Central Vermont towns of Killington, Woodstock, Ludlow packed with things to do

Vermont > Central > Things to Do and See > 30 Great Things To Do in Vermont

Central Vermont offers great things to do in every season. This region is home to the Green Mountain National Forest, The stunning Quechee Gorge, and many maple sugar works. Cozy inns and full service resorts offer every kind of luxury and relaxation. Enjoy the best biking, hiking, golf, tennis, boating, fishing, swimming in warmer weather and skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and snowshoeing when winter sets in. Discover the many fairs and festivals with arts, crafts and antiques, visit local farms, and savor great food, beers, wines and cider.

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks

1168 County Road Montpelier, VT, 05602 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-242-2740

Four-season fun and a whole lotta maple goin’ on

Morse Farm is four-season, every day fun. The Woodshed Theater has displays and artifacts and a humorous and educational video about the Morse Farm maple process. There’s a nature trail, country store, and an outdoor farm life museum with an antique replica of the Vermont State House. Sprinkled about the farm are whimsical carved soft sculptures created by Burr Morse. A maple trail leads to the trees where the 200 year Morse farm experience continues. Savor samples of Vermont Maple syrup, jams and jellies, and you’ll find local crafts and gifts. In the winter, the Ski Touring Center has cross country and snowshoe trails, sliding, snowmobiling and skating. And later in the season it’s Sugarin’ Time and the Sugar House will have its annual maple tastings.

Lake Morey Resort

1 Clubhouse Road Fairlee, VT, 05045 Phone: 802-333-4311 Toll-Free: 800-423-1211

Two sides to a great Vermont vacation

Summer and winter at Lake Morey Resort provide endless activity in a magnificent natural setting. In summer, there’s a peaceful 600 acre lake for circumnavigating on foot or by bike, swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking, water skiing and 18 holes of championship golf. In winter, the snow and ice and open space invite you to a Nordic trail system and pond hockey, snowshoeing and ice fishing and a 4.5 mile loop around the lake on the U.S.’s longest maintained ice skating trail. Minutes away is downhill skiing. There are organized guest events, an indoor pool, fitness center and on-site movie theater. There are charming towns, farms, shopping and more to explore on self guided day tours. And just a short hike, drive or bike ride away, more vacation experiences to last a lifetime.

Mountain Top Inn & Resort

195 Mountain Top Road Chittenden, VT, 05737 Phone: 802-483-2311

Everything to love in a great mountain resort

With so many activities at this popular year round resort, the challenge is deciding what to do first. It might be hiking, biking or horseback riding on 350 scenic acres overlooking the Green Mountains. Boating, fishing, swimming and paddling await in the 740 acre lake with your own private beach, while cross country skiing, snowshoeing and horse drawn sleigh rides are pleasures of the winter season. You can always relax by the pool or in the brand new spa and you’ll have several choices for classic and luxury lodging and fabulous cuisine in the dining room, tavern or on the terrace. The resort is affordable, family and pet friendly and the perfect escape for a romantic getaway. It's your choice, so go ahead!

Artisans Park Brings the Best of “Artisan” and “Park”

You have hit the jackpot for dining and shopping pleasures when you make you way to Artisans Park at 71 Artisans Way in Windsor. This charming retail community is a collection of eight unique Vermont businesses all located in the same park. Here visitors will find Harpoon Brewery, where you can enjoy a craft beer surrounded by beautiful mountains; SILO Distillery , an adventure zone of unique spirits from Vermont grains; Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company Market , Artisan Eats, and Blake Hill Preserves. Fun dining and gift shopping in a peaceful park.

Come see where Vermont Teddy Bears are created! Daily Factory Tours - Click for Times and Ticketing.

Green Mountain Coffee Visitors Center & Cafe - At Waterbury's Historic Train Station

Blades Are Moving at Lake Morey

Lake Morey Resort , on Clubhouse Road in Fairlee, realized about a decade ago that climate shifts were bringing less snow, even as the ice on the lake stayed strong and long. So the resort shifted into a major hub for ice skating and speed skating, open to anyone from newbies to champion speed skaters. The resort created a four-and-a-half-mile plowed skating trail on the lake and opened a center where the public can rent skates. 802-333-4311.

Everything You Need, This Store Boldly Claims

Dan & Whit's General Store at 319 Main Street in Norwich confidently declares that it sells everything you need, and tops off the claim with the motto, "If we don't have it, you don't need it." Among the “needs” are gas, kerosene, clothing and food. But we love the place for its: cut flowers, fishing gear, natural cleaning supplies, Eskimo pies, anchovies, toys, Zippo lighters, hair spray and dog food. You know, the details. Friendly staff members are on hand to find anything else you need: chicken grain, sleds, bird feeders … Not sure what might arise? There’s an answer for that: Dan & Whit’s gift certificates. 802-649-1602

Forest Canopy Walk at VINS

Vermont Institute of Natural Science, or VINS, at 149 Natures Way in Quechee opens in fall 2019 a new exhibit Forest Canopy Walk that accommodates people of all physical abilities. Because the VINS property drops in elevation as it slopes toward the backwater of the Ottauquechee River, the boardwalk to the canopy walk remains mostly level while the land drops away beneath. At the highest points, visitors will be 65 feet above the forest floor, sharing the space in the tree tops with birds, squirrels and other treetop life. The canopy walk includes a giant spider’s web and an eagle’s nest. VINS is open year-round, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for canopy walk hours. 802-359-5000

Come to a Ski Town; Stay Indoors

You don’t need to be an athlete or even a skier to enjoy Vermont’s beautiful ski towns in the winter. Take, for instance, the Okemo Valley region and the town of Ludlow. Sure, you can ski or snowboard all day at Okemo or Magic Mountain is you like, or we indoor people can enjoy dining, wine tasting, shopping, spa luxuries, art, and fun with kids at the hospitable Artisans Park in the neighboring towns of Chester, Windsor, Proctorsville, Plymouth Notch, and Grafton. There’s plenty to do off the slopes.

Serene, Elegant Pottery and Gifts for the Home

Woodstock’s Farmhouse Pottery, at 1837 West Woodstock Road, is a retail store and studio where gorgeous and useful ceramic art is created right in front of fascinated visitors. Each piece is wheel-thrown and crafted from stoneware and hand dipped in a scratch-resistant and organic milk glaze. Many elegant items, including cookware and tableware, home décor and even clothing, are made with fine materials, incorporating restrained beauty and simplicity. Gift registry, too! Open year, round, daily.

Enjoy Awesome Nature AND Shopping at This Gorge

Quechee Gorge is one of New England's most popular natural wonders. The 165-foot cleft in the mountain and its plunging stream can be seen from the Route 4 bridge and neighboring paths. When you are sated by the natural beauty, man-made fun is accessible at the adjacent Quechee Gorge Village at 5573 Woodstock Road, Quechee.. Twelve small shops sell artisan crafts like gold jewelry, alpaca clothing, antiques, home décor, gifts, and spa products. Visitors can chat with artists as they work. The Vermont Toy & Train Museum has added several new exhibits. You can rent Segways and take a ride.

Sleigh Rides Through Grafton

Grafton, on Main Street in Grafton keeps ramping up its hospitality to people who want to meet and enjoy small-town Vermont -- in all seasons. Now, visitors to this pristine town can take in the winter beauty from the seat of a horse-drawn sleigh rides, from the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center (where you can also get access to tubing and cross country skiing gear and trails). Sleigh rides leave every half hour from the cabin starting at 11 a.m. It's a good idea to call ahead to reserve a spot, but the center to accommodate walk-ins as well. Dates of rides in the winter of 2019 to 2020 are December 21, 24, 25, 27-29, 31; January 4, 11, 19; February 1, 15, and 16.

Romping With the Huskies

Looking for a unique, thrilling, and hands-on outdoor adventure? A dog sledding adventure with 34 pure bred Siberian Huskies is one answer! Braeburn Siberians is in the Connecticut River Valley in Windsor, a stone’s throw from New Hampshire. Braeburn offers two-hour excursions and 45-minnute rides by dog sled. There are few things more exhilarating and therapeutic than riding behind a team of healthy Huskies on a pristine winter day. Read the Braeburn website or phone to learn details. Rides are offered December through March. Phone: 802-738-8337.

Artful Shopping in the Middle of Vermont

Central Vermont is great not only for its snow sports and mountain walks. The shopping is also delightful. Two proofs of this theorem are DaVallia Gallery at 39 North Street in Chester, and DaVallia Art Boutique at South Main Street on the Village Green, also in Chester. The owners curate works from dozens of artists in jewelry, local art, furniture, home décor, ad garden sculpture. Inspiring and creative designs spark your imagination and make your home beautiful (802-875-8900). Moving on to Ludlow, the Blue Sky Trading Company at 160 Main Street is a fun and very useful source for vacationers and local people, where you can find affordable jewelry, pottery, candles, Vermont goods, souvenirs from your visit to the Green Mountain state’s ski region, maple syrup, greeting cards and gifts. (802-228-2280).

MOntshire Museum of Science credit-Montshire-Museum-of-Science-and-Oliver-Parini

Montshire Encourages You to Dig Into Science

The 100-acre Montshire Museum of Science at 1 Montshire Road in Norwich really means it when it calls itself a hands-on museum, so bring those kids who cannot keep their hands (or curiosity) to themselves. The spacious and light-filled building on the Connecticut River holds exhibits with enticing names like Air and Weather; Creatures; Light and Sight; Puzzles, Shapes, and Things that Move; Water and How It Moves. Outdoors, visitors can explore a science park, woodland garden, and nature trails along the river. There is always something new to entice kids and parents. 802-649-2200.

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