Indian Brook Reservoir, Indian Brook Road, off Old Stage Road: 577 acres including trails, reservoir for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, nature observation, and picnic areas. Pass required for entry.

Sand Hill Park, Sand Hill Road: playground, swimming pool with bath house, basketball court, trails.

Fort Ethan Allen Parade Ground, between Vermont Route 15 and Dalton Drive: 19 acres owned mutually with the Town of Colchester, including playground, tennis courts, 2 soccer fields, cricket, rugby, gazebo, walking trail.

Woodside Park, opposite Dalton Drive: canoe access, trails, picnic area.

Overlook Park, off Woodside and Vermont Route 15: 4 acres of scenic overview, limited trails, picnic benches.

Foster Road Park, Foster Road: a 15-acre community park featuring 6 ballfields (1 lighted), a 400-meter track, soccer fields, restrooms and parking.

Pearl Street Park, Pearl Street: a 14-acre neighborhood park featuring basketball and tennis courts, trails, ballfields, a playground and parking.

Lang Farm Park, Essex Way: 72 acres of open space.

Essex Elementary School, 1 Bixby Hill Road

Founders Memorial School, 168 Sand Hill Road

April: Vermont Home and Garden Show, Champlain Valley Exposition Fairgrounds.

May: Spring Craft Show. 200 juried artisans at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.

Memorial Day Parade: One of the biggest parades in the state.

July: Vermont's Family Bluegrass Festival, Champlain Valley Exposition, Vermont 15, Essex Junction.

August: Champlain Valley Fair, the state's largest fair, Champlain Valley Exposition, Vermont 15, Essex Junction.

October: Essex Community Halloween Celebration, Champlain Valley Exposition, Vermont 15, Essex Junction.

Fall Craft Show: 400 juried artisans, food, specialty products, demonstrations, and live entertainment at the Champlain Valley Exposition grounds.

Essex Free Library, intersection of Vermont routes 15 and 128, Essex Center. Tel: 879-0313

Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction. Tel: 878-6955

Discovery Museum, 51 Park Street, Essex Junction: hands-on children's museum including natural science center.

Harriet Farnsworth Powell Historical Museum, Browns River Road, Essex Center: local artifacts.

Memorial Hall, Towers Road, Essex Center: community meeting rooms built after the Civil War, used mainly by local theater groups but recently refurbished for other uses.

Fort Ethan Allen Water Tower: former stone water storage tower, open mainly by appointment.