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Are you looking for a fun, different way to explore Vermont? This Vermont Country Stores road trip is for you!
The old-fashioned country store is a big part of Vermont life. These general stores sit at the center of the villages, selling penny candy, local cheese, maple syrup, baked goods and all sorts of hard-to-find bits.
Tracking them down is a lovely way to see Vermont, so here’s a road trip through some of the best, running roughly from north to south.
Obviously, I would recommend adding more stops and doing other things as there are loads of waterfalls, cute towns and hiking options along the way.
I would recommend starting in Burlington for this but you can obviously adapt the itinerary.
🛍️ 1. Shelburne Country Store, Shelburne
From Burlington, drive south to Shelburne. This town has a lot to offer beyond the country store but this is a great start.
It’s located in the middle of town which is quite practical.
It’s a good spot for Vermont-made gifts, candles, candy, cheese, fudge and maple treats.
There is also an antique shop right next to it which is also a good spot for some shopping.
I would also recommend to pair that stop with Shelburne Farms, the Shelburne Museum or the Vermont Teddy Factory as they are nearby and you can make a full day of it.
🍬 2. Stowe Mercantile & Shaw’s General Store, Stowe
From Shelburne, drive to Stowe. This is one of the best small towns to visit in Vermont and there are loads of places you can visit along the way including the Ben & Jerry’s factory, the Cold Hollow Cider Mill and more.
The stores here are iconic which is why I will not recommend one but two!
Head to the Main Street where you’ll find Stowe Mercantile. It’s packed with Vermont products, gifts, candy, maple and local treats.
Make sure to also go to Shaw’s General Store as well, a Stowe institution running since 1895, good for outdoor gear and souvenirs.
The two together make an easy browse in the middle of town, and you can easily explore more of Stowe while you’re here.
🍕 3. Original General Store, Pittsfield
Next, you’ll be driving down Route 100.
This is one of the most scenic drives in Vermont and it’s absolutely gorgeous during the fall.
Just before Killington, you’ll find the Original General Store in Pittsfield. It’s a great spot and not very famous compared to the previous two.
Alongside local products and cheeses, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and keeps a proper wine cellar.
It’s a good place to stop and eat.
🍁 4. The Vermont Spot, Quechee Gorge
Keep driving towards Quechee Gorge (the deepest gorge in Vermont) and you’ll find The Vermont Spot, which sells Vermont-made goods, gifts and local treats.
While you’re here, make sure to explore Quechee Gorge as there are loads of walk opportunities.
PRO TIP: Before getting here, you could take a short detour to Hanover in New Hampshire. It’s home to one of the Ivy League Universities, Dartmouth College. It’s very pretty and the walking tours are very interesting.
☕ 5. South Woodstock Country Store, South Woodstock
Next, stop at the South Woodstock Country Store, just outside Woodstock (also one of the prettiest small towns in Vermont).
It has a cafe serving breakfast and lunch, plus food staples, wines, cheese, sweets and gifts.
It’s the kind of store where you can sit down, eat and shop, and a lovely easygoing stop along the way.
🏬 6. The Vermont Country Store, Weston
Next up is the most famous one of them all: the Vermont Country Store in Weston.
Founded in 1946, it’s a big, rambling shop where you can lose track of time. You’ll find penny candy, Vermont cheeses, maple syrup, fudge, old-fashioned toys and practical goods you won’t see anywhere else.
If you’d like to get a creemee, that’s also a good place as you can get it from Mildred’s Dairy Bar.
The village of Weston itself is also worth a wander, with the Weston Priory and the Weston Playhouse nearby.
🧀 7. Grafton Village Store, Grafton
Located right in the village of Grafton, the Grafton Village Store stocks local produce, food and souvenirs.
Grafton is known for its cheese, made in the village since 1892, so pick some up while you’re here. You can even stop at the Grafton Village Cheese Creamery and buy it directly from there. They have a nice covered bridge just outside the parking lot too.
Take a few minutes to look around the village too, with its white buildings and the historic Grafton Inn (it’s absolutely stunning and my favorite inn in Vermont).
🏔️ 8. Hogback Mountain Country Store, Marlboro
Keep heading south until you reach the Hogback Mountain Country Store. It has been here since 1936, and it comes with a view.
It sits at the Hogback Mountain overlook, at 2,250 feet, looking out across three states.
Browse the store for Vermont goods, then step outside for the panorama, which is one of the best in southern Vermont.
🥪 9. Dorset Union Store, Dorset
For your next and last stop you’ll have to drive back north a bit to reach Dorset where you’ll find the Dorset Union Store.
It’s one of the oldest in the state, established in 1816.
More than 200 years on, it does coffee, baked goods, a full deli and the usual Vermont staples: maple syrup, cheese and jam.
It’s still the heart of the town, so it’s a nice place to pick up lunch and watch village life go by. It makes a lovely, laid-back final stop on your Vermont country store road trip.
🗺️ Map of this Vermont Country Stores Road Trip
💡 A few practical tips
- The stores are spread out, so combine the ones near your route (many are on Route 100).
- Hours vary, and some cafes keep set times, so check before making a special trip.
- Bring cash, as some smaller stores prefer it, and leave room in your bag for maple syrup and cheese.
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