With a covered bridge, white-spired church, weathered barns, and ski trails down the mountainside, Stowe is everybody's image of Vermont. At the foot of Mt. Mansfield and in the heart of the state's snow belt, it's also the town that most personifies the glory days of Vermont's early ski industry, a heritage that's explored here in the Vermont Ski Museum. Although avid skiers had climbed the mountain long before that, and a rope tow was installed in 1937, things really took off in 1940, when the first chairlift was opened.

Stowe is a must-visit if you’re a Sound of Music fan. It’s where the von Trapp family settled and operated a ski lodge after they fled Austria during World War II. The lodge’s meadow was a venue for the Vermont Mozart Festival. This place is not all about skiing; you'll find shops and boutiques, art galleries, dining, and lodging of all sorts. Exhibits of works by Vermont-based artists are shown in the Helen Day Art Center. You can rent bicycles to ride, or you can walk or skate along the 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path, a paved multi-use route through meadows and woods alongside the river, with beautiful views of Mt. Mansfield.

Location: Lamoille County, Vermont, United States.

Area: 188.45 km²

Website: https://www.vermontvacation.com/towns-and-regions/historic-downtowns/stowe

Tripadvisor Review: 1,452 reviews

Extending 120 miles between Vermont and New York, with its northern tip in Canada, Lake Champlain lies mostly in Vermont and draws visitors for its recreation, wildlife, and historical attractions. Its watershed covers more than 8,000 square miles. Much of its 587 miles of shoreline are undeveloped; a haven for wildlife; and one of the best attractions to visit in Vermont for canoeists, kayakers, and sailors. On the Vermont side, 318 species of birds depend on Lake Champlain, and 81 species of fish swim in its waters.

According to Samuel de Champlain, for whom the lake is named, a 20-foot serpent-like creature also swims in the lake. His was the first, but certainly not the last reported sighting of what is now known as "Champy." You might catch sight of it from one of the several lake cruises, or even from one of the three ferries that cross to the New York side from Charlotte, Burlington, and Grand Isle. Several wildlife reserves protect its shore and neighboring wetlands, including the Dead Creek WMA, where thousands of migrating snow geese stop to rest in late October. You can learn more about the ecology at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, at the waterfront in Burlington.

Location: Clinton County and Essex County, Vermont, United States
Length: 172 km
Website: https://www.lclt.org/about-lake-champlain/lake-champlain-facts/
Tripadvisor Review: 111 reviews

Right on the shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington is one of the bigger places that you’ll stop off at whilst visiting Vermont. Of course, you’re going to spend some time on the lakeside but don’t forget to head further into the city itself. Here, you’ll be able to visit the last remaining residence of Ethan Allen and the Homestead Museum, and the Fleming Museum of Art. Both are stunning and well worth taking a gander.

The four-block pedestrian mall known as Church Street Marketplace hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year. They range from art to celebrating beer and giant pumpkins. It also hosts one of the largest year-round farmer's markets in Vermont. Located right within downtown Burlington, Church Street is well worth visiting for the cafes, shopping, and little restaurants that line the area. Hop over to the unpretentious and totally delicious Penny Cluse Cafe. It’s good to start your day with a hefty breakfast here Their tofu scramble with salsa and the corned beef hash is so good. Finally, for a little trip out of the city, head on over to nearby Richmond. Here, you can see the iconic Old Round Church that stands proudly by the Winooski River.

Location: Chittenden County, Vermont, United States

Area: 40.13 km2

Website: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/

Tripadvisor Review: 1,140 reviews

In Maple Farm, the maple trees that bring a blaze of color to Vermont's autumn landscape also make Vermont the nation's top producer of maple syrup. The time to be here for the complete maple experience is late February through early April when sugar houses are at full boil and you can sample the golden syrup as it's made. That's the time for "sugaring off" parties and the chewy candy made by pouring syrup onto the snow.

Two of these farms you can visit at any time of year to learn about the process and sample syrup and other maple products. Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier is an 8th-generation family-owned maple syrup farm, where you can sample maple products and see displays on tapping trees and making syrup. The gift shop has a selection of maple goodies and other Vermont-made products. As a bonus, there is an outdoor Vermont farm life museum, too. At Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock, you can sample two classic Vermont products: maple syrup and cheese. Both are produced at the 3rd-generation farm, and if there's cheesemaking in process in the dairy, you can watch. The shop also offers samples of jams, mustards, smoked meats, and other locally made delicacies.

Location: 4389 Richardson Rd West Topsham, Vermont, United States
Tel: 1 802-222-1654

Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM

Fee: Free Admission
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vtmaplefarm/
Tripadvisor Review: ‎147 reviews

Shelburne Museum is a museum of art, design, and Americana located in Shelburne, Vermont, United States. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the museum grounds. It is located on 45 acres near Lake Champlain. Impressionist paintings, folk art, quilts and textiles, decorative arts, furniture, American paintings, and an array of 17th- to 20th-century artifacts are on view. Shelburne is home to collections of 19th-century American folk art, quilts, 19th- and 20th-century decoys, and carriages.

Restored historic buildings and the collections they house at this open-air museum reflect Vermont's rich history and America's folk and fine art traditions. You can explore a round barn; the lake steamer SS Ticonderoga; a lake lighthouse; a barn filled with vintage carriages and wagons; a print shop; and collections of carved decoys, American quilts, handmade hatboxes, hooked rugs, and trains, in a bucolic village setting among manicured gardens. In contrast to the simple farms represented at the museum, you can glimpse an entirely different kind of farming in New England at nearby Shelburne Farms. The grand turreted barns and farmyard of this 1400-acre working "gentleman farm" are still in operation, and you can sample their cheese, and visit the gardens, depending on the tour you choose.

Location: 6000 Shelburne RoadShelburne, Vermont

Area: 45 acres

Tel: 1802-985-3346

Hour: 10:00 AM - 17:00 PM

Fee: $15 to $65

Website: https://shelburnemuseum.org/

Tripadvisor Review: 1,218 reviews

As the state’s capital city, Montpelier is a must for any visit to Vermont. In fact, it is one of the best places to visit in the northeast, USA. Located right on the banks of the Winooski River, this small but lively city is one of the best places to go in Vermont to learn about the political history of the Green Mountain state. Here you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Vermont State House, a gold-domed Greek Revival building that has been recognized as one of the oldest and best-preserved capitol buildings in the county.

The State House, which is free and open to the public for self-guided tours, also houses an art museum that features some of Vermont’s most important artwork. Montpelier is also known for its downtown center, which has a rich history. Here you can find several independently owned boutiques, restaurants, and bars, many of which offer locally made goods and souvenirs. In addition, there are several local art galleries, music venues, and a theater that you can check out. But any visit to Montpelier wouldn’t be complete without stopping by Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, an 8th-generation family-owned maple syrup farm.

Location: Washington, Vermont, United States
Area: 26.6 km2
Website: https://www.montpelier-vt.org/
Tripadvisor Review: 1,230 reviews

First settled in 1764, the historical town of Manchester is one of the best places to visit in Vermont if you happen to be a history buff. The town’s biggest claim to fame is Hildene, also known as the Lincoln Family Home. Built by Robert Todd Lincoln, President Abraham Lincoln’s only surviving child, the estate served as a summer home for the Lincoln family for about 70 years. Today, it is open to the public for guided tours of the estate. These seasonal tours introduce visitors to Vermont specialties like an alpaca farm, maple shack, and a Norman Rockwell exhibit.

Other historical points of interest include the Manchester Historical Society, the American Museum of Fly Fishing, and Taylor Farms, a 180-year-old working dairy farm. The town is also known for its nature preserves, including Emerald Lake State Park and the Equinox Preservation and Pond. Here you can participate in various outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and swimming. In winter, go skiing at Bromely Ski Resort, ride a sleigh at Taylor Farm, or ice skate at Riley Rink.

Located in Southern Vermont, Bennington is one of the top-rated attractions to visit in Vermont if you’re interested in learning more about the Revolutionary War. Not only did the town play a significant role during the war, but it also hosts the state’s most important monument from that time period, the Bennington Battle Monument. Towering above the town at 306 feet in the air, the Bennington Monument was constructed to commemorate the Battle of Bennington.

This critical battle, which took place in 1777, helped turn the tide in favor of American troops during the Revolutionary War. Today, the monument, which can be seen from miles away, serves as a reminder of this historical time period. Bennington is also home to several museums, including the Dollhouse and Toy Museum, and the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. Bennington Museum is home to the largest collection of Grandma Moses art in New England as well as numerous Vermont historical objects. The Dollhouse and Toy Museum has vintage toys, dolls, puppets, and marionettes, among other treasures. The Robert Frost Stone House Museum, where the poet once lived, is a popular local attraction.

Location: Bennington County, Vermont, in the United States
Area: 110.1 km2
Website: https://benningtonvt.org/
Tripadvisor Review: 744 reviews

Known as the “Beast of the East,” Killington Ski Resort is by far one of the top Vermont vacation spots for winter enthusiasts. Spanning almost 2,000 miles across seven mountain peaks, the resort offers a total of 155 trails and 21 ski lifts. This makes it the most extensive ski area on the East coast. It also happens to be home to New England’s largest vertical drop at 3,050 feet.

The resort offers trails ranging from beginner to expert. Trails include "Outer Limits" a double black diamond mogul trail. Part of the mountain is set aside for terrain parks, with five snowboard and alpine parks. The resort, however, doesn’t just offer incredible skiing but also first-class amenities. The Killington Grand Resort Hotel provides several types of lodging, including penthouses that can sleep up to 10 guests. There’s also a cafe, restaurant, pool, spa, and wellness center, all of which are sure to keep you entertained when you’re not on the slopes. For those who’d prefer to check out the mountain during the summer months, the resort does offer a number of outdoor activities, including golfing, mountain biking, gondola rides, as well as a ropes course.

Location: 4763 Killington Rd Killington, Vermont, United States
Elevation: 1,289 m
Tel: 1 802-422-6201
Hour: 8:00 AM - 18:00 PM
Fee: $212 per night
Website: https://www.killington.com/
Tripadvisor Review: 628 reviews

Vermont’s deepest gorge, Quechee Gorge, is by far one of the best places to visit in Vermont and should be included on any itinerary to the Green Mountain State! Formed by glaciers approximately 13,000 years ago, the gorge sits about 165 feet deep below the surface and provides a passageway for the Ottauquechee River. You can cross the Quechee Gorge Bridge, which connects the banks along the Ottauquechee River to view the gorge from above.

The bridge, which has been identified as Vermont’s oldest steel arch bridge, provides scenic views of the gorge and river below. For those seeking a more thrilling experience, there are several rafting companies that offer white water rafting trips along the Ottauquechee River. These excursions provide the unique opportunity to get an up-close look at the gorge’s natural beauty and surrounding area. There are also some walking trails along the gorge that you can check out. If you follow them far enough upriver, you’ll come across the Mill Pond Falls, a dam and artificial waterfall that feeds into the Quechee Gorge.

Location: Quechee, Vermont, United States

Length: 49.7 m

Website: https://dec.vermont.gov/geological-survey/vermont-geology/quechhegorge

Tripadvisor Review: ‎1,016 reviews