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.
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.
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.
After the tour, we headed back to the Visitor’s Center, which has bathrooms, information and exhibits, and a gift shop.
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.
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/
My in-laws work with granite and buy a bunch from there! Would be cool to visit the site!
That looks like such a fun time! I’ve always found quarries to be incredibly fascinating. I mean, they are huge man-made holes in the earth. It’s amazing to think that at one time nothing like that was therer.
That looks really fun. Smart call on the rubber balls. This would be fun to happen across!
I have never visited a place like before–it looks super cool and fun. Plus its such a leaning opportunity to discuss how the earth was formed at the same time.
I am pinning this. We love factory tours and getting behind the scenes tours of places. Important to see how things are made.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
How smart to have rubber bowling balls. I imagine besides saving the floor that they are a ton lighter too?
Wow this would be so fun to visit! Our builder suggested granite slab shower walls. Would have been awesome but we ended up going with tile.
This looks like such an amazing destination. I would love to visit this place some day.
Very interesting. Looks like a fun learning experience. Like the granite bowling alley. Thank you!
This looks like such a cool place to visit with my family this summer.
What a cool place to visit. It would be a learning adventure.
It looks beautiful there! I love taking tours and learning history about places!
This looks like a cool place to visit! I love those views.
Wow! This looks like a really cool and amazing place to visit! My family would absolutely love to go here!
wow! What a beautiful experience! It’s a place I would like to visit one day!
This is a perfect weekend getaway with the kids. This is an absolutely wonderful experience.
Wow, Rock of Ages looks absolutely beautiful and I love that there are versatile family entertainment options available as well!
Gorgeous views from up above! Perfect place to take the kids to get out and to learn along the way.
How fun is this!! This would be a great family vacation! Thanks for the idea!
The place looks so peaceful and beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
I just love this and I ave noted it for us to check out for a day trip! I love the bowling and the quarry looks cool! Thank you for sharing and I always love your travel posts!