Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

We visit Vermont frequently, so we decided to check out something new and visit the Rock of Ages Vermont Granite Quarry.  Rock of Ages is located almost one hour southwest from Burlington, to give you an idea of location.

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

We paid for a tour in the Visitor’s Center, and headed on a guided quarry tour, which takes you to an overlook of Smith Granite Quarry.

From the Visitor’s Center, you take a short school bus ride to the top of the granite quarry.  The Smith Granite Quarry is almost 600 feet deep, possibly the largest operating deep-hole granite quarry in the world.

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

Generally, if you go on a weekday tour, you can actually see the workers in action, which was neat to watch when we were there.

The tour takes about 40 minutes or so.  When we took the tour, my kids were about age 6 and 8, so I have to say they weren’t particularly impressed with the quarry.  However, myself and the other adults found the history and the process of removing granite is fascinating.  You will be outside overlooking the quarry, so take into account the elements (heat, sun, rain, etc).

I would have also liked to take a tour of the Rock of Ages Factory, but when we went, it was not open.

Rock of Ages Granite Factory

After the tour, we headed back to the Visitor’s Center, which has bathrooms, information and exhibits, and a gift shop.

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

There is also a granite ‘bowling alley’ outside, which was created in 1958.  The bowling lane is for entertainment, and the kids really had fun with it.  They have rubber balls for bowling, since regular bowling balls eventually would break on the granite surface.

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

The kids also had fun picking out a couple small pieces of granite left over from the mine.  We still have them in our backyard!

If you are heading back to the Burlington area afterwards, you can stop in Waterbury at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory.  It was incredibly busy when we stopped there in July, but we did get some yummy ice cream!

 

Visit Rock of Ages at http://www.rockofages.com/