What to do and see in Vermont, United States: The Best Free Things to do

March 7, 2022 Alice Mieles

Whether you’re exploring Vermont’s covered bridges, visiting Quechee Gorge or skiing at Killington, you’ll find Vermont to be picture-perfect. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll love Vermont. In winter, of course, there’s plenty of skiing and snowboarding. In the warmer months, however, Vermont offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing and boating. If you enjoy boating, swimming and fishing, a vacation rental on Lake Champlain might be perfect for you.
Restaurants in Vermont

1. Lake Willoughby

East Burke, VT 05860
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 166 reviews

Lake Willoughby

A scenic lake in Vermont that is called "America's Lucerne."

Reviewed By j3ffr3y111 - Middlebury, United States

Maybe the most beautiful lake in Vermont. There is hiking all around, most notably the mount Pisgah hike provides amazing views!

2. Robb Family Farm

822 Ames Hill Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301-4260 +1 802-257-0163 http://robbfamilyfarm.com
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 47 reviews

Robb Family Farm

A 350-acre farm - the barn and country store are open to the public.

Reviewed By VT_Travelerx2 - Brattleboro, United States

I stopped by the Robb Family Farm Country Store to purchase maple candies and syrup. Their candies were fresh and made right there. There were also many local foods and other gifts. The family is friendly. It is definitely worth a visit!

3. Lincoln Gap Road

Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Lincoln Gap Road

Scenic road from the town of Lincoln to Warren, from which you can access both short and long hikes.

Reviewed By 166helmuts

Laura and I have stopped here in the fall 4 times and always are amazed at the beauty of this road, especially when you near the top of the gap. Also, there is a beautiful fairly moderate hike to sunset ledge. Not too long, with a gorgeous view of the Champlain valley. This year we mistakenly took the hike to Mt. Abraham, which ascends over 1800 feet, very rocky, 2.7 miles one way. Although the view at the summit was great, it was too demanding for us.... took us 5 hours( we are in our 70's). The sunset hike would have been a 2 hour hike and the view there is just as good.

4. Stowe Recreation Path

Stowe, VT 05672 +1 802-253-7321 [email protected] http://www.gostowe.com/recreation-path
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,432 reviews

Stowe Recreation Path

Between the West Branch River and Route 108 is a biking trail full of scenic vistas and small town atmosphere.

Reviewed By Turkish340

Rent some good bikes and do it. Did it with family, youngest is 10. No probkem at all as the entire path is pretty much flat and paved so it is really easy to ride. Beautiful scenery all the way through, and some really magical spots to stop and admire the area.

143 Parks Rd, Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819 +1 800-449-2580 [email protected] http://www.dogmt.com/
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 207 reviews

Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery

Dog Mountain is a nonprofit set on 150 acres on a private mountain top spot in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The grounds are open from dawn til dusk to people and their dogs. Artist Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen, bought the property in 1995. They turned the barn into studio space. After Stephen’s unique visionary experience, the world famous Dog Chapel was built. The unspoiled haven is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds. Wildflowers abound in the summer and snow-shoeing is a favorite activity in the winter. Year after year, the Dog Chapel and the Stephen Huneck Gallery get more and more visitors from all over the world. Leashes are optional on Dog Mountain. Dogs are not just welcome here, they are cherished! Dogs are free to run, play, swim and, best of all, meet other dogs! It's great to hear from travelling visitors and local residents alike how much Dog Mountain means to them and their dogs.

Reviewed By sallyl801 - Portland, United States

was able to bring our dog off her leash and let her run free. nice well maintained trails. beautiful views.

6. Quechee Gorge

Route 4, Quechee, Hartford, VT +1 802-295-1550 http://www.quecheegorge.com
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 984 reviews

Quechee Gorge

Locals think of this 165-foot gap as "Vermont's Grand Canyon."

Reviewed By 365syl-ga - San Antonio, United States

Visited Quechee Gorge on Fall Foliage tour and it was a gorgeous site. The Gorge looked beautiful with the fall colors and there is a trail that goes along the river if you are able be sure to take the short hike to the falls well worth the trip. Colors are beautiful and the falling leaves in the breeze so lovely!!!

7. Smugglers Notch State Park

6443 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672-5111 +1 802-253-4014 http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/smugglers.cfm
Excellent
75%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 357 reviews

Smugglers Notch State Park

This narrow path through thousand-foot cliffs, once a smuggling route into Canada, is now a park used for biking, hiking, picnicking and rockclimbing.

Reviewed By MaryJ071597 - Spokane, United States

We stayed a night in Stowe during the peak color season and this drive was recommended to us. We are so glad we did it. It was gorgeous! We had limited time so we were very disappointed we didn't get to experience more of this area. We made it to Smugglers Notch though and captured some beautiful shots. The road is very winding up there. It was super windy and we watched the leaves getting blown off the trees. We definitey recommend this scenic drive.

8. Church Street Marketplace

Main St. Pearl St., Burlington, VT 05401 +1 802-863-1648 [email protected] http://www.churchstmarketplace.com/
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,899 reviews

Church Street Marketplace

Downtown Burlington Vermont's award-winning open air mall is a hub of activity where you'll find historical architecture, year-round festivals, street entertainers, music, over 100 places to shop and dine, and even quiet places to ponder. We invite you find out about exclusive shopping, dining and events in downtown Burlington as well as to explore the area!

Reviewed By Andres72423 - Bridgeport, United States

We spent the morning and afternoon just strolling the whole marketplace, window-shopping and and actually making some purchases. All kinds of shops-men’s store, women’s shops and boutiques, souvenirs and plenty more. The market place was a safe stroll with no actual traffic to worry about. Plenty of places to stop in and get a bite to eat or have a drink. It was nicely decorated for the holidays although while we were there it was to early to see the full affect of the lights. If you are in the area it is definitely a cool thing to do even if you don’t shop and just people watch.

9. Sugarbush Farm

591 Sugarbush Farm Rd, Woodstock, VT 05091-8089 +1 802-457-1757 [email protected] http://www.sugarbushfarm.com
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 950 reviews

Sugarbush Farm

Visit a working Vermont farm and sample 15 kinds of cheese and the four different grades of Pure Vermont Maple Syrup. Open every day with free self tours of the maple sugar house with a video of have sap is boiled into syrup in the early spring. Maple walk in the woods to see how trees are tapped. Located 5 miles from historic Woodstock on a scenic town maintained gravel road. No reservation needed but best to call for road conditions during winter storms and early spring thaw. Picnic area, kids play area, and farm animals during the warmer months.

Reviewed By howelle11 - Boston, United States

My bf and I spontaneously Decided to do a last minute get away trip to Vermont and our first pit stop was Sugarbush farms. The staff were very friendly and kind. Lori (or Lauri?) was more than willing to cut up some cheese for us and provide some background information which we greatly appreciated. The grounds were beautiful even during a stormy day. The gift shop attendants were very helpful and kind. The maple walk was beautiful and we enjoy a nice stroll even though it was a bit cloudy and rainy. We left with lots of cheese and maple syrup and no regrets!

10. Skyline Overlook

Dover, VT
Excellent
50%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Skyline Overlook

Located on Hogback Mountain, this offers a wonderful 100-mile view.

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