How to Visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Company

Posted by Anonymous , 9/5/2007 Tags:VisitVermontTeddyBearCompany
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How to Visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Company

Introduction

A family vacation in Vermont isn't complete without taking home a few Vermont-made souvenirs. Here's a word to the wise: skip the fattening syrup that doesn't last a month, and get yourself a cuddly teddy bear instead. Vermont Teddy Bears are bears built to last a lifetime. Visit the factory and their gift store to find out more about this great made-in-America success story.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Plan your trip. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company in Shelbourne, Vermont, is easy to find along Route 7. Check their website for specific directions.
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Step Two

Allow about an hour and a half to tour and shop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. Factory hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the summer season, starting June 1 and ending October 31. Winter hours start November 1 and run through May 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Step Three

Take the 30 minute tour. Tours cost $2.00 for adults and are free for all children under 12. Summer tours start at 9:30 and end at 5:00. Winter tours start at 10:00 and end at 4:00. Tours are on a first come, first serve basis and group tours can be accommodated. Call in advance with any questions at (802) 985-3001 ext. 2 or (800) 892-2327.
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Step Four

Grab a bite to eat at the Hungry Bear Caf??, which serves up breakfast, snacks and lunch. During summer hours, an outdoor ice cream cart is open and is a great place to take a break and share an icy treat with your new teddy bear.
5

Step Five

Shop in the store and find the best bear for you and outfits for your bear. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is best known for their Teddy Bear-Grams. You can also ship the perfect bear to anyone for a sweet, cuddly gift. In the Make-A-Friend-For-Life area, children of any age can choose, stuff and bring to life their very own bears.
6

Step Six

Eat the Lake Champlain chocolates, another Vermont-made product that the sales associate put in your teddy bear carrier box. If you wait too long, your bear (or the summer heat) will get to them first.

Tips & Warnings

  • To increase your chances of seeing the factory in production mode, visit during the week before 4:30 and never during the lunch break, which is 12:00-12:30. Please keep in mind, though, there's no guarantee that the factory will be in production.
  • If you don't want to see the factory and aren't near Shelbourne, grab a bear at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company store in Waterbury.
  • Tours are cheap, but the bears are not. Stop at the ATM before you go because once you see those cute fuzzy faces, resistance is futile.
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