The mountainous state of Vermont is a wonderful place for camping and outdoor activities. People enjoy getting outside in both winter and summer, and there are tons of things to see and do all year round.
If you’re struggling to decide what to see and do while you’re there, you may want to create a Vermont bucket list.
By creating a Vermont bucket list that you add to as you find new and interesting things to check out, you can easily keep track of your best ideas. Having a travel bucket list also helps you keep track of which things you didn’t do, so you can make sure to catch them next time around.
Below, we’ve included our Vermont bucket list. You can use this to get ideas and start creating a list of places to visit and things to do when you make it up to Vermont.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
A 2,180-mile-long public footpath that crosses through 14 different states, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is popular both with day hikers and with thru-hikers who walk the entire trail. It wanders through a variety of environments – no surprise since it’s the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.
Marsh-Billing-Rockefeller National Historical Park
The Marsh-Billing-Rockefeller National Historical Park preserves the place where Frederick Billings established and managed a forest and dairy farm. It’s named for him and the other owners of the property.
North Country National Scenic Trail
Another national trail that makes its way through the state of Vermont, the North Country National Scenic Trail winds through the hills and valleys of the North Country. Historic sites along the way tell the story of how the United States was shaped.
Learn at the Billings Farm and Museum
One of the best outdoor museums in the country, the Billings Farm and Museum is home to a fully operational Jersey dairy farm. It also plays host to a restored 19th-century home that now serves as a museum. Learn about the history and culture of Vermont in the house before venturing outdoors to see the many animals onsite.
Explore Hildene: The Lincoln Family Home
A beautiful mansion, Hildene was first owned by President Lincoln’s son Robert Todd Lincoln. The home was then passed down from one Lincoln generation to the next until 1975. These days, visitors can tour the home and grounds.
Discover Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms is a working farm that covers a full 1,400 acres. It is a National Historic Landmark and is the campus for the farm’s non-profit, which works to educate others in order to create a sustainable future. Here you can attend environmental education programs, explore walking trails, stay in the onsite inn, or visit the historical barn to see animals, make cheese, and even grab lunch.
Do Business at Church Street Marketplace
If you’re looking for some good shopping and dining while in Vermont, try Church Street Marketplace. This shopping district is located in downtown Burlington and covers four blocks. The area has won awards, and you’ll find hundreds of shops and restaurants there (as well as the street performers on every corner).
Gather Information at Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum is home to a variety of historic buildings such as the Webb Gallery, the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, and the Round Barn. In these buildings, you will find exhibits on art, history, nature, and more.
Ski at Killington Ski Area
The Killington Ski Area has 1,500 acres of skiable terrain and 73 miles of ski trails. Whether you’re brand new or a pro, at slaloming, you’ll find a trail that suits your needs.
Catch a Show by the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company
The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company is Vermont’s oldest continually producing professional theater. Join the 15,000 visitors who attend a performance here each year.
See Animals at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center
Set on a 47-acre campus, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center is a wonderful place to learn about wildlife. The institute is dedicated to environmental education and research, as well as avian rehabilitation. Guests can sign up for animal encounters and check out the onsite exhibits, as well as the playground for kids. Depending on when you visit, you might also have the opportunity to watch animal feedings or rehabilitation.
Get Outside at Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort is another of Vermont’s ski areas. The resort also has tons of other outdoor recreation opportunities, including snowboarding in winter and hiking and biking during the summer months. The onsite restaurants and spa are nice ways to indulge while you’re there.
Drive to the Top of Mount Mansfield
Another Vermont must-do is a drive to the top of Mount Mansfield. This is the highest peak in Vermont, and those who reach the top are rewarded with a spectacular view. Fortunately, you can drive to the top via the Auto Toll Road. This steep and winding road is thrilling, and not for the faint of heart.
Get Hands-On at the Montshire Museum of Science
A hands-on science center with more than 140 exhibits, the Montshire Museum of Science is where people of all ages can learn something new. Here you can see the world the way a bird does, learn about native plants, discover the amazing world of astronomy, and more.
Admire Art at Bennington Museum
Art fans should pay a visit to the Bennington Museum. This museum focuses on showcasing art from New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Some of the art housed here was created as early as the 18th century, while some is modern, and there are pieces from every era in between. This museum has the largest collection of paintings from artist Anna Mary “Grandma Moses” Robertson in the world.
Time Travel at Ethan Allen Homestead
Ethan Allen played a key role in protecting Vermont homesteading rights and aided the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. When visiting the Ethan Allen Homestead, guests will learn about Allen’s life and times while touring his historic home and walking in his footsteps.
Check Out the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum is a tribute to the state’s snow sports. It has more than 8,000 items including historic snow-making equipment and hundreds of pairs of skis, poles, and boots from over the years.
Inform Yourself at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is dedicated to educating people about ecology, culture, history, and opportunities and about the environment of Lake Champlain. Check out a National Geographic experience film while you’re there, and be sure to check the calendar for special events that may be happening during your visit.
Experience the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
The Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium is home to the only public-access planetarium in the state of Vermont. The focus of this attraction is the natural history of New England’s Great Northern Forest. More than 30,000 objects are on display, and the interactive display makes the whole experience especially engaging.
Shop Cold Hollow Cider Mill
At Cold Hollow Cider Mill you can watch cider being made right before your eyes. Visitors are even encouraged to try a cup of the cider while they watch. If you like it, you can buy more to take home. Hard ciders, apple cider donuts (also made fresh in-house), and a variety of other locally made items are also available.
Walk Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
Maple syrup is another food item that just screams Vermont. That’s why we highly recommend a visit to Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. Here, you are welcome to tour the grounds via guided motorcoach or on foot. Videos and live presentations help orient guests by giving them the history of the farm, and all guided tours end with a special treat.
Take a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory Tour
Ben & Jerry may be two of the most famous Vermonters in the state … and you can tour the factory where they make their world-famous ice cream and see the process for yourself.
Just be aware that tours take place whether or not there is ice cream actually being made. If it’s important to you to see actual ice cream in production, you will want to check their calendar first.
Visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory started as a one-man operation in 1981. These days, the bears are in high demand and are made by the thousands on a 57-acre campus. Guests can take a tour to see the teddy bear making process. Guests can also make their own bears or send their bears to the “doctor” for repairs during their visit.
Tour Lake Champlain Chocolates
Along with cider, syrup, ice cream, and teddy bears, you’ll find some locally made chocolates to sample as well. Lake Champlain Chocolates is a family-owned business that has been operating since 1983. They create chocolate from locally sourced ingredients. Thirty-minute tours of the candy-making facility are offered regularly and even include a tasting. Best of all, these tours are free.
Grab some Things from the Warren Store
A historic business that dates back to the early 1800s, the Warren Store started as a boarding house with an attached stagecoach shop. Clearly, stagecoaches are no longer in high demand, so the business has been transformed into a mom-and-pop shop. You’ll find a bakery, deli, and general store. It’s a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
Ride Green Mountain Railroad
Green Mountain Railroad offers a variety of train rides through the countryside, and is especially picturesque in the autumn when Vermont trees are turning a kaleidoscope of colors.
As you can see, there are tons of ways to fill your time in Vermont. In fact, there are so many things to do, that checking all of these experiences off your bucket list might be a little bit challenging. Visiting the state in an RV can help.
We have tons of Vermont rental RVs available. Book one for your time in Vermont and have a blast hopping from one location to the next, seeing and doing everything on your Vermont bucket list.
