also known for its rich history, particularly in the granite industry. The city was once considered the granite capital of the world, and remnants of this legacy can still be seen today. Explore the fascinating Rock of Ages Granite Quarry, where you can witness the impressive granite extraction process and learn about the industry's importance to the region. Don't miss the Vermont Granite Museum, which showcases the history and craftsmanship behind this iconic material.

In the heart of Barre, you'll discover a thriving arts and culture scene. The city is home to several art galleries and studios, showcasing the works of local artists. Explore the vibrant streets and be captivated by the stunning murals that adorn the buildings, showcasing the city's commitment to public art. Visit the Barre Opera House, a historic venue that hosts a variety of performances, from live music concerts to theatrical productions.

When it comes to dining, Barre offers a wide range of culinary delights. Indulge in farm-to-table cuisine at one of the city's many farm-to-fork restaurants, where you can savor the flavors of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Don't forget to try a maple-infused treat, as Vermont is famous for its maple syrup production.

Alternative names: Population: 8.7 thous.Area: 3.98 mi²Elevation: 627 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°11'54"N, 72°30'12"W

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VermontUnited States

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Barre Top Attractions

Barre Attractions - What to See and Explore

Barre offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Hope Cemetery, Barre City Hall and Opera House, Barre Opera House, Vermont Historical Society. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Sculpture • Cemetery
Hope Cemetery
Hope Cemetery is a rural cemetery in Barre, Vermont. The city calls itself the "Granite Capital of the World", and the cemetery is known for the superb granite craftsmanship on its memorials and tombstones.
Shopping • City hall
Barre City Hall and Opera House
Barre City Hall and Opera House is a historic government building at 6 North Main Street in downtown Barre, Vermont. Built in 1899, it houses the city offices, and its upper floors have served for much of the time since its construction as a performing arts venue.
Music and shows • Theater • Concerts and shows
Barre Opera House
The Barre Opera House is an opera house in Barre, Vermont, USA. It was built to replace the Barre City Hall/Opera House which burned down in 1898.

Museum
Vermont Historical Society
The Vermont Historical Society was founded in 1838 to preserve and record the cultural history of the US state of Vermont. Headquartered in the old Spaulding School Building in Barre, the Vermont History Center is home to the Vermont Historical Society's administrative offices, the Leahy Library and a small book shop.
Monuments and statues
Robert Burns Memorial
The Robert Burns Memorial is a granite monument located in downtown Barre, Vermont. It was erected by Barre's Scottish immigrants in 1899 to commemorate the centenary of the death of Scottish poet Robert Burns. The statue was conceived and modeled by J. Massey Rhind. James B.
Science museum • Specialty museum • Natural history museum
Vermont Granite Museum
The Vermont Granite Museum is a museum in the city of Barre, Vermont, devoted to the city's historically important granite quarrying and processing industry.
Library
Leahy Library
Howard and Alba Leahy Library is located in the Vermont History Center in Barre, VT. It is housed in the old Spaulding School Building and run by the Vermont Historical Society, which is also located in the same building.
44°11'56"N • 72°30'24"W
Socialist Labor Party Hall
The Socialist Labor Party Hall at 46 Granite Street, Barre, Vermont was constructed in 1900. It was a location for debates among anarchists, socialists, and union leaders over the future direction of the labor movement in United States in the early 20th century.
Library
Aldrich Public Library
The Aldrich Public Library is the public library serving the city of Barre, Vermont. It is located at 6 Washington Street in the city center, in an architecturally distinguished Classical Revival building constructed in 1907-08 with funds bequested by Leonard Frost Aldrich, a local businessman, and was substantially enlarged in 2000.
Church
Italian Baptist Church
The Italian Baptist Church is a historic church at 10 North Brook Street in the city of Barre, Vermont. Built in 1906-08 largely with volunteer labor, it is a distinctive regionalized example of vernacular church architecture more typically found in northern Italy.
Greek Revival architecture
Joshua Twing Gristmill
The Joshua Twing Gristmill is a historic industrial facility at 450 North Main Street in the city of Barre, Vermont. Built in 1844, it is a remarkably high-style example of Greek Revival architecture for an essentially utilitarian industrial structure.
Museum
Spaulding School Building
The former Spaulding School Building is a historic structure that has overlooked the city of Barre, Vermont, United States, since 1891. It now houses the Vermont History Center, the home of the Vermont Historical Society.
Church
Saint Monica's Church
Saint Monica's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Barre, Vermont. It is in the Diocese of Burlington. The congregation dates from the original settlement of Barre in the 19th century, and its present building dates from the late 1880s.
44°11'53"N • 72°30'13"W
Wheelock Law Office
The Wheelock Law Office is a historic commercial building at 135 North Main Street in the city of Barre, Vermont. Built in 1871 for a prominent local lawyer, it is a fine example of Second Empire architecture, and a rare surviving domestically scaled building in an area now primarily filled with larger commercial buildings.
44°12'7"N • 72°30'16"W
Scampini Block
The Scampini Block is a historic commercial building at 289 North Main Street in the city of Barre, Vermont. Built in 1904, it is an elegant showcase of the skills of local granite carvers, and was for many years a social center for the area's large immigrant stoneworkers.
44°11'58"N • 72°30'23"W
Beck and Beck Granite Shed
The Beck and Beck Granite Shed is a historic granite shed at 34 Granite Street in the city of Barre, Vermont. Built in 1933, it is a rare surviving example of a rectangular granite shed, a late style of granite processing facility.
44°11'51"N • 72°30'19"W
E. L. Smith Roundhouse Granite Shed
The E.L. Smith Roundhouse Granite Shed is a historic granite shed at 23 Burnham Street in the city of Barre, Vermont. Built in 1889, it is the only known surviving example of a circular granite cutting shed in the United States.
44°11'55"N • 72°30'26"W
Union Co-operative Store Bakery
The Union Co-operative Store Bakery is a historic commercial building at 46 1/2 Granite Street in the city of Barre, Vermont, USA.
44°12'6"N • 72°30'47"W
Woodbury Graded School
The Woodbury Graded School is a historic school building located at 63 Valley Lake Road in Woodbury, Vermont. Built in 1919, it is a prominent local example of Colonial Revival architecture, and of a period grade school.

Day trips

Barre – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Barre, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Shelburne Museum (Shelburne), Quechee Gorge (Quechee), Suicide Six (Woodstock).

38 milesW
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
Shelburne Museum, Shelburne
Nestled in the picturesque town of Shelburne, Vermont, the Shelburne Museum is a gem for art, history, and Americana enthusiasts. This sprawling museum is unique, not just for its collection, but for its presentation, as it spans across 45 acres with 39 distinct...
39 milesS
Natural attraction, Canyon, Geologic formation
Quechee Gorge, Quechee
Nestled in the scenic town of Quechee in Vermont, Quechee Gorge stands as a testament to the natural beauty of New England. Known affectionately as "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon," the gorge is the deepest in the state, with depths reaching approximately 165 feet.
37 milesS
Winter sport, Outdoor activities, Park
Suicide Six, Woodstock
Nestled in the charming town of Woodstock, Vermont, Suicide Six is a family-friendly ski resort renowned for its intimate atmosphere and historic significance. Known as one of the oldest ski areas in the country, Suicide Six offers a unique blend of New England...
5.8 miNW
Gold-domed capitol with historic art
Vermont State House, Montpelier
The Vermont State House, located in Montpelier, is the state capitol of the U.S. state of Vermont. It is the seat of the Vermont General Assembly. The current Greek Revival structure is the third building on the same site to be used as the State House. Designed by Thomas Silloway in 1857 and 1858, it was occupied in 1859.
42 milesE
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Flume Gorge, Franconia
The Flume Gorge is a natural gorge extending 800 ft horizontally at the base of Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire, United States.