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A Perfect Vermont Road Trip Itinerary in 2024

March 18, 2024

Paula Martinelli

Wondering what is the best itinerary for a Vermont road trip?

You have got to the right place! After exploring the whole state, I am here to bring this perfect Vermont road trip itinerary that will take you to the best getaways in Vermont. Vermont is a fun state, and a road trip is the best way to experience it

If you are wondering how many days you need to see Vermont, a good taste of Vermont can be enjoyed in less than a week. This trip involves about 2 or 3 hours of driving daily if you don’t linger. This Vermont road trip itinerary will allow you to see the best parts of the state in 5 days , but longer is recommended if you want to see even more.

I split this Vermont itinerary into five action-packed days, but you could always expand it to have more time in each place. If you prefer slow travel or want to do activities in each town that aren’t on the itinerary, expand each day below into at least two days, for ten or more days exploring this beautiful state.

I’ve packed this Vermont road trip with insider tips that will help you make your experience as memorable as mine. Here you will find the best towns/cities to include and the top sites to see in each one.

You may also enjoy these articles ❤️ :

• 18 Best Things to do in Vermont in winter
• 15 Cozy & Most Romantic Cabins to rent in Vermont
• 15 Best Inns & Boutique Hotels in Vermont

DAY 6 Vermont Itinerary: Manchester

Essential Tips for Your Vermont Road Trip

Before you jump to the best things to do in Vermont, let’s talk about trip planning in Vermont and make sure you are prepared for the best experience.

🏔️ I highly recommend coming to Vermont with a well-defined itinerary of the top things you want to see, visit, and do, in order to maximize your time here.

🏔️ Vermont is a relatively small state, and its north-south distance from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border is around 159 miles (approximately 256 kilometers). The east-west width varies, with the state being wider in the southern part and narrower in the northern part.

🏔️ Keep in mind that Vermont’s scenic routes and smaller roads may offer slower but more picturesque journeys, and exploring the state’s charming towns and natural beauty along the way can make the trip more enjoyable.

🏔️ Always consider the current road conditions, traffic, and any road closures or detours that may impact your travel time.

🏔️ Make sure you choose accommodation in a good area , where you can easily drive around and explore the main attractions. You can book a cozy cabin in Vermont or you can stay at one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Vermont.

🏔️ Driving a 4×4 car during wintertime in Vermont is not necessary, but it is nice to have if you are planning to drive outside the town.

🏔️ You can save on your rental car when you book through this site . I use and recommend Discover Cars because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places.

5 Day Vermont Road Trip

Day 1 vermont itinerary: explore brattleboro and overnight in woodstock.

Ready to start your epic Vermont road trip? The first stop is Brattleboro in the southeast corner of VT. Throughout the day, you’ll make your way north to Woodstock , with many fun stops along the way.

🏨 Best Accommodations: I highly recommend the Woodstock Inn & Resort during your nights in Woodstock. It is in downtown Woodstock, and you can walk to some of the places you’ll be visiting today from the inn.🏨

🔎 Must Read: Best Things to do in Woodstock + Complete city guide

1. Explore Brattleboro

Brattleboro sits on the Connecticut River in New Hampshire and is just ten miles north of the Massachusetts border. From the town, there are great views of the river and lots of restaurants. You can also make stops at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center or the Vermont Center for Photography.

2. Creamery Covered Bridge & Bakery across the street

Less than five minutes west of Brattleboro is the Creamery Covered Bridge. The pedestrian bridge is the only one left in Brattleboro, and it’s over a century and a half old. Make sure you stop at The Vermont Country Deli across the way from the bridge for a tasty pastry or sandwich or to stock up on snacks for the rest of your road trip.

3. Grafton Village Cheese Company

Next on your Vermont road trip is to visit the Grafton Village Cheese Company , which is home to some of the state’s best cheese. All the cheese at the store is handmade in Vermont, using milk from the state. You’ll find cheese, wine, gifts, and more at the store. You can also sample cheeses at the store.

4. Saxtons River Distillery

Just over two miles north of Brattleboro is Saxtons River Distillery . The distillery makes small-batch spirits, many of which are maple based. They produce liqueur, bourbon, gin, and more, all of which are available to try at the distillery. Make sure you have a designated driver if you plan on drinking spirits at the distillery, especially since you have to drive to Woodstock, where you are staying for the night.

5. Spend the Night in Woodstock

Once you are done exploring Brattleboro and enjoying all the fun things to do there, it’s time to head to Woodstock, where you will be staying for the next two nights. Your drive is not too long, with just over 60 miles between Brattleboro and Woodstock.

DAY 2 Vermont Itinerary: Explore Woodstock

Ready for another day of fun? On Day 2 of your Vermont road trip itinerary, you’re staying in Woodstock, where you can enjoy the town, your resort, or the outdoors with lots of fun wintertime activities if you visit during the season.

🏨 Best Accommodations: Another great option for accommodation is   Jackson House Inn  is situated in a fabulous location in Woodstock and rated as exceptional by the guests.

🔎 Must Read: Best Covered Bridges in Vermont

1. Explore Woodstock Downtown

Woodstock is considered  one of the most beautiful cities in America  for a reason. And it won’t disappoint you!

Start by taking a stroll down Main Street in Woodstock, and just get lost admiring the stunning array of buildings of 18th and 19th-century architectural styles. The best streets to mark on your map are The Green, Central Street, and Elm Street to get mesmerized by the beauty of Woodstock.

One of the most classic and beautiful buildings in Woodstock are the Norman Williams Public Library and the Woodstock Inn.

2. Middle-Covered Bridge

Middle Covered Bridge is right across the street from the inn, so it’s the perfect way to start your second day of the Vermont itinerary. The bridge is one of the newer ones, built-in 1969. It was rebuilt after a fire and is open for vehicles and pedestrians.

If you love covered bridges, check out this list of the  20 best-covered bridges in Vermont .

3. Taftsville Covered Bridge

Next on your Vermont itinerary is the Taftsville Covered Bridge, as you won’t want to miss this beautiful site. The bridge is vibrant red and quite long, spanning over the Ottauquechee River. You will have to drive over to this bridge, which is three and a half miles east on US Route 4 from downtown Woodstock.

4. Quechee Gorge

If you continue east from Taftsville Covered Bridge, you’ll reach Quechee Gorge. The gorge is great for a day of hiking, and there are a lot of trails, some of which take you to the bottom of the gorge. The park is beautiful in the fall when all the colorful foliage is blooming, and if you visit when the weather is nice, you can camp at the park.

PRO-TIP: While you are visiting the Quechee village, I recommend stopping for lunch at The Mill, voted one of American’s Most Romantic Restaurants. The food is amazing, cooked with local fresh ingredients, with very creative cuisine, and a stunning backdrop of the Ottauquechee River waterfall and covered bridge. If you are having dinner here I recommend making reservations in advance.

4. Lincoln Inn and Restaurant at the Covered Bridge

The third covered bridge near Woodstock is the Lincoln Covered Bridge. This bridge is in the opposite direction of Woodstock from the Taftsville Covered Bridge. It is just over three miles west on US Route 4.

Next to the bridge is the Lincoln Inn & Restaurant at the Covered Bridge. If the Woodstock Inn & Resort is booked, the inn here is a great alternative for where to stay during your time in Woodstock.

5. Woodstock Nordic Center / Suicide Six Ski Area (Wintertime Itinerary)

I highly recommend the Woodstock Inn & Resort during your nights in Woodstock. It is in downtown Woodstock, and you can walk to some of the places you’ll be visiting today from the inn.

Part of the Woodstock Inn is the Woodstock Nordic Center. You’ll find nearly 28 miles of skating and cross-country skiing trails just south of the main resort. At the center, you can rent snowshoes, fat bikes, winter clothes, and skis to use at the resort.

Another option for outdoor winter activities is the Suicide Six Ski Area, also called the Saskadena Six. The area is north of Woodstock, and you can take one of three ski lifts up the mountain and come down on one of the 24 trails.

PRO-TIP: Don’t forget to check the sky conditions to find out the best ski areas.

6. Ice Skating at Union Arena

Another fun winter activity in Woodstock is ice skating at Union Arena. The arena is just west of downtown Woodstock. You can ice skate here during public skate hours, and they have ice skates available to rent.

DAY 3 Vermont Itinerary: Explore Mad River Valley – Waitsfield/Warren

I hope you had a fun day in Woodstock, but now it’s time to head further north and explore the Mad River Valley. Today you’ll see more covered bridges and two small towns before heading to Stowe for the night. 

🏨 Best Accommodations: 1824 House Inn + Barn is a perfect accommodation located in Waitsfield offering many things to do such as hiking, cycling and golf. Or I recommend the Mad River Lodge also located in Waitsfield offering very comfortable accommodation. 🔎 Must Read: 10 Best Vacation Gateway in Vermont

1. Go on the 7 Covered Bridges Loop

As you already know, after day 2, Vermont has some amazing, covered bridges. Today, explore even more of them during a drive around the 7 Covered Bridges Loop .

The loop is 40 miles roundtrip, and if you spend time enjoying each bridge, it should take about half a day or so. Learn more about the Covered Bridge Loop .

During your stops at the Waitsfield Covered Bridge and the Warren Covered Bridge, stay to explore the towns and see the other sites today.

2. Waitsfield Historic Center

The Waitsfield Historic Center makes up the small town of Waitsfield. It was established in the early 19th century as a commercial hub for the farmers in the area. Be sure to stop by the Waitsfield Historical Society to explore the town’s history and get more information about events in Mad River Valley.

Waitsfield is also a great place to stop and shop, which is fitting since it was originally built as a commercial town. There are a variety of shops, including craft stores, art galleries, boutiques, a bookstore, and gift shops.

3. Warren Historic District/Warren General Store

The other place you have to stop along the Covered Bridge Loop is the Warren Historic District. The Warren Covered Bridge is in the historic town, as are many old buildings built in the 1800s. The town is on the National Register of Historic Places since it was an important mill town thanks to its location on the Mad River.

In the historic district is the Warren General Store . The store has a deli and a bakery where you can get fresh food and treats. They also have a big selection of craft beer, wine, fashion, and unique toys and gifts.

4. Warren Waterfall

South of the Warren Covered Bridge is Warren Falls. The waterfall flows into a natural swimming hole. Bring your swimsuit and jump off the cliffs around the hole if you visit in the summer.

DAY 4 Vermont Itinerary: Explore Stowe and Waterbury / Overnight in Stowe

After exploring Mad River Valley, you’ll spend a night or two in Stowe, VT . Stowe is one of the most popular places in Vermont, thanks to its famous ice cream factory and tall mountain and ski resort.

🏨 Best Accommodations: 1860 House Inn  is set in a historic building and offers an old-style charm! The property is situated close to the center of Stowe village too so there are plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities nearby. 🔎 Must Read: Best things to do in Stowe + Complete city guide

1. Explore Stowe Downtown

Stowe’s covered bridge is the Gold Brook Covered Bridge. The bridge is haunted by a girl named Emily, who died at the bridge, which is why it is also sometimes called Emily’s Bridge.

From the bridge, head into town and visit Stowe Church, one of the most picturesque churches in the state, with a beautiful mountain view behind it.

2. Take the Cable car to Mount Mansfield

Even if you are not staying at the resort, you should take the cable car up the mountain. The views are amazing from the gondola, which runs in the summer. At the top of the mountain, the highest in the state, are hiking trails and a restaurant.

3. Visit the Classic Trapp Family Lodge

The Trapp Family Lodge is a historic lodge between the mountain resort and downtown Stowe. The lodge is close to the ski slopes and has an indoor pool, a hot tub, tennis courts, outdoor trails, and on-site dining.

PRO-TIP: One of the best accommodations options is the famous  Trapp Family Lodge : This is one of the main attractions in Stowe and for a reason.

4. Ben & Jerry’s Factory

Finally, no matter how long you spend in Vermont, one of the places you cannot miss is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory . The factory is in Waterbury and is the only one open for the public to see. You can tour the factory and try the classic and newest ice cream flavors.

It makes a great short drive to visit the factory and try some of the amazing flavors, visit the gift shop and have some fun visiting the flavor graveyard where you can find all the retired flavors over the years.

DAY 5 Vermont Itinerary: Burlington and Shelburne

Day 5 of your Vermont road trip itinerary will allow you to spend the day in the small towns of Burlington and Shelburne, which are right next to each other. 

If you have more than five days in Vermont, I highly recommend spending a few more days in Burlington. You can slow down and spend more time at each of these sites.

🏨 Best Accommodations:   Williston Village In is in a great location and offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s also half the price of some of the other hotel chains in the area. 🔎 Must Read: Best Things to do in Burlington + Complete City Guide

1. Church Street Marketplace

Church Street is one of the main streets in downtown Burlington . The Marketplace, an outdoor mall, is one of the main attractions.

The marketplace has places to shop, eat, and entertain. The surrounding blocks have even more places, so you could spend a good part of your day here.

2. College Street

College Street is one of the other main streets in Burlington which runs perpendicular to Church Street. The street has great restaurants and coffee shops. It runs west to Lake Champlain, so it’s a good street to walk down if you are heading to the lake.

3. Visit the Shelburne Museum

The final stop today is in Shelburne, just south of Burlington. The Shelburne Museum is home to over 100,000 pieces of folk art. The museum spans multiple buildings and on the site is a toy shop, multiple art galleries, and a covered bridge.

4. Lake Champlain

Burlington sits on Lake Champlain. You can enjoy the lake from the Waterfront Park or at one of the many lake-side restaurants. Or, you can rent a boat or a kayak and see Burlington from the water.

The final day of your Vermont road trip itinerary is going to be a lot of fun! It’s time to head back down south to Manchester in Southwest Vermont. The drive from Burlington to Manchester is 100 miles and by the end of the day, you’ll have looped around the whole state in less than a week.

🏨 Best Accommodations: The Inn at Manchester  is set on four acres of landscaped gardens so there’s plenty of room to explore. You’ll also be close to Manchester town center which has lots of charming restaurants and shopping opportunities. 🔎 Must Read: 18 Awesome Things to do in Vermont in Winter

1. Hildene House

Start the last day of your Vermont itinerary by visiting the Hildene House the home to Robert Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln. The home sits on 412 acres and has tours, educational exhibits, and hiking trails.

There are also seasonal events like Christmas decor in the winter and peony season from late May to June in the gardens. On the home’s farm, there are animals to visit and a cheesemaking area.

2. Mount Equinox

Your final stop, and one of the prettiest, is Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. The paved road takes you through 5.2 miles of mountains up to the top of Mount Equinox. Along the drive, there are many lookouts and picnic areas to stop at and enjoy the views.

Then, at the top, you’ll get the best views from the 3,848-foot summit where there are picnic areas and a visitors center to end your day.

PRO-TIP: The drive is open from Memorial Day weekend through October. Make sure to visit when the weather is clear so you can see all the mountain views.

Vermont Road Trip | Trip Resources

Planning a road trip in vermont.

If you are going on a road trip to Vermont, pre-planning, researching, and understanding what you are looking for in a destination will help make your travels far more successful and safe.

Here is some further information I think you might need to plan your Vermont itinerary. Make sure you check the following too:

15 Incredible Cabins you can Rent in Vermont 15 Best inns & boutique hotels in Vermont Winter Vacation in Vermont: 10 Perfect Winter Getaways! 13 Awesome Things to do in Stowe in winter 15 Terrific Things to do in Burlington in winter 20 Amazing Things to do in Woodstock, VT 18 Awesome Things to do in Vermont in Winter

Best Accommodations in Vermont

When planning your Vermont Road Trip, m ake sure you choose accommodation in a good area , where you can easily drive around and explore the main attractions.

Making your reservations in advance is also part of a well-planned visit, as depending on what time of the year you are visiting Vermont it may be hard to find last-minute accommodations.

For an even more authentic experience, consider booking a cozy cabin in Vermont or you can stay at one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Vermont.

Driving tips for your Vermont road trip

If you are taking a road trip during winter time, a 4×4 car is not necessary, but it is nice to have if you are planning to drive outside the town.

Lastly, if you need to rent a car for your Vermont road trip . You can get 15% off your rental car when you book through this site . I use and recommend Discover Cars because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places.

What is the Best Time To Visit Vermont?

FALL: It is the most popular time of the year to visit Woodstock because it is when the fall foliage changes from early October to around the third week of the month. It is important to plan in advance, especially make your accommodations in Vermont well in advance. Prices for hotels and flights will be the most expensive during these months.

WINTER: The fact is that the whole state of Vermont is cold in winter – with temperatures that can drop below zero. But as long as you pack accordingly, you will love it because the snow makes Vermont’s landscape look and feel even more spectacular! Make sure to check the weather , and have fun on the snow slopes around Woodstock!

SUMMER: During summer time Woodstock offers great outdoor eateries, swimming holes, and a great brewery to enjoy the outdoors. The warmest time of year is generally mid-July where highs are regularly around 84.9°F (29.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 59.5°F (15.3°C) at night.

SPRING: Spring is a beautiful time to visit Woodstock, plus it is a perfect time to visit for a quiet and peaceful getaway. There are many things to do outdoors that will allow you to enjoy, such as the maple syrup flowing, enjoying the spring wildflowers, and drinking a local beer sitting outside around a fire pit.

What to Pack for your Vermont Road Trip?

Make sure you are prepared, considering the season and the activities you are planning to do. Here are some quick tips:

• Pack layers of clothes so you can be comfortable in the changing temperatures!
• Bring a pair of jeans and a light sweater to wear in the evenings
• Pack rain gear – you don’t want to get soaking wet while exploring
• A hat, gloves, and scarf  can’t go wrong, even in summer.
• If visiting in winter, bring good quality sturdy snow boots .
• Bring warm leggings to wear as a layer is a smart choice!
• Pack a good jacket, check my complete review guide on the Top Jackets for Travel
• If you are planning to carry a backpack for your trip to Vermont, I have compiled a very detailed review of the Best Backpacks for Travel on the market today

PACK SMART ALERT!

If you are planning to carry a backpack for your trip to Alaska, I have compiled a very detailed review of the Best Backpacks for Travel in the market today – Also, I recommend bringing a good and warm jacket waterproof jacket for your trip, check my complete review guide on the Top Jackets for Travel – Bring some warm pants, you can check the best Warm leggings in the market – especially because they are a great option for layers too.

Vermont Road Trip Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this Vermont road trip itinerary!

Vermont is a fun state, and a road trip is the best way to experience it. A 5-day road trip will allow you to see the best parts, but even longer is recommended if you want to see and do more, such as visit all the 10 best gateways in Vermont .

This Vermont itinerary includes the bigger cities of Montpelier, the state capital, and Manchester, but also, will take you to the best towns while experiencing covered bridges, and amazing farm-to-table fresh food.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I will be happy to help!

You may also enjoy reading:

• 15 Incredible Cabins you can Rent in Vermont
• 15 Best inns & boutique hotels in Vermont
• Winter Vacation in Vermont: 10 Perfect Winter Getaways!
• 13 Awesome Things to do in Stowe in winter
• 15 Terrific Things to do in Burlington in winter
• 20 Amazing Things to do in Woodstock, VT
• 18 Awesome Things to do in Vermont in Winter
• 30 Dream Destinations for your Bucket List!

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Winter Vacation in Vermont: 10 Best Vermont Winter Getaways

20 Awesome Things To Do in Woodstock, Vermont in 2024

20 Awesome Things to do in Vermont in Winter of 2024

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Petra cliffs climbing center & mountaineering school.

Indoor rock climbing for all ages and abilities.

105 Briggs St. Burlington, VT

University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm

On the National Register for Historic Sites, this working farm was established in 1878 and is home to forty registered Morgan horses, the Vermont State animal.

74 Battell Dr. Weybridge, VT

Field Guide Lodge

An unexpected, delightful starting point for exploring Stowe

433 Mountain Rd. Stowe, VT

Lake Champlain Chocolates - Chocolatier & Café

Discover an experience to delight the senses.

2653 Waterbury-Stowe Rd. Waterbury Center, VT

Rockledge Farm Woodworks

Creating one-of-a-kind custom designed furniture, woodenware, and gifts for the home.

58 Ascutney Basin Rd. Reading, VT

Saint Anne's Shrine

A religious and historical attraction located on Lake Champlain

92 St. Anne's Rd. Isle La Motte, VT

The Robb Farm Sugar House

Established in 1907.

822 Ames Hill Rd. Brattleboro, VT

Mountain Lake Cottages

Lakefront cottages are located on Lake Willoughby, "the Lucerne of America."

52 Old 5A Rd. Westmore, VT

Lake Champlain Chocolates Store & Cafe

Enjoy a full selection of chocolates, award-winning, house-made ice cream, hot chocolate, and espresso.

65 Church St. Burlington, VT

Burke Mountain

The Last Little Corner of Vermont.

223 Sherburne Lodge Rd. East Burke, VT

Where to See Fall Foliage

Best Ski Resorts

Food to Try

Best Breweries

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Top Places to Visit

Best Small Towns

Things to Do in Rutland

Things to Do in Burlington

Things to Do in Montpelier

Things to Do in Woodstock

Things to Do in Vermont

Scenic Road Trips

The 8 Best Vermont Road Trips

In Vermont, road-tripping is as exhilarating as any outdoor sport. This land of mountains, maples, covered bridges, and cows never disappoints drivers with its bending, ascending roads and rustic scenes. And if you're in the passenger seat, even better: You can scout angles for panoramic photos and keep an eye out for farm stands, funky shops, and roadside oddities like Vermontasaurus. Because cell phone service is still spotty in some parts of Vermont, it's always wise to have a game plan before you hit the road. Here are eight outings that showcase Vermont's splendid scenery and its singular way of life.

Vermont Route 100

Just drive the Scenic Route 100 Byway—south to north or north to south—and you can travel nearly the entire length of the state. It's an easy-peasy road trip chock full of quintessential Vermont experiences. Plan to stop often at attractions like the Vermont Country Store in Weston, where the famed retailer's catalog of local wares and old-school products comes to life; photogenic Moss Glen Falls; and the Ben & Jerry's Factory and Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury. Most road trippers end their trek in Stowe, but you can continue on VT-100 all the way to Newport, not far from the Canada border. The road is only two lanes its entire 216 miles, so plan for traffic on peak fall foliage weekends and again when this becomes the "Skiers' Highway" in the winter months.

The Covered Bridges of Bennington County

Vermont has the densest concentration of covered bridges of any U.S. state, and with more than 100 scattered statewide, these picturesque structures could provide inspiration for many a road trip. When your time is limited and you want to collect photos of some of Vermont's prettiest covered bridges, your best bet is this scenic drive through Bennington County in the southwestern part of the state.

Before you set out, check out Bennington's top attractions, including the Bennington Museum , with its eclectic Vermont-made artifacts and Grandma Moses paintings; the gravesite of beloved New England poet Robert Frost; and the Bennington Monument , which features an observation deck with phenomenal views. Pick up sandwiches at the Elm Street Market and head north on a route that takes in five classic, red-painted "kissing" bridges. You'll wind up at one of the oldest original covered bridges in Vermont: the 1852 West Arlington Bridge. It should come as no surprise that artist Norman Rockwell once lived steps from this picture-perfect landmark.

Jericho to Stowe Through Smugglers' Notch

Fall is an awe-inspiring time for a drive through Vermont's best-known mountain pass: Smugglers' Notch. Start your trip at the Old Red Mill in Jericho. As its name implies, this mid-19th-century mill has been a fixture on Browns River for generations. It now serves as home to the Jericho Historical Society and its museum of photos by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley: the Vermonter who captured the first-ever images of individual snowflakes.

Start by driving east on VT-15 toward Underhill, with Vermont's highest peak, Mount Mansfield, in view. VT-15 angles north to Cambridge, then parallels the Lamoille River en route to Jeffersonville; here, you'll turn south on VT-108 for a spellbinding run through Smugglers' Notch. Twice in history, during the early 1800s and again during the Prohibition years from 1920 to 1933, this narrow passageway served as a smuggling route for illegal goods from Canada.

This is eyes-on-the-road driving and a true thrill. As you're planning your road trip, it's important to know that VT-108 is closed from mid-October through mid-May. If this is the case, continue on VT-15 until you reach VT-100; this historic route will take you the rest of the way to Stowe, one of Vermont's most iconic villages.

White River Junction to Reading: A Photographer's Dream Drive

If the goal of your road trip is to capture photos of scenes that practically scream "Vermont," pick up US-4 West in White River Junction. Soon, you'll be driving right over Quechee Gorge , known as Vermont's Little Grand Canyon; park and walk out over the gorge, or hike along the Ottauquechee River's banks. Afterwards, visit the raptors at VINS , shop and dine at the Mill at Simon Pearce , and stop to photograph the Taftsville Covered Bridge en route to the architecturally rich town of Woodstock.

You could easily spend the rest of the day in Woodstock snapping pictures of Middle Covered Bridge and the classic town green, the Jersey cows at Billings Farm and Museum , the gardens and grounds of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park , and even aerial views of town if you hike up Mount Tom. But how can you resist visiting Jenne Farm ? New England's most-photographed farm is just south of Woodstock in Reading off VT-106. Continue south on VT-106, then travel west on VT-131 through protected woodlands, and pick up VT-100 North in Ludlow back to US-4.

The Vermont Cheese Trail

Where there are cows, there's cheese! And Vermont is known not only for large, world-class producers like Cabot but also for small artisan cheesemakers. Plan a delicious road trip with the Vermont Cheese Council's handy, printable Vermont Cheese Trail map , which pinpoints the locations of cheese farms and factories that are open to the public. For the ultimate cheese trip experience, start at America's oldest cheese factory, Crowley Cheese in Mount Holly; then, make stops at Plymouth Artisan Cheese in Plymouth, Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company in Windsor, and the Cabot sampling station at Quechee General Store . Be sure to bring a cooler for all of the cheeses you'll want to bring home.

Molly Stark Byway

The perfect road trip for hikers and history lovers, the Molly Stark Byway—named for the wife of the Revolutionary War "Hero of Bennington" General John Stark—is an east-west route across the southern part of Vermont. Whether you start on the western end in Bennington or the eastern end in Brattleboro, you'll follow scenic VT-9 through a region that was once the haunt of war hero Ethan Allen, poet Robert Frost, and late-bloomer artist Grandma Moses. Along the way, you'll encounter cute villages and motor right through the Green Mountain National Forest. Don't miss the view from the deck at Hogback Mountain Country Store in Marlboro. You'll find many places to park and hike, such as Molly Stark State Park, where a trail up Mt. Olga leads to a fire tower with spectacular views.

A Vermont Island Drive

Drive US-2 West out of Burlington , Vermont's largest city, and embark on an island adventure. Route 2 travels over the islands in Lake Champlain and the bridges that connect them, and is particularly enjoyable in the summer. Sample wines at Snow Farm Vineyard on South Hero Island (also known as Grand Isle) and dine lakeside at North Hero House on North Hero Island. On Isle Lamotte, Fisk Quarry Preserve and Goodsell Ridge Preserve are fascinating places to hike and to see the oldest known coral fossils. When you reach the town of Alburgh—located on a peninsula that juts down from Canada into Lake Champlain—head for Alburgh Dunes State Park and take a dip in the refreshing waters of what has often been called the sixth Great Lake.

The Northeast Kingdom

Wild and remote, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is a gorgeous place to drive up mountains and along lake shores. Start your journey at Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, where you are free to roam and to appreciate the artful legacy of Stephen Huneck. From here, pick up US-2 East to VT-114 North. Watch for a right turn onto the toll road that leads to the summit of Burke Mountain, where you'll find a fire tower to climb: the views will wow you. Descend and retrace VT-114 south to Lyndon, where you'll connect to US-5 North. When US-5 turns left, continue onto VT-5A and trace the shore of Lake Willoughby, flanked by Mounts Pisgah and Hor. The beauty of this crystal-clear pool will mesmerize you; there are beaches at both the southern and northern edges of the lake.

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17 Not-to-Miss Stops on your Vermont Road Trip Itinerary

In my opinion, Vermont is the most picturesque of the New England states. I’m definitely biased by my many years of childhood memories exploring the Green Mountain state. But on every Vermont road trip you will pass by quaint covered bridges, roadside rivers rushing over rocks, classic red barns sitting next to fields dotted with black and white dairy cows, and small villages with church steeples standing tall over the town green.

Whether you are visiting Vermont on a romantic getaway , a girl’s weekend, or a family vacation, there is a lot to see in this small state. Luckily, the state caters to tourists, offering roadside signs for attractions and Vermont Tourism makes it easy to find a fun way to explore, with maps of scenic byways and all sorts of maker trails from craft beer to artisan cheese. But what if you want a bit of everything?

I recently asked a friend to join me for a Vermont road trip over a long weekend. Since she is a teacher and has enough on her plate, she was happy to put the planning into my expert hands and let me surprise her with Vermont delights.

3-Day Vermont Road Trip Itinerary

I sat down with a wish list of scenic byways, covered bridges, waterfalls, local shops, Vermont cheese, maple syrup, and maybe some local craft beer or spirits. After poring over all the maps, blogs, and experiences from previous trips, I came up with the following three-day Vermont road trip itinerary.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Brattleboro

The first stop after our two-hour drive up from Rhode Island was in Brattleboro , Vermont. This hip and progressive, lesser-visited town in Southern Vermont has been heralded as one of the best small towns in America. If you want to extend this itinerary and spend a day in each destination, there is certainly plenty to do in Brattleboro from a circus class at the New England Center for Circus Arts, a chocolate charcuterie tasting at Tavernier Chocolate, or fruit and veggie picking at Wild Carrot Farm.

But for a short stay, downtown, you can do some shopping, visit the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (you can also join a gallery walk on the first Friday of every month in season), or grab some lunch at Yalla, featuring fresh, homemade, Middle Eastern food.

If you do plan to stay overnight, The Inn at Putney Road is a great option with a variety of rooms and suites, 15 miles of hiking trails nearby, and a multi-course breakfast in the morning. After exploring downtown, we stopped by the Grafton Village Cheese Shop just outside of town.

Pro tip: bring a cooler and some ice packs for all the cheese you are going to want to bring home!) This classic country store has a beautifully curated selection of Vermont-made products and an enormous cheese display. You can also find many Vermont craft beers for sale.

Read more: Things to do in Brattleboro, Vermont

Molly Stark Byway

From Brattleboro, we headed west along the Molly Stark Byway towards Bennington. The byway is named after the wife of General John Stark, who led the Colonial militia to a victory at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777. This byway links historic Bennington in the west to arts-oriented Brattleboro in the east and passes through Woodford, the highest village in Vermont, and sections of the Green Mountain National Forest .

The drive takes about an hour, without stops, but our plan was to enjoy the drive. Our first stop was just outside of Brattleboro at the Creamery Covered Bridge . This well-kept covered bridge is just off the road and has a nice parking lot and picnic area, making it an easy tourist destination.

If you enjoy handicrafts, make a stop at Vermont Bowl Company in Wilmington, about halfway through your drive. You can purchase beautifully crafted salad bowls, cutting boards, serving trays, and other products made from local wood.

The next stop on our Vermont road trip was the historic town of Bennington , also home to Bennington College. Downtown Bennington is still recovering from the drop in tourism, but if open, be sure to check out the Bennington Bookshop, The Village Chocolate Shop, and Vermont Confectionery.

There are any number of places to grab a bite to eat in town, but we had a lively lunch and good local beer at Madison Brewing Company (tried the fried Brussels sprouts!)

History and literature fans may also want to see Robert Frost’s grave at the Old First Church or stop into the Robert Frost Stone House Museum . Of course one of the main attractions is the Bennington Battle Monument . This 306-foot limestone obelisk was built to commemorate the Battle of Bennington, which occurred on August 16, 1777, and is considered to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War.

If you would like to spend the night in Bennington, The Four Chimneys Inn blends a traditional Vermont inn and a boutique hotel in a lovely location. If you spent a full day here, you would also have some time for nearby hiking, like the one-mile hike to Everett Cave (just bring a flashlight!)

Shires of Vermont Scenic Byway

Continue your Vermont road trip by heading north on Historic Route 7A, or the Shires of Vermont Scenic Byway , towards Manchester. The drive only takes 30 minutes, but plan on at least an hour with various stops. If you like covered bridges, there are quite a few in this area worth checking out. However, keep in mind that cell service is very spotty so you may want to pre-save them in your GPS or Google Maps.

First up is the Silk Road Covered Bridge . Built in 1840, this lattice-truss bridge crosses the Walloomsac River between downtown Bennington, Vermont, and the village of North Bennington. The nearby Paper Mill Bridge, or Bennington Falls Covered Bridge, is similar but not quite as scenic since fencing from the nearby paper mill obstructs the photo opportunity. The Henry Bridge also has a similar design, but a town-constructed picnic area offers a nice side-angle view, which isn’t always so readily available at other bridges.

Further up the byway, make a stop at the Chocolate Barn for handcrafted chocolate treats. Then if you aren’t tired of bridges, you can go a little off the path to see Arlington Covered Bridge. But this one isn’t as pretty as some of the others that are more easily accessible. We were planning to stop at Chiselville Covered Bridge as well but a GPS failure meant we had to skip it.

If it is open, your last stop before arriving in Manchester should be the Sugar Shack and Norman Rockwell exhibit (you will find Norman Rockwell is big around these parts.) If it is closed, don’t worry, you will have plenty of other opportunities to purchase maple syrup products. And a quick pitstop at Mother Myrick’s Confectionery in Manchester will satisfy your sweet tooth (famous for her butter crunch toffee!)

There are enough things to do in Manchester that you could easily spend your whole weekend here, but for our purposes, we focused on the highlights. Downtown Manchester is famous for its shopping. First, it is home to the flagship store for Orvis , the fly fishing and outdoor outfitters brand.

You will also find designer outlet shops clustered around Manchester. But my personal favorite is a visit to the independently-owned Northshire Books .

There are a wealth of accommodation options in and around Manchester, from the romantic Reluctant Panther to the luxe Equinox Resort & Spa , and the hip Kimpton Taconic . However, we were just two moms on a budget so the conveniently-located, fresh, and clean Hampton Inn & Suites Manchester worked out perfectly for us.

For dinner, if you are in the mood for an eclectic menu and fine dining, book a table at Silver Fork . Set inside an old library, this beautiful restaurant offers terrific service and delicious menu items that felt like such a nice change from family dinner around the kitchen table.

Read more: Things to do in Manchester, Vermont

Lye Brook Falls, Manchester

The next morning, we enjoyed the free breakfast included at our hotel, but you could also easily walk to the Little Rooster Cafe in downtown Manchester for a home-cooked breakfast.

Just outside of Manchester, it is time to step into the woods and enjoy Vermont’s natural attractions. A five-mile moderate out-and-back hike will bring you to the base of Lye Brook Falls , one of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont . Plan to wear your waterproof hiking boots and bring along a trekking pole or walking stick because you will need to cross a couple of small streams. If you can get there in the morning before moving on, the trail won’t be crowded and you can have a little time to yourself to enjoy the falls.

Hildene, Manchester

One of Manchester’s most famous attractions is Hildene , the former Lincoln family home. A self-guided tour of this historic home, built by Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert as a summer home when he was President of the Pullman Company, only takes about an hour to explore both the home and some of the grounds. You can certainly take longer to enjoy the walking trails, have a picnic, or visit the Sunbeam Pullman car or Hildene goat dairy.

Scenic Route 100 Byway

After touring Hildene, we turned our sights north, toward Killington and a scenic drive along Vermont’s famous Route 100 , past Bromley, Stratton Mountain, and Okemo. You could opt for lunch at Goodman’s American Pie in Ludlow, or stop for burgers and lobster rolls at Honeypie in Jamaica, but we headed to Weston for a stop at the Vermont Country Store .

It is easy to lose yourself for an hour in this general store/gift shop turned tourist attraction, ducking into different sections for some of the best Vermont-made products from Darn Tough socks to their own syrup, cheeses, and cider. After poking around for a bit, you can stop at the cafe and enjoy a picnic lunch or a maple creemee (maple-flavored soft ice cream).

Our next stop on the Route 100 Scenic Byway was going to be Buttermilk Falls, in Ludlow, but we were running a little behind and I’ve been there before we so skipped it this time (no worries, we would see plenty of waterfalls the next day!) Instead, we headed to Green Mountain Sugar House instead to stock up on syrup and try one of their famous maple creemees. Set on a lake, it is also a great place to take your ice cream and sit in an Adirondack chair near the water to enjoy the view.

The next stop on my itinerary was Plymouth Artisan Cheese , in Plymouth, also the home to the historic site where President Calvin Coolidge was born and raised. Sadly we arrived just five minutes before the posted closing time and they were already gone for the day.

The Mountain Inn, Killington

We ended our day with a stay at The Mountain Inn , in Killington. This renovated inn is also home to a distillery, offering a trendy and fresh design and a fun atmosphere. Our mountain view room offered a small balcony and gorgeous vistas. It was perfect for the two of us, but for families, I would keep in mind that the rooms are small and the walls are thin. It wasn’t busy when we were there so we loved our experience, but I imagine it would feel quite different in the winter season.

For dinner, I had booked a special pre-Mother’s Day treat to enjoy dining in one of their two heated gondolas at the restaurant, Still on the Mountain (get it — still like the one used in the distillery? Fun play on words.) The food was great and the cocktail list was extensive (as you can imagine), but it was the atmosphere that we really loved.

Thundering Brook Falls, Killington

We started our third and final day on our Vermont road trip with the first of a number of waterfalls. Just a short drive from our hotel in Killington, Thundering Brook Falls is off the main road and more of a local gem. A short walk on a boardwalk through a marsh will bring you to the viewing platform at the base of the falls. You can also go off-path and climb up to see the upper falls — keep a close eye on children!

Texas Falls Recreation Area, Hancock

From Thundering Falls, we continued up Vermont Route 100 towards Granville, with a pitstop at the Texas Falls Recreation Area . This is well worth the short detour off Route 100, between there and the Lake Champlain Byway. This area features a one-mile nature hike through the woods, but you don’t even need to do that to see the stunning waterfalls that have been carved through the rock over the generations.

The best views are right at the beginning of the hike, just past the bridge that connects the trail to the parking lot. Depending on your day, there are also picnic grounds on-site and a toilet (not so easy to find on your drive!)

Moss Glen Falls, Granville

Head back to Scenic Route 100 and continue north towards Granville. Chances are you won’t have any cell phone coverage, so keep an eye on the left for Moss Glen Falls . There is a small parking area and the falls are easily visible right from the road. There are hiking trails nearby but you can take a quick photo and continue on to other attractions.

Warren Falls, Warren

Even if you are getting tired of waterfalls, you shouldn’t skip stopping at Warren Falls . The parking lot can get a little crowded on a busy day because this is a popular spot for families, picnickers, and hikers. But a short walk towards the cascades will bring you to a beautiful view of the water rushing through rocks. Stake out a spot on the rocks and sit and enjoy a picnic or just take in the view.

The cute, artsy town of Waitsfield, near Mad River Glen Ski Area, is the beginning of the Mad River Scenic Byway. This is a great spot to stop for lunch, or even stay the night if you have more time for your Vermont road trip itinerary.

You will find art galleries as well as pottery and glass artisans. Waitsfield is also home to Mad River Distillers and a few craft breweries. You can grab lunch at the Three Mountain Cafe or Mad Taco, or treat yourself to a maple ice cream cone at Canteen Creemee. If you did want to stay the night, The Inn at Round Barn Farm is a great choice.

If you don’t stop in Waitsfield, the larger town of Waterbury offers plenty of options for lunch or dinner, including Prohibition Pig or Hen of the Wood. On our trip, some of these weren’t open for lunch so instead, we opted for a late brunch at Maxi’s , a local favorite for breakfast and brunch.

Of course, the reason many people stop in Waterbury is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory ice cream store just outside of town. We had both visited before and didn’t want to stop for a tour or ice cream, but if you haven’t been — even a quick stop for a stroll through the flavor graveyard is fun for B&J’s fans.

If you head a little further north toward the Stowe area, it is well worth a stop at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill , one of my favorite things to do in Vermont. We first stopped here after going to Smugglers’ Notch a few years ago and I fell in love with their apple cider donuts.

My recommendation is to stop in at the hard cider tasting room first and try a flight (they may give you a coupon for 6 free donuts next door!) There is also a cafe serving up tasty sandwiches and salads. Next, head over to the main store and stock up on cider, donuts, pies, and other Vermont specialties to bring home to enjoy!

If you wanted to take a longer trip, you could add in a couple of days in Burlington . Otherwise it is time to head back south.

Morse Farm Sugarworks, Montpelier

By this time, we needed to start turning south to make our way home at the end of a wonderful long weekend. But before we hit the highway, we had one more stop just outside the state capital of Montpelier at the Morse Farm Sugarworks .

At this maple producer and country store, you can sample all their flavors of maple syrup — from light and delicate to dark and robust. We also found the pricing here lower than in other places, so if you want to stock up on syrup, this is the place! You can also purchase maple sugar products and, of course, enjoy a maple creemee — some swear it is the best around!

Quechee Gorge, Hartford

If you are looking for one final stop on your VT road trip, Quechee Gorge is located just a couple of minutes off Interstate 89 and 91. This “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon” is visible from the bridge on Route 4. Just park at the Visitor Center and walk over, or you can spend time learning about the geology and history of the area and take a hike on the trail along the river.

If you have a little more time to spend, I would recommend visiting the Simon Pearce glassware store and restaurant nearby and spending the night in the charming village of Woodstock at the Woodstock Inn .

Of course, there are so many scenic drives and cute towns to explore on a Vermont road trip that you can’t fit everything into one weekend. If you are looking for more ideas, check out one of these New England road trips , which are great for fall foliage drives. I hope you fall in love with the Green Mountains of Vermont and keep going back just the way I have!

Visiting Vermont? You may be interested in…

• Things to do in Burlington, Vermont
• Things to do in Manchester, Vermont
• Things to do in Brattleboro, Vermont
• Glamping at the Highwood Retreat
• Basin Harbor on Lake Champlain
• 20+ Spots to go Glamping in New England
• Best fall getaways in New England

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: March 23, 2024

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New England Wanderlust

Vermont  ·  March 21, 2023

60 Incredible Things To Do In Vermont & Best Places To Visit (2024)

Even though Vermont is the second least populated state in the U.S., it’s packed with so many incredible, bucket list-worthy things to do. People vacation the Green Mountain State looking for picturesque countryside, cozy small towns and stunning mountain vistas, and I’m thrilled to tell you that’s exactly what you can expect when you visit!

Whether you’re visiting for the first time and are looking for the top things to do in Vermont, or you’re a seasoned Green Mountain State traveler and are looking to make sure you’ve seen it all, this is the best list you’ll find of all the amazing things Vermont has to offer. Of course, there’s so much more than 60 things to do, but this will give you a pretty epic start 🙂

Vermont was the very first getaway my husband and I took together when we first started dating. It’s also where we honeymooned, and we’ve been back countless times since. I’ve really done and seen so much in this gorgeous state, and I’m so excited to share all the best things to do with you.

So, are you ready? Let’s start planning your next trip together!

New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please refer to our  Privacy Policy .

Best Things To Do In Vermont

In no particular order, here are all my suggestions on the top things to add to your Vermont itinerary!

1. Tour Hildene

One amazing thing to see in Vermont that’s equal parts historic and breathtaking is Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home. Located In Manchester in the southern part of the state, this stunning estate allows visitors to tour the interior, as well as the grounds.

And what a lot of people don’t realize about Hildene is that even if you’re not a history person, it’s worth visiting just to walk around the grounds because it offers some of the best mountain views in Vermont.

Hildene is the former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln (the son of President Lincoln), and his wife, Mary. It stayed in the Lincoln family until the 1970s, too! The interior of the estate is a perfect snapshot of history brought to life, and the grounds include beautiful gardens, mountain views and nature trails. It’s wonderful to visit year-round.

2. Visit Stowe

I love so many towns in Vermont for different reasons, but Stowe is one that I recommend a lot to first-timer’s when visiting, especially in the fall and winter seasons. Not only is the actual town picture-perfect with covered bridges and quaint boutiques, but it’s also home to world-class foliage, stunning mountain vistas and incredible ski resorts.

Some of the top things to do in Stowe include taking the gondola up to Vermont’s highest mountain summit (Mount Mansfield), walking down Main Street to visit the shops, browsing Stowe Mercantile and strolling down the Recreation Path. But there are so many more things to do, so be sure to click the link below to check out my post on Stowe!

Click here to check out my post on the best things to do in Stowe!

3. Stroll Around Manchester

Home to Hildene, and so much more, Manchester is a wonderful town to explore in southern Vermont. With a charming downtown that has a great mix of independent shops and retail outlet chains, awesome restaurants, hiking, great hotels and resorts and waterfalls, this is one you’ll want to add to your Vermont bucket list.

One of the best shops to check out in Manchester is Northshire, which is an awesome book and gift shop with really cool finds. Lye Brook Falls, hiking up Mount Equinox and touring the nearby covered bridges should also be on your list.

4. Hit The Slopes At Amazing Ski Resorts

Once the winter season rolls around, it’s time to hit the slopes in Vermont! And there’s really no shortage of amazing ski resorts to check out in Vermont.

Stowe Resort, Killington, Mad River Glen, Okemo Mountain, Jay Peak and Sugarbush are the top-rated ski destinations, but you’ll find more all over that are worth your time.

Cross-country skiing is also wonderful in Vermont. In fact, Stowe is home to the first cross-country ski center in the U.S., which can be found at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe.

5. Inner Tube Down A River

Switching gears back to the summer season for a bit, let’s talk about all the fun opportunities in Vermont to float down a lazy river. All over the state, you’ll find places that rent out inner tubes, and even pick you up at the end of the river so you don’t have to find your way back to the car.

On a hot summer day, this is the perfect way to relax in the Green Mountain State!

Some awesome places to check out for river tubing in Vermont are Vermont River Tubing in Stockbridge, Vermont River Runners and Big Big on the Battenkill.

6. Take In The Views From Vermont’s Highest Peak

I mentioned earlier that one of the best things to do in Stowe is to take the Gondola up to the summit of Mount Mansfield, which is the highest peak in Vermont, and this definitely deserves its own spot on this list.

You can also hike to the top, but for anyone looking for a more relaxing excursion, the Stowe Gondola is an easy way to enjoy the mountain summit.

This is fun in the summer, but fall is the most amazing time to do this because the rolling mountains in the background dripping in fall color is just such an amazing site to see.

7. Hike As Many Mountains As You Can (Or Drive Up, I Won’t Tell 😉)

There’s a reason Vermont is nicknamed the Green Mountain State! And the Green Mountain range is only one of six. And, there are over 1,300 named mountains in Vermont, so you really have your pick of summits to explore.

Some of the mountains have auto roads that make it easy to explore the top (or, gondolas, as mentioned above!). And some, well, the only way up is to hike.

Mount Equinox and Burke Mountain are two great ones to drive up. If you’re looking for an epic hike, Camel’s Hump gets my vote. But really, you can kind of head in any direction in Vermont to find a great mountain hike for almost all levels.

8. See The Covered Bridges

One of my personal favorite things to do in Vermont is tour the covered bridges. In fact, Vermont is home to the most covered bridges per square mile than any other state in the country. There’s also over 100 of them to see during your visit. And these historic and charming structures are absolutely worth scouting out during your visit.

I’ve done so many road trips looking for covered bridges in Vermont, so I decided to create an entire post on the most perfect covered bridges driving tour for first-timer’s. This won’t take you to every covered bridge in the state, but it’ll guide you toward the best ones, and also include some of the best towns in the state to explore.

Click here to check out my post on the best Vermont covered bridges road trip!

9. And Definitely Visit Emily’s Bridge During Spooky Season!

One of the most popular covered bridges to visit in Vermont is Gold Brook Covered Bridge, but often goes by Emily’s Bridge. This one is famous for being haunted, so it makes an especially fun excursion in the fall season.

The legend goes that a young woman named Emily hung herself from the rafters of the bridge when her boyfriend didn’t show up to elope. There have been reports of cars getting scratched, and strange women’s voices when crossing the bridge. But, you’ll just have to go and see for yourself if you believe in all the stories 😉

10. Eat ALL The Cheese

Guys, the cheese scene in Vermont is no joke, and if you’re a cheese lover, this is the place to be! Because of all the rural dairy farms in the state, there are tons of places that make incredible cheese made from the best local ingredients.

A few of my favorites to check out are Sugarbush Farms in Woodstock (they also make awesome maple syrup!), Shelburne farms in Shelburne, and of course, Cabot. In fact, if you swing by Waterbury, you can visit the Cabot Farmer’s Cheese Store, where they have samples of different varieties. Most places will have samples of their cheeses, too, so come hungry and stock up on your favorites before heading home.

11. Taste The Local Maple Syrups, Too

But if there’s one food Vermont is most known for, it’s maple syrup, right? So, when you come to visit, one of the best things to do is visit all the sugar shacks and syrup farms you can! They won’t be hard to find, since Vermont produces 50% of the maple syrup in the U.S.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out all the maple flavored … well, everything! Candies, chocolates, drinks and so much more. It’s fun to get into the maple spirit on your getaway to Vermont!

12. Visit The Breweries

Vermont is home to some incredible breweries, so if you’re into craft beers, this is an excellent destination to add a few to your itinerary.

Fiddlehead, Foam Brewing and The Alchemist are all in my top list to visit in Vermont, but there are over 60 breweries throughout the state to check out!

13. Shop At The Vermont Country Store

Most people are familiar with the Vermont Country Store catalogs, but there are actually two stores you can visit while in Vermont! One is in Weston, and the other in Rockingham, and they’re both equally as fun to visit, so it just depends on which works better with your itinerary.

The stores are huge, and they sell everything you’d find in their catalogs and online including awesome apparel, Darn Tough Socks (which are made in Vermont and make for a great souvenir!), body products and skincare, candies, home decor and kid’s stuff.

14. Drive Route 100

One of the most famous drives to take in Vermont is Route 100, which runs through the middle of the entire state. Starting in Stamford in the south, and going up to Newport in the north, it will take you pretty close to the Canadian border!

And along the way, you’ll get to visit some wonderful places, including covered bridges, the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Waitsfield, Waterbury and Stowe. And it’s pretty easy to venture off Route 100 to get to some other notable places like Woodstock, Wilmington and Burlington.

Route 100 is spectacular in the fall for foliage season, but can be done year-round.

15. Have A Maple Creemee

While the official Vermont state dessert is apple pie, more people probably guessed that it was the maple creemee if you’re familiar with the area. And if you’re not sure what a maple creemee is, it’s a soft-serve, maple-flavored ice cream! Since the maple syrup in Vermont is especially high quality and pure, the best maple creemees you’ll find are here in Vermont.

And these are definitely a staple in the area. Most ice cream places will have some version of the maple creemee (or just a regular creemee if maple flavor isn’t your thing!). A few great places to try one for yourself are:

• Canteen Creemee Company – Waitsfield
• Creemee Stand – Wilmington
• Woodstock Scoops – Woodstock
• Creemees Ice Cream – Burlington
• Village Creeme Stand – Bristol

16. Shop At Church Street Marketplace

Burlington is a worthy Vermont destination on its own, but one of the coolest places to check out there is Church Street Martketplace. Spanning 4 blocks long, this pedestrian-only shopping district in downtown Burlington is home to some pretty awesome shops, boutiques and eateries, making it one of the best shopping districts in the state.

Some great places to check out on Church Street Marketplace are:

• Smuggler’s Notch Distillery
• Crow Bookshop
• Lake Champlain Chocolates
• Leunig’s Bistro & coffee stand
• Bonus tip: look for all the cool street art along the way!

17. Walk Around Woodstock

It’s going to be hard to find a more idyllic town in Vermont than Woodstock, and there’s a reason it’s one of the top-visited destinations in the entire state. Packed to the brim with charm and movie-quality moments at every turn, it’s a place that should be on everyone’s itinerary.

The great thing about Woodstock is that it’s wonderful year-round, but fall is especially perfect (of course!). There are gorgeous shops and boutiques, awesome restaurants, a town green and three covered bridges to check out. Billings Farm & Museum, and Sugarbush Farms are also just a quick drive away for a more countryside vibe.

Click here to check out my post on all the amazing things to do in Woodstock!

18. And Don’t Forget Billings Farm & Museum!

Speaking of Billings Farm & Museum , it really does deserve its own spot on the list. If you’ve never been, this is definitely something you’ll want to have on your radar during your visit.

Both a working farm and museum, this destination does an incredible job with interactive exhibits, seasonal events and offering scenic grounds to explore. Some of the best times to visit are in the spring during their Baby Animal Days celebration, fall for their Harvest Festival, and during the holidays for their Christmas & Wassail Weekend festivities.

19. Attend A Vermont Christmas Celebration

And we can’t talk about Christmas without mentioning all the magical holiday celebrations around Vermont! Since it’s such a warm and cozy destination to begin with, the holidays just add a little something extra to this winter wonderland.

A few of the best holiday celebrations around Vermont are:

• Traditional Christmas in Stowe
• Wassail Weekend in Woodstock
• A Very Merry Middlebury
• Special Christmas Decor at Hildene
• Illuminate Vermont in South Burlington
• Pro tip: don’t forget to attend a special tree lighting!

20. See The Old Round Church

Located in Richmond between Waterbury and Burlington, you’ll find the beautiful Old Round Church, which is such a wonderful scene to take in.

Built in the early 1800s as a meeting house and place of worship, not only is the architecture truly unique, but history remains preserved on the inside for an even more special experience. Some historians even claim that it’s the last remaining 19th Century, 16-sided wooden structure in the world, which is all the more reason to add this to your itinerary.

21. Sip The Local Spirits

Vermont actually has a pretty wonderful array of spirit distillers, and they’re all really fun to visit during your trip!

In fact, an award-winning gin is produced in Vermont, and you can visit to tour the facilities, or stop by for a tasting or cocktail. Caledonia Spirits makes the famed Barr Hill Gin, which has won countless awards including Gin Of The Year. This is truly an awesome stop to make during your Vermont travels, as their bar whips of some pretty mean cocktails, too.

Smuggler’s Notch Distilling, Green Mountain Distillers and Vermont Distillers are all also worthy of your time.

22. Splurge On A Weekend At A Top Vermont Resort

Vermont is home to some pretty epic resorts in New England, and if you’re looking to splurge for a special occasion, this is a great place to do it.

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Here’s my list of the best resorts in Vermont that are worth your hard-earned money:

• Woodstock Inn & Resort
• The Lodge At Spruce Peak
• Seesaw’s Lodge

Click here to check out my list of the most incredible New England Resorts & Spas!

23. Find Your Way Through The Great Vermont Corn Maze

In the fall season, there’s not a more fun activity than making your way through the Great Vermont Corn Maze. Located in Danville, this corn maze is actually regarded as one of the best in the entire country. Spanning over 24 acres, you’ll want to budget plenty of time to find the exit because there’s a good chance you’ll get a bit lost – which is all part of the fun!

But there’s actually some more really awesome corn mazes in Vermont , so be sure to scope out a few if you visit in late summer, or in the fall.

24. Tour The Ben & Jerry’s Factory

You can’t talk about the best things to do in Vermont and not mention Ben & Jerry’s, right? This now household name for ice cream is a staple for people worldwide, and with famous flavors like Chunky Monkey, Half Baked and Phish Food, as well as celebrity collaborations, it’s one of the top names in the world when it comes to ice cream.

And it was all started right in Vermont. In fact, it began in an old gas station in Burlington, and flourished into what it is today.

When you’re in Vermont, you can stop by the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury! Tour the factory, visit the flavor graveyard to see all the discontinued flavors, and stop at their scoop and gift shops for a fun treat and cool things to bring home.

25. Visit The Shoppes At Quechee Gorge Village

Quechee is one of my favorite little towns to visit in Vermont, and one of the best places to check out here is the Quechee Gorge Village. This is where you’ll find the Quechee General Store, the Antiques Mall (which seems to go on forever!), and a few other great little shops.

You can also find the Vermont Spirits Distilling Co. tasting room here, too. This is a really fun and unique shopping destination in New England.

26. See Quechee Gorge

Near the Quechee Gorge Village, you’ll find the actual Quechee Gorge, which is most definitely worth your time. Free to visit, just grab a parking spot at the Visitor’s Center, and cross the street to the bridge over the Ottaquechee River to take in views of what’s been nicknamed “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon.”

If you feel like spending a bit more time here, you can also hike around the area to enjoy different views of the gorge along the way.

27. Get All The Chocolates You Can

Surprisingly, Vermont makes some pretty great chocolates! In fact, one of my favorite things to do in the fall and winter season is snatch up all the chocolates I can. All over the state, you can find wonderful chocolatiers that make classic treats, and also come up with original flavor profiles.

Here are some of my favorite chocolate places to check out in Vermont:

• Lake Champlain Chocolates (located in Burlington, Waterbury, and Stowe)
• NU Chocolate in Burlington
• Tavernier Chocolates in Brattleboro
• Middlebury Sweets
• Village Peddler and Chocolatorium in Arlington (a fun stop to combine with the Arlington Covered Bridge!)
• Farmhouse Chocolates in Bristol

28. Visit A Rock Quarry

Vermont is actually pretty famous for its rock quarries, and believe it or not, it’s home to the largest underground marble quarry in the world – Danby Quarry! And while you can’t tour that one, there are others you can tour or visit on your own for pretty awesome views.

A cool one to check out is Smith Quarry, which takes you to an overlook of the largest operating deep-hole granite quarry in the world ( I know – who knew that would be in Vermont, right?! ). And if you’re in Manchester, you can take a dip in the Dorset Marble Quarry, which is just a few minutes from downtown Manchester.

29. Stay Overnight At A Farm

One of the most fun and unique things to do in Vermont is book a stay at Fat Sheep Farm & Cabins , which is located in Windsor, and accessible to Killington and Woodstock.

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During your stay at this working farm, you’ll get to enjoy your beautiful cabin, but also get a taste of what farm life is like. You can book cheese and sourdough breaking-making workshops, garden tours, participate in animal chores around the farm (like feeding sheep and goats, and collecting eggs from the chicken coops!), or you can just take a more relaxing approach by visiting with all the cute animals.

This is truly such a special experience while you’re visiting Vermont, so I encourage you to check them out!

🐑 Click here to check out rates and availability!

30. Enjoy A Full Vermont Country Breakfast

You can’t leave without trying a full Vermont country breakfast! Because farming and agriculture is such an important and plentiful industry in Vermont, so many ingredients and foods are incredibly fresh throughout the region.

During a true Vermont country breakfast experience, you’ll typically be served coffee and/or fresh juice, farm fresh eggs, pancakes, fresh breads, bacon or sausage and toasts. The experience is different everywhere you go, but the food is always delicious. Just be forewarned, you may not have room for lunch!

31. Go To The Top Of The Bennington Battle Monument

Bennington can be found in the southern part of Vermont, close to Manchester, and one of the coolest things to do in town is to go to the top of the Bennington Battle Monument. Driving into Vermont from New York, you can see the monument from quite a distance, and it actually looks a bit like the Washington Monument in D.C.

The monument is 306 feet tall, and from the top on a clear day, you can see three states in the distance. The views are especially beautiful in the fall season with foliage colors abound!

32. Have A Fall Foliage Getaway

Speaking of fall color, the number one thing everyone should plan to do in Vermont at some point is a fall foliage getaway. Vermont might be most famous for its spectacular foliage, and there’s a really good reason for that – it’s even more amazing in person than in the postcards and stock photos you see.

The entire state has gorgeous foliage at every turn, so it’s hard to not see it during a fall trip. The one thing you’ll want to do is time your trip right. Each region in Vermont turns at different times, with the northern areas turning in late September, and the mid-region peaking around Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend. Southern areas usually peak mid-October.

33. Drive Smuggler’s Notch In The Fall

One of the best drives for fall foliage in Vermont is Smugglers Notch, which is in Stowe (another reason Stowe is a must-visit!). This road that runs through Smugglers Notch State Park and is free to drive and explore. But the fall foliage here is honestly … epic.

The entire drive is lined with yellow, orange and red leaves, and because the road is full of curves and hairpin turns, it’s also very scenic.

34. Explore The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

Another amazing place to visit that can be found in Woodstock is the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park . This is such a wonderful park that’s perfect for connecting with nature year-round, and is home to over 20 miles of scenic trails.

At the park, you can also take guided nature tours, go horseback riding, and stroll amongst the maple trees in the forest. This is such a beautiful place to explore, and shouldn’t be missed on your trip.

35. Bike The Burlington Greenway Bike Path

The Burlington Greenway is an awesome paved path for both bikers and pedestrians, and spans about 8 miles. A large part of it runs along Lake Champlain for beautiful views along the way, and also connects to the Local Motion Ferry, which takes you (and your bike!) to the Champlain Islands to discover even more beautiful scenery.

If you’re in the Burlington area, this is definitely one of the most fun things to do on a beautiful day in the spring, summer and fall seasons. And in the winter, you’re able to use it to cross-country ski.

36. Go On A Spooky Queen City Ghostwalk

Also while in Burlington, be sure to book a Queen City Ghostwalk tour! These tours are especially perfect in the fall season in October to coordinate with Halloween and all things spooky, and with several options available, you’re sure to find the perfect ghostly experience.

Led by Vermont-native and author Thea Lewis, tours include stories of serial killers, paranormal activity, urban legends, and local lore and history, and are packed with all kinds of information on Vermont’s past that’s sure to give you goosebumps. And because each tour is expertly researched, it’s absolutely worth your time and money.

37. Explore The Beautiful Vermont Lakes

Vermont is the only New England State that’s not bordered by ocean coastline, but it makes up for that with stunning lakes. Lake Champlain is the biggest in the state, and can be found in Burlington. There are some wonderful boat tours around Lake Champlain that offer beautiful scenery along the way.

But Vermont has over 800 lakes to explore, so this is something you’ll definitely want to add to your itinerary if you’re looking for some water views – especially in the summer. Lake Willoughby is an especially scenic one to check out, and Crystal Lake, Lake Saint Catherine and Lake Bomoseen are all also beautiful.

38. Take A Scenic Cruise Along Lake Champlain

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spirit of Ethan Allen (@spiritofethanallen)

As mentioned above, cruising around Lake Champlain is such a treat, so this is another activity that really deserves its own mention. On board the Spirit of Ethan Allen , you’ll have options for scenic narrated tours to learn more about the area, sunset cruises, and even lunch cruises.

Wondering why the ship is named after Ethan Allen? Well, stick around until later in this post to find out!

39. Visit The Champlain Islands, Too!

Mentioned earlier, you can take a ferry over to the islands along Lake Champlain for an exciting and more secluded excursion. In fact, you can actually drive directly to 4 of the islands via the causeway: South Hero, North Hero, Isle la Motte, and Grand Isle.

Lake Champlain’s islands are known for outdoor recreation, historical significance and quirky attractions, and they’re definitely worth a visit if you’re looking to explore more of Vermont’s lakes. Of course, kayaking and canoeing are one of the top things to do when visiting, and you’ll also want to swing by Hero’s Welcome general store, discover the state parks, and stroll through the charming towns on the main islands.

40. Visit Shelburne Farms

One thing I love to recommend to people when they’re visiting Vermont is to head just south or Burlington to Shelburne and visit Shelburne Farms. A working farm with over 1400 acres of beautiful land to explore, which includes pastures, woodlands, gardens and scenic nature trails, Shelburne Farms is such a treat to visit.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shelburne Farms (@shelburnefarms)

Once owned by the Vanderbilt family, Shelburne Farms is also a seasonal inn, so you can stay overnight on the property. Their farm-to-table restaurant is incredible, but even if you just come for a few hours to walk the grounds, it’s a memorable excursion!

41. Stay At The Trapp Family Lodge

Earlier in the post, I talked about how Vermont was home to some of the best resorts in New England and one that stands out as a unique experience is the Trapp Family Lodge , which is the home of Maria von Trapp, the author of the book that inspired the movie, The Sound Of Music . Believe it or not, Maria’s family settled in Stowe, VT where the lodge remains today!

Now, the lodge was rebuilt in the 1980s after a fire destroyed the original, but the location and the style of the lodge is the same. You’ll instantly feel transported into an Austrian-inspired heaven when you arrive.

42. Visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Open year-round, but especially fun in the fall season, Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury is such a classic Vermont stop to make during your visit. Part cidery, part general store, and tons of fun, you’ll be able to grab freshly-made donuts and cider here, as well as shop from the store that has everything from candies and home decor, to local speciality foods, maple syrups and apparel.

Be sure to walk across the parking lot to their hard cider tasting room and restaurant, too!

43. Shop At The Simon Pearce Flagship Store

The flagship Simon Pearce store can be found in Quechee (yet another reason to visit this cute little town), and you’ll be totally inspired once you walk in. Known as heirloom-quality housewares and decor crafters, Simon Pearce is a quintessential Vermont and New England brand.

Downstairs, you can enjoy a free glass glowing demonstration, as well as ask the artisans questions while they work. And upstairs next to the shop, you can dine at The Mill, which is next on my list!

44. Have Lunch At One Of The Most Romantic Restaurants In The U.S.

Looking to have a romantic lunch or dinner during your trip to Vermont? You’ll want to consider booking a table at The Mill, which is inside the Simon Pearce shop in Quechee. Travel + Leisure named this as one of the most romantic restaurants in the entire country!

The restaurant overlooks the Ottauquechee River and Quechee Covered Bridge to create a lovely ambience, and of course, the food and drinks are wonderful. This is perfect for a special occasion, or just to have a lovely meal out because really, who needs an occasion to splurge, right?

45. Do A Wheel Workshop At Farmhouse Pottery

Farmhouse Pottery is now sold in boutiques all over the country, and pieces are still hand-thrown right in Vermont in their flagship store!

If you’re a fan of beautiful and simple pottery designs, you’ll want to visit Farmhouse Pottery’s shop and studio in Woodstock. Located just a few minutes outside the main village, the shop is beautifully merchandised to really let their pieces shine, and the studio is often open for you to walk in and talk to the artisans making each of the pieces.

46. Find All The Best Country Stores

I mentioned the Vermont Country Store earlier on this list, but I would be remiss to not mention that there are so many other amazing country stores throughout Vermont that are worth visiting. Most are housed in historic buildings with gorgeous, creaky hardwood floors, and shelves stocked with local foods, goods, decor and a bunch more stuff you didn’t know you needed.

Here are a few of my favorite general and country stores in Vermont:

• Stowe Mercantile in Stowe
• Original General Store in Pittsfield
• Shelburne Country Store
• Dorset Union Store in Dorset
• The Vermont Spot in Hartford
• Hogback Mountain Country Store in Marlboro

47. Visit The 100 Mile Overlook

The last country store on my list from above in Marlboro is also home to this awesome 100-Mile Overlook, which is a really fun stop to make. And, as the name so perfectly explains, on a clear day you can see 100 miles in the distance, including some of the New Hampshire peaks.

After enjoying the view, head into the Hogback Mountain shop for some ice cream and country store shopping!

48. Have A Fresh, Farm-To-Table Dinner

Vermont probably has the best farm-to-table dining scene of all the states in New England, and I’m sure that has to do with the fact that rural farming is such a prevalent lifestyle and industry in the Green Mountain State.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sawmill Bar & Table (@sawmillbarandtable)

Most restaurants heavily rely on local ingredients for their menus, so it’s not hard to find some pretty awesome farm-to-table dining during your visit.

Here are a few amazing places to check out:

• Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury
• Hen of the Wood in Waterbury
• Kismet in Montpelier
• Sawmill Bar & Table in West Diver
• The Crooked Ram in Manchester
• Shelburne Farms

49. Visit The Awesome Pumpkin Patches, Apple Orchards & Farm Stands

In the fall season, it doesn’t get better than visiting a pumpkin patch and farm stand selling apple cider and donuts on a crips autumn day, am I right? And I’m sure it comes as no surprise that you can find these alllllll over Vermont.

Here are some of my favorites to check out:

• The Apple Barn & Cafe in Bennington
• Mad Tom Orchards in East Dorset
• Burt’s Apple Orchard in Cabot
• Kingdom Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in Sutton

50. Stay At A Cozy Inn

Okay, so I’ve covered why splurging on a luxury resort in Vermont is definitely worth your money, but let’s also talk about all of Vermont’s cozy inns and B&B’s. In fact, this is one of the best kinds of accommodation to book when traveling through the state because they’ll all feel like home, and offer that Vermont country breakfast I mentioned earlier.

Sometimes, inns and B&Bs in Vermont can be a bit pricey, but the good thing is, they come in all budgets. And while the pricier ones have always been worth it, the affordable ones are also quaint and cozy, just with fewer amenities.

These are few that I recommend checking out:

• Four Chimney’s in Bennington
• Green Mountain Inn in Stowe
• Jackson House Inn in Woodstock
• The Grafton Inn in Grafton

51. Eat At American Flatbread

It’s possible you’ve seen frozen American Flatbread pizzas in your local grocery store, and this awesome pizza restaurant started right in Vermont! In fact, you can dine at the original in Waitsfield, which is also a 25 acre farmstead.

They now have 11 locations throughout New England, 5 of which are in Vermont. And the quality of the food and ingredients has never faltered. This is still one of my favorite places to eat in the state. They have a laser focus on farm-fresh ingredients, and their pizzas are absolutely amazing.

Each location is also super cozy, often with fireplaces, and have really nice bars to sample local craft brews and fun cocktails. These are definitely not your average pizza joints.

52. Visit The Ethan Allen Homestead & Museum

Most people know the furniture brand Ethan Allen, but you may not know that it all began in Vermont. The company was named after a Revolutionary War hero named … you guessed it … Ethan Allen, and was founded by two brothers-in-law who bought an old sawmill in Vermont, and began to make furniture.

The war hero Ethan Allen, however, was an important part of capturing the British at Fort Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War. He was also the first leader and commander of The Green Mountain Boys, who also played an integral role in the Battle of Bennington.

Allen settled in the Burlington, Vermont area after fighting in the Indian War, and his homestead is now an amazing museum along the Winooski River. The museum takes you back in time to what life in New England was like in the late 1700s, and kids can even try on Colonial clothing!

The museum is located within Ethan Allen Homestead Park, which has over 4 miles of scenic nature trails to explore.

53. Attend A Fall Festival

For a destination known for its stunning fall foliage, of course there will be some fun fall festivals to go with it! Vermont has some really exciting fall events to consider attending during your visit. Here are a few to check out:

• Burke Fall Foliage Festival
• Autumn on the Green – Danville (home of the Great Vermont Corn Maze!)
• HarvestFest at Stratton Mountain
• Mount Snow Oktoberfest
• Killington Harvest Faire

54. And A Winter Festival, Too!

Yep, there are some pretty awesome winter festivals in Vermont, too! This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise since the snowy season is pretty well-celebrated and enjoyed in the Green Mountain State. Here are a few really fun winter festivals in Vermont to check out:

• Stowe Winter Carnival
• Newport Winter Festival
• The Grafton Ice Bar (hosted by one of my favorite cozy inns in Vermont – The Grafton Inn!)
• Great Ice! In North Hero
• Waterbury Winterfest

55. Visit The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

One of the cutest and highest-quality stuffed animals you can get are made right here in the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. And you can actually visit the factory in Shelburne, VT! To make a day of it, plan to visit both Shelburne Farms and the Teddy Bear Factory 🙂

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vermont Teddy Bear (@vtteddybear)

At the factory campus (yes, it’s a campus), you can make your own custom bear to bring home, take a guided tour to watch the bear artisans at work, and visit the bear hospital, where you learn about how the factory fixes up your favorite friend to make them good as new.

And the outdoors is a wonderful place to hang out. Kids can even enjoy Teddy Bear Picnics on select days throughout the year.

56. Eat At The Famous Blue Benn Diner

Located in Bennington, one of the most famous diners in Vermont is the Blue Benn. Media outlets like Yankee Magazine , Thrillist and Martha Stewart have raved about it, too, and it’s become a staple in southern Vermont.

Blue Benn is open for breakfast and lunch, and is known for comfort food classics and fresh spins on healthy options (you have to try their nut burger!). Pretty much everything on the menu here is a winner, though. When you’re done, be sure to save room for either their homemade pie or homemade pudding, and thank me later 😉

57. Do The Canopy Walk At VINS Nature Center

Short for the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, VINS is home to the Canopy Walk through the forest tree tops, which is especially beautiful during foliage season (but is honestly great year-round).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by VINS (@vinsraptors)

The Canopy Walk is an awesome boardwalk system that’s also ADA-accessible, and sits 100 feet above the ground to allow you an immersive nature experience. Built to educate visitors on environmental sustainability, admission tickets also include access to the entire nature center and its exhibits.

58. Walk The Robert Frost Interpretive Trail

Located in Ripton, just 20 minutes outside Middlebury, you’ll find this wonderful Robert Frost Interpretive Trail. Known for his poetry that highlighted the natural beauty of the New England region, Frost actually lived off-and-on in Ripton during the last 20 years or so of his life – he even taught at Middlebury College.

He moved to Vermont to enjoy better farmland and grow apple trees, and his home can still be visited in Ripton along the trail (although, the interior remains closed to the public).

But along this easy trail that’s only about a quarter of a mile long inside the Green Mountain National Forest , you can relax and connect with nature on a path that’s lined with Frost’s poetry. It’s actually a really cool and thoughtful experience because his poems are some of the most well-known celebrations of nature. So, to read them while walking through the woods and ponds where he once lived is really quite memorable.

59. See Vermont By Train

Vermont actually has a couple of wonderful options for scenic train rides through the state, which makes this such a cool thing to consider doing during your visit!

For over 50 years, the Vermont Rail System has been taking people for rides that showcase gorgeous landscapes, and with options like a Champlain Valley Dinner ride, or Cocktails on the Rails, it’s also a really fun experience! The Vermont Rail System departs from Burlington, making it easy to work into your itinerary if visiting the Lake Champlain region.

60. Explore The State Capital

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont, and is actually a really cool city to explore. One of the reasons I enjoy visiting is because it feels kind of like a city and a small, charming town at the same time.

During your visit to Montpelier, here are a few awesome things to consider checking out:

• Stroll through Hubbard Park (especially great during fall foliage season!)
• Cocktails and tastings at Barr Hill Distillery
• Dine at Oakes & Evelyn
• Taste local maple syrup at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
• Sip on wine at North Branch Vineyards
• Snap photos of Coburn Covered Bridge

Bonus: Visit The Vermont Beetlejuice Filming Location!

For fans of Beetlejuice, you may want to consider swinging by East Corinth to see where the famous bridge scene was filmed!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matt Emery (@emery_bored)

East Corinth is actually one of the most photographed destinations during fall foliage season, and is one of those idyllic rural landscapes you think of when picturing Vermont. However, one of the reasons it’s a bonus suggestion on this list is because many of the filming locations may not have as much impact when you visit as you’d hope.

Now, I still think it’s such a fun stop to make (even just to appreciate the scenery if you’re not into the movie!), but there’s a few things to note about the filming locations.

The iconic bridge that Barbara and Adam crash through is there, but it’s not a cute little red covered bridge as shown in the movie. They turned into into a covered bridge for the movie, and tore it down once filming wrapped. Same goes for the iconic house. You can visit the hill it was built on, but since the house was made just for the movie, it was also torn down after filming.

But you can see Mason Hall, which was Lydia’s school in the movie! And if you pay attention to the movie before you visit, you’ll be able to see how shots of the town overall were used as B-roll.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Vermont?

While Vermont is beautiful year-round, I think fall and winter are the best times to visit. This is also when hotel accommodations will fill up the fastest, and be the most expensive. But, it’s definitely worth it. Fall in Vermont is famous around the world for a reason!

And, of course, the ski resorts in winter are hard to beat, and they’re some of the best in the entire country.

Psst! I have an entire guide on the best time to visit Vermont , if you’re looking for more information 😉

How Many Days Do You Need In Vermont?

Vermont is so small that you can easily take a day trip, plan a weekend getaway, or even explore for a week or more. It’s entirely up to you! I would say a good sweet spot is a long weekend (3-4 days), which will allow you time to see the best small towns, and some of the top attractions, while also slowing down enough to really enjoy it.

What Is Vermont Known For?

Vermont is famous for several things, including:

• Maple syrup
• Ben & Jerry’s
• The Green Mountains
• Fall foliage
• Postcard-worthy countryside landscapes
• Simon Pearce

More Of My Vermont Travel Guides:

• Vermont In The Fall
• Vermont In The Winter
• Vermont In The Spring
• All The Best Things To Do In Vermont
• Fun Things To Do In Waterbury, VT
• Best Places To Stay In Vermont In The Fall
• Best Vermont Pumpkin Patches & Farm Stands To Visit In The Fall
• Christmas In Vermont: All The Most Festive Things To Do
• What Is Vermont Known For? I’ll Tell You!

Other posts you may find helpful:

• Exciting Things To Do In New England In The Fall
• Best Christmas Towns In New England
• The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
• Vermont vs. New Hampshire In The Fall

That’s A Wrap On The Best Things To Do In Vermont!

And now you’re ready to start planning your next trip to the Green Mountain State! With all these amazing things to do in Vermont, it’ll be tough to decide which to start with. But definitely throw in a mix of the best, most quaint towns, mountains, cozy places to stay, a covered bridge or two, and you’re well on your way to making the perfect Vermont itinerary.

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Ultimate Fall Foliage Road Trip in Vermont: A Complete Itinerary

Autumn is a second spring that turns all leaves into flowers”- Fall is definitely the time of the year when leaves speak to us, the story of existence as well as the beauty of letting things pass by. Fall leaves throw such a fantastic show before their demise. In this blog, we will cover awesome fall foliage road trip ideas in Vermont that may inspire your next adventure. Enjoy some stunning visuals of a Fall Foliage Road Trip in Vermont and get some help from our detailed itinerary to plan your Vermont road trip.

Vermont Road Trip Planner

Why fall is the best time to visit vermont, where to to stay in vermont, need a rental car in vermont, 3 day itinerary for a fall foliage road trip in vermont, stop 1: jamaica state park, stop 2: weston village, stop 3: plymouth, stop 4: woodstock village, stop 5: plainfield, stop 6: montpelier, stop 7: vermont state house.

• Stop 8: Ben & Jerry's Factory, Waterbury, Stowe

Tips to remember while traveling to Mount Mansfield

Stop 10: killington, pin this fall road trip in vermont for planning your trip.

New England on the east coast of the USA is one of the most gorgeous places to experience the ultimate beauty of Fall and the state of Vermont takes the crown . During the Autumn season here, you will have one of the best leaf-peeping experiences – whilst enjoying the natural Fall exhibition just during your drive, strolling in scenic state parks, hiking mountain ranges, or even exploring stunning waterfalls in this area. I came back with strong feelings for the state of Vermont and its people- it is by far my most favorite state in America. I will also go again, so let us say this was a beginning for me too.

Some of the top places to visit in Vermont in Fall include:

• Green Mountain National Forest
• White Mountain National Forest
• Scenic Route 100

The Fall foliage starts in mid-September and lasts until mid-October. I visited at the beginning of October when the leaves are more reddish however if you’re looking for yellow colors, visiting earlier is advised. Personally, I would recommend aiming for “Peak Foliage” in mid-October and the USA long weekend of October 12th for Columbus day is perfect for this Fall Road Trip.

Vermont is more like a European Travel experience when it comes to the stay. There are many inns and B&Bs run by locals which I would recommend as your first choice to experience the local life. I stayed in a lovely Airbnb which was very similar to a Scottish B&B and I would rate my stay here as one of the best Airbnb stays ever.

If you are visiting internationally flying into New York or Vermont, you could go for a rental car option. Remember that you drive on the right side of the road in the USA. Your international driving license is valid if you feel comfortable driving. The rules are pretty easy with wide roads and clear junctions combined with the fact that most of the cars in the USA are automatic.

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. I would appreciate the support.

We embarked on a Vermont Fall road trip as part of a Week East Coast Road trip traveling from Florida to Boston. This Vermont road trip itinerary starts from Albany and made our up North with stops at villages and parks in the Green Mountain National Forest until arriving at Montpelier , the capital city of Vermont. In the following days, we also covered the Vermont scenic 100 route and two mountain ranges, Mount Mansfield and Killington. Below is the route we followed color-coded per day for this amazing fall foliage road trip in Vermont. Let us enjoy the fall visual show of Vermont together.

READ: Best Road Trips in USA for your American Road Trip Bucket List

Day 1: Green Mountain National Forest

Our first stop in Vermont was the Jamaica State Park which is located in a small picturesque village Jamaica in the south of Vermont. The state park needs a pass to enter and it is best to check the activities before you go. We only strolled around the village. 

The short walk from the village to the park is stunning with amazing views of colorful houses embedded into nature along the West River and an amazing bridge called the Wardsboro bridge forming a great frame.

There is a hike from here to the Ball Mountain Dam via Hamilton Falls which we missed as our itinerary was tight, I would advise planning to spend a long time here. From here we headed upwards to the village of Weston. On the way, you will get this stunning view which is the same as my feature image. Here is the exact stop: 60-52 River Road, Jamaica, VT 05343.

Weston felt was like walking through a European town with the houses, roads, and shops here reminding me of Austria/Switzerland. Adding to the Autumn charm, the village houses were fully decorated with pumpkins all ready for Halloween. I really loved the orange theme in this postcard-perfect Green Mountain Town village in autumn.

There are some really cute little shops here selling local crafts and produces. I had heard that this town is perfect to celebrate Christmas in, and the Christmas shop here really had strong European vibes so you can note this village if you’re planning a European-style getaway in the USA.

Another attraction is here the Old Mill Museum , which has a mountainous backdrop and a stunning waterfall. We did not go inside the museum as it was closed the day we visited however the view from the outside museum was breathtaking enough for us. Someone from the village had even left a pumpkin beneath the trees, how cute!

The route to Woodstock via Plymouth was one of the best scenic routes during the trip. We didn’t stop in the town itself but we just stopped along the way to admire the views.

The view of mountains and reflections in the lake is simply splendid. This route is just stunning throughout so much so it was confusing which pictures to take and which pose would be best. In the end, I can see we ended up taking fewer pictures and spent more time just enjoying the view. 

We arrived in Woodstock village around sunset, of course, this is what happens if you take a scenic route and keep stopping. Woodstock village is very famous in New England and is on the top list of scenic towns with amazing houses and post-card views around. Though we missed exploring the village properly, we could experience the local shop here which was so thrilling with lots of diverse farm productions. I almost wanted to buy everything and the bakery here was calling to us loudly.

These pumpkins and Squashes are just a small part of what they produce. Aren’t they so diverse? I have never seen these shapes and colors before, I spent a lot of my time just staring at pumpkins and I wished I could have brought them home with me. 

After strolling here, we headed towards Montpellier where our Airbnb was booked for the night.  I definitely need to go back to Woodstock as I could not explore it properly. We arrived late in Montpellier, found a local Thai restaurant to eat at, and headed to the Airbnb to crash.

Day 2: Scenic Route 100

Waking up in Plainfield, Montpellier in our Farm Stay Airbnb is still one of my most favorite stay experiences. This house is located in a private estate with a lake and the morning view was breathtaking. Our host was such a lovely lady who had everything sorted for us like a typical B&B in Europe. They also had an Apple tree with such low-hanging apples that I tried to act eating one while standing on the ground.

The Airbnb farm house has a vintage style and is decorated very well. The prayer flags caught my attention and I added them to my list of home decorations straight away. I wish we had more time here, I will definitely go back and stay exactly here again if it is still available.

The Airbnb was in a hilly area far away from the city. We headed towards Montpellier city first.

We stopped at Montepellier and went via Cliff Street towards Hubbard Tower to get a top view of the city. There were a lot of hikers around here and would recommend not missing this view if you visit. This town qualifies to be the most scenic Fall Town view in my mind, just like I have Tromso for the best winter view. The capital city of Vermont and the vibes here caught my attention, there is something so positive about the people and region here.

The State House of Vermont is located in its capital town, Montpelier. Stopping by this cute statehouse was a heartwarming experience as it stood gorgeous and constantly reminded me of the Glory of this State and its People. It was just stunning with its golden dome and fall backdrop. 

We drove towards Stowe taking the scenic route 100 . This drive was just epic and was sad I could only do a part of it and hope to revisit and finish the full route.

Stop 8: Ben & Jerry’s Factory, Waterbury, Stowe

We arrived at the original Ben and Jerry’s factory which is the Mekkah for Ice-cream lovers. The vibe here is too cheerful, both adults and kids queued up to get their hands on their favorite flavor. 

Here you can taste all their new flavors and pay a visit to the ice-cream graveyard where there is a gravestone for every flavor that didn’t succeed in the market.

Stop 9: Mount Mansfield

One of the highlights of my trip was the drive and hike up to Mount Mansfield, the highest mountain point in Vermont. This literally felt like being in a Hollywood movie even looking at cars coming down from that steep hill while we queued to drive up. 

Climb up and you are in the middle of a FALL HEAVEN literally. It is all Yellow, the Coldplay song was singing in my head throughout the drive here. This mountain is a not-to-miss and the best for leaf-peeping and complete with a cute little chapel.

The drive can be tricky here and we saw a couple who had got stuck with their car tire wedged in a ditch. There are multiple trails you can do here and it is best to plan time if you wish to hike.

We just did a short section of the Sunset Ridge Trail as we did not have much time left of the day. The view from here is amazing.

A list and map of trails can be found here.

Day 3: Killington

At this point, one of our friends had to leave so we had a short break in the trip before the rest of us continued to visit Killington the next day which is another mountain range famous for skiing. Look at the view- amazing isn’t it?

The Killington Mountain Lodge is very popular among families and was packed during our long weekend visit. It is perfect for a Fall Foliage road trip in Vermont, particularly for a weekend getaway and they have amazing rooms to stay in here. 

Click here to find some amazing accommodation options in Killington

Final thoughts on the Fall Road Trip in Vermont

Fall Road trips in Vermont are the best for leaf peepers, nature lovers and foodies. What attracted me the most during my Vermont visit, apart from the leaf-peeping experience, and picturesque villages are the really nice people and their commitment to using local products that even McDonald’s does not exist there. Vermont is known for its natural landscape, and its capital town Montpelier is amongst the least populated cities of the USA. It definitely is an Autumn Wonderland!

Jumana is a travel writer and technologist living in the United Kingdom, born and brought up in India. While she is busy with her full time job as a computer technologist, she is an active explorer during her spare time. She has been exploring states of India since she was 15 and then around the world since she moved to the west in her 20s. Her favourite travel style is “On the Road” and she has perfected the art of road trip planning, covering multiple famous and undiscovered routes around Europe, UK and USA. She is on a mission to road trip the planet and learn more about the cultures around the world.

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73 comments

Vermont is beautiful all around the year and Fall is the best!

Thanks Deep. No doubt Vermont rules for Fall

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Take a Gorgeous Route 100 Vermont Road Trip (2024 Itinerary)

By Author Tara Schatz

Posted on Published: January 5, 2024

Categories Destinations , Get Outside , New England USA , road trips , United States , Vermont

Ready to embark on a Vermont road trip you won’t soon forget? The drive on scenic Route 100 in Vermont has been called “Vermont’s most beautiful road” many times over.

This incredible road trip can be completed in a single day, but what’s the fun in that?

Take five days and embark on an enchanting Route 100 Vermont road trip to explore some of the best nooks and crannies in the Green Mountains.

At 216.6 miles, Vermont’s longest state highway is also one of the most scenic and well-loved, meandering through the Green Mountains, as well as charming New England villages with all the quintessential Vermont goodness that you’ve been dreaming of.

Vermont Route 100 runs straight through the center of the state, from north to south.

Along the way, you’ll find a wealth of recreation opportunities, not to mention fabulous shopping, dining, and lodging. It’s no wonder Yankee Magazine named Vermont’s Route 100 one of the best summer road trips in New England.

Of course, summer isn’t the only time to experience the charms of Route 100!

If you’ve got five days to spend in the Green Mountains, then we have the perfect road trip itinerary for you on Vermont Route 100.

Explore all that this beautiful mountain road has to offer, from pristine lakes and secret swimming holes to magnificent vistas and quiet campgrounds. The Green Mountains are a little slice of heaven for outdoor lovers of every persuasion.

Table of Contents

Print this itinerary!

Cell service is notoriously spotty in the Green Mountains. Download a printable itinerary so that you don’t miss any of these amazing stops!

Route 100 Vermont Road Trip: At-A-Glance

Here’s a bite-sized snapshot of everything you need to know to plan your Vermont Route 100 road trip:

When to go: May to October How to get there: Fly into Albany International Airport and rent a car for your journey. How long to spend: 5 days should give you plenty of time, but you can do it in 3 or extend it to a week or more. Where to stay: Day 1: Wilmington Inn in Wilmington, Day 2: Main + Mountain in Ludlow , Day 3: The Pitcher Inn in Warren , Day 4: T he Stowe Village Inn in Stowe , Day 5: Newport City Inn & Suites in Newport. Top 3 highlights: Vermont Country Store , President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site , Mount Mansfield.

Did you know that we have a sister site all about travel in Vermont? Check out Vermont Explored to start planning your next adventure in the Green Mountains. From road trips and hiking guides to festivals and small-town itineraries, Vermont Explored is covering it all!

Vermont Route 100 Road Trip FAQs

We get a lot of questions about traveling through Vermont, so we just wanted to take some time to answer the ones we get most often. If you have any other questions about road-tripping through Vermont, or about traveling on Route 100, simply leave a comment and we’ll answer ASAP.

Should we drive Route 100 in Vermont from south to north or north to south?

We recommend driving this route from south to north. Why? Because the southern end of Route 100 is closer to major metropolitan areas and airports. The beginning of this road trip is 60 miles from Albany International Airport in New York, 126 miles from Logan International Airport in Boston, and 205 miles from JFK in New York City.

Once you’ve completed the 189-mile drive on Route 100 from Wilmington to Newport, you can hop onto Interstate 91 and head south again.

When is the best time to see fall foliage on Route 100 in Vermont?

You will see fall colors on Route 100 from late September through most of October. October is the busiest month for tourists in Vermont, who come from all over to see the leaves change.

The speed limit on Route 100 varies wildly from 25 mph in town centers to 50 mph between towns, so no matter what time of year you plan to drive it, plan on taking your time!

Will we have access to amenities on Route 100?

Yes! One of the most beautiful things about a Vermont Route 100 road trip is that you travel through the Green Mountain National Forest and the mountains, but you’re never very far from a village or town, which means you’ll have easy access to gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and campgrounds.

A 5-Day Vermont Route 100 Road Trip Itinerary

We’ll start our journey in Southern Vermont, in the little town of Wilmington, and head north on Vermont Route 100 to Newport, just south of the Canadian border.

This is a five-day road trip that is best completed in the summer or fall. In the summer, you can take advantage of lots of swimming and camping. In the fall, you can explore small villages, charming inns, and of course, that incredible Vermont fall foliage.

Day 1: Wilmington, Vermont

Today you’re exploring the beautiful village of Wilmington. Relax by the lake, spend some time downtown, and eat at one of our favorite Vermont restaurants. Driving time: Depends on where you’re coming from.

It’s no secret that Wilmington is one of my favorite Vermont towns, perhaps because the lakes and mountains are so accessible here. Just south of the village is the beautiful Lake Whitingham, also known as Harriman Reservoir.

Covering more than 2,000 acres, Lake Whitingham is the largest lake in Southern Vermont.

Lake Whitingham is the perfect place for swimming, sailing, paddling, and fishing, and yes, you’ll see a good number of cruisers, speedboats, and jet skis too. The beaches and picnic areas that surround the lake are free to use, and there’s even a clothing-optional zone just a short walk from the picnic area at Wards Cove.

If you’re visiting in the fall, don’t pass up a trip to the lake! The foliage is stunning, especially if you can capture it early in the morning when the lake is still.

After you spend some time at the lake, head back to Wilmington for a little meandering.

The town itself is small, with only 2,000 full-time residents. You’ll find a lovely, walkable Main Street, cute stores, and plenty of restaurants. We love browsing Bartleby’s Bo oks, the 1836 Country Store, and Red Fox Shop.

Where to Eat: Locals love Dot’s Diner for a big, traditional breakfast, and we’d recommend Alpenglow Bistro for your special date night.

Where to stay: If you’re looking to pitch your tent, head a few miles east to Molly Stark State Park , where you’ll find a quiet, wooded campground with private sites and hot showers. After setting up camp or before heading out in the morning, be sure to hike to the top of Mt. Olga (a 1.5-mile loop) for stunning views of the surrounding mountains – sunrise from the fire tower is the best!

If roughing it isn’t your thing, we recommend checking into the Wilmington Inn , which is located right on Main Street and very close to the Valley Trail if you want. a short hike before setting out in the morning. A stay in this historic inn includes a full Vermont breakfast.

Also Read: The Complete Guide to Exploring Wilmington, Vermont

Day 2: Wilmington to Ludlow

This section of Vermont Route 100 heads through the southern section of the Green Mountain National Forest. You’ll be stopping in several small towns, swimming in the West River, and taking in the views from the top of Mount Snow.

Driving distance: 53 miles

Mount Snow: Four Seasons of Recreation Opportunities

As you head out of Wilmington on Route 100, you’ll quickly enter the town of West Dover, home of Mount Snow . This is a very popular ski mountain, but it’s open in all four seasons. In the summer and fall, you can enjoy lift-serviced mountain biking, or simply ride the gondola to the top of the mountain for fantastic views of the Somerset Reservoir and the surrounding Green Mountains.

The Bluebird Express gondola runs on the weekends from 10 am to 5 pm between June and mid-October. Lift tickets are $24 for adults (13+) and $19 for kids (5-12). Kids under 5 ride for free.

Jamaica State Park: Swim in the West River!

Continue north on Route 100 until you enter the tiny town of East Jamaica, where you will turn left to stay on Route 100 (also Route 30) and head toward the village of Jamaica. While there isn’t much to the town, Jamaica State Park is a gem of a spot in both summer and fall.

The park features a rail trail, camping, and a playground, but the highlight is swimming at Salmon Hole in the West River.

This is the site of the “Salmon Hole Massacre” where a group of French men and Native Americans ambushed British Soldiers in 1748.

An archaeological dig in 2010 revealed a large campsite on the banks of Salmon Hole. More than 3,000 artifacts were unearthed, including stone tools and spear points. Most were dated between 1000 and 1600 AD, but the oldest artifact discovered is believed to be more than 7,000 years old.

By now your tummy must be growling. For awesome burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes, head to Honeypie on Route 30 in Jamaica. This is a quick diner-type stop, but so good!

Here are our favorite things to do at Jamaica State Park !

Weston, VT : Visit the Vermont Country Store

Weston is another one of those picturesque New England villages, complete with a little town green, several unique stores, and the famous Weston Playhouse. Shopping in Weston is like taking a step back in time, so that’s what’s on the agenda.

Located across from the village green on Main Street, the Vermont Country Store is a step back in time you won’t want to miss. The aisles are stocked to the rafters with penny candy, maple syrup, apothecary items, household goods, and lots of local goodies.

Browse the crowded aisles to discover the largest collection of weathervanes in Vermont, the Vermont Scale Museum, and a year-round Christmas shop.

And speaking of Christmas, no matter what time of year you visit the Vermont Country Store, it’s always a good time to grab some one-of-a-kind Vermont gifts for your friends and family back home.

Ludlow, VT: Settle in at Main + Mountain

Finally, make your way to Ludlow, Vermont, located in Okemo Valley and home to Okemo Mountain Resort. Ludlow is a small community, but you will find a few unique shopping and dining opportunities, as well as several trails and swimming holes. Buttermilk Falls is a popular swimming spot at the base of a lovely waterfall. Not to be missed on a hot summer day!

Where to eat and sleep: For really unique dining, check out Homestyle Hotel . The small, neighborhood restaurant serves up an eclectic mix of local dishes, all created fresh daily and lovingly prepared. For lodging, we recomme nd checking out their sister site, Main + Mountain , which has 13 modern rooms in the walkable downtown area.

Day 3: Ludlow to Waitsfield

This section of Route 100 in Vermont is characterized by very small towns, mountainous terrain, and acres of farmland. For much of the drive, you will follow the eastern slope of the Green Mountains, along the border of the Green Mountain National Forest . There are too many fun stops to mention, so I’m going to focus on my favorites. Driving distance: 70 miles

Plymouth Notch, VT : Visit the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site

About 18 miles north of Ludlow, turn right on Route 100A and drive a mile to President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site . Plymouth Notch is the birthplace and boyhood home of our 30th president, and his homestead and the surrounding village are virtually unchanged since the 20th century.

The village is known as the Plymouth Notch Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Meander around the 600 acres, visit the Calvin Coolidge Museum and Education Center, and check out dozens of historically preserved buildings.

Long Trail Brewing Company in Bridgewater Corners

After leaving Plymouth, continue north on 100A to the town of Bridgewater Corners, where you’ll find the famous Long Trail Brewing Company .

This quaint riverside pub and restaurant is the perfect lunch spot, and the view is pretty great too! In addition to their popular Long Trail Ale, they make a variety of delicious seasonal craft beers that you won’t find in stores.

Moss Glen Falls, Granville , Vermont

Moss Glen Falls in Granville is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vermont . This picturesque waterfall is more of a roadside attraction than anything else, but it’s definitely worth a visit. Because Moss Glen Falls is located right off Vermont Route 100, it will only take a few minutes to check it out. Bring your camera!

There’s no swimming at Moss Glen Falls, so if you’re passing through on a hot summer day, please continue north to Warren Falls for a little dip. Warren Falls can be extremely busy in the summer, but it’s a great spot to cool off.

Vermont has beautiful, accessible waterfalls. Here’s a review of our favorite Vermont waterfalls

Dining and Lodging in the Mad River Valley

Where to stay: After a long day of driving, swimming, and adventuring, it’s time to settle in for the night in the village of Warren For a unique, high-end lodging opportunity, check out The Pitcher Inn, which features luxurious rooms and an onsite spa. It’s a splurge, but well worth it!

Where to eat: Visit the original home of American Flatbread Pizza at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield — undoubtedly the best wood-fired pizza in the state of Vermont.

Day 4: Waitsfield to Stowe

You won’t be driving much today because this section of Vermont Route 100 is packed with things to do! T

he Waterbury/Stowe area is fabulous in all four seasons, and if you’re feeling short on time, I urge you to give this section an extra day. Here are some of our favorite tourist attractions and natural areas on Route 100 between Waitsfield and Johnson. Driving distance: 24 miles

Waterbury, VT : Home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

Waterbury is about 14 miles north of Waitsfield. It is home to Ben & Jerry’s Factory Store, where guided tours are offered daily. Learn how Vermont’s famous ice cream is made, and be sure to stop at the flavor graveyard to pay your respects to the “dearly de-pinted”.

After your tour and tasting, head to Waterbury Center State Park , which is located just off Route 100 and is one of our favorite spots for paddling, fishing, picnicking, and remote camping.

The park is located on a 90-acre peninsula on the shores of the Waterbury Reservoir. The reservoir was constructed by the CCC in the 1930s as a flood control project to protect the towns and villages along the Winooski River. The reservoir is surrounded by mountains and is a gorgeous spot to spend the day, hike a trail, or go for a swim.

There is front-country camping available on Waterbury Reservoir at Little River State Park , which is our top state park for kids in the whole state.

Just a half-mile from Waterbury Center State Park is Cold Ho llow Cider Mill. Not only is this one of Vermont’s top tourist attractions, but it also has pretty delicious cider donuts. Pop in for lunch or some fresh baked goods, and don’t forget a gallon of cider for your cooler!

Stowe, VT : Home to Vermont’s Highest Peak

A Route 100 Vermont road trip wouldn’t be complete without spending a full day in Vermont’s most adorable mountain village. Stowe is known as a ski town, but it’s equally lovely in the summer and fall, with all kinds of shops, restaurants, and coffee shops to explore.

At 4,395 feet, Mt. Mansfield in Stowe is Vermont’s highest mountain. On a clear day, you can see west to Lake Champlain, north to Canada, and east to New Hampshire. There are several trails leading to the top, but if you don’t have time for an all-day hike, consider the auto toll road at Stowe Mountain Resort.

The toll road takes you right to the top of Mt. Mansfield, the peak that is locally called “the nose.” From the nose, you can hike along the ridge of the mountain to the chin (2.8 miles round trip), which is the official highest point in Vermont.

The top of Mt. Mansfield is one of two areas in the state where you can find an alpine tundra ecosystem. This is a very fragile area, and hikers are asked to stay on marked trails and to keep dogs leashed at all times.

After your hike, be sure to stop at the Alchemist Brewery and Visitor Center   to try out New England’s most famous beer, Heady Topper. The brewery and visitor center are located on Cottage Club Road in the village of Stowe.

You will likely meet many fellow road trippers here — people come from near and far to stock up on the Alchemist brews. You are usually limited to 6 four packs of any variety.

If you have time, consider a side trip through Smuggler’s Notch on Route 108. This is a narrow pass through Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak, but not suitable for RVs. The roadside is flocked by huge boulders and dark caves, perfect for scrambling around.

There are several trails along the roadside, including a lovely hike to Bingham Falls. The trail is an easy 1.6 miles round trip and brings you to one of the state’s most lovely waterfalls.

Where to Stay: There are numerous lodging options in Stowe, and we would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. We have enjoyed The Stowe Village Inn and Trapp Family Lodge on numerous occasions, but there are hotels, lodges, and motels at every price point!

Where to Eat: Doc Ponds has a limited menu, but those tacos are divine! Have a root beer float for dessert and you’ll be golden ’till morning.

Read Next: 18 Delightful Things to Do in Stowe, Vermont

Day 5: Stowe to Newport

The last leg of your road trip on Vermont Route 100 is characterized by a wild stretch of road. The further north you go, the better your chances of seeing one of North America’s largest mammals, the massive moose. Be on the lookout for these gentle giants, especially along the roadside, where they pose a threat to unsuspecting motorists. Driving Distance: 48 miles

Newport, VT : Where Vermont Meets Canada

As you head out of Stowe and into Hyde Park, be sure to take in the spectacular views of Mt. Mansfield behind you. You have entered the famous Northeast Kingdom, an area known for its wild and rugged beauty .

Heading north, you’ll pass through several small towns, including Eden, Lowell, Westfield, and Troy, before heading into the relative metropolis of Newport.

Located on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, Newport is a bustling place these days. Main Street is lined with restaurants, boutiques, and galleries. Several waterfront overlooks allow you to take in the majestic views of the massive glacial lake, which covers 41 square miles.

In the summer months, you can rent kayaks and bikes from the Great Outdoors to explore Newport’s natural beauty. Lake Memphremagog can be windy, so your best bet is to stick to South Bay, as well as the Black and Barton Rivers, which flow into it.

The Newport Bebee Bike Path starts in the downtown area and runs for about six miles along the shore of the lake and into Canada (bring your passport if you choose to cross the border).

Where to Eat: For casual waterfront dining, check out the Eastside Restaurant & Pub . If you’re looking for the best Thai and sushi in the Northeast Kingdom, you have to try Dusit Thai Cuisine . The owners relocated from Thailand in 2015, and have been wowing locals and visitors with their delicacies ever since.

Where to Stay: For a no-frills stay with comfy beds and an indoor pool, check out Newport City Inn & Suites . Want to end your Route 100 trip with a lakeside vacation? This beautiful four-bedroom home on Lake Memphremagog sleeps 10!

Where to Camp: With 75 huge campsites for both tents and RVs, a swimming beach, and a playground area, Prouty Beach & Campground is a fun and inexpensive way to explore Newport and the surrounding communities. It’s a county park, right next to the bike path, and less than a mile from downtown Newport.

Route 100 Vermont Map

Here are all the stops mentioned in this Vermont Route 100 itinerary. Simply tap the icon in the upper right corner to make the map bigger and explore.

Where to Next?

After traveling through the mountains on Route 100 from south to north, you can easily hop on Interstate 91 in Newport, which will whisk you away to points south.

If you’re up for further adventures, you can head north into Canada (Montreal is two hours away) and the Eastern Townships are right over the border, southwest into Burlington and the Champlain Valley, or south on the Connecticut River Byway.

We’ve got a lot more travel ideas for New England and the Northeast, so feel free to look around.

Resources for Planning Your Vermont Road Trip Itinerary on Route 100

We’ve been traveling around Vermont for a pretty long time, but we’re always discovering new places to go and cool things to see. Here are the books, maps, and resources we used to plan this journey.

• For our favorite books about adventuring in Vermont, read:   Books About Vermont for Exploring Like a Local
• Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing – Vermontvacation.com is a fabulous resource for finding cool things to do throughout the state. Sign up for their mailing list or order a free vacation guide before your trip.
• Discover Newport Vermont – Plan your stay in Newport and the surrounding communities.
• Go Stowe – All the happenings in and around Stowe, VT

What to Pack for Your Vermont Route 100 Road Trip

Not sure what to pack for your Route 100 road trip? Keep it casual! You’ll be doing a lot of outdoor adventuring, and even the in-town activities (shopping, museums, and restaurants) don’t require fancy duds. One thing you won’t find on Route 100 is nightlife, so leave the fancy dress and heels behind. Here are some more packing must-haves to help you make the most of your trip.

• Activewear – You’ll be spending some time outdoors and you want to be comfy. Opt for sturdy non-cotton pants ( like these ) and a breathable, moisture-wicking shirt. I love Merino wool shirts because they keep you cool when it’s hot out and warm when it’s cold out, plus they don’t stink like polyester blends and they dry quickly.
• Sturdy shoes – Again, you want your feet to take you wherever you need to go. In summer, sandals that can double as water shoes are awesome, plus a pair of rugged hikers.
• Swimwear – The swimming holes in Vermont are cold and clear. If you do this road trip in the summer, be prepared with a bathing suit and a towel. We use these quick-dry towels when traveling because the heavy cotton ones take too long to dry.
• Jackets – The weather in Vermont is fickle, especially in the mountains. In the summer, you will be fine with a fleece and a rain jacket. For fall travel, add a down puffy jacket and a wool hat. These down jackets pack down really small and are perfect for travel.
• A real map – Cell service is notoriously spotty in certain regions of Vermont. We love the DeLorme Atlas for Vermont and New Hampshire to keep us found. We’ve been using it for years!

Don’t forget to download your printable itinerary before your Vermont road trip!

Follow us on social media for more road trip ideas!

Tara is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored , where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.

Cherie Lynn Smith

Monday 18th of March 2024

We are planning our trip and staying in Andover. The dates that work best for us are October 18th-25th. We planned to follow the route the Route 100 Itinerary that is outlined on this page. Any concerns or suggestions as to us being able to see colors during this timeframe?

Tara Schatz

Historically the colors peak earlier than the dates you've mentioned, but last year was an exception, with bright foliage into the third week of October. It's been a bit of a gamble lately! If you have wiggle room, I would plan your trip a week earlier than this.

Thursday 5th of October 2023

Just FYI, taking this trip next week, was hoping to ride that bluebird express gondola, but found it ends Oct 9, and is only available Fri-Sun during summer, not midweek, you might want to mention that. I did find that Killington resort has gondola rides midweek while we're there, but you must book online. J

Thursday 10th of August 2023

Hi!!! Thank you for this article! We are planning to visit Vermont in October and we will be doing a road trip from Toronto! We are also going to bring our dog, may I know if these places are pet-friendly? Thank you!

Saturday 12th of August 2023

Hi Lindsey -

We travel with our dogs all the time and overall, Vermont is very pet-friendly. I can't speak to each hotel or lodging opportunity on this list, but it's easy enough to look that up on the hotel website. When I update this article, I will be sure to add whether or not dogs are allowed in the various spots.

Tuesday 1st of August 2023

Traveling to Vermont end of September and staying a week. I read somewhere you should start north to have a better chance of changing of the leaves and end south. Not sure if this is true. I keep reading about route 100 being beautiful. Need a route suggestion with starting and ending point. I could also use suggestions on what areas I should look for lodging as we travel. Will have my 83 year old mother and a friend with me.

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Hi Cyndie- Thanks for your comment. Fall foliage is just beginning at the end of September, so you can pretty much stay up north and in the mountains if your goal is to see the leaves. Stowe has lots of hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts, and while it will be busy that time of year, it makes a great home base for your explorations. I am also the editor of Vermont Explored, a website dedicated to travel in Vermont. Here's the link: https://vermontexplored.com

Monday 17th of July 2023

Traveling to NH and VT in October. We will drive from Stowe to Wilmington. We have 3 nights. Planning to stay in Stowe 1 night. What are good stops near route 100 for the other 2 nights. We were thinking Woodstock and Wilmington. Thanks for your input!

I love Wilmington! Woodstock is very pretty as well, but farther from Route 100. You should also check out Ludlow!

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Vermont Flexible Trip Planner: Bringing Fixed and Flexible Transit Together on a Single Platform

20 minutes   Author: Shared-Use Mobility Center   Date Launched/Enacted: Aug 2, 2019   Date Published: August 2, 2019

History of the Program

Program goals and outcomes, budget and planning, program operations and marketing, accessibility, challenges and lessons, future plans, additional resources.

Brief Summary

• The Vermont Agency of Transportation earned a $480,000 Mobility on Demand Sandbox grant from the Federal Transit Administration to develop a new trip planning tool.
• The Go! Vermont Trip Planner uses GTFS-Flex to make different flexible transit services, like dial-a-ride, discoverable.
• VTrans developed this project alongside Trillium and Cambridge Systematics. The Go! Vermont Trip Planner can improve mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and rural residents by showing connections between shared mobility services beyond just fixed-route transit. This model is adaptable to other communities across the United States.

Introduction

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), in partnership with Trillium Solutions and Cambridge Systematics, developed an online trip planning tool that provides statewide options that include flexible transportation services such as dial-a-ride, hail-a-ride, and deviated fixed-route trips. The tool allows users–and in particular, rural transit system users–to gain a more complete picture of their mobility options when planning a trip. The online platform was developed as a pilot project within the Federal Transit Administration’s Mobility-on-Demand Sandbox program. Since its launch, several other transit agencies have taken steps to replicate the initiative’s resulting technologies.

This case study explores how VTrans developed and marketed this tool, as well as its implications for the future of multi-agency, one-stop-shop trip planning platforms.

Mobility on Demand (MOD) is commonly understood to be the integration of emerging shared mobility services and technology–such as on-demand data, real-time data and predictive analysis–into existing transit services. These emerging services can be requested on demand, which, according to the Federal Transit Administration , makes for a more “traveler-centric” approach. As these services and the technologies that enable them become increasingly sophisticated, so too do the ways in which transit operators work to integrate them into more traditional services. VTrans’ online trip planning tool provides MOD service by increasing access to both traditional fixed transit and flexible mobility options.

In 2014, all ten of Vermont’s transit agencies adopted the Google Transit platform to publish their public transit data, using the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) format used by most transit agencies across the country. With Google Transit, travelers could search for the different services available to them for specified trips. However, this platform only shows fixed route service; it does not include the more flexible services offered across the state, including dial-a-ride, hail-a-ride, and deviated fixed-route services. Open source platforms, such as OpenTripPlanner (OTP), are also available, but traditional OTP software also shows fixed route services only. This is because the GTFS format they use only supports fixed-route service data.

In response, a number of contributors in the open source software community developed GTFS-Flex . GTFS-Flex is an extension of the core GTFS specification, built to communicate information about flexible, non-scheduled services. It is particularly important that these flexible services are discoverable on trip planning tools in rural areas like much of Vermont, because fixed route service is often less prevalent in areas with lower population density. However, at the time it was developed, neither Google Transit nor OpenTripPlanner could consume GTFS-Flex feeds.

In 2016, VTrans applied to take part in the FTA MOD Sandbox program, which provided grants and technical assistance to support public agencies pursuing innovative MOD projects. VTrans proposed developing a mobile and desktop platform that uses OpenTripPlanner software that can also read GTFS-Flex data, meaning that both fixed and flexible services would be discoverable within a single application. In October 2016, VTrans was selected as a Sandbox grantee.

To develop the application, the agency chose to collaborate with Trillium , a company specializing in transit data development and focused on open-source tools, and Cambridge Systematics , a transportation consulting firm. The partners successfully adapted the OpenTripPlanner code to read GTFS-Flex data, and in late 2017 and early 2018, they conducted testing on the platform. They also developed a plan for its integration into the state’s various transit agencies. In spring 2018, the platform was officially launched statewide as the “ Go! Vermont Trip Planner ”; via a single search, a traveler could now see a menu of hail and ride stops, deviated fixed-route trips and ADA areas, and the platform was capable of showing carpools, hotel shuttles, ridesourcing and other services that were not yet incorporated into the application. Where appropriate, contact information is also made available to set up a ride. An independent evaluation by the FTA is ongoing, but other agencies (including the Oregon DOT and several agencies taking part in the Valley Flex/ Vamos Mobility project in California’s San Joaquin Valley) are already working to replicate VTrans’ technology. Furthermore, there is now an emerging marketplace surrounding flexible trip planning platforms.

Source: VTrans; man holds tablet displaying flexible trip planning tool in front of bus

The primary goal of the initiative was to create and deploy a state-wide online platform that included itineraries for both fixed and flexible public transit modes in Vermont, but it was also key that the resulting technology could be replicated (and scaled) elsewhere. With Google Transit, when someone searches for a trip route and distance to transit is too far away, no results are returned. The Go! Vermont Trip Planner was intended to provide some alternative trip options in its results in those cases.

Although the independent evaluation of the pilot has yet to be released, this primary objective seems to have been successfully executed. The first iteration of the planner was developed on time and on budget, and it integrated traditional transit, demand-response services, flag stops and ADA service. Importantly, this version of the platform – released in spring 2018 – increased trip planning access from less than half of the geographical area of Vermont to nearly 100%.  A traveler can now use the Go! Vermont Trip Planner on a computer or smartphone to find route options that include fixed and flexible services. The second iteration of the planner, expected in early fall 2019, will incorporate carpooling and vanpooling services in its results, while the third iteration is anticipated to incorporate taxi companies, airport shuttles, and other transportation options.

Screen shots of Go! Vermont Trip Planner

The trip planner is completely owned and managed by VTrans without any ongoing licenses and can be updated as services change. Another beneficial outcome of the initiative is that GTFS-Flex data was created for all the public transit agencies across Vermont. Furthermore, the changes made to OpenTripPlanner code were then submitted back to OpenTripPlanner’s main branch and to the GTFS-Flex Github repository , meaning that these adaptations are now available for use by any party, which helps accelerate duplication efforts among other agencies going forward.

However, the vast majority of Vermonters still use Google Maps for trip planning purposes; state officials are hopeful that going forward, Google will also work with them to incorporate the revised code. Although the service is popular among call center employees, as of summer 2019, only dozens of people use the trip planner daily, instead of the hundreds that had been anticipated. To increase use, VTrans is planning a statewide marketing campaign surrounding the platform in fall 2019.

For project funding, VTrans applied for a grant from the Federal Transit Authority’s Mobility-on-Demand Sandbox program, launched in 2016. VTrans was one of eleven agencies that received federal funding through this program. In sum, VTrans received $480,000 from the FTA, and contributed $120,000 of its own funds. An additional $10,000 from the state was spent on outreach activities, and another $35,000 spent to promote the tool through media buys and additional outreach through fiscal year 2020.

Broadly speaking, VTrans served as the project manager, coordinating efforts between the private sector partners and Vermont public agencies and providing progress reports to the FTA. Trillium was responsible for developing the GTFS-Flex data and the OpenTripPlanner software, while Cambridge Systematics provided programming expertise. ( See the signed contract between VTrans and Trillium here. ) The project kicked off in early 2017 with concept sketches presented by Trillium, followed by subsequent meetings to refine the design and development approach through spring 2017. Beta testing and presentations to regional community members for feedback took place fall 2017 and early 2018, and the platform was officially live on the plan.govermont.org website by spring 2018.  Community and special-interest groups were also engaged, with particular attention paid to ensure that organizations such as the Vermont Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Vermont Center for Independent Living, and Vocational Rehabilitation were aware of the platform and its benefits to their clients.

VTrans continues to pay $30,000 annually to Cambridge Systematics for maintenance of the online portal.

Throughout the development process, VTrans and its private sector partners kept interested parties abreast of their progress. VTrans sent periodic updates to a list of 60 contacts in the sector, and Trillium blogged on the process regularly.

VTrans conducted extensive user testing in fall 2017 among agency professionals, riders, and social service agents, and staff traveled to all public transit providers to participate in public meetings. It also presented on its process and progress at conferences, including the Rural Intercity Bus Transportation Conference in 2016, the Transportation Camp in 2017, and the Shared Use Mobility Center Summit in 2018.

The agency also promoted the platform on the Go Vermont website, and engaged with several social service agencies and advocates to ensure that their clients were aware of the tool. These groups included the Vermont Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, and the Vermont Center for Independent Living. By engaging these groups and introducing them to the flexible trip planner, VTrans helped promote awareness of the tool among people who have the most mobility challenges.

Source: VTrans; presentation of trip planner tool to advocacy group

Nevertheless, use of the platform remains low. Most Vermonters still use Google for their trip planning needs. As a result, VTrans has a state-wide marketing campaign set to roll out in fall 2019 to increase awareness among the general public, and detail other Go! Vermont services. This campaign will launch after the carpool and vanpool services are incorporated into the platform, and it will include video, banner and web advertisements and some print coverage.

The Go! Vermont Trip Planner was intended to be beneficial for all Vermonters, as the majority of the state is comprised of rural areas that do not have access to extensive fixed route services that traditional trip planners are developed to show. However, by incorporating GTFS-Flex data, this new trip planner is of particular use to people who have mobility challenges. For example, when people with physical disabilities use the Vermont platform to plan their trip, their results include paratransit services that do not appear when they use the Google platform. By including services like dial-a-ride and wheelchair accessible vehicles into the results, the trip planner offers individuals with mobility challenges greater transportation options.

Importantly, groups like the Vermont Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living were engaged in the rollout of the trip planner to ensure that their community members were made aware of the services. VTrans conducted approximately 15 informational sessions where they projected the trip planner website and went through a series of searches with the group audiences. They also received some feedback that they incorporated into the overall Go! Vermont website which helped it reach “AA” level according to ADA Web Content Accessibility Guideline standards. Feedback from many of these groups and their members since the launch has been extremely positive.

In general, this project was executed without significant challenges; the public and private partners worked well together, deliverables were ready on time, and the objective was achieved. Much of this success could be attributed to the project’s participation in the FTA’s Sandbox program, which required extensive planning during the grant process, and provided technical and strategic assistance.

Nevertheless, one unanticipated hurdle for the VTrans team arose when beta testing began. Initially, VTrans had planned to use the OpenStreetMaps map display for its trip planner software. However, users were so accustomed to the display of Google Maps that they did not feel comfortable with the OpenStreetMaps display. VTrans determined that it would likely take years to achieve the same level of specificity on OpenStreetMaps that Google displayed, so they decided to switch to using Google Maps for the map display to better meet user expectations.

This is an important lesson for other public agencies looking to replicate VTrans’ efforts: regardless of the service being offered or the agency offering it, many users have come to expect private sector best practices and standards in all their online interactions.

The other major challenge for the agency has been to increase use of the trip planner now that it is live. VTrans hopes that the marketing campaign scheduled for the fall of 2019 will increase awareness – and ultimately use – of the tool.

Because VTrans manages the website application, future changes to service and mobility offerings will need to be updated by the agency. For example, the application software is already capable of integrating vanpool and carpool trips into its results, but such trips are not expected to be discoverable in the application until fall of 2019. Airport shuttles and taxi companies are expected in the application’s third iteration in subsequent years.

Furthermore, the Go! Vermont Trip Planner application currently does not incorporate eligibility into its discoverable results. In future iterations, it may also offer search filters such as “wheelchair accessibility” or “mobility-impaired” so that people with disabilities can more easily find the transit services best suited to their needs. However, the current agency preference is to present a user with all their mobility options, and then allow the user to make their own decisions on what modes are most appropriate for their needs.

Lastly, VTrans chose not to build trip-booking capabilities into the application at its launch. In part, this was because incorporating ticket purchasing into the software would have required significant cooperation among participating agencies and private operators, as well as additional financial investment. Currently, overall use of the platform would need to increase greatly in order to justify such a development. However, the ability to purchase tickets for trips on multiple transit agencies via a single application would certainly increase mobility, and other regions are working towards payment integration across multiple agencies already ( ex: NEORide ticketing platform for agencies in Ohio and Kentucky ). It is likely that, as the market surrounding flexible trip planners grows, trip booking will be an increasingly common component of the tools.

The VTrans initiative to develop a state-wide online trip planner that incorporated results for both fixed and flexible transit options began with its application for a FTA grant in 2016, and the first iteration of the deliverable was made public in the spring of 2018. During the intervening months, VTrans and its private sector partners took the first steps toward standardizing such capabilities across the country. Although the knowledge and technology developed through the creation of the Go! Vermont Trip Planner are of particular importance to other agencies that serve small and rural communities, these tools have set the stage for accelerated improvements in MOD approaches for all agencies going forward.

For Vermont, the launched Go! Vermont Trip Planner meets the needs assessed at the outset of the development process: the planner displays travel routes for trips across Vermont that include dial-a-ride, hail-a-ride and deviated fixed-route options. This is a critical service for Vermont, as much of the state is rural, and therefore not well-served by fixed route options alone. For people with mobility challenges in particular, this trip planner is especially beneficial. However, for this service to make a significant difference to residents, awareness and use of the platform needs to increase dramatically. Until then, Google Maps and its limited transportation results remain the default.

Nevertheless, many other public and private agencies are eager to continue down this road. In their effort to standardize flexible transit into trip planning results, they must also look ahead to what the next iterations might entail. VTrans is already working to incorporate carpools and vanpools into its results, and it envisions iterations down the line that also incorporate airport shuttles, taxis, and other private operators, including TNCs and shared bike or scooter systems. Although there is currently no single application that can show all public and private, fixed and flexible transportation offerings within a single platform, the development of the VTrans flexible trip planner pushes the entire market closer to the day when such a platform exists.

• Go! Vermont Trip Planner
• Presentation on OpenTripPlanner
• VTrans contract with Trillium, 2017
• Independent Evaluation: VTrans Open Trip Planner Evaluation Plan
• Summary of Project

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Vermont eclipse 2024: what time is the eclipse.

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Vermont will soon become one of the premier destinations for the April 8 total solar eclipse , and excitement is building all across the state for an influx of visitors to our region for this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

As we approach the big day, state officials predict that anywhere from 60,000 to upwards of 160,000 people from out of state will flock to the Green Mountain State to witness this special event.

If you are planning to make the trip up to Vermont next month, here are some things you should know as you prepare for your trip.

What time is the solar eclipse in Vermont?

The partial solar eclipse in Vermont will begin at 2:14 p.m., and totality will begin at 3:26 p.m. Most areas will see about 3 minutes of total darkness, although some areas will see closer to four minutes, depending on your location. The partial eclipse will end at 4:37 p.m., according to state officials. You can view this interactive map to show how long your town will remain in totality.

What should I do on my visit to Vermont?

Vermont is a vast and wonderful place to explore, especially for those who love to spend time outdoors. If you're visiting for the very first time during the eclipse, there are plenty of different ways you can get the most out of your visit.

We recommend visiting Burlington, Vermont's largest city, which offers stunning views of Lake Champlain and some of the state's best restaurants, nightlife and arts. You can check out a full visitor's guide to Burlington to learn more and plan your visit.

What kind of weather should I expect during my visit?

April weather in Vermont can be unpredictable, to say the least. While it could be warm and sunny, there is a good chance there might be snow on the ground and a chill in the air. Experts are recommending visitors bring warm clothing with them for their trip, just in case conditions are less favorable than desired.

April is also known locally as "mud season" in Vermont, meaning the rainy spring conditions can cause many of the region's dirt roads to turn to mud.

NBC5's First Warning Weather team looked back on decades of cloud cover data on past April 8s to forecast what conditions could be like the day of the eclipse.