If you’ve never been to Vermont before — lucky you, you’re about to see what all the hype is about. Think green mountains, charming small towns, farm stands, and more maple syrup than you could ever need.

Vermont essentials: Cabot cheddar, a maple creemee, a scenic mountain view, and a stop at a local brewery or farm stand.

Fun fact: there are no cities in Vermont - only towns!

Towns to Explore

Within 1 hour of Burlington:

  • Stowe – A quintessential Vermont mountain town with hiking, great local shops, brewery stops, and views of Mount Mansfield. A great mix of outdoor adventure and village charm.

  • Waitsfield & Mad River Valley – Smaller and more relaxed than Stowe, perfect for a laid-back stop with local cafes, antique stores, and valley views.

  • Montpelier - Vermont’s charming capital city is full of independent bookstores, cozy cafés, and historic architecture. It’s a perfect afternoon stop for great food, local shops, and a stroll past the beautiful gold-domed State House.

Worth the drive (2-3hrs)

  • Lake Willoughby - Possibly the most beautiful lake in all of Vermont with amazing hikes and stunning views

  • Woodstock + Quechee Gorge (just around ~2 hours) – Historic village, classic Vermont architecture, and a beautiful gorge walk.

  • Manchester - a dreamy mix of outlet shopping, book stores, cute cafés, and winding country roads.

Activities

🥾 Hikes & Mountain Views

  • Mount Mansfield (Stowe) – Vermont’s tallest mountain with incredible views and great hiking.

  • Camel's Hump – One of Vermont’s most iconic peaks with panoramic summit views.

  • Stowe Pinnacle – A relatively short hike with one of the best views in the state.

  • Mount Philo State Park – A quick hike (or drive) to a beautiful summit overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks.

🚲 Lakeside Walks & Bike Rides

  • Burlington Waterfront – Wander along the lakefront for beautiful views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

  • Island Line Rail Trail – One of Vermont’s most unique bike rides, stretching out across Lake Champlain toward the Champlain Islands.

  • Stowe Recreation Path – A scenic paved path running through fields and along the river with mountain views the whole way.

Food and drinks

🥐 Bakeries & Coffee

  • August First (Burlington) – Amazing breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and sourdough bread.

  • Birchgrove Baking (Montpelier) – Tiny bakery worth the trip for exceptional pastries. Get there early - everything sells out fast.

🍦 Ice Cream & Creemees

  • Ben & Jerry’s (Waterbury) – The iconic Vermont stop.

  • Palmer Lane Maple (Jericho) – One of the best maple creemees around.

  • Canteen Creemee Company (Waitsfield) – Creative seasonal flavors.

🧀 Cheese & Local Products

  • Cabot Creamery (Cabot, VT) – Award-winning Vermont cheddar and a great tasting stop.

  • Shelburne Farms Farm Store (Shelburne) – Beautiful property and fantastic Vermont cheeses.

🍺 Breweries & Distilleries

  • Barr Hill (Montpelier) – Incredible honey-based gin and cocktails.

  • The Alchemist (Stowe) – Home of the famous Heady Topper.