Seniors Head Northeast to Williston, Vermont

Williston, senior travelers learn, was originally rural and laid out with many farms. However in recent decades, it has developed into a thriving suburb of Burlington, the largest city in the state. The estimated population in 2015 was 9,409.

Williston is one of the fastest-growing towns in Vermont, and while becoming more populated, has also developed as a major retail center for the Burlington area as well as much of central and northern Vermont.

The Abenakis Native Americans inhabited this area before European settlers arrived in the 1770s. The first railroad entered the community in 1850 when Williston was an agricultural town. Governor Chittenden Road was named in honor of Thomas Chittenden, who was the first governor of Vermont and a resident of Williston.

Senior historians, The Williston Historical Society is housed in the Vermont Room of the library that contains over 1,100 books as well as displays of historical interest.

Seniors Enjoy the Red Barn Gardens

The town is a short drive to the Burlington International Airport and Interstate 89 goes through the  community and where you will find one of the state’s largest shopping areas just off exit 12.

Red Barn Gardens is highly popular for weddings and receptions. Originally built in the 1790s, this historic home has been restored to its original glory, sitting on 16 acres of wide open space. Multiple gardens are found throughout the farm, gardens that offer pumpkins, perennials, vegetables and annuals.

Toss in the clubs and play a round or two at the Williston, Catamount or Rocky Ridge Golf Clubs.

 Seniors Love Vermont’s Fall Colors

Lake Iroquois is a picturesque small lake also known as a eutrophic kettle pond located in Williston.  I Googled ‘eutrophic kettle pond in Williston’.  Then I looked up ‘eutrophic’, then ‘kettle pond’.

Very interesting…having to do with receding ice,  ground nutrients and runoff.  An entire blog could be written on entropic kettle ponds!

Seniors can check out the Burlington Beer Company and The Brick Church Music Series held between October and April.

Then there are several state parks you can enjoy along with several museums. Middlebury College, Dartmouth College and Adirondack Community College are the nearby institutions of higher education.

Seniors, a visit to historic Williston will be especially nice in the fall when the trees are in full color. -jeb