Travelling to Vermont for the First Time? Here's a Beginners Travel Guide to the 10 Best Places to Visit in Vermont (2020)

The winters in Vermont can be quite harsh. The average low temperatures could reach between 2°F (-16.7°C) to 12°F (-11.1°C) in winter. Still, if you are bold enough, carry your winter wardrobe with you.

Apart from being home to Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, you might be astonished to know that the residents are quite politically inclined and known to share their political views openly. They are also known to agitate for their causes. You shouldn't get embroiled in a political discussion.

As the winters are harsh, the snow melts, making the ground very dirty. So dirty, that moving around becomes difficult. Even most houses have a particular area to keep their muddy shoes.

Most of the roads in the countryside are quiet. You may not have many people to ask for directions once you are lost. Do travel with a local person. At least, carry a map or turn on your GPS when moving around alone.

While the scenic and pristine beauty may be luring, it is suggested that you stay close to the local community. The residences could be quite far apart, and the nearest markets would need to travel by car. That is what some of the locals need to do.

A charming but sleepy town, Woodstock offers postcard-like views and is one of the prettiest places in the country. Tourists can visit sugar maple farms and go biking in the countryside in the fresh air and mountainous landscape. There are boutiques and galleries too for the shopping enthusiasts.

Stroll along the banks of the Ottauquechee River, which is littered with parks and village greenery and the typical countryside farms. During your stroll, do not forget to try the maple syrup and cheese at the Sugarbush Farm. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is set among rolling hills and pastures. It epitomes the story of conservation and the evolving nature of the countryside.

It is open on all days from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. While admission to the park is free, guided tours of the mansion are Rs.570 for adults from 16-61 and Rs. 285.00 for seniors above 61.

Tourists may also enjoy the rural heritage and the Billings Farm & Museum, which is among the finest outdoor museums in the country. Together with its Jersey cows and other farm animals, it also offers seasonal events and provides enjoyment for all ages. It is open daily from 10 AM-4 PM. Entry fees are Rs. 1,135.00 for adults between 16-61 and Rs. 995.00 for seniors above 61.

Tourists may also go hiking on Mount Tom or enjoy the scenic beauty of its charming bridges. There is also a ski resort in South Pomfret that can be thrilling during winter.

Are you among those who shop till they drop during travelling?

Manchester is the place to be in with its factory outlets. It is also replete with cultural heritage sites through its museums and galleries. You can visit the ancestral house of Robert Todd Lincoln. The estate has beautiful gardens along with a wooden Pullman palace car. It also includes a goat farm and cheesemaking facility along with a skiing facility in the winter. Admission is open from 9:30 AM-4:30 PM daily. The entry fee is almost Rs. 1,650.00 for adults and Rs. 425.00 for children aged 6 to 16 years.

Art lovers can visit the Southern Vermont Arts Center, which includes the Arkell Pavilion, a performing arts Centre and the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum with its collection of 700+ paintings. Nature lovers can also visit the Equinox Preservation Trust and the North Meadow Farm. Lye Brook Falls is another renowned location.

Among the smallest state capitals in the country, tourists get to reconnect with nature on the one hand and are also able to mingle with its art and culture while having great food. You can start your tour with a visit to the Vermont State House and take a guided tour. The building, with its ivory structure, is also perfect for a lazy afternoon stroll. The State House is open all through the year except on state holidays but closed on weekends from November through May. It is open from Monday to Friday from 7:45 AM-4:15 PM and on Saturday (July 2020 through October 2020) from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM.

Tourists can go hiking, to the Camel’s Hump or visit the Hubbard Park. The foodies should always visit the farms and vineyards and taste the maple syrup at Bragg Farm Sugar House. The North Branch Vineyards should be another hit for them. The culturally minded can visit the Lost Nation Theater.

Do visit the Vermont History Museum with its informative exhibits and displays. It is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM with an entry fee of Rs. 500.00 for adults and Rs. 1,420.00 for families.

It is a quiet place near Burlington littered with vineyards. The farms and orchards will give your trip a rustic flavour. You may try something at the Fiddlehead Brewing Company, Shelburne Vineyard and the Wild Hart Distillery. You will be mesmerised by the Shelburne Museum with its eclectic collection of art. Several historic buildings have been restored here, and the collections are a reflection of the country’s artistic traditions. The Vermont Teddy Bear Co. – Maker of cute teddy bears, should also be on your itinerary.

Always been a science freak?

The Montshire Museum of Science beckons you. Situated in Norwich, Vermont on 110 acres near the Connecticut River, it has more than 150 exhibits on technology, astronomy and physical science. It is one of the busiest museums in northern New England and has around 170,000 visitors annually. The facility contains outdoor exhibits and boats of the Woodland Garden, a Science Park along with a walking tour of the solar system.

Known to have the largest vertical drop in New England it is also called the Beast of the East. Brimming with tourists in winter, it is also a great place to visit around the year. The ski resort has 155 trails handling all types of skiers. Some of them have jumps and ramps also. There are 21 lifts to carry them up the mountains.

It is the place to be spoilt for snowboarders and freeskiers across the six terrain parks. One of them is The Stash with more than 50 features and a 500-foot long Superpipe with 18-foot walls.

Want to relax during your holidays?

Burlington is the place to be. The otherwise bustling town provides ample reasons to be there. Being located in the Lake Champlain allows tourists to go for water sports. You can go biking on the serene Burlington Bike Path or just gaze at the view from Waterfront Park. Nature lovers can enjoy the sunset over the Adirondacks. Also, visit the bustling Church Street Marketplace and the Farmers Market.

Are you a history enthusiast?

When you visit Vermont, you must visit the Bennington Battle Monument. It memorialises the Battle of Bennington that took place during the American Revolutionary War. The statue of General John Stark stands next to the monument. It is open daily from May 1 through October 31 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Adults are charged almost Rs. 350.00 while there is a nominal charge of Rs. 70.00 for children between 6 and 14.

Museum-goers must pay a visit to the nearby Bennington Museum. It is renowned for its extensive collection of works by Grandma Moses - primitive folk artist. It also houses a vast array of American glassware, furniture, toys, Bennington pottery, and Victorian quilts. The museum is open daily 10 AM-5 PM (June to October). Between November and May, it remains closed on Wednesdays. It is fully closed in January. The entry fee is around Rs. 700.00 for adults, and for seniors it is Rs. 630.

Stowe enthrals a varied section of tourists. Couples can have a joint bike ride along the Recreation Path. Do visit the Idletyme Brewery on the way. The adventurous ones can go hiking up the Mount Mansfield. The toll charges are Rs. 1,635.00 for the vehicle and the driver along with Rs. 560.00 per passenger over 5 years of age.

You can have a panoramic view covering Smuggler’s Notch, Lake Champlain, Green Mountains, and the Adirondack Mountains and even into Canada. The gondola sky ride costs Rs. 1,990.00 for adults and Rs.1,350 for children aged 5-16. Sports lovers can visit the Stowe Mountain Resort - a premier ski destination. Foodies can visit the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream factory or the Cold Hollow Cider Mill and sample some of the items on offer. Visit the Sunset Rock too, if time permits.