Things to Do in Vermont — United States: Top Attractions, Tours & Tickets

#1Killington ResortMustSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.7(4,400)

Vermont’s most consequential big-mountain resort, with a substantial warm-season operation as well as skiing and riding. Use it as an active day rather than a scenic stop, and pair it with the Woodstock area if you are based nearby.

6h Book aheadArrive for first lifts; weekend parking and base-area queues build quickly.

Buy lift access online in advance, especially for weekends and holiday periods.

Pairs with: Woodstock Village · Quechee Gorge

#2Green Mountain National ForestMustSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.7(3,100)

This is the broad landscape experience behind Vermont’s image: forest roads, long trails, overlooks and mountain towns rather than a single gate-and-ticket sight. Choose one hike or scenic drive section instead of trying to cover the whole forest in a day.

4h FreeGo early during foliage season, when trailheads and scenic pull-offs fill fast.

Pairs with: Killington Resort · Stratton Mountain Resort · Mount Mansfield

#3Church Street MarketplaceMustNorthwest Vermont (Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle County)4.5(7,000)

Burlington’s pedestrian core is the state’s easiest urban stroll, combining independent shops, casual food and a lived-in college-town atmosphere. Use it for an unhurried meal and browsing session, then continue toward the lakefront.

2h FreeWeekday mornings are quieter; early evening is best for atmosphere.

Pairs with: Burlington Waterfront Park · The Alchemist Brewery

#4Shelburne MuseumMustNorthwest Vermont (Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle County)4.8(2,300)

This is Vermont’s standout museum: an unusually eclectic, deeply regional collection displayed across historic structures and distinctive exhibition spaces. Give it a substantial block of time and prioritize the collections that interest you rather than rushing every building.

3h Timed entryGo at opening; the grounds feel far less crowded before midday.

Buy admission online ahead during summer and foliage season, when popular entry periods can fill.

Pairs with: Shelburne Farms · Burlington Waterfront Park

#5Stowe Mountain Resort (Ski resort)MustCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)

This is the most recognizable base for experiencing Mount Mansfield and Vermont’s high-mountain terrain, whether by winter lift or summer gondola. Use it as an active mountain day, then spend the evening in Stowe rather than treating the base area as a quick lookout.

5h Book aheadStart at opening; midmorning brings the heaviest lift and parking pressure.

Buy lift or gondola access online ahead, particularly for winter weekends and foliage season.

Pairs with: Mount Mansfield · Cold Hollow Cider Mill · The Alchemist Brewery

#6Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical ParkMustSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.7(822)

This is one of the best places to understand the conservation, land stewardship and estate history that shape Vermont’s landscape. Combine the house-and-gardens experience with its carriage roads and the adjacent farm museum rather than making it a rushed indoor visit.

2.5h Timed entryTake an early tour, then walk the grounds before afternoon arrivals.

Reserve mansion tours in advance when available; grounds access is simpler than house access.

Pairs with: Billings Farm & Museum · Woodstock Village

#7Hildene, The Lincoln Family HomeMustSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.7(1,500)

This Manchester estate offers a strong blend of presidential-family history, handsome interiors, gardens and wide valley views. It is a rewarding cultural counterweight to skiing and outlet-town traffic in the southern part of the state.

2h Walk upArrive near opening for quieter rooms and grounds.

Walk-up entry usually works, but book or check ahead for special tours and foliage weekends.

Pairs with: Stratton Mountain Resort · Green Mountain National Forest

#8Mount MansfieldMustCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)

Vermont’s defining high-mountain silhouette and the essential natural counterpart to Stowe’s resort infrastructure. Experience it by gondola, a chosen hike or a scenic drive-and-view combination, with plans that match weather and your fitness.

4h Book aheadGo early for clearer skies, easier parking and safer afternoon hiking conditions.

Reserve resort-operated gondola access ahead in peak periods; hiking itself is free but requires weather awareness.

Pairs with: Stowe Mountain Resort (Ski resort) · Smugglers' Notch Resort · The Alchemist Brewery

#9Woodstock VillageMustSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)

Woodstock is the state’s most convincing picture-postcard village, but it earns a stop through its walkable center, covered-bridge setting and proximity to substantive historic sites. Make it your base for a half-day of strolling, meals and the nearby farm and park.

2h FreeStart before late morning, especially on autumn weekends when parking becomes difficult.

Pairs with: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park · Billings Farm & Museum · Quechee Gorge

#10Stratton Mountain ResortShouldSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.5(2,900)

A polished southern-Vermont mountain base with skiing, hiking, lifts and a village-style après scene. It is most useful for travelers wanting a resort day rather than an unstructured backcountry outing.

5h Book aheadWeekdays are markedly calmer than winter weekends.

Purchase lift tickets or seasonal activities online ahead for the best availability and pricing.

Pairs with: Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home · Green Mountain National Forest

#11Sugarbush ResortShouldCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)4.6(1,600)

A classic Mad River Valley mountain destination with more of a locally rooted feel than some larger resort villages. It works best as the anchor for a ski day or a summer lift-and-hike outing.

5h Book aheadStart at opening on powder days and holiday weekends.

Buy lift access online before busy winter dates.

Pairs with: Ben & Jerry’s · Cold Hollow Cider Mill

#12Billings Farm & MuseumShouldSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.6(1,400)

This working-farm museum makes Vermont’s agricultural identity tangible without feeling like a generic children’s attraction. It is especially worthwhile in Woodstock for families and for travelers who want context before exploring the surrounding estate landscape.

2h Walk upVisit near opening for the calmest animal areas and museum galleries.

Walk-up admission is generally practical, though buying ahead is sensible on peak foliage weekends.

Pairs with: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park · Woodstock Village

#13Shelburne FarmsShouldNorthwest Vermont (Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle County)4.8(1,500)

This lakeside working landscape is one of Vermont’s most graceful combinations of farm, historic estate and walking grounds. Treat it as a slow scenic visit, not just a farm-shop stop, and leave room for the nearby museum.

2.5h Timed entryMorning visits are quieter and give the best chance of a relaxed walk.

Reserve ahead when the property requires advance admission or special-program tickets.

Pairs with: Shelburne Museum · Burlington Waterfront Park

#14Ben & Jerry’sShouldCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)4.5(12,000)

The factory visit is a cheerful, distinctly Vermont stop that gives a food-focused break between mountain drives and outdoor activities. It is best used as a short diversion, especially with children or devoted fans, rather than the centerpiece of a long detour.

1.3h Timed entryBook the first tours of the day to avoid the busiest period.

Reserve factory-tour tickets ahead in busy seasons; desirable slots can disappear before arrival.

Pairs with: Cold Hollow Cider Mill · Sugarbush Resort

#15Smugglers' Notch ResortShouldCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)4.5(4,200)

A family-centered mountain resort with access to the dramatic Notch landscape and a less polished, more outdoorsy character than Stowe. It is a strong choice if your trip revolves around skiing, hiking or traveling with children.

5h Book aheadAim for weekdays, and check road conditions carefully in winter.

Book lifts and major activities online before weekends and school-holiday periods.

Pairs with: Mount Mansfield · Cold Hollow Cider Mill

#16The Alchemist BreweryShouldCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)4.7(1,400)

A destination brewery for travelers interested in the beer that helped put Vermont’s modern brewing scene on the map. Use it as a tasting-room pause in the Stowe area, not as a substitute for seeing the surrounding mountains.

1.3h Walk upWeekday afternoons are generally easier than Saturday peak hours.

Walk-in tasting is typical; check current hours and any tour releases before making a special trip.

Pairs with: Stowe Mountain Resort (Ski resort) · Mount Mansfield · Cold Hollow Cider Mill

#17Quechee GorgeShouldSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)

The state’s most immediately accessible dramatic natural landmark is best appreciated from the bridge, then by walking down to the river if conditions permit. It makes an excellent short stop while linking Woodstock with the Upper Valley.

1h FreeVisit early or near dusk during foliage season, when bridge pull-offs get congested.

Pairs with: Woodstock Village · Billings Farm & Museum · Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

#18Burlington Waterfront ParkShouldNorthwest Vermont (Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle County)

The lakefront gives Burlington its essential sense of place, with broad Lake Champlain views and a natural continuation from Church Street. Walk or cycle it around sunset, then return downtown for dinner rather than treating it as a standalone destination.

1.5h FreeGo near sunset for the best atmosphere; weekday mornings are quietest for cycling.

Pairs with: Church Street Marketplace · Shelburne Museum · Shelburne Farms

#19Cold Hollow Cider MillIf timeCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)4.4(2,200)

This is an easy, very Vermont food stop for cider, doughnuts and pantry souvenirs along the Stowe–Waterbury corridor. Keep it short and pair it with a mountain or factory outing rather than driving far solely for it.

45m FreeAvoid the middle of foliage-season weekends, when lines and parking are longest.

Pairs with: Ben & Jerry’s · Stowe Mountain Resort (Ski resort) · Smugglers' Notch Resort

#20Vermont Teddy Bear FactoryIf timeNorthwest Vermont (Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle County)4.5(1,900)

A light, family-oriented factory stop with a workshop-tour format and an oversized gift-shop component. It is worth considering if children are part of the trip, but most adult first-timers can prioritize Shelburne or Burlington instead.

1h Timed entryChoose an early tour for the smallest groups.

Reserve a tour slot online during busy school-vacation and summer periods.

Pairs with: Shelburne Farms · Shelburne Museum

#21Morse Farm Maple SugarworksIf timeCentral Vermont (Addison, Orange, Washington)4.8(820)

A small-scale maple stop that is more rooted in the state’s signature food tradition than a standard souvenir shop. It works well as a brief tasting and farm visit while passing through the Montpelier area.

45m FreeVisit on a weekday morning for the most relaxed tasting-room experience.

Pairs with: Ben & Jerry’s · Cold Hollow Cider Mill

#22Fairbanks Museum & PlanetariumIf timeNortheast Kingdom (Caledonia, Essex, Orleans)4.7(279)

This idiosyncratic local museum is a worthwhile rainy-day anchor in the Northeast Kingdom, with natural-history collections and a planetarium program. It is best for travelers already exploring St. Johnsbury and the quieter northeastern counties.

1.5h Walk upAttend an earlier scheduled program if you want more flexibility afterward.

Walk-up admission is normally sufficient; check schedules for planetarium programs.

Pairs with: Woodstock Village

#23Emerald Lake State ParkIf timeSouthern Vermont (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor)4.7(746)

A compact lake-and-woods escape that is especially useful in warm weather for swimming, paddling or an easy reset between Manchester and the Green Mountains. It is a pleasant regional stop, though not a reason to displace Vermont’s major historic and mountain sights.

2.5h Walk upGo in the morning on warm weekends for parking and calmer water.

Pay day-use admission on arrival; arrive early on hot summer weekends because parking can fill.

Pairs with: Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home · Stratton Mountain Resort