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For a little state tucked into the northeast corner of the US, Vermont has so many fun and unique attractions. Having grown up in Vermont, its charming character holds a special place in my heart. It truly has a culture unlike any other state. Although spring isn’t the most popular time of year to visit Vermont, it’s such an exciting time as the trees are dressed with their sap collecting buckets, and the snow starts to melt away after another harsh Vermont winter. Plus, there is so much to do in Vermont during the Spring!
Thinking about visiting Vermont? Here’s what to do in Vermont this spring with 15 top attractions unique to the state!
What To Do In Vermont This Spring:
Table of Contents
Drink Beer at Vermont’s Top Rated Craft Breweries
Known for their unfiltered and hoppy beers, the state of Vermont has made a name for itself in the beer industry in the last decade. In fact, it’s the state with the most craft breweries per capita!
There are so many incredible breweries throughout the state of Vermont and many are well-known throughout the world. Some Vermont breweries will only sell locally, which means you have to try them during your visit!
If you want to visit many of the best Vermont breweries, I suggest taking advantage of the Vermont brew bus tour. There is an option in Burlington you can book here, or one that takes you to the best breweries in Stowe. This way you can enjoy and sample at each brewery and not have to worry about driving or finding a designated driver.
Not sure which breweries to try? Here are the Top 20 Vermont Breweries you won’t regret checking out!
Visit the world famous Ben & Jerry’s factory
Ben & Jerry’s Factory: 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd Route 100, Waterbury Village Historic District, VT 05676
Did you know the Ben & Jerry’s factory is located in Waterbury, Vermont? When visiting Ben & Jerry’s there is so much to do in addition to sampling all of the delicious ice cream flavors! You can schedule a factory tour, get souvenirs at the gift shop, and even visit their Flavor Graveyard where they have tombstones for all of their discontinued flavors.
The factory is a fun place for the whole family to grab a quick cone or spend the day. The smell of waffle cones as you walk through the doors will be forever engrained in my mind.
Wander The Shops of Church Street
When thinking about what to do in Vermont, keep in mind Church Street Marketplace. It’s the place to be in Burlington! Most of the street is designated for pedestrians only. It’s lined with local shops, cafes, art galleries and bars.
Before visiting, check out the Church Street Marketplace website to see if there are any events going on. They have year-round festivals that take place here!
If you want to see all the main highlights, you can take this self guided audio tour of Burlington!
Take In The Scenes Of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is the thirteenth largest lake in the United States. The average width is 5 miles wide, with its deepest point around 400 feet. Its massive size makes it feel like an ocean!
When visiting Burlington, Vermont you’ll see some spectacular views of Lake Champlain. At the Lake Champlain Waterfront, you’ll find dog parks, fishing piers, bike paths, and walking trails along the lake shore. If you have time, you can even get tickets for a scenic or brunch cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. If the weather is nice during your visit, take advantage of some fun activities on the lake. The views are spectacular!
Visit the Vermont Cabot Farmers’ Store
Cabot Farmers’ Store Address: 2657 Waterbury-Stowe Rd, Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Cabot Creamery makes some of the world’s best cheese and dairy products in the US. In fact, I would be surprised if you haven’t seen Cabot cheese in your local grocery store! Since Cabot products are produced in Vermont, when visiting you are able to try all of the cheese you can’t find elsewhere.
At the Cabot Farmers’ Store, you can shop their selection of artisanal cheeses, local microbrews, and wines to take home with you! You are also able to sample many different flavors of Cabot cheese for free. My only piece of advice is to visit with an empty stomach!
Stay at a cozy Vermont lodge or hotel
Where to stay during the Spring in Northern Vermont:
- Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain– Burlington, Vermont– If you are looking for the most ideal location in Burlington with incredible views of Lake Champlain, this is the place for you! It does tend to be pricey, so keep that in mind. However, you can walk to most places in Burlington from this location.
- VRBO Rental– Most Hotels in Burlington are fairly expensive. If you don’t want to stay at a hotel, I would suggest finding a VRBO. Vermont has a lot of options available for rent on VRBO that can sometimes be more affordable.
Where to stay during the Spring in Central Vermont:
- Wyndham Smugglers’ Notch– Jefferson, VT- Close to ski resorts and the town of Stowe, Wyndham Smugglers’ Notch is an affordable escape perfect for families. With many restaurants on site, a water park, and indoor and outdoor pools, you get a lot for your money here!
- Trapp Family Lodge– Stowe, VT: The Trapp Family Lodge is a historical Vermont site owned by the Von Trapp family who inspired The Sound Of Music. The lodge is surrounded by mountains that reminded the family of their home in Austria and even has a brewery and Austrian inspired bierhall on site! It’s a bucketlist place to stay when visiting Vermont.
- Woodstock Inn & Resort– Woodstock, VT– The Woodstock Inn has a long history that began when the towns first railroad starting bringing many visitors to the area. The New England crafted Inn is a historical site with restaurants, golf courses, a spa, and many other things to do year round. It is a splurge to stay here, but is worth the visit!
Where to stay during the Spring in Southern Vermont:
- Killington Mountain Lodge, Killington, VT: Close to ski mountains, golf courses, and hiking trails, this lodge gives you that cozy outdoor mountain feel that Vermont is all about!
- Kimpton Taconic Hotel– Manchester, Vermont: Traveling to Vermont to check out the popular Manchester outlets? The Kimpton Taconic Hotel is a great place to stay! It’s in a central location and has a lodge Vermont style that is cozy and inviting.
- Mountain Top Inn & Resort– Chittenden, Vermont: The Mountain Top Inn is one of Vermonts hidden gems with cabin style rooms surrounded by mountains. With a spa, restaurant on site, and year round outdoor activities to keep you busy, it’s a perfect place to get a Vermont experience all in one place. Many famous people (like Jennifer Anniston) have stayed here!
Here are pictures from our room at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort in Chittenden, Vermont. Such a gorgeous place to stay!
Eat Sugar on Snow
If you are lucky to be in Vermont during the short period of sugaring season, you have to try sugar on snow! Each year, the season changes depending on the temperatures outside. On average, sugaring season will last anywhere from 14-27 days.
During this time of year sugar houses will offer sugar on snow, a traditional Vermont dessert! Sugar on snow is made from maple syrup that is boiled until it’s a hard and gooey texture. The thick substance is then dribbled over a plate of shaved ice or snow, and it becomes like taffy as the syrup hits the cold ice! Sugar on snow is often served with a pickle, donut, and apple cider. That combination may sound strange, but I promise it’s remarkable.
Take a stroll on the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
Ripton, Vermont was home to the Robert Frost Family Farm, where world famous poet lived and wrote for over 44 years. Now a historic site, the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail is less than a mile of flat walking trails where you’ll find some of his poetry along the way. Although the family home is only open for tours May-October, the trail is open year round to those who want to take a walk.
The trail is a great place to visit, especially during the spring when the trees are just starting to become green after a long Vermont winter. This trail has also been known to have many unique birds and sometimes even moose sightings, so keep an eye out for wildlife!
Visit a Vermont Sugar House
There are over 1500 sugar houses in the state of Vermont. Many of them give tours where you can see the process of maple syrup production from start to finish. The best time of the year to visit is during sugaring season! This is the time of year when the spring temperatures climb and people are able to tap the sugar maple trees.
Bragg Farm: 1005 VT-14 N, East Montpelier, VT 05651
My favorite sugar house in the state is the Bragg Farm in East Montpelier. I used to go here every year as a kid. You are able to sample different maple syrup varieties, buy any maple product you can imagine, tour the sugar house, and even hang out with some farm animals.
Here are some other sugarhouses worth visiting in Vermont:
- Palmers Sugar House– Shelburne Vermont
- Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks– Montpelier, Vermont
See The Tallest Filing Cabinet On Earth
World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet: 220 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
This may be the strangest Vermont landmark, but Vermonters take pride in having the tallest filing cabinet on earth. Located in Burlington, Vermont, the filing cabinets were welded on top of each other into a massive towering pile in 2002. Now 38 drawers tall, the sculptor Bren Alvarez says it represents the number of years of paperwork he accumulated while working on a local street project.
Try A Vermont Maple Creemee
When thinking about what to do in Vermont, a creemee is a must! In the state, soft serve ice cream is refereed to as a creemee. And in true Vermont fashion, the most popular flavor is maple! They are typically made with fresh Vermont maple syrup and the taste is out of this world. No matter what season you visit Vermont, you have to be sure to try one!
Visit the Home Of President Calvin Coolidge
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site: 3780 Route 100A Plymouth, VT 05056
This historic site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont is the birthplace of the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge. The site is the childhood home of the president and is restored to appear close to as it did when he lived there.
When visiting, you are able to set foot on the 600 acre site where you can see the home where President Coolidge was born. You can also go into the family homestead where he took the presidential oath of office. Also on site is a church where the family worshipped, and the gravesite of the President along with his family.
Check out the Vermont State House in Montpelier
Vermont State House: 115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633
The Vermont State House is one of Vermont’s most beautiful buildings! Located in Montpelier, Vermont, the state house was built in the 1850s and is one of the oldest and best preserved state houses in the nation. It also houses some of Vermont’s most important art.
The Greek-revival architecture, with its bright golden dome is gorgeous to view from the outside, but if you want to wander inside you are able to do a self guided audio tour. Check out their hours of operation before your visit!
Planning on staying in Montpelier a while? Do a Montpelier Scavenger Hunt and see all of the capitals most important landmarks!
See a Vermont Covered Bridge during the Spring
Did you know there are over 100 covered bridges in the state of Vermont? Some even dating back to the 1800’s! Covered bridges were built to allow pedestrians, livestock, and eventually vehicles to cross over rivers in the countryside. There are varieties of long, short, wide, and narrow bridges throughout the state, and their uniqueness gives them so much character. Although some of the bridges are not in working condition today, many are still used daily!
Some of the most popular Vermont covered bridges are:
- Quechee Covered Bridge- Quechee, Vermont
- Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge- Wolcott, Vermont
- Hammond Covered Bridge- Pittsford, Vermnt
- Emily’s Bridge- Stowe, Vermont
- Northfield Falls Covered Bridge- Northfield, Vermont
- Mill Covered Bridge- Tunbridge, Vermont
Taste Test at Lake Champlain Chocolates
Lake Champlain Chocolates: 750 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401
You can find Lake Champlain Chocolate stores located across the east coast. However, their flagship location and factory is located in Burlington, Vermont. Here you can grab to-go tasting kits, see a video of the factory production, and check out their chocolate sculpture exhibit.
Lake Champlain Chocolates taste incredible! Made from local cream, fresh butter and fair trade chocolate, each bite into a Lake Champlain chocolate is melt in your mouth delicious. Also on site is a shop where you can buy gourmet chocolates, factory seconds, or an assortment of seasonal gifts! They even have an espresso and hot chocolate café so you can grab a delicious cup on your way out.
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Now that you know what to do in Vermont this Spring, you are ready to eat, drink, and tour your way through the state! As you can see, there is so much that spring has to offer in Vermont. With sugaring season, sugar on snow, and all the incredible scenic drives, this time of the year can be such an exciting time to visit!
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4. BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH WORLD NOMADS
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