6 Best Things to Do in White River Junction, VT

February 26, 2020 - Updated

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White River Junction is a small unincorporated village in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont. The White River Junction Historic District showcases urban architecture of the area in the late19th and early 20th century, with buildings in Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Richardsonian Romanesque, Italianate and Romanesque architecture. Northern Stage is a professional theater company that brought to White River Junction world-class productions, educational and outreach programs. The Vermont Railway is the nation's first privately-owned railroad operating on a publicly-owned right of way. The Main Street Museum is quirky and fun museum that resembles the old-fashioned "cabinet of curiosities."

1.Upper Valley Aquatic Center

The Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, Vermont, is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of high quality fitness and aquatic programs to all members of the Upper Valley community free of charge. Group exercise classes and childcare in KidZone are free for members. The 48,000-square foot facility has an 11 lane, 25 meter long competition pool, a warm-water instructional pool, a Splash Park with lazy river, water features and 110-foot water slide. There is also a fully-equipped gym with strength and cardio equipment, group exercise, SPIN studios, a sauna and family locker rooms. In addition, there is: the Poolside Cafe, seating with accommodation for 400 for spectators and TRX outdoor training area.

100 Arboretum Ln, White River Junction, VT 05001, Phone: 802-296-2850

2.Northern Stage

Northern Stage is a professional theater company in White River Junction, Vermont with a mission to engage audiences with world-class productions, educational and outreach programs. Northern Stage serves more than 50,000 community members each year. The theater was founded in 1997 by Brooke Ciardelli. Since then, Northern Stage has become a major theater company in the region, producing professional productions of classics, world premiers and musicals. A dynamic education program offers professional training for students of all ages. Courses include student acting, a summer musical theater and a theater-in-the-schools residency program. Northern Stage moved to its own home the Barrette Center for the Arts in 2015.

74 Gates St, White River Junction, VT 05001, Phone: 802-296-7000

3.Vermont Rail System

The Vermont Railway is the nation's first privately-owned railroad operating on a publicly-owned right of way. Since 1963 the Railway operates on the abandoned line of the Rutland Railroad. Today the system operates more than 350 miles of track through the Green Mountain Railroad, Washington County Railroad Connecticut River Division, Washington County Railroad Montpelier & Barre Division, New York and Ogdensburg Railroad, Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad and the Vermont Railway. The company employs more than 150 railroaders. The Vermont Rail System operates passenger services under the name the Green Mountain Railroad, offering seasonal excursions and dinner trains. The System hauls more than 25,000 freight cars every year, serving almost 90 percent of Vermont businesses.

102 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001

4.Main Street Museum

The Main Street Museum in White River Junction, Vermont is quirky and fun and in many ways resembles the old-fashioned "cabinet of curiosities," offering a space for an eclectic collection of exhibits that tell the story of the material culture and civic organizations of the town of White River Junction. The Main Street Museum occupies the former fire station on the banks of the White River and was founded in 1992 by David Fairbanks Ford. Museum categories include: Flora; Fauna; Significant Objects From Around the World; Evidence of Tramps; Round Things; Tangled Things; journals; extraneous bits of local history; sheet music; collection of postcards; electromagnetism devices; relics from the head injury of Phineas Gage; Elvis impersonators and much more.

58 Bridge St #6, White River Junction, VT 05001, Phone: 802-356-2776

5.Piecemeal Pies

Piecemeal Pies is a bright, modern bistro and pie shop in downtown White River Junction, Vermont, inspired by traditional British pie shops. They specialize in savory meat pies, but offer vegetable and fruit pies as well, using local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. They work with local farmers to ensure the best vegetables, fruits, and meats possible for their pies. The pies come in all sort of interesting combination of fillings such as Rabbit & Bacon, Chicken & Leek, Pork & Parsnip, Curried Lamb, Beef, Mushroom & Blue Cheese or Smoked Trout & Fennel. The restaurant has a great hard cider bar that offers well-selected ciders from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Europe, local beers and a nice selection of good wines. Premium Espresso Bar offers Kings Row Premium Coffee.

5 S Main St, White River Junction, VT 05001, Phone: 802-281-6910

6.Thyme

Thyme Restaurant is a modern, sleek restaurant located in the former 1940s Tip Top bakery in downtown White River Junction, Vermont. The dining room is full of light, with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceiling, an industrial feel with exposed pipes. Colorful walls are decorated with beautiful, large format black and white photos by photo journalist Collamer Abbott. The atmosphere is cheerful and inviting, the menu changes seasonally and reflects the availability of locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine is Modern American, with innovative, creative comfort fare influenced by the world cuisines. The lovely patio is welcoming on warm summer days.

85 N Main St, White River Junction, VT 05001, Phone: 802-295-3312