Despite its small size, Vermont State has enticements to suit different exhilarating cravings for adventure. Whether looking for serene destinations to relax your body and soul, a family-friendly spot, an outdoor getaway, or a romantic spot for your loved one, be sure that the Green Mountain State has you covered. So don’t wait any more and check out our sampling of Vermont road trip Destinations!
Vermont is among the New England states with the most beautiful scenery. Its landmass spans across deep blue lakes, grand mountains, vast grasslands, and beautiful historic cities.
If you already have a couple of sites in mind that you’d like to visit during your next road trip escapade in Vermont, we highly recommend that you have these top destinations included in your itinerary.
Contents
- Vermont Teddy Bear Factory – Guided Tours & More!
- Simon Pearce Mill and Restaurant – Good Food, Good Mood!
- Lake Champlain – North Hero Islands & More!
- Woodstock Farmers’ Market – Lemonade, Strawberry Pie & More!
- Route 100 Byway – Several Vermont Attractions
- Ben and Jerry’s Factory – Ice Cream Haven
- The Alchemist, Stowe – All You Want To Know About Beer!
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill – Best Rated Doughnuts In The US
- Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa – Skiing & More!
- Bragg Farm Sugarhouse – Milkshakes, Maple Syrup, Ice Cream!
- Wrapping Up Vermont Road Trip Destinations
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory – Guided Tours & More!
We all dearly love teddy bears as at some point in time, it gave us comfort during our childhood. And what would be even more amazing is when you know where the precious teddy bears come from. You might want to make a stop at Shelburne to tour the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and give the kids a sense of connection with their precious buddies.
The factory has guided tours where families are placed on the able hands of a Bear Ambassador to show them around the factor. The tour costs $4 while kids below 12 years can get free entry. Be prepared to receive massive bear puns in the course of the trip.
Among the stuff you’ll see here include the process of making teddy bears, dressing them as well as doing repairs at the nearby teddy bear hospital. You’ll also come across teddy bears already dressed up to match different occasions and professions, including the teddy bear, inspired events, such as Team USA with Olympic medals.
Simon Pearce Mill and Restaurant – Good Food, Good Mood!
Simone Pearce offers much more other than excellent wedding gifts. You’re going to love watching artisans building hand-thrown pottery and blowing glass as you make your stop at the mill found in Quechee.
Head upstairs where you’ll find an onsite restaurant known as The Mill at Simon Pearce. This is made even more amazing just by the fact that both the restaurant and the studio rest right on Ottauquechee River Falls. It’s a spectacular spot to take selfies.
The restaurant serves simple hyper-local foods, and of course, served on the handmade plates together with hand blown glasses. After satisfying yourselves at the restaurant, head down to the shops and see the different glass artifacts available on offer.
Lake Champlain – North Hero Islands & More!
Outdoor buffs, this is the spot you’ve been looking for all this time. Lake Champlain found in Burlington is a top destination bursting with lots of outdoor activities, from hiking, biking to exploring coastal trails through self-guided tours.
The fun doesn’t end there. On the lake, you can choose to explore the fun activities available such as getting out on the sailboats, canoes, or the stand-up paddleboards. Other popular activities you might want to indulge in here include boarding the ferry to cross to Burton Island, island shopping, kayak to North Hero Islands, and more.
You’ll also get the opportunity to enjoy a cruise with the Spirit of Ethan Allen Lake Champlain Cruises, which is an amazing 90 minutes of fun to explore the spectacular fall foliage.
Woodstock Farmers’ Market – Lemonade, Strawberry Pie & More!
The New England region is full of great, historic country stores, of which Woodstock Farmers’ Market stands as one of the most attractive. This is the spot you’re going to stock up and shop for fresh produce to prepare delicious meals.
You’ll find delicious garlic scapes and flavorsome heirloom tomatoes. You’ll also love the fabulous elderflower lemonade and the strawberry rhubarb pie. Everything available in the market is locally sourced and grown. You’ll also want to grab their fresh sandwiches made to order from the deli.
Route 100 Byway – Several Vermont Attractions
Due to Route 100 Byway’s attractive scenery, it was recognized as one of the most picturesque drives by Yankee Magazine. Recognized as the top scenic drive in the whole of New England, Route 100 Byway has continued to receive a high influx of visitors from the entire region and the country as a whole.
The 146-mile long route forms part of Vermont’s “Skier’s Highway”, which serves as the center of outdoor recreation. The route offers some of the most exhilarating opportunities for golfing, cycling, and snowboarding in the state.
Route 100 Byway is also a top cultural highlight as it’s the home to the famous Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, a charitable arts and crafts institution in the country, and among the oldest.
Ben and Jerry’s Factory – Ice Cream Haven
If you’re a first-timer in the state, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss a visit to Ben & Jerry’s Factory, a must-visit spot for a complete Vermont road trip. And for ice cream devotees, a visit to this ice cream haven in Waterbury is going to be worth it.
There’s a guided tour around the factory which lasts for half an hour. At the end of the tour, you’ll get a chance to scoop a full-size ice cream sample. Don’t forget to take a selfie with “Cowmobile” just out front. During winter, you might want to take a snowshoe tour for 45 minutes to work up your appetite before finalizing it with an ice cream sample. Alternatively, you can simply head to the Scoop Shop and scoop up one or two of the different tasty flavors on offer.
The Alchemist, Stowe – All You Want To Know About Beer!
Beer lovers, pack up, and get set to explore this super cool facility where you’ll have a taste of the extraordinary cult IPA, Heady Topper.
Beer tanks are molded to resemble beer cans and are full of funky art on the outside. The first entry step into the brewery is welcomed with the smell of the hops, which is amazing. At times, you’ll find some live music to dance to as you enjoy the awesome beer.
You’ll get to grab the free beer samples on offer for tasting during the guided tour. And don’t forget to grab yourselves the permissible amount of the Heady Topper being sold, that’s 4 packs.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill – Best Rated Doughnuts In The US
If you’re an apple cider donut lover, you might want to head down to Cold Hollow Cider Mill located in Waterbury Center. This place boasts of warm tasty donuts which were once rated as one of the best in the US by Gourmet magazine.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill is New England’s apple cider top producer and also one of the most prominent attractions in Vermont State. On a guided tour, you’ll get to watch how pure cider is made using the traditional mechanism of cloth press and rack, prominent in the 1920s. The mill is open all days of the week, so step in on any day and get a sample during the tour.
You’ll get a chance to sample the various mustards and apple cider available together with the oyster crackers. After watching how cider is made, grab the chance to explore the vintage mill where you’ll get to sample fine Vermont foods and products.
Across the driveway, you can grab some lunch at Apple Core Luncheonette. You’re going to love the grilled panini topped with the local bacon. Other delicacies on offer include cider jelly, apple slices, and cheddar.
Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa – Skiing & More!
When ready to spend some quality outdoor adventure, you should head to Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa in Stowe. You’ll get abundant outdoor fun activities such as biking, hiking, mountain climbing during the summer. During cold months, get to enjoy outdoors such as snowshoeing and skiing.
If you brought the kids along, they’ll enjoy the Stoweflake Discovery Program that features farm tours and llama walks. For a lively atmosphere, head down to Piecasso Pizzeria and Lounge for some sumptuous pasta and pizza.
And even better news for golf lovers, Stowe Golf Park is just a few minutes’ drive away from Stowe. Here, you’ll enjoy bowling and some deluxe mini-golfing experience. This place is one of the most visited Vermont road trip spots
For a dedicated list of best ski spots in US, check out our page on the same
Bragg Farm Sugarhouse – Milkshakes, Maple Syrup, Ice Cream!
While driving across Vermont, you surely won’t miss a chance to see a sugarhouse, regardless of whether it’s off-season or not. Sugaring season here usually lasts up to 6 weeks. Bragg Farm Sugarhouse located in East Montpelier offers a lot of tour adventures you wouldn’t want to miss.
You’ll get to taste the maple syrups, enjoy the educational tour as well as hike along the maple walking trail. The ice cream parlor available onsite offers delicious milkshakes and maple crème to satisfy your craving. After that, visit the petting farm just adjacent to view rabbits, goats, ponies, and an educational tour.
Wrapping Up Vermont Road Trip Destinations
Vermont is a sure place to visit if you’re looking for that refined outdoor experience in New England. The abundant factories and mills around the state will add up to your cup of knowledge as you sample the variety of products on offer. A road trip in this state is a surefire way of getting acquainted with the manufacturing process of things that we hold dear. There’s more to explore but including these top destinations will make your Vermont road trip worthwhile.
Hope our sampling of Vermont road trip destinations helps you plan an amazing vacation. To have the experience of a lifetime, book your vacation rentals at RentalTrader.com. If you need any more information, fill our web form or give us a call, we’ll be happy to help you.
