Skip to main content
Vermont Tourism x Matador Network: A Return to Vermont
Warming up by the campfire at Lake Willoughby in Westmore, Vermont
View more

Scenic Vermont

Vermonters have a long tradition of respect for the land. Without billboards to get in the way, there’s more wide-open space to take in the natural beauty. Whichever direction you go, iconic New England small towns and villages, historic barns and more than 100 covered bridges dot the landscape. More than 70% of Vermont is forested, making a fall road trip a magical experience as a stunning showcase of orange, red and yellow leaves cover the hills.

 

Outdoor Adventure

While it’s easy to simply take in the scenery, your days in Vermont can be as full or unplanned as you like. Cycle back roads and mountain bike through kilometers of forested, single-track trails. Go for a run or walk in historic downtowns, through quiet villages and across covered bridges. Soak in the view from one of the state’s 67 hike-friendly peaks. Cast a line in a secluded river, paddle your way across a pristine lake, or take a dip in a clear mountain stream. In the winter, experience Vermont’s snowy wonderland, ideal for exploring on snowshoes or Nordic skis, or at an alpine downhill ski resort. Whatever the season, outdoor recreation is accessible in many forms from paved recreation paths to adaptive guide services.

 

Food and Drink

Between Vermont’s mountains and rolling hills are fertile valleys that support many dairy farmers, vegetable and fruit growers, and diversified agricultural operators. At Vermont eateries, dishes are a delicious homage to the contributions of those who bring the harvest of Vermont’s fields and farms to the table. Vermont has long been a leader in championing local food and boasts many award-winning artisan cheese-makers and farm-to-table restaurants. Vermont craft brewers are consistently ranked among the best in the world, with numerous cideries, vineyards and distilleries joining the tradition of excellence in the state. Vermont is the top maple syrup producer in the USA, and no trip is complete without tasting a maple creemee (a rich, thick, soft ice cream). Wherever you travel in Vermont, a wide selection of fresh, local food will be a staple of your vacation as you savor the true taste of the Green Mountain State.

 

Artisan Shops and Cultural Heritage

Scenic drives over mountain passes and into historic villages connect you to museums, art galleries, antique shops and country stores. Visit the studios of world-class artisans and discover their creations. Tour outdoor sculpture parks and uncover public art in historic downtowns. Learn about New England’s history at well-interpreted historic sites and museums. Listen as live music fills the air at waterfront concerts, in art deco theaters and on intimate village greens. Enjoy a traditional county fair in the late summer or celebrate the fall harvest season at events throughout the state.

Vermont Tourism x Matador Network: A Return to Vermont
Warming up by the campfire at Lake Willoughby in Westmore, Vermont
View more

Contact the Travel Trade Team

We inspire tourists to visit and work with the travel industry to promote this destination worldwide.

Fun Fact

Wintertime view of the sugarhouse at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont
View more

With the highest concentration of maple trees in the USA, Vermont also produces the most maple syrup in the country. The state makes enough on average each year to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools; that’s about 10 million liters!

Photo: Dennis Curran/Vermont Tourism

Skyline featuring historic buildings in Montpelier, Vermont
View more

Locally owned, independent shops fill Vermont’s downtowns. Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, is not only the smallest state capital in the nation but also the only one without a Starbucks or a McDonald’s.

Photo: Ben Carpenter/Vermont Tourism

Aerial view of a car driving through Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont, in the fall
View more

Vermont is a road tripper’s paradise. It’s 70% forested with trees painting hillsides and historic downtowns brilliant shades of crimson, orange and gold each fall. Plus, it’s one of four U.S. states that has banned billboards, making those scenic views distinctly visible.

Photo: Vermont Tourism

Must see places

Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont

Killington Ski Resort

Billed as the Beast of the East, Killington has five base areas and the most skiable terrain in Vermont, as well as a snow tubing park, a spa and an annual roster of large events. In the summer, the resort is home to lift-served downhill mountain biking, “The Beast” mountain coaster, an adventure center and ropes course.

Aerial view of Bennington Battle Monument in Vermot

Bennington Battle Monument

This limestone monument commemorates the 1777 Battle of Bennington, considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Ride the elevator to the top and enjoy views of Vermont, New York and Massachusetts.

Steamboat Ticonderoga on the grounds of the Shelburne Museum in Vermont
Vermont Tourism

Shelburne Museum

Folk art, historic buildings and an authentic restored steamboat, the Ticonderoga, come together at the Shelburne Museum, an immersive guide through Vermont history, as well as American art and curiosities.

Colorful gardens at the Billing Farm & Museum in Vermont
Billings Farm/Vermont Tourism

Billings Farm & Museum

Delve into the rich heritage of Vermont agriculture at this working farm and museum, where families can meet farm animals, watch historic farming demonstrations and learn various crafts.

Fall foliage and sheer rock faces on the mountains of Smugglers’ Notch State Park in Vermont
Nathanael Asaro/Vermont Tourism

Smugglers’ Notch State Park

Lined with towering cliffs, the winding Route 108 cuts through Smugglers’ Notch State Park in Stowe. After the scenic drive, visitors enjoy hiking and camping on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest mountain.

Church Street Marketplace in Burlington, Vermont

Church Street Marketplace

Visitors flock to this open-air pedestrian mall in the heart of downtown Burlington, where they find historic architecture, street entertainers, family-friendly festivals and more than 100 shops and restaurants.

Wading in the calm waters of Lake Willoughby, Vermont
Nathanael Asaro/Vermont Tourism

Lake Willoughby

Hewn into the landscape by icebergs 12,000 years ago, Lake Willoughby is Vermont’s deepest lake, plunging more than 90 meters. Surrounded by mountains and hiking trails, Lake Willoughby’s fjord-like landscape and public beach make it a dreamy warm-weather destination.

View of Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, and its gardens in Manchester, Vermont
Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

This 1905 Colonial Revival mansion in Manchester was the summer home of Robert and Mary Lincoln. Today, its attractions include manicured gardens, a working goat dairy and a U.S. history museum featuring a real Pullman train car.

Lake Champlain, Vermont

Lake Champlain

Find out why this pristine lake and its surrounding basin are so popular. Take a cruise, go fishing or bird-watching, explore a bike trail and attend the Maritime Festival, then stay overnight in a charming lakefront bed-and-breakfast.

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, Vermont

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory

Waterbury is home to the tastiest place in Vermont – the factory where Ben & Jerry’s make its famously eclectic ice cream flavors. The 30-minute tour includes samples and a trip to the Flavor Graveyard.

Explore Vermont destinations

Paddling the reservoir in Waterbury, Vermont
View more

Explore Vermont destinations

VT Tourism/Route 100 Partnership