Five Awesome Day Trips: Vermont

Don’t let Vermont’s size fool you, the Green Mountain State offers a wide variety of art, culture, and outdoor activities to be discovered throughout the year. With its quaint villages, beautiful foliage, fantastic ski resorts, and delicious food, this New England gem has something for everyone. Because of its beautiful, mountainous terrain, Vermont is perfect for avid outdoors enthusiasts seeking the perfect hiking trail during the warmer months or skiing during the winter. When autumn hits the state, there might not be a prettier place to be—the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow. Our day trip recommendations will take you on scenic drives from Burlington to places the locals have been enjoying for generations.

Here are five great day trips across the Green Mountain State:

Courtesy of Montshire Museum of Science

Norwich (Museums & Attractions)

Norwich, located about 90 miles southeast of Burlington, is home to the Montshire Museum of Science, a hands-on museum with over 140 exhibits covering anatomy, math, astronomy, and natural history, among others. It’s a great place to visit for kids of all ages, any time of year. Plan to spend a few hours exploring the 110 acres of indoor and outdoor spaces. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also regularly hosts traveling exhibits. There are also extensive walking trails that showcase the vegetation of the Upper Connecticut River Valley. If anyone in your group is a baker (or just likes bread!), the King Arthur Flour flagship location is also in Norwich. Take a class at their Baking School, watch the bakers creating beautiful breads, or enjoy a meal at their cozy café.

Shelburne (Museums & Attractions)

Shelburne is situated just 7 miles south of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. The picturesque small town is home to the Shelburne Museum. The Museum showcases a collection of Americana, which includes historic structures that have been moved from their original homes around the country to these few acres in Vermont. The other major attraction in Shelburne is the summer house and farm built for the daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt and her husband, now known as Shelburne Inn & Farms. The historic farm is still operational and is known for its homemade goods, such as delicious Vermont cheddar cheese made in its gorgeous 1800’s barn. You can spend the night in the Inn or just take a tour of the grounds and gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. The views of Lake Champlain are unforgettable!

Stowe (The Outdoors)

With a covered bridge, white-spired church, and ski trails down the mountainside, Stowe is the quintessential image of Vermont. In the heart of the state’s snow belt, it’s also the location of the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum, a unique destination showcasing the state’s ski heritage. But Stowe is not all about skiing; the extensive downtown is packed with shops and boutiques, art galleries, dining, and lodging of all sorts. The summer months are great for hiking, biking, and swimming. For incredible 360-degree views of the mountain peaks, hike the 2.8-mile Stowe Pinnacle Trail. During the winter season, Stowe Mountain Resort is the most popular choice and one of the largest ski resorts in New England.

Vergennes (Small Town Experience)

Vergennes is another beautiful historic village on the shores of Lake Champlain, 3 miles south of Burlington. Vergennes Falls Park along Otter Creek is the perfect place to start your day with a coffee or pastry from Vergennes Laundry and a view of the scenic falls. No visit to the town is complete without a visit to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, a unique museum that highlights the history of the lake, including the fierce battles that took place there during the Revolutionary War. The Victorian Main Street is a great place to have lunch and see some of the historic landmarks, including the Vergennes Opera House and Stevens House (that dates to 1793). As the sun sets, relax lakeside at the Basin Harbor Resort & Boat Club before a casual dinner on property at the Red Mill Restaurant.

Woodstock (Tours & Experiences)

The small town of Woodstock, located just 90 miles from Burlington, has been named one of the most beautiful towns in America. Its charming colonial spirit is enhanced by the local artists and craftsmen creating beautiful handmade works of art. Watch live glass blowing in a turbine-powered studio at the Simon Pearce flagship store in Quechee. Then shop from the latest designs in the glassware shop before having lunch at their farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the river. If you’d like to try your hand at pottery, Farmhouse Pottery offers Wheel Workshops that include a tour of their workshop, a demonstration, and a personal lesson to create your own piece of stoneware. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget! Take a break from your arts & crafts day and stroll through the historic village to shop in the wonderful collection of country stores, boutiques, and art galleries. For a real treat, spend the night at the Woodstock Inn, a luxury resort that may not be here today if not for the vision of Laurance and Mary Rockefeller.

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hours at attractions may be limited. Make sure to check the websites and add to your list for future travels!