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Are you planning a trip to the Green Mountain State and wondering what are the most beautiful places to visit in Vermont? You’ve come to the perfect place!
Vermont is one of my favorite states in the US. It’s so beautiful with its green mountains, covered bridges, maple everything, small towns and of course it has some of the best fall foliage in the world.
I love every single corner of Vermont and I know you’re going to love it too!
Here are 19 of the best places to visit in Vermont.
⛪ 1. Stowe
Stowe is the most famous small town in Vermont and for good reason! It really lives up to the hype for me.
It’s stunning all year round but of course, it’s extra magical during the fall.
There are so many things you can do in Stowe.
First, walk around downtown and Main Street. That’s where you will find all the coffee shops and stores including some cool country stores (such as Shaw’s General Store).
You can also find the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge which is a cute pedestrian covered bridge.
If you have time, make sure to hire bikes and cycle the Stowe Recreation Path. It’s amazing!
The most famous landmark in Stowe is the Stowe Community Church. The best place to see it is from the view point so you can see the stunning white church spire against the trees and mountains.
It’s also a great mountain base with a ski resort in winter. In summer, you can take the SkyGondola all the way up Mount Mansfield which is the highest peak in Vermont.
The views from there are fantastic.
Finally, make sure to go to the von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort (yes, from the sound of music!). There are loads of walking opportunities, a brewery and some highland cows!
🏔️ 2. Smugglers’ Notch
If you keep on driving just after the Stowe Mountain Resort, you’ll find one of the most scenic drives in Vermont.
Smugglers’ Notch (Route 108) is a mountain pass road that squeezes between huge boulders and cliffs.
It’s beautiful in summer but becomes truly magical in the fall with the foliage colors.
The road is narrow and not suitable for every vehicle but don’t worry about it, you can ‘test’ it before starting. When you get to the Mountain Resort, there is a replica of one of the boulders and you have to drive around it to be able to start driving the rest of the notch.
If you can’t drive through the replica, you shouldn’t go any further.
Just note the road is narrow and closes in winter, so it’s a warmer-months drive only.
📸 3. Woodstock
Woodstock is regularly called one of the prettiest towns in America and for good reason, it’s so cute!
You can park near the green and walk over to the Middle Covered Bridge. It’s one of the prettiest covered bridges in Vermont.
You can then head to Central Street and browse the cute independent shops there.
There is also a creemee shop there so that’s the perfect place to get a maple creemee in summer.
A bit further, the Billings Farm & Museum is also worth a look.
The Quechee Gorge is also only a few minutes drive from Woodstock (but we’ll get to that!).
🏞️ 4. Lake Willoughby
Lake Willoughby is one of the most unique natural landmarks in Vermont.
Of course the Green Mountain State has loads of lakes but this one is special as it’s framed by two fjord-like mountains (Mounts Pisgah and Hor rise), making the scenery absolutely breathtaking.
In summer it’s great for a swim, and there are hikes up both mountains if you want the view from the top.
It’s remote, so it stays pretty quiet even in peak season.
⛵ 5. The Champlain Islands
The Champlain Islands are located on Lake Champlain, just north of Burlington.
Not only are they beautiful but it’s also a great place if you like quieter spots and fishing.
I drove up through them on my way to Montreal and loved how relaxing this area was.
You can visit the state parks (Grand Isle State Park and Knight Point State Park).
It’s also a great place if you are interested in wine tastings as there are a few vineyards such as Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery.
Finally, make sure to visit one of the local apple orchards for some fruit picking or apple cider donuts. Hackett’s Orchard and Allenholm Farm are both great options.
🌉 6. Quechee Gorge
Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in Vermont at around 165 feet, which is why it’s nicknamed “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon.”
The quickest way to see it is from the bridge on Route 4, where you can look right down into the gorge in a couple of minutes.
If you want to get closer, there is a trail from Quechee State Park that takes you down to the bottom by the Ottauquechee River.
While you’re here, make sure to stop at the Simon Pearce mill. You can watch the glassblowers at work, shop for their pieces, and even have lunch in the restaurant that sits right over the river and a covered bridge.
The VINS Nature Center is another great stop, especially with kids, with a forest canopy walk and live raptor presentations.
🎼 7. von Trapp Family Lodge
I mentioned it in the Stowe section, but the von Trapp Family Lodge is worth a spot of its own.
It sits on 2,600 acres just outside Stowe and is still run by the von Trapp family, from the Sound of Music.
The estate looks like a slice of Austria, and there are miles of walking, biking and Nordic trails to explore, plus gardens and a little chapel.
It’s honestly such a surprising place.
There is also the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, where you can try their Austrian-style lagers.
Finally, make sure to go to the café as there are highland cows in the field next to it and they are so cute!
🌊 8. Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain runs the whole length of Vermont’s western side with the Adirondacks in the background.
You can go for a swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or hop on a scenic cruise.
For an easy way to enjoy the lake, cycle or walk the Burlington bike path, which follows the shore for about 8 miles.
And wherever you end up, try to catch the sunset over the Adirondacks.
🎭 9. Brattleboro
In South Vermont, Brattleboro is an artsy town with a bit of a bohemian feel.
It’s a great place to just wander. Browse the vintage and independent shops, pop into the galleries, and catch a film or show at the Art Deco Latchis Theatre.
If you’re there on a Saturday, the Brattleboro Farmers Market is well worth a visit.
Just outside town, Retreat Farm has miles of trails, farm animals to meet and a lovely food market.
And keep an eye out for the Creamery Covered Bridge, built in 1879, just off Route 9.
🐴 10. Middlebury
Middlebury is a college town built around the prestigious Middlebury College.
Its main feature is Otter Creek Falls, which drops right through the middle of downtown past the old mill buildings.
There are several beautiful churches in Middlebury. The Congregational Church of Middlebury is particularly beautiful. If you walk up Main Street towards the church you can get great photos.
Take some time to wander the walkable downtown, full of independent shops and cafes, and visit the Middlebury College Museum of Art (which is free).
Finally, if you are into horses, make sure to stop at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm just outside town.
🛍️ 11. Manchester
Located in South Vermont, Manchester is another interesting small town to visit.
Start in Manchester Center and walk up and down the quaint Main Street. You’ll find Northshire Bookstore there, one of the best independent bookshops in New England.
After that, head to Hildene, the summer home built by Abraham Lincoln’s son. It has a grand manor, formal gardens, 12 miles of trails and a working farm with goats and sheep.
Fishing fans should visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing, and for the views, drive up the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive.
🧀 12. Shelburne
Just south of Burlington, Shelburne is packed with things to do.
The big one is Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre working farm on Lake Champlain. You can walk the trails, meet the animals, and buy its famous cheddar.
Next door, the Shelburne Museum is a huge “collection of collections,” from folk art and quilts to a whole 220-foot steamboat on dry land.
For food and drink, the Shelburne Vineyard does tastings, and Fiddlehead Brewing (next to Folino’s wood-fired pizza) is a fun stop for a pint.
🍦 13. Ben & Jerry’s Factory
The Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury is one of the most popular places in Vermont, and it was a highlight of my trip.
The famous ice cream brand started in a converted gas station in Burlington back in 1978 and you can visit one of the current factories in Waterbury.
This will be on your way to Stowe anyway so there is no reason not to stop!
The factory tour costs around $6 and takes you through how the ice cream is made, with a taste of the flavor of the day at the end.
Afterwards, head outside to the Flavor Graveyard, it’s where retired flavors get their own headstones. It’s oddly charming.
There’s a scoop shop and gift shop too, so come hungry.
🏛️ 14. Montpelier
Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the US but there is a lot to do!
The first thing to do is to go to the State House to see the gold dome. You can also take a free tour inside to learn about Vermont’s history and politics. It’s very interesting.
Downtown Montpelier is full of vintage shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, and it’s a lovely place to wander.
For a great view, hike up through Hubbard Park to the 54-foot stone observation tower, which looks out over the capital and the mountains beyond.
And just outside town, Morse Farm Maple Works is a nice stop for a maple tasting.
🌆 15. Burlington
Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington is the biggest city in Vermont.
First, head downtown and go to Church Street, a pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and street performers. The food scene here is excellent.
Burlington is also home to ECHO, the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a science and nature center on the waterfront (with a model of Champ, the lake’s legendary monster) which is worth checking out.
You can then walk along the shores at the Waterfront Park. The views are stunning and it’s very relaxing.
🏬 16. The Vermont Country Store
For a proper taste of old-fashioned Vermont, stop at the Vermont Country Store in Weston.
It’s packed with penny candy, local cheese, maple syrup, fudge and all sorts of hard-to-find bits, and there’s a snack bar too, so it’s easy to spend a while here.
The village of Weston is lovely and worth a wander while you’re there.
Look out for the peaceful Weston Priory (a monastery known for its music) and the historic Weston Playhouse by the green.
🧸 17. The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
Also in Shelburne, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is a fun stop, especially with kids but to be honest, we were definitely not the only adults to visit without kids.
You can take a tour to see how their bears are made, or just browse the shop for the perfect gift.
Keep an eye out for the “Bernie’s Mittens” tribute, a nod to the famous Bernie Sanders meme.
It’s light-hearted and a handy place to pick up a souvenir.
🍂 18. Wilmington
Down south, Wilmington sits right at the start of the Route 100 scenic drive.
It has a small, walkable downtown with independent shops, galleries and places to eat, so it’s a nice spot to stretch your legs.
It’s also the gateway to Mount Snow, which has skiing and snowmobiling in winter, and chairlift rides, golf, hiking and biking in summer.
If you’re there on a weekend between May and October, the Wilmington Antique & Flea Market (running since 1983) is well worth a visit.
🍎 19. Cold Hollow Cider Mill
No trip to Vermont would be complete without going to a cider mill. There are loads of them but Cold Hollow Cider Mill is by far the most famous.
Also, it’s very conveniently located on Route 100, between Ben & Jerry’s and Stowe.
It’s famous for its apple cider donuts.
You can watch the cider being pressed the traditional way, and in the fall, the hot mulled cider is the ultimate thing to order. In summer, you can opt for a dreemee which is basically an ice cream sandwich with an apple cider donut and a creemee.
The shop is full of local treats, maple syrup and gifts if you want to take a bit of Vermont home with you.
🗺️ Map of the best places to visit in Vermont
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