15 Unmissable Places To Visit In Vermont

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published:

UPDATED:

Vermont is a postcard-perfect state filled with rolling hills, quaint towns, natural beauty and old-world charm. But which places should you add to your itinerary when you visit the Green Mountain State? We’ve explored Vermont from top to bottom, and for us, it’s one of the most photogenic regions in the United States.

In this guide we show you 15 fantastic places to visit in Vermont, based on our experiences.

Our Vermont Experience

Couple in maroon shirts standing together taking a selfie with a church behind in Burlington Vermont
Here we are on Church Street in Burlington VT

Altogether, we’ve spent around a month driving through Vermont across two New England fall road trips. For us, Vermont and New Hampshire are the two major states to prioritize in peak fall foliage season for the best hikes and photo spots. So between extended trips in 2019 and 2023, we’ve covered the top tourist spots in both states.

We love Vermont’s endless forested countryside and small-town-feel cities. If pushed, we’d say Stowe, Woodstock and Manchester are our favorite places to visit in Vermont, in that exact order. We especially like Stowe because it has hiking, photo spots, fall colors, skiing, breweries and great places to eat. It’s our kind of place! Read more about us.

1. Bennington

Path heading straight ahead through grass to a tall and narrow stone monument in Bennington Vermont on a sunny day
The needle-like Bennington Battle Monument

Bennington is a small town in the southwest of Vermont close to its borders with New York and Massachusetts. It was the first town established in the state in 1749 and it’s most famous for the Battle of Bennington which took place during the Revolutionary War.

Bennington has a lively and artsy downtown with lots of great places to eat. Mark’s from England, so we couldn’t miss the chance to stop in at Lil’ Britain for some fish and chips when passing through town. We think Bennington is a great place to stop for lunch and to see the battle monument on a wider road trip route, but we’d probably choose to spend a night in nearby Manchester.

Here’s what you can do in Bennington:

2. Brattleboro

Cars in a traffic jam on a town road with buildings trees and a church spire
Photo we took in downtown Brattleboro

Brattleboro is a small southern Vermont town located on the banks of the Connecticut River. It directly borders New Hampshire and it’s under 10 miles from Massachusetts. Interestingly, it’s the only place named Brattleboro in the world. Nearby you’ll find hikes, forested hills, ski resorts and lots of popular tourist spots.

We spent a few hours walking around Brattleboro’s historic downtown, enjoying its independent stores, arts and local food. It isn’t our favorite place in Vermont, but it’s definitely worth stopping in for lunch if you’re passing through the area. And after lunch, don’t miss Twice Upon A Time Antiques store because it’s filled with lots of unique gift ideas for your loved ones!

Here’s what you can do in Brattleboro:

3. Burlington

Cobbled pedestrian path with buildings on either side leading to trees and a church with spire
The famous Church Street in Burlington

Burlington is Vermont’s largest and most populous city. It’s located on the shores of Lake Champlain just 45 miles from the Canadian border, and it’s by far the liveliest place to visit in the state. You’ll find lots of great restaurants, bars and cafes around its famous cobbled Church Street (see our photo above).

If you’re visiting Vermont as a couple or a groups of friends and you want livelier evening experiences, you should add Burlington to your itinerary. By day you can ride a bike to Grand Isle, explore local attractions, relax in green spaces by the lake or get an early start on Church Street!

Here’s what you can do in Burlington:

READ: The most fun things to do in Burlington VT

4. Calvin Coolidge Historic Site

Old wooden building in rural Vermont with grass and hills covered in trees
Photo we took at the Calvin Coolidge complex off Rte 100

Calvin Coolidge Historic Site is a quick and easy stop off of Vermont Route 100 near Woodstock and Killington. At the rural and beautiful homestead in Plymouth Notch you’ll find the birthplace of America’s 30th President, Calvin Coolidge. There’s lots of great exhibits on display and you can walk around several historic buildings.

We stopped in for an hour in the fall of 2023 and we took home some great photos of the surrounding area. Also on site (which we didn’t expect) is Plymouth Cheese Company. You can walk around exhibits to see how the Coolidge family went about cheesemaking and of course you can buy their produce. It’s well worth a short visit if you’re in the area.

Here’s what you can do at Calvin Coolidge Historic Site:

  • Walk around the many Coolidge exhibits
  • Take photos of the wide open rural landscapes
  • Learn about Plymouth Cheese Company
  • Sample and buy cheese

5. Camel’s Hump State Park

Far reaching view from the top of a mountain overlooking lots of other mountains covered in haze on a cloudy day
You can just about see Camels Hump sticking up in the distance

Camel’s Hump State Park is a 20,000 acre forest reserve located with easy driving distance of Burlington, Stowe and Montpelier. The park’s major feature is the challenging Camel’s Hump Trail, which leads to a hump-shaped rocky summit surrounded by far reaching 360-degree views over rolling hills in all directions.

It’s only 6-miles roundtrip but it has 2,500 ft elevation gain, which means it’s a steep and difficult hike. We’re yet to take on Camel’s Hump Trail, but it’s definitely on our list for next time because it has incredible looking summit views. It’s free to enter, you can take your dogs on the trail and it’s off the beaten path, so this could be a winner for you.

Here’s what you can do at Camels Hump:

  • Hike Camel’s Hump Trail for stunning summit views
  • Photograph the landscape in fall for unique foliage images

READ: 50 amazing hikes in the US

6. Green Mountain National Forest

Drone photo of a road cutting straight through a cluster of trees with colorful leaves in a wide open landscape
Drone photo we took over Green Mountain National Forest

The Green Mountains stretch 250 miles through Vermont from Massachusetts to Quebec in Canada. Notable peaks in the picturesque mountain range include Mt Mansfield, Camel’s Hump, Killington Peak, Jay Peak and Stratton Mountain. Our favorite part of the mountains is near Manchester because it’s so easy to get lost in quiet rural roads surrounded by beauty.

For us, the beauty of The Green Mountains is that they can be enjoyed throughout all fours seasons of the year. You can ski in winter, hike in spring and summer, and be wowed by a vibrant fall foliage extravaganza in autumn. No matter which month you visit Vermont, you should plan to spend some time exploring its Green Mountains.

Here’s what you can do in the Green Mountains:

  • Hike several wonderful trails
  • Find waterfalls scattered throughout the mountains
  • Ski in one of Vermont’s popular mountain resorts
  • Photograph some of New England’s most vibrant fall foliage colors in autumn
  • Hike part of the Appalachian Trail through the Green Mountains

Need help planning your New England road trip?

Our popular New England fall travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your road trip, including the best places to stop, where to see fall colors, where to eat and stay, itinerary ideas and map!

View Guidebook
Where Are Those Morgans New England fall travel guidebook

7. Killington Mountain Resort

Drone photo overlooking Killington Mountain Resort in Vermont with a still lake and colorful leaves lighting up the mountains behind
Photo we took of Killington Mountain Resort with our drone at dawn in fall

Killington Mountain Resort is Vermont’s most popular ski resort in winter, but it’s also a fun place to visit the rest of the year thanks to lots of outdoor activities But it’s especially beautiful in the fall when slopes of the tallest peaks are covered in stunning colors. We spent a night at Killington Grand Resort and woke up before sunrise to take photos of the colors with soft light.

The road leading up to the mountain resort is filled with restaurants and bars, which are much quieter outside of the ski season. And there’s a great short walk on the Appalachian Trail to Thundering Brook Falls that’s well worth it. If you’re staying in nearby Woodstock for a few nights, it’s just a short drive to reach Killington.

Here’s what you can do in Killington:

  • Ski in the winter
  • Enjoy stunning fall foliage colors
  • Ride the K-1 gondola to Killington Peak
  • Mountain bike through the forests in summer

8. Lake Champlain

Couple wearing sunglasses and red shirts taking a selfie on a bike path with a lake behind
Here we are walking alongside Lake Champlain on the Burlington bike path at sunset

Lake Champlain is a 120-mile long natural freshwater lake forming the border between the states of Vermont and New York. It had a colorful history throughout the 1700’s and 1800’s with lots of battles, but today it’s a popular tourist spot in summer and it also provides drinking water to thousands in the region.

Lake Champlain is a natural stopping point if you’re planning to visit Lake Placid in New York’s Adirondack Mountains before or after Vermont. The easiest place to use as a base for exploring the lake is Burlington, from where you can hike, swim, explore, learn about its historical significance and even cycle between islands on the lake.

Here’s what you can do at Lake Champlain:

9. Manchester

Large garden and road leading to trees and a stately building with colorful leaves on the ground and in trees
Hildene Lincoln Family Residence near Manchester VT

Manchester is a popular year round tourist town at the heart of Green Mountain National Forest in southwest Vermont. The town is split into the old town of Manchester and the more modern Manchester Center which features a range of designer outlets and excellent restaurants. We’ve stayed in Manchester twice and it’s our favorite part of southern Vermont.

It has great hiking in spring and summer, an abundance of fall foliage photo spots in autumn and two ski resorts right on the doorstep in winter. Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home was once the estate of Abe Lincoln’s son Robert, and Equinox Mountain summit provides far reaching views. Both are excellent touristy things to do.

Here’s what you can do in Manchester:

READ: The top things to do in Manchester VT

10. Montpelier

Photo of the grand looking Vermont State House with flowers in the foreground
Photo we took of Vermont State House in Montpelier

Montpelier is the smallest and least populous state capital city in America. It’s a tiny place, but it’s definitely worth stopping by on your way to or from Stowe for a spot of lunch and a walk around town, as long as you have plenty of time in your itinerary.

We visited Montpelier not long after it suffered from serious flooding in 2023. The downtown area was being cleaned up and restored but we still enjoyed our short trip. Don’t miss a quick visit to the Vermont State House because you can go upstairs to see its legislative chambers which is very interesting.

Here’s what you can do in Montpelier:

11. Quechee

Waterfall with rocks and still water backed by houses and a restaurant with balcony
Mill Pond Falls in Quechee VT

Quechee is a tiny but popular village sandwiched between Woodstock and the New Hampshire border. It’s most famous for the 165-foot deep Quechee Gorge, which is commonly viewed from a bridge but you can also hike trails on both sides of the gorge. After seeing the gorge, head into town to see Quechee Covered Bridge, Mill Pond Falls and Simon Pearce glassworks.

We’ve stopped in at Quechee twice and both times we’ve been surprised at how many people were there. The gorge is worth seeing, but we also encourage you to continue into the tiny village because it’s very picturesque. You won’t need long here, but you’ll be glad you pulled in for an hour or so on the way to or from Woodstock.

Here’s what you can do in Quechee:

12. Route 100

Route 100 sign marker on the side of the road in Vermont
Photo we took at a stop along Vermont’s scenic Route 100

Vermont’s scenic Route 100 stretches the full length of the state from Newport in the north to Stamford in the south. It’s over 200 miles long so you probably won’t drive the whole thing, but you can jump on and off the scenic byway when carving your way through small towns and rolling hills.

Driving Rte 100 is the perfect way to see picturesque parts of the state without having to hike or think too much about planning your itinerary. We’ve hopped onto various parts of the scenic byway and it certainly delivers on what it promises. Our favorite part of Route 100 so far is the stretch between Ludlow and Londonderry, specifically the area around Weston.

Here’s what you can do along Route 100:

  • Stop in at countless quaint towns
  • Hike many excellent trails
  • Photograph lots of covered bridges
  • Shop at roadside stores

13. Stowe

Colorful bushes leading to a white church and hills covered in colorful leaves with clouds in the sky
Our photo of the famous church in Stowe during peak fall foliage season

Stowe is a wildly popular four season destination located at the base of Mount Mansfield in the north of Vermont. It’s split into the old town of Stowe and Stowe Mountain Resort, with a twisting mountain road connecting the two touristy areas. Along the mountain road you’ll find lots of hotels, breweries and restaurants, many of which have a Bavarian theme.

We’ve spent about a week in Stowe and we’re huge fans. We love the hiking (especially Mount Mansfield summit), photo spots, general vibe, restaurants and awesome breweries. It’s definitely more expensive than most other places in Vermont, but it’s well worth the splurge. Don’t hold back on activities once you arrive because it’s the most fun place you’ll visit in the state.

Here’s what you can do in Stowe:

READ: Unmissable things to do in Stowe VT

14. Weston

Couple standing next to each other throwing leaves up into the air at the same time with a wooden building behind and trees to the side
Here we are throwing fall leaves up in the tiny but gorgeous village of Weston

Weston is a tiny but postcard-perfect town located on Vermont Route 100. It’s home to Weston Theater Company, an old but picturesque grist mill (in our photo above) and the Vermont Country Store. It’s also not far from Okemo Mountain Resort.

We missed Weston the first time we drove through Vermont. It’s one of those blink and you’ll miss it places, but we’re glad we stopped on our second trip because it’s a lovely small town. You’ll pass by dozens of stores selling goods, but the Vermont Country Store is one of our favorites to date so don’t miss it.

Here’s what you can do in Weston:

15. Woodstock

Road with leaves on the ground leading to a farmhouse and rolling hills with a blue sky
Photo we took of a stunning farm near Woodstock in the fall

Woodstock is located in central Vermont just 15 miles from the New Hampshire border and it’s the quintessential New England town. You’ll find a charming downtown area and stunning countryside, along with farms and covered bridges that provide some of the most famous photography locations in all of New England during the fall foliage season.

We think Woodstock is among the best places to visit in the USA because it’s so uniquely attractive. Find any calendar or postcard rack featuring fall colors in the US and you’ll see Woodstock. It’s also home to Billings Farm where you can take the kids to see a working farm. Be warned, the town gets painfully busy and it’s expensive to stay over, but before and after the day trippers it’s perfect.

Here’s what you can do in Woodstock:

READ: What you can’t miss in Woodstock VT

Vermont Map

Click or touch the map above to activate. Zoom in and out, move around the map and find the locations for the top places to visit in Vermont that we’ve listed in this guide.

You can see that the icons are spread fairly evenly across the state, which means you’ll always have places to stop if you road trip through Vermont. Another way to look at it is to cluster around Stowe, Woodstock and Manchester. Use those three places as your priorities, and see if you can add any other stops to your itinerary.

The Morgan Conclusion

Woodstock Middle Covered Bridge in Vermont during the fall season
Woodstock Middle Bridge in Vermont

Vermont is home to some our favorite countryside in the US. We’re huge admirers of Stowe, but we also really like Woodstock and Manchester. The state has a great blend of hiking and photo spots which suits us perfectly. We’re content that we’ve seen all we need to in Vermont, but we’re sure we’ll be back again for another fall foliage season in the years to come, maybe next time with more Morgans in the car!

Here’s our top 5 things to do if you’re a family visiting Vermont with kids:

  1. Cycle the Burlington bike path
  2. Take the Ben and Jerry’s factory tour
  3. Take the older kids on a hike up Camel’s Hump
  4. Take the Mount Mansfield or Equinox Mountain toll road
  5. See the animals at Billings Farm and Museum

And here’s our top 5 things to do in Vermont for couples:

  1. Cycle the Burlington bike path
  2. Hike the trails in Stowe
  3. Enjoy the breweries in Stowe
  4. Stay at the romantic Woodstock Inn
  5. Sample delicious cheeses, syrups and pancakes

More US States

Best Of The US

Want more USA content? Head over to our USA travel guides to explore the best cities, national parks and road trips in America.

We hope this Vermont guide helps with planning your visit to New England!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy this guide? Pin it for later!

Note: This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Leave a Comment

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest in travel straight to your inbox

Click here to subscribe