Burlington
A lively lakeside college town and Vermont's largest.
Points of interest
- Church Street Marketplace
- Island Line Trail
- Lake Champlain
- Breweries
State guide
Things to do in Vermont
Green mountains, covered bridges and white-steepled villages, the best autumn colour in New England, maple syrup, craft beer and some of the top skiing in the East.
3–4
Days to do it properly
The Green Mountain State
Vermont is small, rural and very green, named after the Green Mountains that run down its middle. It has no big cities and no billboards, and its landscape of farms, forests, covered bridges and white-steepled villages is the New England of postcards. It is also proudly independent and progressive, and the home of Ben & Jerry's.
Burlington, the largest town, sits on the shore of Lake Champlain, with a lively pedestrian street, a lakeside bike path and a strong craft beer scene. Stowe is the classic mountain village, with hiking in summer and skiing in winter, and Woodstock is one of the prettiest villages in New England. The Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country, runs the length of the state.
Give Vermont three or four days, ideally by car. It is best in late September and early October for the leaves, in summer for hiking and lakes, and in winter for skiing. Avoid mud season in April, when back roads turn to mud.
Where to base yourself
Burlington for the lake and nightlife, Stowe for the mountains.
Stowe
The classic mountain village, for hiking and skiing.
Points of interest
- Mount Mansfield
- Smugglers' Notch
- Stowe Mountain Resort
- Trapp Family Lodge
Woodstock
One of the prettiest villages in New England.
Points of interest
- Quechee Gorge
- Billings Farm
- Covered bridges
Regions of Vermont
Lake Champlain in the north-west, the Green Mountains down the middle, and villages and farms everywhere.
Burlington and Lake Champlain
Lake, nightlifeVermont's largest town, on the lake, with islands to the north.
Northern Green Mountains
Stowe, hiking, skiingMount Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch and the ski resorts.
Northeast Kingdom
Remote, lakes, forestThe wild, quiet north-east corner of the state.
Central Vermont
Woodstock, KillingtonPretty villages, Quechee Gorge and the biggest ski resort in the East.
Southern Vermont
Villages, covered bridgesBennington, Manchester and the Molly Stark Trail.
Things to do
Things to do in Vermont
In Burlington, walk Church Street Marketplace, cycle the Island Line Trail out over Lake Champlain on a causeway, and watch the sunset over the lake and the Adirondacks. Take the ferry across the lake to New York.
In Stowe, drive or hike up Mount Mansfield, the highest point in the state, and walk through Smugglers' Notch, a narrow mountain pass. Visit the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, and sugarhouses, where maple syrup is made in spring. Woodstock and Quechee Gorge are close together in the south.
The Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail have hikes of any length. In autumn, drive the back roads past covered bridges and the leaves. In winter, ski at Stowe, Killington, Sugarbush or Jay Peak.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Burlington's waterfront, Church Street and the Island Line Trail are free. Many hiking trails, covered bridges and villages cost nothing.
Quechee Gorge has free trails, and Smugglers' Notch is free to drive or walk through in summer.
Autumn drives on the back roads are free, though busy.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Vermont is known for maple syrup, cheddar cheese, apples and ice cream. Try a maple creemee, soft-serve ice cream flavoured with maple, and visit a sugarhouse for sugar on snow in spring.
Its craft beer is famous: some of the most sought-after IPAs in the country are brewed here, and breweries have taprooms all over the state. Farm-to-table restaurants are everywhere.
Farmers' markets run in summer and autumn.
Nightlife
Going out
Burlington has the liveliest nightlife in the state, with bars, breweries and live music, helped by the University of Vermont.
Ski towns have après-ski bars in winter. Elsewhere, nights are quiet and centred on brewery taprooms.
Last orders come early in small towns.
Getting around
Getting around
Burlington has the main airport. Amtrak's Vermonter runs from Washington and New York through Vermont to St Albans, stopping at Essex Junction near Burlington, and the Ethan Allen Express runs from New York to Burlington.
Buses link the larger towns, but services are limited. To see the villages, mountains and leaves, hire a car.
Roads can be icy in winter, and mud season in spring makes some back roads hard to drive.
Costs
What Vermont costs
Vermont is moderately expensive, especially during the autumn colour and ski seasons, when accommodation books up. There are few hostels, so expect motels, inns, campsites and ski lodges.
Sales tax is 6 per cent, with higher taxes on meals, alcohol and lodging. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Ski passes are a big extra in winter.
Safety
Safety and scams
Vermont is one of the safest states in the USA. The main risks are weather and the outdoors.
Winters are cold and snowy, and mountain weather changes fast. Watch out for moose on roads at dusk, and check for ticks after walks.
In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Maple season, autumn colour and ski season.
March
Maple Open House Weekend
Sugarhouses across the state
Sugarhouses open their doors for maple tastings.
Late September to mid-October
Autumn colour
Across the state
Peak leaf-peeping season.
December to March
Ski season
Stowe, Killington, Jay Peak
Some of the best skiing in the East.
When to go
Late September and early October are peak autumn colour and the busiest time. Summer is warm and green. Winter, from December to March, is ski season. April is mud season.
Jan
Ski season
Feb
Ski season
Mar
Maple season, skiing
Apr
Mud season
May
Spring
Jun
Green, pleasant
Jul
Summer
Aug
Summer
Sep
Autumn colour begins
Oct
Peak autumn colour
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Ski season begins
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Burlington, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Burlington prices.
Treat these as a guide. Autumn and ski season cost more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Vermont questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the best time to see autumn colour in Vermont?
Late September to mid-October. Book accommodation early.
Do I need a car in Vermont?
Yes, for the villages and back roads. Trains and buses are limited.
How many days do you need in Vermont?
Three or four for Burlington, Stowe and a scenic drive.
Can I visit the Ben & Jerry's factory?
Yes, in Waterbury, between Burlington and Stowe.
Is Vermont good for skiing?
Yes. Stowe, Killington, Sugarbush and Jay Peak are among the best resorts in the East.
What is mud season?
April, when snowmelt turns back roads to mud. It is a quiet time to visit.
How do I get to Vermont from New York?
By the Amtrak Ethan Allen Express to Burlington, or by car.
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