Vermont – All About Traveling in the Rustic Foliage State

Vermont is the most pastoral state of all New England states. This rural state is known for the Green Mountain range that runs from south to north, offering excellent ski resorts in winter. Even before the snow, the range is a popular tourist destination for watching the spectacular fall foliage, when trees change their colors to rich shades of orange and red.

• At the edges of the range, there are ancient, charming towns, important cities and towns such as Montpelier, the capital, and Burlington, along with many natural sites and unique attractions
• Foremost is the famous Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory

 

How many days are needed for a trip in Vermont?

For a road trip through northern and southern Vermont, it's worth dedicating at least four days.

 

10 Must-See and Do Things in Vermont

1. View of Lake Champlain from Waterfront Park and Battery Park in Burlington
2. An especially sweet ice cream tour at Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury
3. The magnificent Vermont State House in Montpelier
4. The stunning alpine estate of the Von Trapp family (from The Sound of Music) in Stowe
5. The magnificent alpine scenery of Lake Willoughby
6. A surreal experience at the Bread and Puppet Theater
7. The excellent ski resorts of the Green Mountain: Mount Snow, Bromley Mountain, Stratton Mountain, Mad River ski area, and the gigantic ski resort in Killington
8. The enchanting homes of Woodstock
9. The waterfalls and babbling waters in beautiful Middlebury
10. Hiking or camping in the Green Mountain National Forest

 

What is Vermont?

• Vermont is the westernmost of the three "rural" New England states (along with Maine and New Hampshire)
• It shares its eastern border with New Hampshire (along the Connecticut River which forms the boundary between the states), its southern border with Massachusetts, its western border with New York State, and its northern border with Quebec in Canada
• Due to its proximity to Montreal, Vermont is the most "French" of the U.S. states, aside from Louisiana, a remnant of the French rule when it was part of Quebec until the mid-18th century.
• The state is slightly larger than New Jersey and is home to about 700,000 people.
• Vermont is the only New England state without access to the Atlantic Ocean, but it compensates with long shores along the glacial Lake Champlain in its western part.
• The state is named after the Green Mountains (or in French, les Verts Monts), a long range stretching from north to south, featuring many peaks over a thousand meters high.
• During the fall, the Green Mountains (so-called because even at the peak of winter the snow gathers between the trees, and the landscape stays green) change to a spectacular orange color of the foliage.
• Vermont is a deeply rural state at its core, with spectacularly beautiful backcountry areas, small farming villages, and numerous nature travel sites.

 

Map of Vermont

 

How to Get to Vermont?

How to Fly to Vermont?

The most convenient way to reach Vermont is by plane. Burlington Airport is the official gateway to the state, with Rutland Airport offering shuttle flights to Logan Airport in Boston. Another option to fly directly to Vermont from Europe is via Montreal. The Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is less than a two-hour drive from Burlington (just be sure to arrange in advance for the rental car to cross between the two countries).

• Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) – The state's largest airport is located near Burlington, the biggest city in this rural state. This airport serves the northern part of Vermont, providing easy access to the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and the capital, Montpelier. It is well-connected to major airports across the U.S., especially those on the East Coast and Midwest.
• The secondary airport Rutland–Southern Vermont Regional Airport, code RUT serves the central and southern parts of the state. It is located just south of Rutland, about a forty-minute drive from Manchester. This airport is only connected to Logan Airport in Boston and has several daily flights from the Massachusetts capital.

 

When to visit Vermont?

• The best time to visit Vermont is early fall, from September to early October, when you can witness the intoxicating colors of the foliage
• The foliage in Vermont (and all of New England) is probably the state's main hallmark and of the whole region
• In the summer season, the state is also very attractive, including tours of the big cities, the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory, and cruises on Lake Champlain
• Winter is also a very attractive season to visit Vermont, mainly because of the superb ski resorts along the Green Mountains
• On the relatively gentle ridge that crosses the entire state from south to north, you'll find many attractive and highly popular ski sites.

 

How to Plan a Travel Route in Vermont?

The travel route in Vermont is roughly divided into the northern and southern parts. The connection between the two parts of the state is through the city of Rutland in the west or via the eastern route with the interstate highway number 91 along the Connecticut River at the New Hampshire border.

 

Planning a Travel Route in Northern Vermont

• Access to the state from the north is via the city of Burlington (either by flight or from Montreal) and the great Lake Champlain.
• Around Burlington, there are several attractions like the roads to the islands in the lake, or the fascinating open museum in Shelburne, just a bit south of the city center.
• From Burlington, it's worth heading east towards Waterbury Village, where Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory is located, and onwards to the capital, Montpelier.
• From Montpelier, continue north towards St. Johnsbury and the breathtaking Lake Willoughby at the northern tip of the state

 

Planning a Road Trip in Southern Vermont

• The road trip in southern Vermont begins in Brattleboro on the New Hampshire border, accessible from the rest of New England and New York City
• From Brattleboro, cross the southern ridge of the Green Mountains heading towards Wilmington and Bennington
• This area boasts great ski resorts like the famous Mount Snow and hiking trails in the Green Mountain National Forest
• From Bennington, continue north towards the outlet city of Manchester, near which are two excellent ski resorts – Stratton Mountain and Bromley Mountain
• From Manchester, continue north towards Rutland, where you can again ascend the ridge to the massive ski resort at Killington and visit the charming town of Woodstock on the ridge's eastern side

 

Everything You Need to Know About Accommodations in Vermont

Vermont is a very rural state, and accordingly, the nature of accommodations is rural at heart. The main types of lodging in the state are the excellent motels along highways and interstates, the top-notch hotels of ski resorts in the Green Mountain range, and the whole world of European-style bed and breakfasts dominating the market.

1. Vermont's bed and breakfasts are a kind of tourist niche with a European flair. There are countless rural accommodation spots mimicking the European chalet style or traditional country lodging in estates. Vermont's distinct Tyrolean look (like the von Trapp family) has turned it into a piece of Europe in America, with an exquisite old-world hospitality vibe. Vermont is dotted with elegant manor houses in the countryside that draw crowds during the foliage season. There are also many chalet-style cabins with an alpine character, especially up the Green Mountain range.
2. The mountain hotels in Vermont are among the best in the whole USA. Including modern resorts with pools and luxurious spa facilities or just small classic romantic lodges, with a magical view of the peaks, close to the famous ski sites. These hotels are also popular in the summer season.
3. Near the state's cities and towns, you'll find plenty of classic American motels from the best-known brands and companies.

 

Everything to See and Do in Northern Vermont

Burlington

Downtown Burlington

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont and serves as the state's transportation and financial hub. Although the city hosts fewer than fifty thousand residents, it's considered vibrant, mainly due to the substantial number of students attending the historic University of Vermont, east of its center. Burlington's downtown isn't vast, stretching from Waterfront Park by the shores of Lake Champlain on the west to the University of Vermont campus on the east. The small downtown is a mix of historic buildings and churches, along with a fair share of rather drab modern buildings.

 

Waterfront Park and Battery Park

West of downtown Burlington, you'll find the city's two beautiful parks along the shores of Lake Champlain:

1. Battery Park is situated on a hill above the lake's shore, and it was the site of a battle between the American army's artillery batteries and British warships during the War of 1812. Today, the park still has cannons, but it primarily offers a stunning view of the lake.
2. Beneath it, Waterfront Park is right on the lake's edge, offering a green and pastoral setting, making it a very pleasant place for a walk.

 

University of Vermont Campus and Fleming Museum of Art

East of the city center lies the lush and well-maintained campus of the University of Vermont. Opened in 1791, the university resembles the prestigious Ivy League schools of New England. It's a public institution, but it's considered very high-quality, hosting around 15,000 students, who make up almost a third of the city's population during the year.

The campus features several fascinating buildings such as the impressive Old Mill and the stunning Billings Memorial Library. These buildings are the highlight of the university's new campus and were built in the 1820s.

On the northern part of the campus, you'll find the Fleming Museum of Art, renowned for its impressive archaeological collection. The collection includes a significant number of Egyptian, Classical Greek, and Roman items, as well as ethnographic pieces from Africa and the Pacific Islands. The art collection boasts interesting paintings and sculptures by Camille Corot, Honoré Daumier, Auguste Rodin, and several other famous artists.

Museum address: 61 Colchester Ave., Burlington

Click here for the updated opening hours of the Fleming Museum of Art…

Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is the largest among the lakes of New England and indeed the largest among the lakes near the Atlantic coastline. Technically, it is considered one of the cluster of Great Lakes (Erie, Superior, Michigan, Ontario, and Huron) to its west, although it does not approach them in size.

האגם נוצר משחיקה של קרחונים במסלע ועל כן הוא ארוך מאוד, כ-172 ק"מ מדרום לצפון וצר מאוד, כ-23 קילומטרים במקסימום. הוא מהווה את כ[קו הגבול בין מדינת ורמונט ממזרח ומדינת ניו-יורק ממערב, כאשר חלקו הצפוני נמצא בחבל קוויבק שבקנדה. נהר הריצ'ליו Richelieu River שבקנדה מנקז את מימיו כיובל לנהר הסיינט לורנס הגדול.

 

האיים של צפון אגם שמפליין

באגם עשרות איים, בעיקר בחלקו הצפוני, כמה מהם מיושבים. החשוב שבהם הוא האי הגדול Grand Isle, במרחק נסיעה של חצי שעה צפונית מברלינגטון (ישנו גשר שמחבר את האי עם הגדה המזרחית). כביש מספר 2 חוצה צפונה את האיים הגדולים והמיושבים וממשיך מהכפר סאות' הירו South Hero שבדרום האי הגדול, צפונה לכיוון האיים נורת' הירו North Hero ולעיירת הגבול הקטנה אלבור Alburgh.

ניתן לצאת למגוון של הפלגות או שייט באגם. קו מעבורת עונתי מחבר את נמל ברלינגטון עם העיירה פורט קנט Port Kent שבמדינת ניו-יורק, בזמן הפלגה של שעה.

Shelburne Museum

Just a fifteen-minute drive south from the center of Burlington, you'll find the renowned museum in the town of Shelburne. This important museum features 39 unique exhibition buildings outdoors and combines the concept of open museums together with a particularly charming rural Americana vibe. The museum's buildings showcase fascinating displays related to original American art and craftsmanship, remarkably high-quality design, and memorabilia. The museum buildings aim to capture a kind of golden age of yesteryear America.

The standout structures at the open museum include the circus building, the train station building, the Ticonderoga Steamboat, artworks in the Pleissner Gallery, the Horseshoe Barn, and the magnificent Dutton House. Entry to the open museum is through the impressive Round Barn.

Address: Shelburne Rd. 6000, Shelburne, VT

Click here for the latest opening hours of the open museum…

 

Middlebury

About half an hour south of Shelburne and three-quarters of an hour from Burlington lies the beautiful town of Middlebury. Middlebury is one of the most charming gems of Vermont, an old town founded in 1761, with many houses remaining from the late 18th century. Similar to Burlington, Middlebury is also a vibrant college town (but particularly pastoral), with the Middlebury College campus dominating the western part of the town. Approximately two thousand students study at the college, making up about one-fifth of the town's residents throughout the year.

Middlebury is situated on the cool waters of Otter Creek, a short mountainous river that flows into Lake Champlain and features small waterfalls and rapids within the town. The stunning Middlebury Falls are located right in the town center. Above the river is the green and charming Riverfront Park, offering a close view of the falls.

Mad River Valley and Mad River Glen Ski Area

The Mad River ski area in the northern segment of the Green Mountains is a 40-minute drive east from both Burlington and Middlebury. The popular site is located within the village of Waitsfield, to the west of the mountainous river valley.

The Mad River Valley is a popular tourist area year-round. In the spring and summer, there's plenty of camping, hiking, or rafting in relatively wild sections of the river. In the fall, the breathtaking foliage, and of course, skiing in the winter with the fantastic resort. Waitsfield is a classic American village with Alpine charm, where the motels resemble Swiss Chalet cabins.

About a ten-minute drive west from the village center brings you to the Mad River Glen Ski Area Historic District, where a series of gondolas lift skiers up the mountain slopes. The skiing here is for pros, and the trails are considered relatively challenging. Not far from Mad River Glen is the modern Sugarbush Resort, offering great trails for all ages and skill levels. The resort is very popular in winter, and the lodges at the bottom of the ski lifts are considered excellent.

 

Waterbury

The tiny town of Waterbury is nestled along the road between Burlington and Montpelier, just a fifteen-minute drive west of the state capital. Waterbury has always been a charming and pastoral town along the Winooski River pathway.

The historic district of Waterbury village is one of the most visited places in Vermont. The town has experienced an economic and tourism boom, especially with the opening of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory just north.

The center of the village is the intersection of State Route 2 with Stowe Street, at the heart of what is known as the Waterbury Village Historic District. In the village center, you'll find countless galleries, restaurants, bars, unique shops, and quite a bit of ice cream. Since the town has become a significant tourist destination, there are plenty of excellent motels, both in the historic center of the village and towards the Ben & Jerry's factory.

 

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory

The Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory is located just north of downtown Waterbury and is currently one of Vermont's most popular tourist destinations. The famous brand of two childhood friends from New York is a kind of realization of the American dream in all its glory for the descendants of Jewish immigrants from Europe.

Ben and Jerry left New York aiming to fulfill a vision of naturalism, a return to nature, and other high ideals that surprisingly also prove very profitable, capturing the essence of capitalism. The tension between the ideal and big money is simply stunning to behold at the factory.

The Ben & Jerry's brand is probably Vermont's most significant branding alongside the fall foliage. The Holstein cattle breed (what we refer to as Dutch or black-and-white cows, basically the almost generic milking cow), originating from Friesland in the Netherlands, has become the symbol of the state of Vermont.

Along with all the souvenir festivities, visiting the factory itself is quite fascinating. You can enter the factory with a company-organized tour, see how milk is processed into ice cream on the production line. Of course, there are tastings and you can purchase flavors that are hard to find in shops and supermarkets.

Address: Waterbury-Stowe Rd Route 100, Waterbury Village Historic District

Click here for all the information on Ben & Jerry's factory tours… 

Stowe

About a fifteen-minute drive north of Waterbury and the Ben & Jerry's factory is the picturesque alpine village of Stowe. Although we're still in Vermont, Ben & Jerry aren't the only celebrities in this quaint mountain area. Stowe became the home of the von Trapp family after they left their pastoral home in the Austrian Tyrol Alps and became popular legends with the 1965 movie 'The Sound of Music.'

The singing family that became a legend settled in Stowe because the mountains reminded them of their home in the Alps. The family's mansion, Trapp Family Lodge, is now an upscale alpine-style hotel rated four stars. The hotel itself is very popular, but visiting without staying is also an option. Around the hotel, you'll find expanses of nature linked to the singing family's estate, like the charming nearby garden. The hotel is just a ten-minute drive from the center of Stowe.

Besides the Von Trapp family, Stowe is also a fantastic ski destination. The Stowe Mountain Resort is located about ten minutes west of the village center, on the eastern slopes of Mount Mansfield. This resort is considered popular and arguably the best in Vermont, with some even saying it's the finest on the East Coast of the USA. It's especially bustling in peak winter. The resorts and hotels located at the foot of the ski lifts are inspired by Switzerland's luxurious resorts and are of particularly high hospitality standards. In the summer, the resorts are also very popular and attract a large number of visitors.

South of the ski resort spreads the Mount Mansfield State Forest, a vast reserve popular in the summer as a camping spot.

Montpelier

Vermont's capital, Montpelier, is located just a forty-minute drive east of Burlington. The quaint state capital is home to about eight thousand residents and holds the dubious title of being the smallest capital among all fifty U.S. state capitals. Its compact center sits on the two tributaries that feed the Winooski River.

The town's main street, Main Street, is lined with shops and restaurants. Towering above are the steeples of an impressive row of churches, including the Unitarian Church Of Montpelier, the Bethany United Church of Christ, and the Trinity United Methodist Church. In the heart of Main Street is the beautiful city hall building, Montpelier City Manager, which also boasts an impressive clock tower.

 

Vermont State House

Main Street in Montpelier connects with State Street, which crosses the North Branch of the Winooski River. Along the street, you'll find the state government offices and the town's most important building—the Vermont State House. Built in 1859, it's a striking example of pure neoclassicism, boasting a prominent golden dome.

Since the town is quite small, the State House is located at its edge, backed by a wooded hill that becomes a stunning visual treat as summer ends. The sight of the State House with its gold dome against the backdrop of the famous New England fall foliage is one of the most beautiful and iconic views in Vermont.

Near the State House, you'll find the Vermont Historical Society Museum. Dive deep into the state's history through the museum's unique historical artifacts.

Address: State St. 115, Montpelier

Barre

Not far from the center of Montpellier, you'll find the neighboring town of Barre. Barre's main street is also interesting, filled with an array of restaurants, motels, and shops. The town also hosts a branch of the Vermont Historical Museum. Just east of the town center lies the mining village of Graniteville, near a giant granite quarry. At the Rock of Ages Visitors Center, you can learn a lot about the robust volcanic rock that forms a solid foundation for construction throughout New England.

 

Saint Johnsbury

The small, somewhat gray town of Saint Johnsbury is located a fifty-minute drive northeast of Montpellier. The town is the capital of the fairly isolated region known as the Northeast Kingdom, not far from the New Hampshire border and already within reach of Quebec, Canada.

The main street of St. Johnsbury is a mix of heavy red industrial buildings, a reminder of its industrial past, alongside impressive church spires from the 19th century, a clear symbol of the deep Christian character of the town's residents. From the main street, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Passumpsic River, one of the major tributaries of the Connecticut River.

At the southern end of the main street stands the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, the town library building. The library boasts an impressive display of paintings by members of the Hudson River School, known as American Romanticism.

Not far from the Athenaeum is the town's significant site, the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. The museum is named after Thaddeus Fairbanks, the inventor of the revolutionary platform scale. It showcases the family's rich and diverse collection, including tools, furniture, and many bird taxidermies.

Lake Willoughby

The picturesque Lake Willoughby is located a forty-minute drive north of St. Johnsbury and fifteen minutes east of the town of Barton. The lake was formed by the retreat of a glacier and is a finger lake, just like so many bodies of water stretching from Upstate New York to Maine. Yet, it remains a special lake, mainly due to the two peaks surrounding it. The lake stretches about a kilometer wide between two high peaks. Mount Pisgah to the east is a popular hiking spot with trails climbing the cliffs. From the top of the peak, there is a stunning view of the lake.

 

Bread & Puppet Theatre

About half an hour west of Lake Willoughby lies Holbrook State Park. Just a bit north of the park is the Bread and Puppet Theatre, one of the most unique sites in Vermont. In a two-story barn in a rural, secluded area, stands the collection of items and props of the Bread and Puppet Theatre.

The theater is a theatrical concept that began its journey in the 1960s and was famous for its use of grotesque props and almost surreal narratives. The theater members lived in a commune and are a unique part of the hippie movement that swept across America during that time. Nowadays, you can see the giant puppets used in the theater, the colorful backdrop screens, and various stage props on display.

Address: Heights Rd. 753, Glover

Click here to schedule a museum tour…

 

Everything to see and do in Southern Vermont

Brattleboro

The town of Brattleboro is the first settlement established in Vermont. It lies on the border with the state of New Hampshire, on the west bank of the Connecticut River. It's a half-hour drive west from the city of Keene, the central city in southwestern New Hampshire. Brattleboro's Main Street stretches above the river, featuring a concentration of motels, restaurants, and shops.

The small town center is also filled with relatively old houses built before the establishment of the USA. The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center is perched above the charming Whetstone Brook cascading into the Connecticut River. The museum's permanent collection features top artists from the region. Music enthusiasts will enjoy the Estey Organ Museum, previously the factory for Estey organs.

 

Wilmington and the Snow Mountain Ski Resort

About a half-hour drive west of Brattleboro lies the larger town of Wilmington. The town serves as the eastern gateway to the Green Mountain National Forest, one of the most beautiful nature areas in all of Vermont (and a favored destination for fall foliage trips). Wilmington's main street rests by a rushing mountain stream, lined with motels, restaurants, and shops, many housed in buildings over two centuries old.

About a 15-minute drive north from downtown Wilmington, you'll find the Snow Mountain Ski Area, located in the village of Dover. This historic site was one of the first ski resorts in the USA, but today, it has undergone a remarkable facelift and is now a modern and incredibly efficient ski destination. The area boasts dozens of ski lifts and gondolas, and at the mountain's peak, standing 1100 meters high, there's also a popular bar and restaurant.

Green Mountain National Forest

The Green Mountain Range runs along the central axis of the entire state of Vermont. The Green Mountain National Forest is a natural site located in the southern section of the range, where the peak heights are roughly between 1000 to 1200 meters. Mount Mansfield, in the northern section, is the highest in the range and not far from the capital, Montpelier. The southern region of the range is slightly wider. Within the national forest, there are a few areas open for visitors, but the majority remains a stretch of untouched nature.

Route 71, climbing north from the village of Searsburg, a little west of Wilmington, allows you to enter and travel within the forest. In late summer, with the onset of the foliage, the area becomes a popular spot. In winter, the road becomes tricky, and the whole area is snowy. Along the road, there are plenty of camping sites that attract a large number of visitors during the summer.

 

Bennington

Bennington is the main and largest city in the entire area of southern Vermont. It sits on the western side of the Green Mountain National Forest, a half-hour drive from Wilmington. The city has a population of about forty thousand, making it, in Vermont terms, a massive metropolis.

The main street of Bennington, the Main Street, is a great place to stop by. Filled with restaurants, shops, and more, it is close to malls and large supermarkets. The city itself is an important supply hub for those exploring the nature of southern Vermont, and it truly has a city vibe.

Manchester

The town of Manchester is located a half-hour drive north of Bennington, on the western slopes of the Green Mountain Range. The town is famous primarily for its giant outlet malls, and its outlets attract a huge number of visitors who stop by on their way to Burlington and Lake Champlain or to ski.

The Bromley Mountain ski resort is considered one of the most kid-friendly sites in the entire USA. The resort benefits from very gentle slopes and large snow areas that are perfect for sledding.

The fantastic Stratton Mountain ski resort is located a half hour's drive above Manchester. The lower part of the site is packed with great ski hotels, and the resort itself is considered one of the best in the country, even for professionals.

 

Killington

The ski and resort town of Killington is a twenty-minute drive over the ridge from Rutland and an hour's drive north from Manchester. Killington is a massive ski site with numerous hotels and resorts all linked to the ski site atop the mountain. The hotels stretch along the road to the site itself, and the closer you get to the ski lifts, the higher the standard of hotels and resorts.

On the northern slopes of Killington Mountain, there are dozens of ski lifts and plenty of white space in winter for both skiing and playing in the snow. The site is considered one of the largest in the entire northeastern part of the USA and attracts a large number of tourists every winter. Even in the summer, the area remains active with nature hikes and luxury at the resorts replacing skiing.

Woodstock

Just a half-hour drive east of the Killington area, you'll find the charming town of Woodstock. Over the rushing mountainous path of the Ottauquechee River stretches the town's main Central Street. The river is crossed by a series of lovely original bridges. The street is lined with cozy restaurants, cute shops, and especially beautiful homes. The old town preserves its quaint houses, including some from 300 years ago.

Across the river lies the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. The park is dedicated to commemorating the three business tycoons who invested greatly in preserving the town and its homes. The park hosts the estate house that shelters the Billings Farm & Museum, featuring exhibitions that describe Vermont's agricultural world, equipped with vintage plowing tools, machinery, and more.