Vermont is famous for its stunning fall scenes, mouthwatering maple syrup, and delicious cheeses. It’s also the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, home to a few past US presidents, and the starting point for endless adventures and activities throughout the year.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Vermont Bucket List Activities for the Spring/Summer
- Vermont Bucket List Activities to Do in the Fall/Winter
- Free Activities to Add to Your Vermont Bucket List
- Romantic Things to Do in Vermont to Add to Your Bucket List
- Foods and Restaurants in Vermont to Add to Your Bucket List
No matter when you plan to visit the Green Mountain State, you’ll be glad you did. From challenging hikes and romantic getaways to food tours for the culinarian, there’s something to do for everyone.
Vermont Bucket List Activities for the Spring/Summer
Vermont is lush, green, and warm during the spring and summer months. Everything is growing, farms are producing, and there’s a sense of excitement after making it through winter. There is plenty to do if you plan your bucket list during this season.
1. Shop fresh produce at a local farmer’s market
Farmer’s markets are the highlight of the spring and summer months for many towns throughout Vermont. You’ll find fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and handicrafts of all kinds as you peruse the many stalls set up for the weekly event. You might even be able to pick up some delicious Vermont maple syrup.
Pro tip: Farmer’s markets are usually held on Saturdays, so plan accordingly!
2. Take a trip across Lake Champlain
Ferry boats shuttle individuals, bikers, backpackers, cars, trucks, and RVs across Lake Champlain. Whether you’re trying to get to the other side, or simply want the experience of sailing Lake Champlain, you’ll be glad you hopped aboard.
3. Take a tour of the Ben and Jerry’s Factory
Ben and Jerry’s got its start in Vermont and the factory continues to pump out over 40,000 gallons of ice cream daily at its Waterbury site. Take a tour, check out the inner workings of the ice cream company, and enjoy a cone of your own at the Scoop Shop.
4. Get inspired at Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum is undisputed as one of the best museums for art, design, and Americana in New England. Its 45-acre campus is home to 25 historic buildings, 22 gardens, and exhibits galore. Some of the most-loved attractions include a general store, a Shaker Round Barn, a carousel, and the steamboat Ticonderoga.
Pro tip: Can’t make it during your trip? Check out their website for fun Museum from Home activities and Online Exhibitions.
5. Go back in time at the Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum
Take a step into history and learn about the pivotal role Ethan Allen played during the American Revolution. There are docent-led tours that take you through the home and museum, miles of hiking trails to explore on your own, exhibits, and special events throughout the year.
Vermont Bucket List Activities to Do in the Fall/Winter
No Vermont travel bucket list would be complete without a section of activities for the fall. From September through November, the trees are brimming with color, orchards are overflowing with ripe fruit, and there are adventures for visitors and locals at every turn.
6. View fall colors on a scenic drive
Fall foliage in Vermont is some of the best you’ll see anywhere in the world. Take a drive along scenic Route 100 and you’ll be in for a treat. Not only will you see miles upon miles of stunning fall colors, but you’ll drive through quaint towns, farmland, and historic sites.
Pro tip: Turn your drive into a day trip and give yourself time to check out the towns you pass through or spend time at the historic sites.
7. Pick your own apples
There’s nothing that says “fall” quite like apple picking. U-pick apple orchards are all over Vermont, so chances are there’s one nearby wherever you’re staying. This is such a popular activity, that the Vermont Tree Fruit Grower’s Association put together a list of all the orchards, farm stands, and cider producers in the state.
8. Visit Billings Farm and Museum
Head to the town of Woodstock where you can take a tour of a real working farm, meet the herd of Jersey cows, learn about farm life in the 1800s, enjoy interactive exhibits, and pet the barn animals. There are a variety of seasonal activities that rotate through the year.
Pro tip: During January and February, you can take sleigh rides around the farm or go on a snowshoe tour!
9. Attend the Tunbridge World’s Fair
The Tunbridge World’s Fair has run continuously for nearly 150 years, with the only exceptions being closures due to the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 and WWII. Enjoy a week of fair food, midway games, rides, agricultural and handicraft displays, horse and animal shows, contests, and more.
Pro tip: The fair occurs yearly in September, 10 days after Labor Day.
10. Enjoy winter sports
In the winter, Vermont turns white with fresh powder on every mountain, making it a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Killington Ski Area is a favorite of many. It has 1,500 acres of skiable area, 73 designated ski trails, and slopes that cater to every skill range.
Pro tip: Not into skiing or snowboarding? Try snowshoeing or riding cross-country on a snowmobile.
11. Tour the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
Planning a day or two away from the slopes? Check out the Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe, one of Vermont’s hot spots for ski lovers. You’ll find artifacts galore documenting Vermont’s ski past including Alpine and Nordic ski memorabilia and an entire section on snowboarding.
Free Activities to Add to Your Vermont Bucket List
Are you traveling on a dime? There are plenty of free activities and adventures available in Vermont, so be sure to add a few of these to your list.
Pro tip: When making a travel bucket list, categorize activities by their cost so you have a quick breakdown of activity options when finalizing your itinerary.
12. Go on The Hunt through Vermont
The Vermont Cheese Council has put together one of the coolest free activities ever: a scavenger hunt that will have you exploring the entire state. They’ve divided Vermont into six regions to explore. A free clue packet is provided for each region with things to do, places to explore, and cheese to sample.
Pro tip: If you complete all six regions, you can upload your scavenger search results to the VCC website and be entered into a drawing for prizes like delicious Vermont cheese shipped right to your door.
13. Walk the Robert Frost Trail
Robert Frost was a prolific writer and poet who lived in Vermont. If you head to the town of Ripton, you’ll see signs for the Robert Frost Trail. The leisurely walking trail is positioned within a mile of where he lived and wanders through similar areas where Frost took his own walks. Perhaps you, too, will be inspired to pen a poem or two.
14. Hike Vermont’s tallest peak
If you love hiking, check out Mt. Mansfield. The mountain contains dozens of hiking trails and stunning views. Challenge yourself to reach the very top where you’ll see for miles around.
Pro tip: Don’t feel like hiking to the peak? There’s a toll road for cars, as well.
15. Tour Lake Champlain Chocolates
Lake Champlain Chocolates has been in operation since 1983 and is loved by all. At their flagship store and cafe on Pine Street in Burlington, you can take a video tour of the factory, enjoy free samples, and check out Vermont’s largest chocolate sculpture exhibit.
16. Hike to all the waterfalls
Vermont is home to dozens of waterfalls, and many are accessible via an easy hiking or walking trail. Some favorites include the Moss Glen Falls in Stowe, Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow, and Thundering Falls Trail in Killington.
Romantic Things to Do in Vermont to Add to Your Bucket List
Planning to travel with your significant other? Here are some of the most romantic things to do in this beautiful state.
17. Stay at a bed and breakfast
Vermont has fantastic B&Bs all over the state that provide charming lodging, mouthwatering breakfasts, and plenty of perfect add-ons like farm tours, hikes, wine tastings, and hot tubs for relaxing. While you probably won’t go wrong no matter which you choose, some of the favorites include The Inn on Putney Road in Brattleboro, The Little River Inn in Stowe, and The Village Inn of Woodstock.
18. Tour Vermont’s covered bridges
Is there anything more romantic than strolling hand-in-hand with the one you love while touring some of Vermont’s oldest covered bridges? There are over 100 covered bridges in Vermont that all make stunning backdrops for a romantic walk, a photoshoot, or even a place to pop the question.
Pro tip: If you want to hit several bridges at once, head to the town of Bennington, where there are five all within a short drive.
19. Ride a gondola up to Killington Peak
Killington Peak is the second-tallest mountain in Vermont, and views from the top are stunning. If hiking during the summer or skiing during winter isn’t your thing, slow down and enjoy a smooth ride up to the peak by hopping into a gondola, instead.
Pro tip: Go during fall for stunning foliage or winter if you want a snowy wintery scene, instead.
20. Take a ride on the Green Mountain Railroad
The Green Mountain Railroad is family-owned and operated by third and fourth generation railroaders. There are plenty of opportunities to ride, but the most romantic include the two-hour Fall Foliage Ride and the three-hour Champlain Valley Dinner Train.
21. Stroll through Church Street Marketplace
Head to downtown Burlington and you’ll find a favorite area for tourists and locals alike. It’s an open-air mall filled with stunning architecture, street entertainers, live music, boutique shops, classy eateries, and green spaces to rest and recharge.
Pro tip: There are events held throughout the year, so check the Church Street Marketplace events calendar when planning your trip.
Foods and Restaurants in Vermont to Add to Your Bucket List
Vermont has some excellent foods to add to your food bucket list. We recommend trying each of these below. You can thank us later.
22. Take a trip along the Vermont Cheese Trail
Vermont is best known for its award-winning cheeses. There are so many creameries churning out delicious cheddars, pepper jacks, and munsters, that there is an official Vermont Cheese Trail to explore.
Pro tip: Go hungry because you’ll probably score samples along the way!
23. Enjoy a maple creemee during the summer
Maple creemees are a Vermont staple during the warmer months. Creemee stands pop up everywhere, so you’re sure to see one while you’re out and about. So, what is a creemee? It’s a luscious soft-serve cone made with real Vermont maple syrup.
24. Sample a fresh-baked apple cider donut
If you plan on touring an apple orchard or cider mill during your time in Vermont, chances are they’ll have fresh-baked apple cider donuts for sale. These delicious baked goodies are made with apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and they taste like fall.
25. Sip some fresh-pressed cider
Cider mills all over Vermont offer fresh-pressed cider tastings during fall apple season. Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury is a favorite of locals and deserves a spot on your tasting list. In addition to cider, they also have apple cider donuts, hard cider, and baked good galore.
Pro tip: Go on a free self-guided tour to learn about the mill and its history.
26. Make some sugar snow in the winter
Never had sugar snow? It’s time to remedy that. Grab a bowl of fresh powdery snow, drizzle hot maple syrup over the top, and eat. It’s a Vermont staple and a right of passage.
Explore All Vermont Has to Offer
Vermont’s lush green hills of spring and summer offer a fiery scene during fall and give way to glorious snow-capped views in winter. No matter when you go, you’ll be awed by the beauty, thrilled with your adventures, and provided with a lifetime of memory-making activities. We’re excited about your trip just thinking about it!