New England At A Glance

Here are some general facts and important information to help your group or escort get the most from your adventure in New England.

New England

The towns and cities of New England are always rolling out the welcome mat to group travel. Before you begin your New England tour, here are some general facts and important information to help you get the most from your planning.

Banking Information

Banking hours in each state vary, with most banks open Monday to Friday during normal business hours. Some banks are open evenings and Saturdays. Banks are closed during federal public holidays. Automated teller machines are widely available throughout the region.

Capital Cities

Hartford, Connecticut
Providence, Rhode Island
Boston, Massachusetts
Montpelier, Vermont
Concord, New Hampshire
Augusta, Maine

Credit & Debit Cards

Most stores, restaurants and accommodations throughout New England accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Debit or bank cards are becoming increasingly popular and can be used almost as readily through the Interac, Plus and Cirrus networks. Credit and debit card charges will appear on the purchaser’s statement converted to their home currency.

Currency

Although Canadian currency is generally accepted throughout New England, visitors are advised to exchange their funds for American dollars, or to make purchases with a credit card. Commercial establishments are encouraged to provide a fair rate of exchange to foreign visitors. However, the best rates of exchange on foreign currency can be obtained at major financial institutions throughout the region. For foreign currency exchange it is advisable to bring a passport. Canadian currency is
available readily at most banks, other currency may require a few days notice as it can take time to acquire. Currency exchange rates are posted daily.

Customs Information

U.S. Citizens:
• Are exempt from passport requirements. However, it is highly recommended that a U.S. Citizen be prepared to present documentation such as valid or expired U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or Naturalization certificate to avoid delays.
• Exception—travel from Cuba, valid U.S. passport is required.

Visitors:
• Generally, a valid, unexpired passport and visa. However, certain classes may require specific supporting documentation such as an employment petition, student authorization, or approval notice.
• Generally, Canadian Nationals must show ID but are exempt from passport and visa requirements. However presentation of a Canadian passport, birth certificate, Naturalization certificate or other supporting documentation will facilitate the inspection and is strongly encouraged.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a new proposal by the Departments of Homeland Security and State, currently submitted for public comment at the time of publishing. Under this new proposal, The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of Canada and Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States by January 1, 2008.

The program will be rolled out in phases. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

December 31, 2006 – Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

December 31, 2007 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel. In April 2005, the Departments of State (State) and Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed plan to be implemented in three phases beginning on December 31, 2005 for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After further review and considering the delay in publishing the public notice in the Federal Register, State and DHS recognized that implementing the December 31, 2005, phase would be problematic for travelers. This new timeline will simplify the implementation and provide a longer lead-time for travelers to come into compliance with the requirements.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov or www.travel.state.gov.

Electricity

The United States uses the same electrical configuration and current as Canada: 110 to 115 volts, 60 cycles

Holidays 2009

New Year’s Day - January 1
Martin Luther King Day - January 21
Lincoln’s Birthday - February 12
President’s Day - February 18
Washington’s Birthday - February 22
Good Friday - March 21
Easter Sunday - March 23
Memorial Day - May 26
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - September 1
Columbus Day - October 13
Veterans Day - November 11
Thanksgiving - November 27
Hanukkah - December 21
Christmas Day - December 25

Hospital & Medical Services

Visitors to the United States are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country. American hospital and medical services are excellent, but can be costly without adequate insurance. Visitors taking prescription medications are advised to take a copy of the prescription should it need to be renewed during the trip.

Metric Conversion

°C = (5/9) x (°F-32)
1 mile = 1.61 kilometers
1 pound = 0.454 kilograms
1 inch = 0.025 meters
1 US gallon = 3.79 liters

Sunday Shopping

Individual store hours vary throughout the states, but Sunday shopping is widely available. On Sunday stores generally open later and close earlier than the other six days of the week.

Time Zones

All six New England states are on the same time zone, Eastern Time, which is 5 hours behind GMT.

Traffic Regulations

Although individual speed limits vary from region to region and state to state, the average limit on turnpikes and interstates is 65 mph (105 km/hr). All other roads have a speed limit ranging from 25-55 mph. Please note the posted speed limit signs on any road or highway, and obey by the rules of the road in the region you are in.

Weather

The states of New England all experience a varied and awesome distinction between the four seasons. Temperatures range from very warm in the summer months to very cold at times in the winter months, with many cooler and pleasant days in the spring and fall. Plan ahead to capture the best of all seasons that New England has to offer.

Winter Travel

All six New England states encourage and welcome winter travelers to come to this region and enjoy the many winter activities available to groups. Visitors are advised, however, that delays may be experienced due to seasonable weather conditions in winter, particularly in the northern and mountainous regions.

New England > Connecticut

Area

5,018 square miles

Area Codes

203 & 860

Capital City

Hartford

Climate

There is a surprising variation in climate within the state, in spite of its small size. It’s not unusual for temperatures in the northwest hills to be sometimes 10°F lower than those in the central valley. Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F): 35-50 in winter, 45-75 in spring, 65-85 in summer and 45-75 in the fall.

Historical Dates

1633 – First settlement
1639 – Original state constitution adopted
1788 – Fifth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1965 – Adopted current state constitution

Major Industries

Tourism is a prominent industry in Connecticut, as are industrial development and manufacturing. Connecticut is also known as the “Insurance State” for its dominance in the insurance field, it is home to over 100 insurance companies.

Origin of State Name

Quinnehtukqut – “Long River” or “Beside the Long Tidal River”

Population

3,405,565 (2000 census – CT Dept of Public Health)

Shoreline

216 miles

State Parks

93 State Parks, 31 State Forests

Tax Information

The state of Connecticut levies a 6% sales tax on most goods and services, including dining at restaurants. Lodging tax in Connecticut is 12%.

Towns

Connecticut is made up of 169 towns and 21 cities.

Famous People

Connecticut is the birthplace to many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among these are…
• Katherine Hepburn, actress, Hartford
• Noah Webster, author of first American dictionary, West Hartford
• Ralph Nader, lawyer and consumer advocate, Winsted
• Ernest Borgnine, actor, Hamden
• P.T. Barnum, Barnum & Bailey’s Circus, Bethel
• Ethan Allen, American soldier, Litchfield
• Benedict Arnold, American soldier, Norwich
• George W. Bush, U.S. President, New Haven
• Karen & Richard Carpenter, brother & sister singing duo, New Haven
• Glenn Close, actress, Greenwich
• Charles Goodyear, inventor, New Haven
• Dorothy Hamill, figure skater, Riverside
• Annie Liebovitz, photographer, Westbury
• Dylan McDermott, actor, Waterbury
• Meg Ryan, actress, Fairfield
• Charles Tiffany, jeweler (Tiffany & Co.), Killingly

Connecticut Firsts

• Since 1875 Connecticut’s capital city has been Hartford, before then it was shared with New Haven.
• Connecticut was the first to adopt a constitution, establishing a representative government in 1639.
• The first telephone exchange in history was in Bridgeport, established in 1877.
• The Frisbee is claimed to have been invented in Connecticut in 1920 when a group of Yale students discovered empty pie plates from Frisbie Pies could be thrown successfully across the New Haven Green.
• Igor Sikorsky designed the first successful helicopter in the Western Hemisphere in Connecticut in 1939.
• English Puritans from Massachusetts made the first permanent settlement in Connecticut in 1633.
• The Connecticut State House was the first in America, built in 1788.
• In 1729 Yale University was the first in the U.S. to grant a medical diploma.
• Connecticut’s Noah Webster wrote the first dictionary in 1806.
• Samuel Colt invented the first repeating handgun (revolver) in Connecticut in 1836.
• Charles Goodyear, in 1839, discovered that a mixture of sulphur and rubber dropped onto a hot wood stove charred but did not melt. This discovery lead to the development of “vulcanized” rubber, used today in products like rubber boots, shoes and tires.

New England > Maine

Area

33,215 square miles

Area Code

207

Capital City

Augusta

Climate

Maine is a four-season state, each season having its own special beauty. The state has one of the most comfortable statewide summer climates in the U.S. Summer days are pleasantly warm and nights cool and comfortable. Although winters are cold, they are beautiful and sunny; In fact, approximately 80% of Maine's days are sunny! Maine's clean air and moderate temperature are part of what makes it "vacationland." Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F) 20-30 in the winter, 45-70 in the spring, 60-80 in the summer and 40-60 in the fall.

Historical Dates

1607 - First settlement established at Popham
1820 - 23rd state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1832 - State Capitol moved from Portland to Augusta
1842 - Northern borders finalized

Major Industries

Seafood, poultry and eggs, potatoes, dairy products, cattle, blueberries, apples, paper, lumber, wood products, electric equipment, food processing, leather products, textiles, and tourism.

Origin of State Name

Unknown; speculated to be derived form the word mainland or main, or possibly from France's province of Maine.

Population

Approximately 1.3 million

Shoreline

5,500 miles

State Parks

33 State Parks

Tax Information

The statewide sales tax rate is 5% on all purchases. However, the rate is 7% on meals and lodging.

Famous People

Maine is the birthplace to many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among these are…

• Mary Ellen Chase, writer, Blue Hill
• L.L. Bean, retailer and outdoorsman, Greenwood
• Louise Bogan, poet and writer, Livermore Falls
• Milton Bradley, manufacturer, Vienna
• Stephen King, writer, Bangor
• Dorothea Dix, reformer and nurse, Hampden
• Patrick Dempsey, actor, Lewiston
• Neal Dow, Temperance reformer, Portland
• John Ford, film director, Cape Elizabeth
• Andrea Martin, actress and comedian, Portland

Maine Fast Facts

§ Maine is as big as all of the other New England States put together.

§ Each year more than 40 million pounds of shellfish are harvested off the coast of Maine.

§ Maine is one of America's largest blueberry growing state, raising 90% of the low-bush blueberries in North America.

§ There are over 60 lighthouses in Maine, probably due to the whopping 5,000 miles of coastline!

§ More wooden toothpicks are produced in Maine than in any other state.

§ Eastport, Maine, is the most eastern city in the U.S., receiving the first rays of sun every morning.

§ Mt. Katahdin is approximately one mile high, standing 5,268 ft above sea level.

§ Maine is the only state in the U.S. whose name has only one syllable.

§ Acadia National Park is the second most visited national park in the U.S.

Towns

Maine is made up of 22 cities and 435 towns.

New England > Massachusetts

Area

8,257 square miles

Area Codes

413, 508, 617, 781, 978

Capital City

Boston

Climate

Massachusetts experiences a varying climate throughout the seasons, with the coastal areas slightly cooler than inland. Average seasonal temperatures range from 70-90°F in the summer to 50- 70°F in the fall. Winter temperatures are cooler, usually staying around the freezing mark or lower. The average annual rainfall is between 40 and 50 inches.

Historical Dates

1620 – Arrival of Pilgrims on the Mayflower
1639 – Royal charter granted to the Massachusetts Bay Company
1775 – Revolutionary War begins at Lexington & Concord with “the shot heard round the world”
1788 – Sixth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution

Major Industries

Early industrial economy included woolen goods, cotton textiles, boot & shoe industry, leather and tanning, and machinery. Today’s industries, however, include biotechnology and biomedicine, farming, paper printing and publishing, marine sciences, polymer technology and, of course, tourism.

Official State Name

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Population

Approximately 6.5 million

State Parks

107

Tax Information

Massachusetts levies a statewide sales tax of 5%.
Gasoline is taxed at 10%.

Towns

Massachusetts is made up of 49 cities and 302 towns.

Famous People

Massachusetts is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among the long list are…
• Louisa May Alcott, author, Boston
• Emily Dickinson, poet, Amherst
• Theodore Geisel “Dr. Seuss”, author, Springfield
• Norman Rockwell, painter, Sturbridge
• Paul Revere, patriot, Boston
• Edgar Allan Poe, poet, Boston
• Alexander Graham Bell, inventor, Salem
• John Adams, 2nd U.S. President, Quincy
• John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. President, Braintree
• John F. Kennedy, 35th U.S President, Brookline
• George H. W. Bush, president, Milton
• Barbara Walters, journalist, Boston
• Ben Affleck, actor, Cambridge
• Matt Damon, actor, Cambridge
• Jack Lemmon, actor, Boston
• Jay Leno, television personality, Andover
• Rocky Marciano, boxer, Brockton

Massachusetts Fast Facts

• The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Plymouth in 1621.
• Harvard was the first American university, founded in Newtowne (now Cambridge) in 1636.
• The first American lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor in 1716.
• The first battle of the Revolution was fought in Lexington and Concord in 1775.
• Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber in Woburn in 1839.
• Elias Howe invented the sewing machine in Boston in 1845.
• Louis Prang printed the first American Christmas card in Boston in 1875.
• Basketball was invented in Springfield and played for the first time there in 1891.
• Volleyball was invented in Holyoke and played for the first time there in 1895.
• Boston was home to the first subway system in America, opened in 1898.

Professional Spectator Sports

Boston Bruins
Tel: 617-624-BEAR
www.bostonbruins.com

Boston Celtics
Tel: 617-523-3030
www.celtics.com

New England Patriots
Tel: 1-800-543-1776
www.patriots.com

Boston Red Sox
Tel: 617-482-4SOX
www.redsox.com

New England > New Hampshire

Area

9,351 square miles

Area Code

603

Capital City

Concord

Climate

New Hampshire has a blend of climates, depending on the region and the time of year you are visiting. The summer months are generally temperate, warm but not necessarily hot. The average snowfall in the winter is 65 inches. The coast and mountain regions are generally cooler than the rest of the state. If you plan on visiting the summit of Mt. Washington it is best to dress for cooler temperatures, as it is at least 10 degrees cooler at the top. Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F) 20-30 in the winter, 45-70 in the spring, 60-75 in the summer and 25-60 in the fall.

Historical Dates

1623 - First settled at Odiorne Point (now part of Rye) by David Thompson
1783 - State Constitution established
1788 - Statehood, ninth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution

Major Industries

The early industrial economy of New Hampshire was dominated by the shoe and textile industries,
including the Amoskeag Mill in Manchester, which was once the largest textile mill in the world. The production of electrical, light metal and computer products are today a major focus of the economy. Major manufacturing centers include Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Claremont, Dover, Keene and Lebanon. Tourism is New Hampshire’s second leading industry today.

Origin of State Name

New Hampshire was named for Hampshire, England by Captain John Mason

Population

Approximately 1.30 million (2005 Census)

State Parks

Tax Information

Shop ‘til you drop, as New Hampshire has no sales tax on shopping items! However, there is an 8% Rooms & Meals tax on lodging stays less than 90 days. This tax also applies to food served in a restaurant or take-away food costing more than $1.00.

Famous People

New Hampshire is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among the long list are…
• Alan Shepard, astronaut (first American in space), Derry
• Henry Wilson, U.S. Vice President, Farmington
• Horace Greeley, founder of the New York Tribune, Amherst
• Sarah Josepha Hale, author and journalist (wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”), Newport
• Franklin Pierce, 14th U.S. President, Hillsborough
• John Stark, Revolutionary War general, Londonderry
• Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science Movement, Bow

Towns

New Hampshire is made up of 13 municipalities, 221 towns and 22 unincorporated places.

New Hampshire Fast Facts

• The world’s highest recorded wind speed at ground level is at Mt. Washington on April 12, 1934; Winds were three times as fast a hurricane-level, reaching 231 mph.
• New Hampshire is the only state ever to play host to the formal conclusion of a foreign war;
Portsmouth hosted the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.
• Of the thirteen original colonies, New Hampshire was the first to declare independence from England (1775), six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
• New Hampshire was the first state to adopt its own constitution in 1783.
• In 1963, New Hampshire adopted the first legal lottery in the United States.
• The Mount Washington Auto Road at Great Glen is New Hampshire’s oldest man-made tourist
attraction, opened in 1861.
• New Hampshire’s State House is the oldest state capitol in which a legislature still meets in its
original chambers.
• The state motto of “Live Free or Die” comes from a statement written by the Revolutionary General John Stark, hero of the Battle of Bennington.

New England > Rhode Island

Area

1,214 square miles

Area Code

401

Capital City

Providence

Climate

Rhode Island experiences a generally mild climate throughout the year. Average annual precipitation is 44 inches, and it is not uncommon to see more rain than snow during the winter. The Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay often affect the climate in the state, especially the refreshing sea breezes during the hot summer months! Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F): 30-50 in winter, 45- 75 in spring, 65-85 in summer and 30-75 in the fall.

Historical Dates

1636 – First settlement
1776 – Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and declare independence
1790 – Thirteenth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1793 – Slater Mill in Pawtucket became America’s first successful water-powered cotton mill, spurring the Industrial Revolution
1843 – Adopted current state constitution

Major Industries

Rhode Island’s largest industry is health services, followed by tourism and manufacturing. Growing industries include boat building, electronics, chemicals, and metal products.

Official State Name

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Population

1,076,189 (2005 estimate)

Shoreline

400+ miles

State Parks

17 State Parks, 10 State Beaches, 4 Forest Environment Sites

Tax Information

The state of Rhode Island levies a 7% sales tax on most goods and services. Visitors pay tax on all lodging and accommodation, which is comprised of 7% sales tax plus 5% RI hotel tax. Restaurant tax is 8%.

Towns

Rhode Island is made up of 39 municipalities.

Famous People

Rhode Island is the birthplace to many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among these are…
• Spalding Gray, actor/writer, Providence
• Meredith Vieira, journalist/television host, Providence
• Prudence Crandall, educator/women’s rights, Hopkinton
• Nathanael Green, US General, Warwick
• Esek Hopkins, US naval officer, Scituate
• William Little, golfer, Newport
• Oliver Hazard Perry, US naval officer, South Kingston
• Gilbert Stuart, painter, North Kingston

Rhode Island Fast Facts

• Roger Williams, Rhode Island’s founder, also founded the first Baptist Church in America.
• The first open golf tournament was held in Rhode Island in 1895.
• The nation’s oldest carousel is in Watch Hill.
• The first state to enact an anti-slavery law in North America, in 1652.
• The first torpedo boat, “Stiletto” was built in Bristol in 1887.
• Pelham Street in Newport was first in the country to use gas-illuminated streetlights.
• Polo was played for the first time in the United States in Newport, in 1876.
• John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in Newport at St. Mary’s church in 1953.
• The Providence State House has the fourthlargest self-supporting marble dome in the world.
• Newport is home to the oldest surviving synagogue in North America, Touro Synagogue, built in 1763.

Visitor Information Centers

Rhode Island Welcome Center
Located on I-95 between exits 2 and 3 in Richmond, the Rhode Island Welcome Center is a full-service center open seven days a week, yearround. It is an excellent rest stop, fully equipped with all the necessary services and literature on all of the state’s tourism destinations.
Tel: 401-539-3031

T.F. Green
Provides maps, tourism destination brochures and other visitor information. Staffed by volunteer Johnson & Wales University students.

Newport Gateway Visitors Information Center
Located on 23 America’s Cup Avenue, almost immediately after the Newport Bridge. Offers maps, brochures and other visitor information.

Helpful Contacts

For expert advice on how to plan your tour to Rhode Island, or to order additional planning and promotional materials, we invite you to contact the state directly. Experienced travel professionals are standing by to help you with your plans!

Rhode Island Tourism Division
Contact: Katrina White, Group Tour Manager
kwhite@riedc.com

One West Exchange Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2601 x150
Toll Free: 1-800-556-2484
Fax: 401-273-8270
www.visitrhodeisland.com

Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Tel: 401-222-3260
www.dot.state.ri.us

Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles
Tel: 401-588-3020
www.dmv.state.ri.us

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
Tel: 401-784-9500
www.ripta.com

Rhode Island Council on the Arts
Tel: 401-222-3880
www.arts.ri.gov

Rhode Island Historical Society
Tel: 401-331-8575
www.rihs.org

Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
Tel: 401-423-0800
www.ritba.org

Rhode Island Division of Taxation (Motor Fuels)
Tel: 401-222-2950
www.tax.state.ri.us

Regional Tourism Councils

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Tel: 401-724-2200 / 1-800-454-2882
www.tourblackstone.com

Block Island Tourism Council
Tel: 401-466-5200 / 1-800-383-BIRI
www.blockislandinfo.com

East Bay Tourism Council
Tel: 401-245-0750 / 1-888-278-9948
www.eastbayritourism.com

Newport County CVB
Tel: 401-849-8048 / 1-800-326-6030
www.GoNewport.com

Providence/Warwick CVB
Tel: 401-456-0200 / 1-800-233-1636
www.pwcvb.com

South County Tourism Council
Tel: 401-789-4422 / 1-800-548-4662
www.southcountyri.com

Warwick Department of Tourism
Tel: 401-738-2000 / 1-800-492-7942
www.visitwarwickri.com

New England > Vermont

Average Temperatures (°F)

Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F) 20-40 in the winter, 50-75 in the spring, 60-80 in the summer and 25-60 in the fall.

Banks

Principal banks located in Vermont include, but are not limited to, Keybank, Vermont National Bank and Charter One Bank. Banking hours vary, with most banks open Monday to Friday during normal business hours. Some banks are open evenings and Saturdays. Automated teller machines are widely available throughout the state.

Credit/Debit Cards

The majority of stores, restaurants, and accommodations throughout Vermont accept major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Debit or bank cards are increasingly popular and can be used almost as readily through networks such as Interac, Plus and Cirrus. Credit and debit card charges will appear on the purchaser’s statement, converted into their home currency. Not all credit and debit cards will be accepted in all areas, in particular more remote areas of the state.

Currency

Although Canadian currency is accepted in many areas throughout the state, visitors are advised to either exchange their funds into American dollars, purchase travelers cheques in American funds, or make their purchases using credit cards. Commercial establishments are encouraged to provide a fair rate of exchange to foreign visitors. Currency exchange rates are posted daily, and the best rates can be obtained at major financial institutions throughout the state.

Customs

Everyone who enters the United States - whether U.S. citizen, immigrant, visitor, etc – must be inspected at the point of entry. Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are not required to carry passports or visas to cross the international border. However, it is recommended that all travelers carry photo identification and proof of citizenship

Obtain a free brochure on all customs
regulations by writing to:
U.S. Customs Service,
1 Main Street, Calais, ME, 04619
Or visit U.S. Customs online at:
www.customs.ustreas.gov

Electricity

The United States uses the same electrical plus configuration and current as Canada: 110 to 115 volts, 60 cycles.

For More Information

Welcome Centers
There are many information centers located throughout Vermont, offering assistance and information to travelers. Friendly staff is on hand to assist with accommodations, dining, attractions, special events, and everything else you would need to plan your travels.

Highgate Welcome Center: Located on the I-89 in southbound at the Canadian border.

Lake Champlain Islands: Welcome Center at Alburg, located on Route 2 at the New York-Canadian border.

Welcome Centers at Williston: Located on the I-89 southbound and northbound.

Northwestern Vermont: Information Center at Georgia: Located on the I-89 southbound and northbound.

Welcome Center at Derby Line: Located on the I-91 southbound at the Canadian border.

Northeast Kingdom: Information Center at Bradford: Located on the I-91 northbound. Information Center at Lyndon, located on the I-91 southbound.

Welcome Center at Waterford: Located on the I-93 at the New Hampshire border.

Welcome Center at White River Junction: Located downtown at the Amtrak Station.

Capital Region Visitor Center: Located at 134 State Street, Montpelier.

Fair Haven Welcome Center: located on Route 4A at the New York border.

Welcome Center at Guilford: Located on the I-91 northbound at the Massachusetts border.

Tourism Districts

Northern Vermont Region

Vermont's Islands and Farms
www.islandsandfarms.com
1-800-262-5226

Stowe/Smugglers' Notch Region
www.stowesmugglers.com
1-877-247-8693

Northeast Kingdom
www.travelthekingdom.com
1-800-884-8001

Lake Champlain Valley
www.vermont.org
1-877-686-5253

Central Vermont Region

Central Vermont Tourism
www.central-vt.com
1-877-887-4968

Mid Vermont for All Seasons
www.midvermont.com
1-800-733-8376

Crossroads of Vermont
www.vermontcrossroads.com
1-800-756-8880

Eastern Vermont Getaway
www.easternvermont.com
1-888-848-4199

Southern Windsor County
www.VacationinVermont.com
1-877-668-1852

Southern Vermont Region

Green Mountains
www.sovermont.com
1-877-768-3766

Southern Vermont
www.southernvermont.com
1-877-887-2378

State Agencies

Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
Contact: Christiane Skinner
802-828-5905
christiane.skinner@state.vt.us
6 Baldwin Street, 4th Floor, Drawer 33
Montpelier, VT 05633-1301
www.vermontvacation.com

Vermont Historical Society
109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609-0901
802-828-2291
www.vermonthistory.org

Vermont Ski Areas Association
26 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05601
802-223-2439
www.skivermont.com

Vermont Council on the Arts
136 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
802-828-3291

Vermont Attractions Association
P.O. Box 1284, Montpelier, VT 05601-0037
802-229-4581
www.vtattractions.org

Vermont Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 37, Montpelier, VT 05601-0037
802-223-3443
www.vtchamber.com

Motorcoach & Receptive Tour Operators
Bristol Tours, Bristol
(802) 453-2661

Custom Tours Inc., Killington
1-888-422-2818

Finer Vermont Tours, Killington
802-422-3040

Lamoille Valley Transportation, Morrisville
1-800-359-2103

Mountain Transit, Milton
802-893-1334

Notch Above Tours, Jeffersonville
1-800-639-2367

Premier Coach Co., Colchester
1-800-532-1811

Sugar Tours, West Dover
1-888-889-8681

Tim's Transit, Killington
802-422-3500

Vermont Transit Co., Inc., Burlington
802-862-9671

Holidays 2005

New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Day: January 17
Lincoln's Birthday: February 12
President's Day: February 21
Washington's Birthday: February 22
Good Friday: March 25
Easter Sunday: March 27
Memorial Day: May 30
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: September 5
Columbus Day: October 10
Veteran's Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: November 24
Christmas Day: December 25
Hanukkah: December 26

Hospital/Medical Services

Visitors to the United States are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country. American hospital and medical services are available to travelers, but a hospital stay can be costly without adequate insurance coverage. Visitors taking prescribed medications are advised to take a copy of their prescription should it need to be filled during the trip.

State Icons

State Nickname: Green Mountain State

State Capital:Montpelier

State Population:Approximately 610,000

State Area: 9,609 square miles

State Motto: “Vermont, Freedom & Unity”

State Tree: Sugar Maple

State Flower: Red Clover

State Mineral:Talc

State Fish: Brook Trout & Walleye Pike

State Insect: Honeybee

State Bird Hermit Thrush

State Animal Morgan Horse

Sunday Shopping

Individual store hours vary throughout the state. Sunday shopping is widely available though stores generally open slightly later and closed slightly earlier than the other six days of the week.

Winter Travel

Vermont encourages winter travelers to come to the state and enjoy the many wonderful winter activities it offers. However, visitors are advised that delays may be experienced due to changing weather conditions in winter, particularly in the northern and mountainous regions.

Area

9,615 square miles

Area Code

802

Capital City

Montpelier

Climate

There are four distinct climate seasons in Vermont, ranging from a balmy warm summer to a snow-
covered winter wonderland. Annual rainfall is on average 36 inches and average snowfall ranges from 100-250 inches, depending on where you are in the state. Average temperatures throughout the year are (in F): 20-40 in the winter, 50-75 in the spring, 60-80 in the summer, and 25-60 in the fall.

Historical Dates

1535 – Jacques Cartier is the first European to see what is now Vermont
1609 – Samuel de Champlain, “Father of New France,” explores Vermont and leaves behind his namesake to Lake Champlain
1777 – Vermont declared an independent republic
1791 – Fourteenth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1793 – Adopted current state constitution
1805 – Montpelier selected as state capital

Major Industries

Vermont’s manufacturing sector is the largest behind the service industry. The state thrives in production of electronics, marble quarry, cheese, maple products, and wood products. There are also a high percentage of people working in the technology industry. Vermont produces on average $2.2 billion in goods each year ranging from canoes to computer chips to teddy bears. Tourism and higher education are also major industries in Vermont.

Origin of State Name

Based on the French words for green mountains, “verts monts”

Population

623,050 (estimated)

State Parks

52 State Parks

Tax Information

The sales tax rate in Vermont is 6%, Rooms and Meals tax is 9% (some local governments have a 10% tax), and there is a 10% Liquor Tax applied to alcohol.

Towns

Vermont is made up of 251 cities and towns.

Famous People

Vermont is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the world of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among the list of famous Vermonters are….
• John Deere, inventor, Rutland
• Simon Fraser, fur trader, Bennington
• Chester Arthur, 21st U.S. President, Fairfield
• William Hepburn Russell, Pony Express founder, Burlington
• Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President, Plymouth
• James Fisk, capitalist, Bennington
• Richard Morris Hunt, architect, Brattleboro
• William Wilson, Alcoholics Anonymous founder, East Dorset
• Levi Morton, U.S. Vice President, Shoreham

Vermont Facts

• Vermont’s constitution was, in 1777, the first to outlaw slavery.
• 75% of Vermont’s total area is forested.
Vermont has more than 220 mountains above 2,000 feet in elevation.
• Vermont produces more than 100 million pounds of cheese per year, one of the state’s most valued products.
• Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States.
• Calvin Coolidge was the only U.S. president that was born on the 4th of July (1872), he was born in Plymouth.
• The first American-used postage stamp was made in Brattleboro in 1846.
• Bill Koch of Guilford received the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in Nordic skiing in 1976.
• Vermont has more than 100 covered bridges, which is, for its size, more than any other state.
• Montpelier is the only U.S. capital city that doesn’t have a McDonald’s restaurant.
• Sandpaper was invented by Isaac Fisher at Springfield in 1834.
• The first pulp paper mill was established in 1869 by William A. Russell in Bellows Falls. Russell later became the first president of the International Paper Company.



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