Top Things to do in Vermont
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What to do and see in Vermont, United States: The Best Nature & Parks
Whether you’re exploring Vermont’s covered bridges, visiting Quechee Gorge or skiing at Killington, you’ll find Vermont to be picture-perfect. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll love Vermont. In winter, of course, there’s plenty of skiing and snowboarding. In the warmer months, however, Vermont offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing and boating. If you enjoy boating, swimming and fishing, a vacation rental on Lake Champlain might be perfect for you.
Restaurants in Vermont
1. Lake Willoughby
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 166 reviews
A scenic lake in Vermont that is called "America's Lucerne."
Reviewed By j3ffr3y111 - Middlebury, United States
Maybe the most beautiful lake in Vermont. There is hiking all around, most notably the mount Pisgah hike provides amazing views!
2. Stowe Recreation Path
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,432 reviews
Between the West Branch River and Route 108 is a biking trail full of scenic vistas and small town atmosphere.
Reviewed By Turkish340
Rent some good bikes and do it. Did it with family, youngest is 10. No probkem at all as the entire path is pretty much flat and paved so it is really easy to ride. Beautiful scenery all the way through, and some really magical spots to stop and admire the area.
3. Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 207 reviews
Dog Mountain is a nonprofit set on 150 acres on a private mountain top spot in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The grounds are open from dawn til dusk to people and their dogs. Artist Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen, bought the property in 1995. They turned the barn into studio space. After Stephen’s unique visionary experience, the world famous Dog Chapel was built. The unspoiled haven is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds. Wildflowers abound in the summer and snow-shoeing is a favorite activity in the winter. Year after year, the Dog Chapel and the Stephen Huneck Gallery get more and more visitors from all over the world. Leashes are optional on Dog Mountain. Dogs are not just welcome here, they are cherished! Dogs are free to run, play, swim and, best of all, meet other dogs! It's great to hear from travelling visitors and local residents alike how much Dog Mountain means to them and their dogs.
Reviewed By sallyl801 - Portland, United States
was able to bring our dog off her leash and let her run free. nice well maintained trails. beautiful views.
4. Quechee Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 984 reviews
Locals think of this 165-foot gap as "Vermont's Grand Canyon."
Reviewed By 365syl-ga - San Antonio, United States
Visited Quechee Gorge on Fall Foliage tour and it was a gorgeous site. The Gorge looked beautiful with the fall colors and there is a trail that goes along the river if you are able be sure to take the short hike to the falls well worth the trip. Colors are beautiful and the falling leaves in the breeze so lovely!!!
5. Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
We offer locally-relevant and compelling environmental education programs and services to a wide audience. Our programs combine environmental science concepts with hands-on exploration to build empathy for nature and empower individuals to care for local natural ecosystems. VINS Nature Center offers special daily educational live bird programs! Admission includes entrance to exhibits, NEW forest canopy walk, nature trails, outdoor classroom and 17 State of the Art Bird Enclosures. ADA/ABA accessible. Open picnic areas, and gifts, beverages and snacks are available at the Nature Store. The VINS Nature Center is located 1/2 mile west from the Quechee Gorge. Open everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas days. For special events and classes visit web-site for full schedule. We are a non-profit since 1972. Mission: is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research and avian wildlife rehabilitation.
Reviewed By Vt43 - Quechee, United States
Always a favorite with the many birds and exhibits, this location has really upped its game with its new CANOPY WALK through the trees. It is only 1 of 4 in the whole country and provides an amazing experience. If you are in the area, do NOT miss this place
6. Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 524 reviews
At the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center the question isn’t what to do. The question is, where do you start? From sunrise to sunset, and in every season, there is an invigorating adventure or relaxing activity waiting for you at every turn. The Trapp Family Lodge is a 2,500 acre mecca for the outdoor and nature enthusiast. In the Winter there is cross country skiing, back country skiing and snowshoeing. In the Summer there is mountain biking, disc golf, hiking,Nordic walking and even concerts in our meadow. The lists go on and on for people of all ages!
Reviewed By SpyderP45 - Marcy, United States
When you're looking for an awesome place to stretch your legs, wether it's cross country skiing, snowshoeing or just walking around the property this is your place. Beautiful scenery, great groomed trails, fantastic wooded trails, sleigh rides (private entity) and just an overall relaxing experience, You'll certainly enjoy your time here, there really is nothing like it!
7. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,359 reviews
Historic home of Robert Lincoln, only child of President and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. The estate has beautiful gardens, restored 1903 wooden Pullman palace car, goat farm and cheesemaking facility, 12+ miles of walking trails, teaching greenhouse and cross-country skiing in winter.
Reviewed By aschwartz10100 - Brooklyn, United States
After visiting Manchester dozens of times, we finally went to HIldene and can't believe we didn't go before. The entrance fee seemed pretty high, but surely that is needed to support the maintenance and operation. You could spend much of a day touring the historic house and restored Pullman car (with great docents to give insight into what you're seeing), visiting the goats and farm, and hiking or skiing the trails.
8. Smugglers Notch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
This narrow path through thousand-foot cliffs, once a smuggling route into Canada, is now a park used for biking, hiking, picnicking and rockclimbing.
Reviewed By MaryJ071597 - Spokane, United States
We stayed a night in Stowe during the peak color season and this drive was recommended to us. We are so glad we did it. It was gorgeous! We had limited time so we were very disappointed we didn't get to experience more of this area. We made it to Smugglers Notch though and captured some beautiful shots. The road is very winding up there. It was super windy and we watched the leaves getting blown off the trees. We definitey recommend this scenic drive.
9. Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Nestled among the rolling hills and pastures of eastern-central Vermont, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park tells the story of conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America.
Reviewed By CarolDM1900 - Montpelier, United States
PLEASE SCROLL TO END FOR IMPORTANT NOTE. This is Vermont's only national historical park (the other NPS sites are Green Mountain National Forest in Rutland and Moosalamo National Recreation Area in Hancock). That makes it special for people who live here and an interesting attraction for those who come from out of state and want to learn a little history while taking in Vermont's beautiful natural scenery. From late September to late October it is the perfect place to enjoy the fall foliage. Admission is free. The park centers on the 1805/7 mansion and gardens, along with the 1895 carriage barn which serves as its visitor center. Unfortunately, these are temporarily closed due to the pandemic. If getting a tour of the mansion to view things like Albert Bierstadt's famous 1870 painting "Cathedral Rock, Yosemite" or other fine works of art, architecture and decoration is the sole reason to come here, I suggest you confirm in advance if it is open for tours. The park is opening by phases. As to the visitor center, while it is closed you can still pick up a very nice park guide right at the entrance. This gives a good deal of historical information and includes a map of the very extensive grounds, almost 450 sq. acres that include a large pond with a lovely view of Woodstock, many old carriage roads for easy strolling, and trails for those who would enjoy hiking through the forest, with each section's trees identified on the map by type and year of planting. This is very much a conserved place, where the three families who made it their home put into practice the principles of responsible, science-based stewardship that have not only sustained but improved it for future generations. If it's a beautiful day and you'd like to spend even more time outside, right across the street from the park entrance you will find the Billings Farm and Museum, which features a working dairy farm and exhibits about agriculture and rural life. Scenery there is also delightful in the fall. IMPORTANT NOTE: The parking lot that serves both the Billings Farm & Museum and the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Site was nearly full on the day I visited. I noticed that many cars had out-of-state plates. If you plan to visit Vermont, please be aware that there are travel restrictions and quarantine requirements depending on your state and county. Make sure you know the cross state travel information for the place you live. It is available online via the Vermont Official State Website. Be aware also that Vermont has a mask mandate requiring both Vermonters and visitors to wear masks or cloth facial coverings over their noses and mouths any time they are in public spaces, indoors or outdoors, where they come in contact with others and it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet. I was frankly shocked by the number of people NOT wearing masks and NOT keeping 6 feet of social distancing. Please follow the rules so that wonderful places like this can stay open for everyone to enjoy.
10. Stowe Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 975 reviews
A classic Vermont ski getaway, popular with families because of its excellent ski/snowboard school and child-friendly amenities.
Reviewed By bhink0506 - Medford, United States
Most people probably come here in Winter, but Stowe is as charming in Summer. The gondola ride to the (almost) top of the mountain is breathtaking, and the hiking trails from there are a lot of fun. Some are trails very treacherous, so be sure to wear proper shoes and be in proper shape to hike them. The views are wonderful. I highly recommend Stowe.
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