Positioned gracefully in the idyllic town of Woodstock, Vermont, the Billings Farm and Museum is a wonderful destination for an engaging afternoon. The Billings Farm and Museum, adjacent to and in operations with the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park in Woodstock, is home to some of the best scenery in Woodstock. As you wander the beautiful grounds of this operational farm, you’ll no doubt enjoy the bucolic environment, understanding at once what makes Woodstock such an enduring destination.
The Billings Farm and Museum is a tribute to Vermont’s deep agricultural roots and a testament to the important legacy of stewarding and conserving land across generations. The farm offers a charming glimpse into pastoral life that framed 19th-century Vermont while also shedding light on the evolution of farming and its lasting influence on this region. It’s a stunning example of Vermont’s bygone era and easily one of the most popular things to do in Woodstock.
As you enjoy afternoons walking the grounds of the National Park and visiting the animals at the Billings Farm, you’ll no doubt gain a profound appreciation for life’s simpler pleasures. This appreciation continues throughout your stay at our top-rated boutique hotel in Woodstock. Our boutique hotel is arguably one of the most pristine, upscale lodging properties within the Woodstock area. The Inn is set within a beautifully maintained historic home surrounded by three manicured acres, offering our guests the ideal blend of comfort, elegance, and hospitality.
The Jackson House Inn was made for the quiet moments between your adventures; moments built for cherishing the quietude and enjoying the escape from your everyday. From the moment you arrive, we take great pleasure in helping you craft an unforgettable escape. Book your room at our boutique hotel in Woodstock, VT today!
An Afternoon at the Billings Farm and Museum
At first glance, you may not understand why the Billings Farm and Museum is such a popular thing to do when you’re in Woodstock. Though it operates in concert with the protected Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park, thus affording visitors access to Woodstock’s stunning scenery, the Farm and museum play a vital role in Woodstock’s historical and environmental preservation. As you walk the grounds of the Farm, you’ll find meticulously maintained farm structures and have the opportunity to interact with heritage animal breeds, instantly transporting yourself to Vermont’s not-so-distant past.
The Billings Farm and Museum is an immersive journey into New England’s pastoral heritage – one of the best-preserved examples of this in today’s modern world. It’s a beautiful parcel of land, of course, but more than that; the Billings Farm and Museum perfectly demonstrates how harmoniously agriculture and conservation can blend as land passes through the hands of one generation after the next.
The Billings Farm and Museum opens for the season in early April, and these are just a few things you can expect to do during your visit to this treasured Vermont institution:
- Get to know the unique history of these lands in the Upon This Land exhibit, which skillfully tells the story of the Farm and its surrounding lands.
- Learn more about the Farm over the years in the Farm Life Exhibits spread throughout four original historic barns. These exhibits help tell the story of life in rural Vermont and depict scenes such as a country store, a traditional farmhouse, a farm workshop, daily chores, farming, and more. We also invite you to view the Academy-Award-nominated film A Place in the Land.
- Tour the meticulously restored 1890s Farm Manager’s House, which includes a business office and private living space for the farm manager, a creamery for butter production, and an ice house.
- Next to the farmhouse, you’ll find the Farmstead Gardens and apple orchard, located just outside the farmhouse.
- Of course, a perennial highlight of visits to the Billings Farm and Museum is visiting the farm animals. Throughout the Farm’s pastures and barns, you’ll find over 70 Jersey cows, with about 40 milking at any one time, calves in the fan-favorite calf nursery, draft horses, steers, Berkshire pigs, goats, a flock of Southdown sheep, and heritage breed chickens.
In addition to these regular attractions at the Billings Farm and Museum, there are also regular events held on the grounds. Popular events include maple sugar weekends, baby animal celebrations, Vermont quilting exhibitions, a harvest celebration, and the annual Christmas at the Farm. Various workshops and demonstrations, from cheese making to sheep shearing, allow guests to delve deeper into farm life.
More Things to Do in Woodstock, Vermont
Though it’s one of our favorite things to do in Woodstock, Vermont, the Billings Farm and Museum is a small part of what awaits you in this quaint and artistic village. Beyond the pastoral charm of the farm and the adjacent Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park is a town packed with fun activities, shops, restaurants, and more. Below, find a list of a few more of our favorite things to do in Woodstock, Vermont!
- Head to the Woodstock Gallery to see their fantastic local and regional art collection. It’s just one of many great galleries in downtown Woodstock.
- No visit to Woodstock would be complete without a visit to some of our local makers, including Farmhouse Pottery and nearby Simon Pearce in Quechee.
- Now that you’ve learned more about Vermont’s agricultural history and abundance, it’s time to visit local Woodstock Restaurants to enjoy delicious farm-to-table experiences.
- We also highly recommend that you take the time to browse the delicious, fresh goodies available at the Woodstock Farmers Market.
- Hike to the top of Mt. Tom via the trails at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
- Take a scenic bike ride through the quaint countryside, where you can take the time to appreciate the scenery of this special place, which includes several Vermont covered bridges.
- Apart from art galleries downtown Woodstock is also home to a trove of boutique shops, where you can find everything from artisanal crafts to luxury goods.
- For a touch of relaxation, consider visiting one of Woodstock’s upscale spas. These facilities offer treatments designed to rejuvenate the body and mind.
- In the evening, the town’s theaters often host performances, ranging from classical concerts to contemporary plays, providing a cultured ending to your day.
- Head to nearby Long Trail Brewing in Bridgewater or even a tasting at Caledonia Spirits in Montpelier and enjoy a taste of Vermont’s fine beer and spirits.
Between these fun adventures, leave yourself plenty of time to relax and unwind amidst the scenic beauty of our three-acre parcel of land just outside downtown Woodstock. There’s truly no finer place to stay in town. Book your room at our elegant boutique hotel in Woodstock, Vermont today!
