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Closed until Apr 30, 2023
Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours
Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Apr 30, 2023
About
The Rock of Ages tour experience is open to the public May - November 11th. Come visit us to experience one of the natural wonders of the world. Only here can you witness the largest deep-hole quarry, located in Graniteville, Vermont! Join us for a one-of-a-kind tour experience on a guided tour. Open Monday through Friday, 10am - 4pm with four tour times daily, closed on Saturday and Sunday. Caravan style to the quarry with our tour guide, road not recommended for motorcycles. Enjoy a game or two of bowling on our outdoor granite bowling lane, watch great video's inside the Visitor Center and explore our exhibits. Beautiful gift shop featuring granite gifts and warm Vermont hospitality awaits you at Rock of Ages. The Rock of Ages Craftsmen Center/Manufacturing Plant self-guided is not to be missed! See you in May
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
322 reviews
Excellent
187
Very good
109
Average
22
Poor
3
Terrible
1
catysonreviews
Shingletown, CA1,154 contributions
Jul 2022
A must-see if you are in the area. We thought they would load us on a shuttle bus to go to the quarry, but we drove our own vehicles to see the quarry following our tour guide. He was a retired quarry worker so he knew a lot about it. The "tour" isn't much to speak of but we didn't mind donating the 13.00 for two seniors. It was hot and there is no shade so we left the group early. I hope our guide wasn't insulted. If they want people to hang out they should put up a shade sail or something. It was really neat to see.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John I
Clifton Park, NY774 contributions
Jun 2021
I was born in Barre some time ago, so this was a pilgrimage of sorts. My mom talked about Rock of Ages for years, but I knew little about it. The welcome center is very well done, and the video is a must-see. I had no idea that Barre granite is in some of the most far-away places.
The drive up to the quarry is dusty and bumpy, but the lookout area is commanding. Due to technology, the workforce has gone from 200 to around 30. Quite a change over the years. The process is slow and boring, so there is only the excavation to see, but it is impressive.
The actual cutting facility is being remodeled for more capacity, so it was closed to the public. I would love to see the craftsmen at work, as they make cemetery markers and carvings with fine detail and artistry. Maybe next time.
The drive up to the quarry is dusty and bumpy, but the lookout area is commanding. Due to technology, the workforce has gone from 200 to around 30. Quite a change over the years. The process is slow and boring, so there is only the excavation to see, but it is impressive.
The actual cutting facility is being remodeled for more capacity, so it was closed to the public. I would love to see the craftsmen at work, as they make cemetery markers and carvings with fine detail and artistry. Maybe next time.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MJM
15 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
I was first interested in the tour because I saw a picture of the quarry but the tour was full of information. You start in the gift shop/museum. There are some good presentations about the quarry and a short film. When your tour time comes you meet up with a guide who gives you a brief lesson before you head to the quarry. Ours was very brief as she was trying to get us out ahead of a tour bus. You go in your own car caravan style to a parking area above the quarry. Here the guide presents you with a view while giving you information about the history and process. You can ask questions and see what it all looks like. My husband humored me to go but he loved it better than I did and took up the offer to go and see the production part as well. Well worth the time and money. And what a view.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
Tour guide was kind and knowledgeable. Very interesting history lesson. Tour is mainly standing and listening to guide so would not recommended for kids (we ended up leaving the tour early with our 7, 5, and 1 year old).
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
J W
35 contributions
Jul 2022
This was definitely worth the hour drive. The tour was very reasonably priced and a bargain considering all you get to see. The staff were all super nice, and our guide was superb at explaining the history of the quarry, daily operations, at pointing out various site features. It was a fun learning experience. The only negative was that we decided to take a Friday afternoon tour when quarry activity had started winding down for the week. At the end of the tour, the guide recommended visiting Hope Cemetery a few miles away to see a unique array of memorials created by site craftsman; we decided to do that and I’m glad we did since it was a nice supplement to what we had just seen at the quarry.
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teammilitello
Des Moines, IA697 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
No trip to Barre is complete without seeing an industry that is so vital to the city. Granite production is what sets Barre apart. For an inexpensive ticket, Cynthia told how the industry began & how it has evolved. We all drive in our own cars to the quarry. (The factory is closed, but a video shows everything, so that’s ok.) it lasts about 45 minutes. Your kids will enjoy watching the workers move the tractors throughout.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jaybeeFL
Palm Harbor, FL3,100 contributions
Aug 2021
Spent a very interesting and informative hour touring the deepest (600') granite mine in the world. Our guide Roger was terrific providing facts, figures, descriptive explanations on mine processes and safety precautions as well as personal experiences from his 30 years working in the mine. It is an hour well spent and one not that many folks get to experience. I will remember it every time I see the granite countertops in my kitchen!!!!!
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kleic
San Antonio, TX950 contributions
Aug 2021
The tour guide's headset was pretty terrible and we didn't catch a whole lot of what she said but the experience of seeing this place was really terrific. Keep an eye out for falcons and hawks! Spend a little time before or afterwards looking around the visitor's center. We also asked about hiking trails nearby and got to see some beautiful abandon quarries.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marty R
Princeton Junction, NJ3 contributions
Jun 2021
Roger, our tour guide and former long-term employee of the quarry, was very knowledgeable and very pleasant. He discussed the quarry's operations and stone cutting in a fair amount of detail (sometimes a little too much) and thereby described a world of mining which was quite enlightening. The Rock of Ages Visitor Center is done well and interesting. Unfortunately, the Craftsman Center (where actual production of granite products occurs) was closed to visitors.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your experience at Rock of Ages, we do appreciate your insight.
Written June 7, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jeff77664
Downingtown, PA516 contributions
Sep 2021
Took the tour in early September.
1). You can do bowling lane outside the visitor center. Took a couple of rolls there.
2). They have a scrap bin where you can take some samples hope
3). The tour guide was an ex worker. He explained stuff in detail
4). Tour is a car tour where you drive up to top and get out.
5). Tour cost is not much ($20.67 for 3 people)
6). Views were good at top.
A good unique tour
1). You can do bowling lane outside the visitor center. Took a couple of rolls there.
2). They have a scrap bin where you can take some samples hope
3). The tour guide was an ex worker. He explained stuff in detail
4). Tour is a car tour where you drive up to top and get out.
5). Tour cost is not much ($20.67 for 3 people)
6). Views were good at top.
A good unique tour
Written October 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TracyM
Cincinnati, OH728 contributions
I might only have a short time to visit the quarry. Looks like the tour may take 45 minutes. Is it possible to visit without a tour? If we visit without a tour, what could we self tour on our own?
Because it is an active quarry site, the only way to visit the quarry is with a guide. We offer 4 tours daily, Monday through Friday at 10:15am, 11:15am, 1:15pm and 2:15pm.
Another great option to consider is Millstone Trails, the trail system takes you by non-active and historic trails, great walk and beautiful scenery.
Carol B
Delray Beach, FL8 contributions
Is any of it wheelchair accessible
Doug S
Plymouth, Massachusetts30 contributions
I recall having to climb some stairs to get up to the viewing area in the factory. Don't know if they have an elevator there. But, the visitors center certainly is accessible. If it is helpful, I'll mention that I spent much more time in the visitors center than in the factory, which is located near the center. I'll also mention that the factory viewing area was very dusty. Yet, it certainly is interesting to see the vastness of that factory and, though at a distance, the work going on in that factory.
Is this also the quarry that people call the grotto
russlyna
Florissant177 contributions
I honestly do not know.
Cindy W
Springfield, VT
When is it open and how much is the tour
Todd P
Barre, VT
Thank you for your inquiry. Our tours of the quarry begin on Friday, May 22nd and operate M-Sat., 9:15-3:35 (Closed July 4th). From Sep. 1 - Oct. 18, the tours operate M-Sun.
The cost is $6 per adult, $5.50 per senior adult, $2.75 for children 6-13. Children 5 and under are admitted for free.
In addition, you may tour the factory M-F, 8:00-3:30, see the video, exhibits and gift shop, bowl on the outdoor granite lane and pick up your free sample of granite.
I hope you will be able to visit us this season.
Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours (Barre) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours
- Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours is open:
- Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours:
- (0.17 mi) Lazy Lions Campground
- (7.52 mi) High Hill Inn
- (5.77 mi) Comfort Inn and Suites at Maplewood
- (2.76 mi) Maplecroft Bed And Breakfast
- (1.34 mi) Millstone Hill Barn and Lodge
- Restaurants near Rock of Ages Visitor Center & Quarry Tours:
- (2.71 mi) Meltdown
- (8.21 mi) Sarducci's
- (2.91 mi) Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen
- (2.81 mi) Ladder 1
- (8.32 mi) Three Penny Taproom