20+ Best Things to Do in Vermont for an Unforgettable Trip
Vermont is small in size and enormous in charm. The best things to do in vermont range from hiking the Green Mountains and driving Route 100 in peak foliage to tasting maple syrup at the source, hunting for covered bridges, and skiing slopes that turn storybook villages white in winter. It is a state best explored slowly, town by town, with plenty of stops for cheese, cider, and pie.
Plan around the seasons. Summer suits lakes and mountain biking, autumn belongs to foliage drives and orchards, winter is for skiing and snowmobiling, and spring brings maple season and quieter roads. The best things to do in vermont are spread across the state, so pick a base — Burlington in the north, Woodstock in the center, or Manchester in the south — and explore outward from there.
Best Things to Do in Vermont: Mountains, Towns, and the Lake
Start with the classic Vermont picture: green peaks, postcard villages, and the great lake on the western edge.
1. Explore the Green Mountains
The Green Mountains run the length of Vermont and give the state its name, its trails, and its best views. Hike a section of the Long Trail in summer, drive the scenic gaps between peaks in autumn, and ski at Stowe or Killington when the snow arrives. Even a short walk to a fire tower or a lakeside overlook shows why Vermonters guard these mountains so fiercely.
2. Visit Quaint Towns
Vermont’s villages look like they were designed for postcards. Woodstock charms with its covered bridge, village green, and little shops; Stowe feels like a film set in winter, with a white church and mountain backdrop; and Burlington, the state’s largest city, brings a lively waterfront, a pedestrian marketplace, and great restaurants. Spend at least one unhurried morning in a village, coffee in hand, just wandering.
3. Enjoy Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain, on Vermont’s western border, is a summer playground: kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and sandy beaches along its eastern shore. Burlington’s waterfront is the easiest place to enjoy it, with a bike path, sunset cruises, and lakeside cafes. In winter the lake changes character completely, freezing over for ice fishing and offering stark, beautiful views.
4. Experience Fall Foliage
Vermont in autumn is famous for good reason: the hills turn red, orange, and gold in waves from north to south, usually peaking from late September into mid-October. Drive Route 100, the state’s classic foliage byway, or hike Smugglers’ Notch for views framed by cliffs. Go on a weekday if you can, and book stays early — foliage season is Vermont’s busiest time.
Best Things to Do in Vermont: Food, History, and Winter
Maple syrup, cheese, ice cream, and craft beer are not side notes in Vermont — they are the trip. Add history and ski season, and this section covers the state’s soul.
5. Tour Maple Sugarhouses
Maple syrup is a way of life in Vermont, the country’s largest producer. Visit a sugarhouse in late winter or early spring to see sap boiled into syrup, taste it warm from the evaporator, and buy the real thing — dark, rich, and nothing like the shelf syrup back home. Morse Farm in Montpelier is a classic first stop, with trails, tastings, and a farm store.
6. Visit Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum is unlike any museum you have visited: 39 historic buildings, from a steamboat to a lighthouse, spread across 45 acres of gardens near Lake Champlain. Inside are American art, folk art, quilts, carriages, and curiosities that reward a full day of wandering. Families love the open space and hands-on exhibits; art lovers love the depth of the collections.
7. Taste Vermont’s Culinary Delights
Come hungry. Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury for ice cream history and a tasting, sample aged cheddar at Cabot, and stop at farm stands for cider, donuts, and just-baked pie. Vermont’s small scale is its strength: the person serving you is often the person who made what you are eating, and they are usually happy to talk about it.
8. Explore Vermont’s History
For a quieter day, follow Vermont’s history through its preserved places: Calvin Coolidge’s birthplace and childhood home in Plymouth Notch, and Hildene, the Lincoln family home in Manchester, with its gardens, goat dairy, and Pullman car. Both are low-key, beautifully kept, and give a real sense of how Vermont shaped — and was shaped by — American history.
9. Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Winter in Vermont means ski season, and the state does it superbly. Killington is the biggest resort in the East, Sugarbush and Stowe are favorites for varied terrain, and smaller mountains suit families and beginners. Non-skiers are well looked after too, with snowshoeing, sledding, sleigh rides, and cozy lodges where hot cocoa by the fire counts as an activity.
Best Things to Do in Vermont: Parks, Trains, and Covered Bridges
State parks, a heritage railway, more than a hundred covered bridges, and a legendary beer scene — this is Vermont at its most outdoorsy and most sociable.
10. Discover State Parks
Vermont’s state parks are small, well-kept, and easy to enjoy. Quechee Gorge, the state’s deepest gorge, is a dramatic short walk from the parking area, while Gifford Woods offers quiet forest trails and fall color. Many parks allow camping, swimming, and picnicking, making them ideal low-cost days out between the bigger sights.
11. Take a Scenic Train Ride
The Green Mountain Railroad runs gentle scenic excursions through river valleys and farmland, and it is a lovely way to see Vermont without driving. Fall foliage trains are the most popular, with colors rolling past the windows for the whole ride, but summer and holiday trains have their own charm. It suits families, couples, and anyone who likes the journey as much as the destination.
12. Explore Covered Bridges
Vermont has more than 100 covered bridges, the most of any state, and hunting for them is a beloved road-trip game. The Middle Covered Bridge in Woodstock is the most photographed, while the Cornwall Bridge and others reward a detour down a country lane. Pick up a bridge map, allow for wrong turns — they are part of the fun — and photograph them in morning light.
13. Visit Vermont Breweries
Vermont punches far above its weight in craft beer. The Alchemist in Stowe and Hill Farmstead in Greensboro are pilgrimage stops for beer lovers, but almost every town has a friendly taproom pouring IPAs, farmhouse ales, and stouts. Even if beer is not your thing, the taproom atmosphere — locals, dogs, food trucks — is worth an hour of your evening.
14. Hit Up Local Farmers’ Markets
Vermont’s farmers’ markets are where the state’s food culture comes together: fresh produce, local cheeses, maple treats, baked goods, and handmade crafts, sold by the people who grew or made them. Burlington’s Saturday market is the biggest, but small-town markets across the state are just as welcoming — arrive hungry, bring cash, and taste before you buy.
Best Things to Do in Vermont: Scenic Drives and Seasonal Fun
Finish with the drives, the winter thrills, and the family favorites that make Vermont a four-season destination.
15. Drive the Scenic Byways
Some of the best things to do in vermont happen from the driver’s seat. Route 100 runs north-south through the Green Mountains past ski towns, general stores, and swimming holes, while the Connecticut River Byway follows the eastern border through farmland and covered-bridge country. Both reward slow driving, frequent stops, and a playlist of your choosing.
16. Try Snowmobiling
For a winter thrill, rent a snowmobile and ride the VAST trail system, which links trails across the whole state. Guided tours suit first-timers, with machines, helmets, and instruction included, and the routes cross frozen lakes, forests, and ridgelines. Dress warmly in layers, expect cold wind on open stretches, and finish with a hot meal in a trailside town.
17. Visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne is a delight, especially with children: tours show bears being stitched, stuffed, and dressed, and you can build your own bear to take home. It is a light, funny, and genuinely charming stop, and it pairs perfectly with the Shelburne Museum or a Lake Champlain afternoon nearby.
18. Go Ice Fishing in Winter
If you visit in winter, try ice fishing on Lake Champlain — even if you catch nothing, the experience is memorable. Local guides provide heated huts, gear, and know-how, so beginners need bring only warm clothes and curiosity. Sitting over a hole in the ice, watching the winter light on the lake, is Vermont at its quietest and most peaceful.
19. Enjoy Local Apple Orchards
In autumn, Vermont’s apple orchards are a must: pick your own apples, sip fresh cider, and eat cider donuts warm from the fryer. Champlain Orchards, near the lake, is a favorite for its views and its farm store, but any orchard with a pick-your-own sign is worth a stop. Bring a bag for apples — you will pick more than you planned.
20. Go Mountain Biking
Vermont’s mountain biking is nationally known, with trails for every level. Kingdom Trails in East Burke is the star: miles of flowing singletrack through forests and fields, plus a friendly bike-park town with rentals, cafes, and post-ride food. Beginners can stick to gentle rail trails, while experienced riders will find jumps, drops, and long descents.
21. Attend a Vermont Festival
Time your trip to a festival and Vermont shows its festive side: the Stowe Balloon Festival in summer, the Vermont Maple Festival in spring, and the Champlain Valley Fair in late summer are all worth planning around. Check dates before you travel, book stays early for festival weekends, and expect small-town warmth at a very large scale.
Practical Tips for a First Trip to Vermont
A few practical notes make the trip smoother. A car is essential: Vermont’s best things to do in vermont are spread across small towns and country roads, and public transport is limited. Fall foliage season and ski weekends book up fast, so reserve stays early for those periods. Pack layers in every season — mountain weather changes quickly — and keep cash handy for farm stands and markets. For official planning help, VermontVacation.com’s official travel guide and Lonely Planet’s Vermont guide are useful places to check before you book. If you love road trips too, these best things to do in upstate and best things to do alone in NYC are worth saving for a future trip, and the best things to do in Phuket Thailand are a good pick if your next adventure is further afield.
Best Things to Do in Vermont FAQs
What is the best time to visit Vermont?
It depends on what you love: late September to mid-October for fall foliage, December to March for skiing and winter sports, summer for lakes and biking, and spring for maple season and quiet roads. Autumn is the busiest season, so book early if that is your pick.
How many days do you need in Vermont?
Three to four days covers one region well, such as the Burlington area or southern Vermont. A full week lets you drive Route 100 end to end, visit both the north and south, and mix outdoor days with towns, breweries, and markets.
Is Vermont good for families?
Yes — Vermont is wonderfully family-friendly. Teddy bear factory tours, farmers’ markets, lake beaches, train rides, and ski resorts with beginner slopes all suit children, and the small-town pace keeps days relaxed rather than rushed.
Do you need a car in Vermont?
Yes, a car is essential for most visitors. The best things to do in vermont are spread across rural towns, parks, and back roads, and buses do not reach most of them. Driving is also part of the pleasure, especially on the scenic byways.
Is Vermont expensive to visit?
Vermont can fit many budgets. State parks, farmers’ markets, and scenic drives are inexpensive, while ski resorts, boutique inns, and festival weekends cost more. Mixing local eating and park days with one or two splurges keeps the trip comfortable.
However you build your days, Vermont rewards travelers who slow down: one mountain view, one small town, and one maple treat at a time. Pick your season, book the popular stays early, and leave room for one more covered bridge.
Emily Carter is the founder and editor of Her Everyday Nest. After nine years of renting in five apartments across three cities, she's learned how to make any rental feel like home.
