12 Amazing Vermont Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
As the state name would suggest (mont and ver being French-derived terms to indicate green mountains), many of Vermont's most heavily visited attractions are related to its lush natural landscape and mountainous topography. Despite the 14th state being so small, it is packed with amazing sights and experiences to keep a visitor busy for weeks. Most of these memorable locations are just a short ride from the only central hub at Burlington International Airport.
Quechee Gorge - Hartford
While the entirety of the Quechee State Park is worth a prolonged visit, Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon is one of its most famous natural features. It sits about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the Burlington International Airport. The gorge is said to have been carved from glaciers thousands of years ago, plunging over 150 feet from the cliff face to the river down below. There is access to dozens of trails that lead to scenic overlooks, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring the natural wonder of this state park, along with its fishing, swimming, and hot air balloon rides.
Lake Champlain - Burlington
Right in the city of Burlington, a natural Vermont wonder and a most popular destination for nature lovers, is Lake Champlain. This massive lake provides countless activities throughout the year, including fishing, watersports, and access to lake-view trails and cycling paths. The naturally formed body has shorelines in Vermont and New York. From your arrival in Burlington, you need only travel through the city headed west to find the lake, as there are countless restaurants, access points, and shoreline stops to launch the day’s activities. As a bonus, you can also check out the Shelburne Museum right by Lake Champlain for some culture and history that can be added to your outdoor fun.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory - Waterbury
Ben & Jerry’s has become synonymous with exciting ice cream flavors and combinations recognized nationwide. So naturally, when you visit Vermont, you should carve out some time to see where the magic happens. Being only a little more than half an hour from the main airport in the state, the Waterbury factory is not a difficult destination to reach. You can get a lengthy guided tour of the facility complete with education on their unique production process, many samples of their unique offerings, and a chance to visit the Flavor Graveyard - a creative way they memorialize their treasured flavors Ben & Jerry’s have chosen to retire.
Stowe Mountain Resort - Stowe
The Green Mountain State would not ring true without some mountainous regions, which have also helped to create some of the premier resorts in the country. About 50 minutes east of the Burlington Airport, Stowe Mountain Resort has skiing and snowboarding paths and slopes for every skill level. While many choose to stay a few days, there is plenty to do to complete one action-packed adventure in a day trip from the airport. You can stay busy whether you are there for winter sports or enjoy the summer’s hiking and zip lining. When you are ready to take a break, the Stowe Mountain Resort features Stowe, a village within the property that offers food, shopping, and entertainment year-round.
The Vermont Country Store - Weston
Everything about the Vermont Country Store feels like you stepped back in time. While 1946 might feel like a long time ago, the atmosphere of this retail location feels older than that. Here, you will find items you cannot find anywhere else, many of which are exclusively made in Vermont. You will get an assortment of classic candies, special toys, and novelty items that make your slightly over two-hour excursion from Burlington to Weston worth the drive. While you might not stay occupied for a whole day within this iconic shopping destination, you would not be among the first to lose a few hours here.
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium - St. Johnsbury
This impressive monument to science has been a staple of St. Johnsbury for many years. In one area, it is a one-of-a-kind collection of artifacts, geological displays, taxidermized animals, and unique specimens. Educational programs happen daily to teach all visitors the wonder of Vermont’s natural history. In the planetarium, audiences and visitors are captivated by the exploration of the cosmos, including daily programming on seeing what lies beyond our atmosphere and capturing the imagination of young scientists and explorers. If you want to add educational value to your Vermont visit, this is a short hour-and-a-half-hour drive for a rewarding experience.
American Precision Museum - Windsor
Educational opportunities continue with the American Precision Museum. This place is full of exhibits, displays, and artifacts all centered around the American Industrial Revolution era. Even its location in the former Robbins & Lawrence armory structure plays into the significance of this attraction. Visitors can walk through the progression of precision manufacturing and the role of historic machinery in propelling us toward the modern era we live in today. Being only an hour and a half from the airport, this excursion rewards those compelled to learn more about such a significant period in American history.
Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site - Castleton
The scope of the American Revolutionary War encompassed so much of the developing country at this time, but only one singular battle was fought exclusively in Vermont. About an hour and a half from the airport, the Hubbardton Battlefield in Castleton is now a state-protected historic site with preserved grounds that feature trails and informative displays for the Revolutionary War buff. If you visit this piece of history during the summer, you might be fortunate to witness full-scale reenactments of one of the many battles fought to secure independence for the United States.
Hamilton Falls - Jamaica
Sometimes, the wonders of nature are worth the drive, as is the case with Hamilton Falls inside Jamaica State Park, which is just under 3 hours from Burlington International Airport. One of the welcoming aspects of this iconic display of nature is that the hike through the lush growth of the state park is easy to traverse for those of all skill levels. After a short walk along a trail, visitors are greeted by a massive waterfall cascading from 125 feet in the air. While the falls are captivating enough to keep your attention, there is much to discover within Jamaica State Park’s network of trails and walking paths.
Woodstock Village - Woodstock
Finding a location where the entire village is the attraction is rare. Woodstock Village fits that description, only an hour and a half from the airport. It is located in Woodstock, Vermont, and is often considered among the prettiest destinations for those visiting Vermont. Not only can you experience countless unique boutiques, eateries, and shops within the community's main streets, but you also have additional attractions like the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. This connected destination gives you a stunning collection of natural vistas to absorb, along with a tour of a historically and architecturally significant mansion on-site. Visitors to Woodstock Village have far more than a day’s worth of ground to explore.
Calvin Coolidge Homestead - Plymouth
Are you or someone in your group interested in the US presidents? Vermont is home to the Calvin Coolidge Homestead property in Plymouth Notch (just under 2 hours from the airport), which is a very carefully preserved slice of the early life of the nation’s 13th president. Structures on the property include the original farmhouse where Coolidge lived as a child, a one-room schoolhouse he attended, and a church where his father delivered sermons. A stroll among these authentic spaces and historical artifacts can give visitors a glimpse into early 20th-century life that shaped a future president.
Montshire Museum of Science - Norwich
If you drive for an hour and a half from the Burlington International Airport, you can reach Norwich, Vermont, and its famous Montshire Museum of Science. This facility is dedicated to multiple scientific principles of exploration and education, including the physical sciences, technological advances, and ecology. While it is a natural destination for local field trips for school groups, it is also recognized as one of Vermont’s greatest attractions. Live exhibits and the outdoor Science Park are the two primary draws of this science center, making it an entertaining (as well as highly educational) destination for a day trip when you have time to kill.
When you visit the Green Mountain State of Vermont, you can see how many of its natural features become the region’s top attractions. Being such a small location, even a simple day trip can allow you to explore multiple destinations across this historic New England state. Whether you want to explore the wonders of the great outdoors, explore history and science in a deeper and more meaningful way, or find nonsensical fun with a well-known ice cream team, Vermont is waiting for you.
