Narrated Tours

Our guided shuttle tour takes you to the world's largest dimension granite quarry. From the safety of a platform, you'll watch as quarriers far below cut mammoth blocks of world-famous Barre granite as your friendly guide explains the recovery methods, as well as a little geology relevant to the Barre deposit and some of the impressive history of the two-hundred-year-old Barre granite industry. Learn why Barre granite is prized by sculptors and architects alike and can be found in memorials, statutes and buildings in virtually every city around the globe. The tour lasts about thirty minutes.

Guided tours to the world's largest deep-hole granite quarry operates from May 27 to October 16, 2005, Monday-Saturday, 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday 10:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. departing approximately every forty-five minutes. (Closed July 4 th )

Our "On the Edge" Saturday and Sunday guided tours of the quarry put you right at the brink of a nearly six-hundred-foot drop and get you even closer to the quarry than we can take you when the quarries are working.

Please note that our quarriers typically work Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but they do not work on holidays or company vacation days associated with holidays.

Senior adults (62 and older) $3.50, Adults $4.00, Children (6-12) $1.50, Children (5 and under) ride for free if they sit on a lap (lapsitters).

Quarry tours are outdoor tours. Although the tours usually operate on rainy days, tours may be postponed or delayed for severely inclement weather.

Self-Guided Tours

Our Visitors Center & Memorial Design Studio is open May 1 to October 31 (Closed July 4), Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00-5:00 p.m. (fall hours: Monday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. mid-September through mid-October) Come see our video presentation in the Swenson Family Theatre, journey pictorially through our impressive history as you walk around our photomural, check out the computer-based exhibits, run a ball down the granite bowling lane and choose from a great selection of Vermont-made, granite gifts. Our Memorial Showroom features a fine selection of memorials, showcasing the depth of artistry and personalization for which Rock of Ages is known. Memorial counselors are available to assist you Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission to the Visitors Center is free.

Our manufacturing facility offers you an opportunity to observe skilled craftspeople as they cut, polish, sandcarve and hand sculpt granite. The facility is open for self-guided observations Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. year 'round, but is closed on all major holidays and associated vacation days. Admission is free.

Group Tours

Our fun and informative group tour consists of a step-on service. Our friendly, knowledgeable guide will hop aboard your coach and take your passengers to our fabulous 50-acre quarry. From the safety of a platform, guests watch as quarriers far below cut enormous blocks of granite. In addition to explaining our extraction methods, the guide will share some of the impressive history of the two-hundred-year-old Barre granite industry and some non-technical geology relevant to the Barre deposit. Visiting groups may also wish to stop at our Visitors Center and view our manufacturing facility as well. Allow two hours for your stop. Shorter tours can be arranged.

The cost for groups of twenty or more is just $2.75 per adult/senior passenger and $1.50 per child passenger. The driver, group leader and escort are admitted for free. Groups are always welcome, but reservations are appreciated. If your group requires a tour outside of our normal dates/hours of operation, please call us for availability. For reservations or questions, please call: 802-476-3119 or e-mail us.

School Tours

Our fun and informative group tour consists of a step-on service. Our friendly, knowledgeable guide will hop aboard your coach and take your passengers to our fabulous 50-acre quarry. From the safety of a platform, guests watch as quarriers far below cut enormous blocks of granite. In addition to explaining our extraction methods, the guide will share some of the impressive history of the two-hundred-year-old Barre granite industry and some non-technical geology relevant to the Barre deposit. Visiting groups may also wish to stop at our Visitors Center and view our manufacturing facility as well.

The cost for the step-on tour to the quarry is just $1.50 per student and $2.00 per adult chaperone. Teachers, aids and the school bus driver are admitted free of charge.

Those schools without access to a bus may take advantage of our "caravan" tour service. Individual cars will be escorted "wagon train" style to the quarry for the tour. Please note that all costs are the same, except that chaperones who serve as drivers are admitted for free.