Top 30 Vermont Attractions You Can't Afford To Miss

Did you know that Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream was founded in Vermont? The Waterbury factory is one of the original factories built and still produces over 350,000 pints daily. Take the opportunity to go behind the scenes during your trip to Vermont.

Take a guided tour of the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory to see how your favorite ice cream gets made. The tour experience includes a walk around the factory farm to meet the cows before heading indoors to the production floor to see the machinery used to manufacture it.

A highlight of the factory tour is seeing the famous flavor graveyard. This cemetery is dedicated to the discontinued ice cream flavors.

The last stop on tour is the tasting room, where you get to try one of the latest flavors. If one taste isn’t enough, head over to the scoop shop to buy a cone of your favorite flavors.

Everybody needs a good lake day! Lake Champlain is a well-loved attraction in Vermont amongst tourists and locals alike. It is a massive body of water situated between the states of New York and Vermont and even stretching into Quebec, Canada.

Lake Champlain is the proud destination for a wide array of activities such as camping and hiking! Full of wide open air, crackling firewood and a view of the lake, there’s a reason these sites fill up fast.

If you’re more of an aquatic fanatic, then look into a boat tour. Boat tours are one of the best ways to experience Lake Champlain as you get to ride from corner to corner with the waves splashing all around you.

Lake Champlain is also a popular location for seasonal events and holidays. Most months have a bulletin posted for all that is going on and is open to curious tourists. During Christmas, the holly jolly spirit is nearly tangible and during the summer, there is always a little something celebrating the season.

Lake Champlain is the perfect spot to choose for a little serenity by the shores. Kick back, relax, and let the soothing sounds of lapping water do the rest.

The Shelburne Museum is one of the top places to go in Vermont to discover American fine art. The museum is established on extensive farmland consisting of 39 buildings—many of the buildings are historical landmarks relocated to the museum's site.

The historical buildings showcase traditional New England architecture. It includes a farmhouse, lighthouse, schoolhouse, and Ticonderoga steamboat. Inside it houses a collection of more than 150,000. It has rotating exhibitions with up to 80,000 works of art exhibited at a time.

Shelbourne Museum is known for its American art from the 18th-20th centuries. It displays art, antiques, toys, vehicles, outdoor sculptures, and other items. The steamboat is also open to the public to see inside of it. The large collection is an excellent depiction of traditional architecture and art from early America.

Entrance to the museum gives access to each of the buildings. There are different exhibits displayed in each, so feel free to visit them all.

Nestled high in the greenery of Vermont comes one of the best state parks in the country! Smugglers Notch State Park is a wide expanse of terrain open to campers, hikers, and bikers. The season typically ranges from May 17th till October 14th.

It features 20 tent sites as well as 14 lean-to sites and even allows certain pets on the trails! The campground is open every day from 2 till 8 p.m. It is a great place to stay if you want to get a jump on your hiking experience early. There’s nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of rustling leaves and the soothing sounds of nature.

At Smugglers Notch State Park, visitors are treated to some of the most incredible scenery available. There are 1,000 foot cliff drop-offs and little footpaths that wind and connect all about the park.

Found at the Notch, adventure seekers are also encouraged to participate in some of the best activities a season has to offer. For example there is bouldering, cave exploring, and even ice climbing found all within the same state park. Smugglers Notch State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Vermont for those with a passion for adventure!

Families (and even pets) can enjoy the outdoor recreation at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park. It’s Vermont’s only national park and was established to preserve its nature conservation history.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park includes a Victorian-style mansion, a working farm, and the Mount Tom Forest. It’s one of the exciting places to visit in Vermont, where you can explore the park’s 550 acres while learning about conservation history.

The mansion is open to the public for guided tours learning about the families that lived there and the farm’s history. Much of the interior is preserved to see décor from the era for affluent families.

The working farm is a popular stop, especially for kids, who get to pet the animals. The beautiful mansion gardens are also a place to go for a leisure walk. The Mount Tom Forest is over 20 miles of hiking trails available for visitors. There are also scenic roads winding through the forest.

The famous Hildene mansion was built by Robert Lincoln, the president’s only son. His summer home is now among the popular tourist attractions in Vermont that offer tours and event venue space.

Hildene’s stunning architecture showcases a Georgian Revival style. It was built in 1905 but later had renovations. Visitors can tour inside the large estate and see its opulence—the grand staircase entrance to the original furniture.

It was passed down for three generals before opening to the public, so there is a lot of history inside of it.

One of the impressive parts of the house is when you step into the backyard with views of the garden against the mountain backdrop. The manicured garden has colorful flowers and walking paths.

Don’t forget to take a look at the restored car from his wife parked in the front driveway.

Dive into science at the Montshire Museum in Vermont! This location is one of the top destinations in Vermont for unique exhibits on a wide range of topics. It is one of the leading institutions for technology, ecology, and several other divisions.

The Indoor Discovery exhibits range from discovering the natural world to the wonder that is bubbles or even testing a science discovery lab.

Outside is the David Goudy Science Park. There are 100 acres of lush Vermont nature to explore, and several hands-on outdoor exhibits to spend the day at.

Aside from holidays, the Montshire Museum of Science in Vermont is open every day. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this location is open to the public. General admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children aged 2-17. During the summer season (late June to Labor Day) admission is $18 for adults and $15 for children aged 2-17. Children under 2 are always guaranteed free admission.

If you are a true science enthusiast, look into some of the multi-day passes available for purchase. There is more than enough here to make this a several-day excursion. Get a good deal and let your imagination run wild!

Visit Killington Ski Resort to experience the “Beast of the East.” It’s a massive ski mountain with the highest vertical in New England and the largest ski area on the east coast at over 1,500-acres.

The skiing at Killington Ski Resort is world-class, where you’ll find runs for all skill levels. There are 155 runs ranging from beginner to advanced skiers. The runs are supported by 21 lifts, so the wait is never too long to get back to the top of the mountain.

The ski resort offers lessons to learn how to ski and snowboard. IT also provides lodging and dining for the ultimate ski retreat. With an average of 250 inches of snow every year, it’s the perfect place to shred the slopes.

Did you know that Killington Ski Resort is also one of the favorite summertime Vermont destinations? It has activities for the warmer months, such as mountain biking and golfing.

The Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in all of Vermont! It is 165 feet deep and acts as one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the country.

People come from far and wide to experience something as unique as this landmark. The campground in Quechee Gorge is open from 10 a.m. until sunset. The campsite features 45 tent or RV sites as well as 7 lean-to sites.

Quechee Gorge is also notable for being in close proximity to numerous upper-valley activities. It is the perfect place to venture on your trip to Vermont as you will not only see all the magnificence of this site but continue on your way to even more fun.

At Quechee, you can hike, bike, stroll, and trail blaze as miles upon miles of well-loved Vermont nature opens up to you.

Shop till you drop in the heart and soul of Burlington! The Church Street Marketplace is the prime destination in the city for all things downtown.

You can go from café to boutique without missing a beat. Finish it all off with some of the best cuisine found in the state! Vermont is already known for serving up a mouth-watering dish, and Church Street has come to deliver that and more.

There are several different ways to experience this attraction. Opt for a guided walking tour, or make your own bucket list! Go to the waterfront to sit back and relax, or pour up at a Vermont brewery to keep the good times rolling. There is even a lively nightlife scene that keeps Burlington lively and exciting.

Regardless of the season, Church Street Marketplace is open for business. However, there are some special dates found on the website calendar that make this an unforgettable treat.

Several times throughout the year, Church Street will celebrate the best in the arts with an Artist Market. Select Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the streets are painted with the kind of local art you just can’t find anywhere else.

There are also holiday celebrations for the likes of Thanksgiving and Christmas that bring the whole community together. Shops found in the Marketplace will often participate too.

With decorations and seasonal-specific treats and souvenirs that tourists and locals just can’t get enough of. There is always something to celebrate on Church Street!

Peer into the depths of the Rock of Ages Quarry to see the largest deep-hole quarry in the world. The operating quarry has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to witness the production process.

Rock of Ages Quarry is a long-running quarry still operating to produce monuments, statues, decorations, building material, and more. It has self-guided tours available of the factory to give you a look at the artisans' hard work on different projects.

Take the guided car tour to ride to the quarry site, where you’ll see how the machinery extracts granite and marble from the ground. It’s a 40-minute ride around the site with a viewpoint overlook for pictures.

Rock of Ages Quarry creates a fun visitor experience. It has a visitor center to learn more information about the quarry. There is even an outdoor bowling line made of granite to see if you can get a strike!

Sitting at the site of the Bennington Battle is a landmark memorial dedicated to the pivotable battle of the American Revolutionary War. It’s the tallest man-made structure in Vermont and a symbol of the fight for independence.

Bennington Battle Monument reaches a height of approximately 306-feet tall. It was erected in 1891, a few years after the centennial anniversary of the battle, which occurred in 1777.

The monument is designed as an obelisk made of stone. The rest of the site includes a few other statues of war heroes and other installations.

The museum gift shop is full of locally made crafts, war-inspired memorabilia, and other souvenirs. Visitors can purchase tickets to go inside of the obelisk.

An elevator takes you to the top observation deck—views at the top are one of the best sights to see in Vermont. The panoramic view lets you see three states and the Green Mountains.

If you look at it the right way, Mount Mansfield looks like a face of a man looking up at the sky. It’s Vermont’s tallest mountain and a popular year-round destination for recreational activities.

The ridgeline peaks of Mount Mansfield are often referred to as the corresponding face feature—chin, nose, etc. The highest peak is nearly 4,400-feet tall and accessible via multiple routes.

The most popular way to climb to the Mount Mansfield summit is by hiking. Several hiking trails lead to the peak. The Sun Ridge Hiking Trail is one of the most common routes that takes 3-5 hours to complete. There is also a driving route to the summit and gondola rides.

Views at the top of Mount Mansfield are unbelievable. It has a high prominence, so the views are expansive across the Vermont landscape. During the winter, it becomes a favorite ski destination.

The iconic gold dome of the Vermont State House makes it the most famous building. Located in the capital, Montpelier, this capitol building is home to the Vermont legislature.

Vermont State House is the oldest state capitol building in the US at 160 years old. It’s the third structure built on this site for its purpose.

It’s worth taking time to admire the beautiful architecture—the marble pillars in the front to the statue of Ceres, the Roman Goddess of Agriculture, adorning the top.

With the statue on top, it’s one of Montpelier’s tallest buildings reaching a height of 140-feet.

Visitors are more than welcome to explore inside the state capitol building. It’s one of the best things to do in Vermont that takes you on guided or self-guided tours to peek inside legislative meeting halls, government offices, and more.

In addition, it’s a place full of art and history that you can learn about from expert volunteer tour guides.

The award-winning Billings Farm and Museum is one of the top Vermont attractions. It provides an outdoor history museum experience on a working farm with lots of hands-on activities to keep everyone engaged during the visit.

Billings Farm and Museum is located in Woodstock in one of Vermont’s most rural areas. It’s the perfect size for a large dairy farm. Visitors can see several different farm animals, including cows, horses, and sheep. You even get to pet the animals!

Visit the museum to see exhibitions about gaming history. You will see the advancements in technology and farming methods—also the history of the Billings Farm.

Check the calendar when you arrive to get a chance to see live demonstrations and other family-friendly events.

Before you leave, stop by the gift shop to purchase fresh produce from the farm. Of course, fresh ice cream is a must-try.

While Stowe Mountain Resort is a year-round destination, most people visit during the winter for skiing. The resort is one of the best places in Vermont to visit for skiing, with an entire resort experience available to its guests.

Stowe Mountain is made up of two mountains—Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Skiers can utilize the 116 runs arranged across both mountains.

Get ready for lots of wintertime fun with the highest peak reading over 3,700-feet. It’s a place for all levels of skiers, including beginner runs to experts.

Skiing at Stowe Mountain gives you multiple different terrains to experience. There are also a dozen lifts to support the tourist traffic during the winter season.

Visit Stowe Mountain during the warm season to take advantage of the hiking activities available. It has multiple hiking trails up to the summits, a golf course, and luxury lodging.

There’s always something going on at the McCullough House, so stop by the next time you’re in North Bennington. This former Governor’s house is now open to the public and has become a popular Vermont tourist attraction.

The McCullough House itself is one of the finest pieces of architecture in New England. It was built in 1864 in a Victorian style that showcases detailed craftsmanship in the interior and exterior.

Visitors are welcome to take a guided tour through the mansion. You’ll walk through many of its 35 rooms and see original furnishings and décor from Vermont’s Gilded Age. In addition, the estate includes a theater and outdoor gardens.

The historic Govorner’s Manion is open seasonally during the Spring to Fall. Throughout the season, it frequently hosts cultural events that support the community. It includes private club meetings, public gatherings, concerts, and other private events.

Did you know that Vermont is known for Teddy Bears? The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is the largest producer of handmade teddy bears in the US. Come tour inside the facility that makes such heartwarming gifts.

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is located in Shelburne. Its origins date back to a small toy cart that opened in 1981 that eventually expanded into the factory by 1983. Today, the factory produces over 150,000 hand-crafted bears every year.

Join the 150,000 tourists that visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory every year. Tours guides lead groups around the factory facilities where you’ll see the entire manufacturing process from start to finish.

You’ll hear stories about the factory’s history and secrets behind the exceptional craftsmanship.

The factory gift shop is a must-visit! It has a make-your-own-bear station ideal for kids to customize a teddy bear to take home after the tour.

Every Saturday from May to October, Brattleboro, Vermont comes alive at the Brattleboro Farmers’ Market. It’s the biggest community event where locals and tourists come to have a great time.

Brattleboro Farmers’ Market started as a place for local farmers to sell their goods, but it has evolved into a major event with shopping, food, and live entertainment.

Every weekend, join the more than 50 vendors in the outdoor marketplace to shop homemade and locally grown items. Many of the vendors are local farmers than sell fresh mean, vegetables, and produce. Other vendors include local artisans selling handicrafts, clothing, toys, and more.

The entire community comes to enjoy the fun atmosphere at the market. So, whether you want to shop or simply hang out, there’s always something to do.

Every week it features talented local musicians, and there is a lot of food options to enjoy lunch with your family.

Tourists of all ages will have an excellent time at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. Visit St. Johnsbury Historic District on Main Street to find this interactive museum filled with science and history.

The Fairbanks Museum’s collection of over 175,000 objects ranks it as one of the largest natural sciences museums in New England. Its objects fall into one of three categories—natural science, historical artifacts, and ethnology.

The natural science exhibitions display information about animals and geology in Vermont. There are taxidermy animals also exhibited.

The historical artifacts include old objects discovered in the region. It may consist of toys, dolls, and more. The ethnologic collections are objects collected from cultures around the world.

Fairbanks Museum features several other facilities for guests to have an immersive experience. Check the schedule during your visit to see when the next planetarium show is happening. Or explore the Eye on the Sky weather center.

Green Mountain National Forest is one of two national forests found in New England. The vast forest landscape represents over 400,000 acres of protected land extending from the southwestern region to central Vermont.

Visit the Green Mountain National forest for outdoor recreation year-round. Each season offers a different experience in the forest.

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor adventures. Fall is a beautiful time to visit to witness the colorful fall foliage, and it’s a picturesque wintertime landscape with snow-covered trees.

A few of the popular tourist activities in Green Mountain National Forest are hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. It has several designated trails that wind throughout the forest to natural landmarks like waterfalls, cliffs, and lakes.

Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife living in the forest. It’s home to moose, deer, bears, coyotes, and wild turkeys.

Vermont is full of amazing waterfalls. Moss Glen Falls is one of the best waterfalls to see when you visit Vermont. It’s very accessible with a short hike and surrounded by picturesque scenery.

Moss Glen Falls is a cascade waterfall tucked within the CC Putnam State Forest. Water from the Moss Glen Brook falls approximately 125-feet to create the scenic falls. The rough rock face gives it unique streams as the water flows into the pools below.

You can find Moss Glen Falls located right outside the Historic Village in Stowe. It’s a short drive to the nearby parking lot and a hike that lasts 10-15 minutes before reaching the waterfall. The hike is relatively easy for all ages and even pets!

The scenic views of the waterfalls overlooking the gorge have inspired numerous paintings. Witness for yourself the site’s captivating beauty.

To taste the best Vermont maple syrup, visit the Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. The family-owned maple farm has been a staple in Vermont’s heritage for eight generations.

The Morse family was one of the early settlers in Vermont. Early members established the maple farm located just a few miles away from the present-day capital. It’s where the farm remains and has developed into one of the must-visit tourist spots in Vermont.

You’ve probably already heard about Vermont’s famous maple syrup—well, now, it’s time to taste it.

Morse Farm offers visitors guided tours around the farm and provides an insider look at its manufacturing. You’ll walk around the sugarhouse and learn about the syrup-making process and even get to taste the freshly-made syrup.

The farm has a theater with videos and audio displays detailing the farm and family history. The gift shop sells various maple products, including syrup, candy, ice cream, kettle corn, and more.

Pay homage to one of the founding fathers of Vermont by visiting the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. It’s one of the top places to visit in Vermont to learn all about the state’s rich history.

The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum is established in one of his former homes. The site itself is of historical significance as it was built in 1787 but Alen, himself. The inside is a recreation of how he might have lived in the home.

Guided tours are available to walk around the exhibitions inside the house. It has a short film screening about the history of Vermont and artifacts displayed in the exhibition cases.

Outside, visitors can walk the grounds. It has hiking trails extending from the home to the Winooski River. It frequently hosts live reenactments of rural colonial life.

The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum is open seasonally from May to October.

Established in an old barn, the Vermont Antique Mall has become a widely known shopping center for unique items. If you're wondering what to do in Vermont that is both fun and unique, this is the place to be!

The Vermont Antique Mall is one of the main attractions of Quechee Gorge Village. The barn hosts over one hundred vendors selling everything you can imagine—food shops that give out free samples, wine shops, gift stores selling locally made goods, toys, home goods, and collectibles like comic books.

You can even peek out the back to see a live Alpaca farm with many of its goods sold inside.

You will find the Vermont Antique Mall featured in numerous publications across New England as a must-visit destination. You can spend hours browsing the three levels. It’s open daily except on select holidays.

You’ve never seen a building quite like the Old Round Church. In fact, it’s one of the only remaining churches of its kind in the world.

It’s one of the must-see Vermont attractions where you’ll get to admire its unique architecture and learn about its history.

The Old Round Church was built in 1813 on the riverbanks of the Winooski River. It’s appropriately named for its distinct shape that consists of 16 sides arranged in a circle.

Its original use was as the town hall but now serves as a religious building for the local Protestant communities.

Visitors are welcome to visit the church when it’s not in service. It staffs volunteers who are more than happy to share interesting facts about the church. It frequently hosts community activities and other private events.

Family travelers in Vermont will have a fantastic time at the Pump House Indoor Waterpark. It’s located inside the Jay Peak Resort, one of the top vacation spots in Vermont, where you’ll have access to the state’s only indoor waterpark.

Pump House Indoor Waterpark opened in 2011 as has since become a top family-friendly destination. It has water attractions for all ages. Ride one of the wild waterslides or float down the lazy river.

It has a wave simulator to practice surfing or relax in the hot tub. There is even an activity pool with rock climbing and a basketball hoop. Kids also have their own dedicated pools.

When you need a break from the water, you can play in the arcade filled with fun games. You can easily spend an entire day thanks to the snack bar to grab something to eat in between activities.

Whether you believe in ghost stories or not, Wilson Castle is one of the hidden gems of Vermont that’s full of history. It’s one of the only castles you’ll encounter in New England and is well-preserved with many original features.

Wilson Castle was owned by the Wilson family, passed down for five generations. It was built in the 19th century and designed with a mix of European architectural styles that gives it a unique appearance.

The castle is now open to the public, where visitors can embark on a self-guided tour around the property.

Explore each of the 32 rooms across the three stories and see much of the original furnishing from home. The stained glass windows showcase great artistic touches to the house.

There are a few myths about Wilson Castle being haunted, and it hosts ghost tours with overnight stays to see if they’re true.

You’ll discover many quirky roadside attractions while visiting Vermont, but none quite as impressive as the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet. The attraction is a true work of art that stands proudly in Burlington.

The World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet was built in 2002 by artist Bren Alvarez. It was a message piece installed as part of an exhibition entitled “File Under So. Co., Waiting for…” in response to construction delays in the area. The installation was left intact and now is a popular public art display.

At over 50-feet tall, the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet is made up of 38 filing drawers. These are actual file cabined stacked on top of each other and welded together—it’s fully functional.

You can see the art installation while driving along Flynn Avenue. Feel free to park nearby and take photos of the unusual landmark.

Taste the savory flavors of the Alchemist, one of the top craft beer companies in Vermont. Although you can find it on tap in many bars across the state, the original brewery located in Stowe is one of the places to go in Vermont.

The Alchemist was established in 2003. It’s a craft brew shop known for its signature Heady Topper brew. It also produces various other styles, including an IPA, Stout, and Pale Ale.

The brewery is a favorite destination for visitors and locals to experience one of the top producers in the local craft beer scene. Its original location has a visitor center that provides tours through its facilities to see how it creates such popular beer flavors.

The highlight of the tour is always the tasting room at the end, where you get to try various beer flavors. It recently opened a beer garden onsite in Stowe and has another brewery location in Waterbury, thanks to its popularity.