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Vermont

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Autumn forest and mountains reflected in the Waterbury Reservoir near Stowe, Vermont

© Caleb Foster / Shutterstock

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Overview

Whether seen under blankets of snow, patchworks of blazing fall leaves or the exuberant greens of spring and summer, Vermont's blend of bucolic farmland, mountains and picturesque small villages make it one of America's most appealing states. Hikers, bikers, skiers and kayakers will find four-season bliss, on the expansive waters of Lake Champlain, the award-winning Kingdom Trails Network, the 300-mile Long and Catamount Trails, and the fabled slopes of Killington, Stowe and Mad River Glen.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Shelburne Museum

    Shelburne Museum

    Burlington

    The extraordinary 45-acre Shelburne Museum, nine miles south of Burlington, showcases 100,000 priceless artifacts, from America and abroad.

  • UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01:  Frye Measure Mill, Wilton, New Hampshire (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

    Shelburne Farms

    Burlington

    In 1886 William Seward Webb and Lila Vanderbilt Webb built themselves a magnificent country estate on the shores of Lake Champlain. The 1400-acre farm,…

  • Ottauquechee River, Quechee Gorge, Quechee National Park, Vermont USA

    Quechee Gorge

    Vermont

    Lurking beneath US 4, less than a mile east of Quechee Village, the gorge is a 163ft-deep scar that cuts about 3000ft along a stream that you can view…

  • People enjoy Church street in Burlington, Vermont. (Photo by: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images)

    Church Street Marketplace

    Burlington

    Burlington's pulse can often be taken along this four-block pedestrian zone running from Pearl to Main Sts. When the weather's good, buskers (licensed by…

  • Intervale Center

    Burlington

    You'd never guess it standing on a busy Burlington street corner, but one of Vermont's most idyllic green spaces is less than 2 miles from downtown…

  • Bartlett Falls

    Vermont

    Where do locals head when the mercury starts hitting devilish highs? One popular spot is Bartlett Falls, a heavenly swimming hole hidden just off the main…

  • Cedar Circle Farm

    Vermont

    This lovely roadside organic farm and education center offers visitors a chance to wander through its lush fields of produce in search of pick-your-own…

  • Otter Creek Falls

    Vermont

    The village of Middlebury grew up around the broad falls of Otter Creek, whose roaring waters provided power for a number of 19th-century mills. For…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

In the USA’s most rural state, you can enjoy ice cream, breweries, historic sites, charming towns and glorious, glorious nature.

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Best Time to Visit

From maple syrup to powdered trails, Vermont has a reason to visit no matter what the season.

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Free Things to Do

Vermont’s stunning views are always free, as are hikes, outdoor sculpture parks, bird-watching and other things do to in the Green Mountain state

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Day Trips

Farmer's markets, localvore restaurants, rural charm, pristine nature and a wealth of history – whatever you’re seeking, Vermont has it. 

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Best Road Trips

Vermont seems almost designed for road trips. These five top ones allow motorists to take in the state’s endless cycle of beautiful vistas.

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