Vermont Great Things to Do include fun family attractions, farms, parks

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

Find fun things to do and places to visit on your Vermont vacation. VT offers attractions for adults, families with kids, and more, like farm and winery visits; nature museums and parks; shopping for Vermont crafts, food, and art; bookstores; mountain walks and scenic drives; maple gifts; skiing and snow sports. Find a cozy B&B and explore! Call ahead to check on scheduling details, especially for outdoor activities.

Basin Harbor

4800 Basin Harbor Road Vergennes, VT, 05491 Phone: 802-475-2311 Toll-Free: 800-622-4000

So many fun things to do at this resort by the lake that you’ll have to come back!

There are so many things to do at the Basin Harbor resort that you may have to keep coming back until you’ve done them all! Start with all the water-centric activities at this resort on Lake Champlain: sailing out on a Sunfish or tubing or waterskiing behind a power boat, fishing from a floating dock, paddleboarding or kayaking. Add in the lawn games, from croquet and badminton to giant chess. And the sports, including golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, pickleball. Oh, and there’s a kid’s camp, too. Don’t forget nearby activities: hiking, biking, touring vineyards and breweries, going to ball games, visiting museums. You can relax after your busy day in your private cottage or spacious guestroom. Please review our 2021 Reopening policies before placing your reservation.

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

Over 25 activities designed to keep you engaged and entertained at this lakefront resort

With over 25 exciting, engaging and entertaining activities on site, you will be all set for that perfect I-don’t-have-to-get-in-the-car vacation at the stunning Lake Morey Resort. Warm-weather activities include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, biking, hiking, lawn games and guided activities. You can rent a pontoon boat or motorboat; play basketball, volleyball or bocce ball; take in a movie; or relax in the heated indoor pool or sauna. In the winter, there is pond hockey on the frozen lake, a 4.3-mile ice-skating trail, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Area attractions range from classic general stores and Dartmouth’s classic college town to the Billings Farm and Museum, a planetarium and the famous Quechee Gorge.

Repair Shop Wide View - REI Bike Ship - North Conway, NH and Williston, VT

The Bike Shop at REI Williston

244 Retail Way Williston, VT, 05495 Phone: 802-316-3120

Before you hit Vermont’s scenic trails, visit this full-service bike shop

If your list of great things to do includes biking in beautiful Vermont, make sure you visit the Williston REI bike shop before you hit those scenic trails. This full-service shop offers everything from tune-ups to custom services on mountain, road, hybrid and e-bikes. Expert technicians are happy to provide a free estimate and inspection as well as offer gear advice and local know-how. Bikes bought at REI are assembled free, and the shop can also install your trunk mounted, trailer hitch, or roof-top bike rack. Call ahead for shop hours and to make an appointment. And check out the store for all your cycling gear, helmets and clothing.

Winter Mom & Daughter - Mountain Top Inn - Chittenden, VT

Mountain Top Resort

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

Something fun for everyone, every season, at this breathtaking mountain resort

Four seasons of the year, the breathtaking Mountain Top Resort provides fun, engaging, even exhilarating things to do for guests. Spring walks in the meadows and kayaking on the crystal-clear lake; summer days at the private beach, horseback-riding, fishing, paddle boarding or playing tennis; clay-bird shooting or walking among the 40 miles of trails in the fall; and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, sledding, snowmobiling and horse-drawn-sleigh riding in the winter. There’s also a heated outdoor pool with the amazing views seen everywhere at this 700-acre resort, sand volleyball and a pontoon boat. Nearby are breweries, farms, a cidery, downhill skiing, the Ben & Jerry’s factory, Vermont Country Store and Vermont Teddy Bear factory.

Hit the Slopes on a Cushion of Air

We didn’t see this coming. At Smugglers’ Notch ski area in northern Vermont, the classic sled, toboggan, flying saucer – pick your favorite – has mutated into an inflated cushion called an airboard. This A-shaped air cushion – which is steerable – lets you whip down the slope with wild abandon. At Smuggs’, certain trails are reserved for airboarding on weekday afternoons. Airboarding wannabees must be at least 12 years old and must take a short instructional clinic. Who’s up for a new snow thrill?

All Clear for Tubing in Southern Vermont

Vermont is heavily blessed with everything and anything to do with snow sports, and that includes snow tubing, the fast-growing snow sport, with the virtue of being do-able and enjoy-able by almost anyone. At Mount Snow, tubing is done in the wonderfully named Mixing Bowl. Open daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and on holidays. Enjoy a thrilling ride down and then relax as the Magic Carpet whisks you back to the top.

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.

Dogs + Sleds. Yowsah!

Mush! If you've never been dogsledding, it is time that you have this experience and put it on the list of things to do this winter. Eden Mountain Dogsledding at 1390 Square Road in Eden Mills is one place to have an authentic dogsledding experience. This is a real dog touring center where mushers and racers from all over New England come to train. The kennel of 28 Alaskan Huskies find joy in running and they will take you on a ride that you will remember for a lifetime. Cozy up in our comfortable touring sleds or learn to drive your own team. Get your family or a group together and make yourself a memorable winter experience. 802-635-9070.

Merck Forest Snaps in Winter

Located on top of Rupert Mountain, off Route 315 in Rupert, Merck Forest and Farmland Center is thousands of acres of open land available for hikes and other activities. Parts of the property are actively farmed, with concentration on organic, sustainable agriculture. Make no mistake about it: this place jumps with events and things to do in the winter. For snow-bound romance, couples can rent a cabin for a romantic weekend getaway or just spend a day or afternoon doing hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing on the many well-managed trails. There will be plenty of hardy people out, doing the same. Wonderful views -- and spectacular sunsets – are in store.

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.

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.

Sleigh Ride Days at Taylor Farm

The 180-year-old Taylor Farm at 825 Route 11 in Londonderry is a dairy operation, but in winter the farm family welcomes guests for sleigh rides through the snow-covered Vermont countryside. The farm’s two sleights are box-style, accommodating up to 10 people, and pulled by Belgian draft horses. Blankets are provided for everyone. Sleigh rides are offered on the hour during the weekends and last about 45 minutes. Part of the ride is a stop at a shed where you can enjoy cider and roast marshmallows over a fire,. Before the ride, you can even put together a lunch of bread, cheese and dessert picnic from the farm store. Reservations: 802-824-5690.

Dog Biscuits for All the Good Sports

The sled dogs at Peace Pups Dog Sledding on Cross Road in Lake Elmore are ready to stretch their legs. The dogs will pull you quietly along in a wheeled dog sled. Put on your wool sweater and take a late afternoon ride to enjoy the sunset over the Green Mountains. In fact, Peace Pups offers fun activities with Siberian Husky sled dogs all year around, including dog scooter outings, wheeled dog sled rides, skijoring, and winter dogsled tours. It is a Vermont adventure and a thing to do on vacation that you won’t forget. Phone: 802-888-7733.

Play on the Trails, in the Water, at Montshire

Montshire Museum of Science, in the Vermont town of Norwich on the Vermont/New Hampshire border, offers lots of outdoor and nature-enhanced learning for families. Visit to hike the nature trails, which include the Planet Walk, where you can skip among the Sun, the planets, and asteroid belt. Splash in the water play areas of the David Goudy Science Park. Frolic at the The Play Grove. See museum website for hours. Email: mary.gaetz@montshire.org. 802-649-2200

Wonderful Artwork and Trails for Natural Beauty

The Southern Vermont Arts Center at 930 Southern Vermont Arts Center Drive in Manchester is a respite of natural beauty and human artistry. Located within 100 acres of forest in the Green Mountains, the Center offers a changing exhibitions, a sculpture park, woodland hiking on the Boswell Botany Trail, and live music in the summer at the Arkell Pavilion. Art is on display in the 28-room Yester House Gallery (formerly a mansion) and three other galleries. On the grounds: hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Prepare to be dazzled. Phone: 802-362-1405.

Byway Follows Victory Route of Colonial General

Molly Stark Byway traverses southern Vermont along Route 9 from Brattleboro to Bennington. The byway is named after the wife of General John Stark who led the Colonial militia to a victory at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777. The Molly Stark Byway winds through valleys and past historic villages, busy downtowns, and the spectacular Green Mountain National Forrest. It is anchored at either end by vibrant historic town centers in Brattleboro and Bennington, and including a classic New England crossroads village in Wilmington in between. (photo: Brattleboro VT chamber of Commerce)

Spectacular Views, Hikes, Exploration at Merck Forest

Located on top of Rupert Mountain, off Route 315 on Rupert, Merck Forest and Farmland Center is thousands of acres of open land available for hikes and other activities. Parts of the property are actively farmed, with concentration on organic, sustainable agriculture. Visit the farm, explore the forest or stay overnight in a rustic cabin or lean-to. With 30 miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding Merck Forest has a multitude of recreational opportunities. Open daily, from dawn to dusk, year-round.

Perfect Storm of Covered Bridges

Vermont has more than 100 covered bridges, the heaviest concentration per mile of any state. The earliest of these beloved and hardworking bridges, dates from 1820. The state offers a handy covered bridge map for people who like to visit and photograph these small engineering gems. Northfield, for instance, has three bridges within one-quarter mile of each other and they display two types of construction: lattice and queenpost. Vermont residents welcome visitors to enjoy these beautiful artifacts of the past.

Enjoy Views of the Mountains from Dover

The Dover Town Forest Trail, located near Dover and on the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest, offers an east, three-mile walk along a well-maintained trail that follows an old roadbed along a ridge to the Rock River. The trail offers views of Mount Snow and Haystack Mountain to the west and East Dover and South Newfane to the east. From the center of West Dover, take Valley View Road to Cooper Hill Road. Just before the Cooper Hill Inn turn onto Rice Hill Road. Parking and entry to the forest can be found at the end of Rice Hill Road.

Elegant Consignments, Décor with Pizza, Local Art

Manchester is a place of high culture and good taste, applying across the tableau of vacation experiences, including usually mundane fun like consignment shopping and pizza. For instance, Perfectpiece Consignments on Maine Street in Manchester Village presents high-quality furniture, rugs, and accessories. Choose from 15,000 items in many styles and periods. Open daily. At Depot 62 bistro + café in the Depot District display high-end collectibles, art, and rugs. At Helmolz Art Gallery, the newest member of the Manchester Designer Outlets, artwork from near and far is carefully chosen for your enjoyment.

Romping With the Huskies

Looking for a unique, thrilling, and hands-on outdoor adventure? A dog sledding adventure with 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 90-minute excursions and 30-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.

Stone Valley Byway Traverses Mountain Slopes

Vermont Route 30, spanning Manchester to Poultney through the Mettawee Valley, is now the Stone Valley Scenic Byway. Traveling the byway takes you through an area with a rich history in slate and marble production. A trip on the Stone Valley Byway is highlighted by mountain slopes that provide a dramatic backdrop to the rural landscape and provide access to a host of recreational opportunities. Historic, picturesque towns dot the valley floor, and rich agricultural soils have accumulated alongside the free-flowing Mettawee and Poultney Rivers. Lake St. Catherine, a state park, golf course and many smaller water bodies along the byway corridor are exceptional natural, scenic, and recreational resources.

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

Mad River Antler – How Wild Does That Sound?

If you want to go home from your Vermont vacation with a really Vermont-y artifact, consider a chandelier, lamp, candle holders, or wine rack made from antlers of moose, elk or deer. The artists of Mad River Antler hastily note that that antlers used in these artworks are shed naturally by animals and later retrieved from the forest floor. And the artworks are beautiful. Tour the retail space at Bridge Street Trading Co., 40 Bridge Street in Waitsfield to enjoy this melding of nature and artistry.

Dive Into the Life of the Mind at the Athenaeum

St. Johnsbury Athenaeum at 1171 Main Street in the northern Vermont town of St. Johnsbury has many great daily activities for adults and kids who want to explore the life of the mind. One example is the Frist Wednesdays series, where experts ramble about interesting topics. Recent topics were Vincent Van Gogh and the Books He Read and Bierstadt’s “Domes of Yosemite,” and the Creation of an American Icon. You can ekep uo with many other topical or quirky subjects by watching the Athenaeum’s Events page. 802-748-829.

Ride the Trails on an Icelandic Horse

The tireless movement of the Icelandic Horse makes it the ideal saddle horse, and you can take a trail ride on the Icelandic at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm at 3061 North Fayston Road in Waitsfield, in the heart of the Sugarbush area. The farm hosts full-day and half-day trail rides as well as two- to six-day treks. In winter, the Icelandic Horse is at its best, growing a shaggy coat and reveling in the snow. Rides accommodate all levels of riding skill, including novices. Children over 10 years old with riding experience are welcome. Phone: 802-496-7141

Independent Bookseller Welcomes Book-Loving Folks

Bear Pond Books on Main Street in Montpelier presents a slogan “Celebrating 35 years of independent book selling in central Vermont,” and it takes pride in every word. The business opened in 1973 and has endured flooding, a major move to a beautiful historic building, and other ups and down. It offers customers a well-read staff, events such as public readings by authors, a communal gathering place, a resource for children’s literacy, and a useful website. Book lovers looking for things to do who are in or near Montpelier really must visit the store; you will feel right at home. Open daily. Phone: 802-229-0774

Beautiful Place, Refined Pottery

The town of Woodstock is as close as you can get to an idyllic New England small town, and it’s all a genuine, working community, with plenty of interesting fun for visitors. The fun includes shopping, because the town and nearby neighbor are home to two refined pottery makers: Farmhouse Pottery, headquartered in Woodstock, and Miranda Thomas Pottery in nearby Bridgewater. Farmhouse describes itself as a place of “old-world potters with simple tools and strong beliefs in process and authenticity.” Its products – like the best-selling bowls, crocks, and candlesticks – are simple and exquisite (802-457-7486). It offers “clay dates,” where guests may work alongside a potter to create their own memento from the studio, Miranda Thomas Pottery in Bridgewater is a traditional workshop studio of experts making and decorating pots by hand. (802-672-5175)

Meet Vermont's Covered Bridges

Few structures in America combine architectural ingenuity, economic necessity, and romantic idealism better than the covered bridge. Covered bridges flourished in the United States in the 19th century. Pennsylvania has the greatest number of covered bridges, and Vermont, with about 104 covered bridges, has the highest number relative to the state’s size. In Southern Vermont, some highlights of the many covered bridges include the Bridge at the Green (Arlington Bridge) in Arlington and the Henry / Burt Bridge in Bennington, which is a short distance from the rebuilt Paper Mill Bridge and the Silk Bridge. Covered bridges offer a wonderful opportunity to stop, take pictures, dip your feet in the river, and even to picnic.

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