The town is famous for its ski resorts, cross country skiing, and an alpine slide that sit at the base of the Stratton Moutain. But what many people don’t realize is, there are many things to do in Manchester VT all year round.

In the Spring and Summer, its downhill skiing runs turn into epic hiking trails, and in the fall, the autumnal colors fill the top attractions in Manchester with colors of orange, yellow and red.

The town is also home to many fascinating museums, farmers markets, and parks.

No matter what time of year you visit, you will be sure to find something to keep you busy and entertained in Manchester.

Our Experience Visiting Manchester

Manchester VT is a bucolic town in the Battenkill Valley in southwestern Vermont.

It’s relaxed and sophisticated, and while I preferred the town of Stowe in the northern part of Vermont, Manchester is a great base to explore Vermont’s unspoiled Green Mountains!

It has been a dream of mine to visit New England in the Fall for many years. I think Fall is possibly the only time humans celebrate change and transformation, I wanted to celebrate it in the place where the leaves danced in vibrant fashion.

Sadly, in some parts of the North East, the weather was unseasonably warm, which meant the leaves weren’t singing the loudest.

But, it also meant the leaf-peeping season was late, and we were late getting to New England, so lucky for us we caught the leaves at their peak colors.

We stayed in Manchester Vermont for three nights and did our best to chase the leaves all over the Green Mountain region.

We missed the turn off to our accommodation, which lead us to this driveway to turn around. I quickly snapped a photo, which was so popular on our social channels.

 

Loving the feel of Vermont already. Quick capture on my phone on arrival before the sun went down. I feel like we’ll be seeing a lot more scees like this.Follow our stories for more Any tips for Vermont?

A post shared by Family Travel Bloggers ???? (@ytravelblog) on Oct 9, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT

I really think it captured the spirit of New England – colonial, patriotic, warm, and perfectly suited to the spirit and vibrancy of Fall.

Things to Do in Manchester VT

Whether you’re staying for a weekend or a week, you’ll find there are plenty of attractions in Manchester to keep you busy. Here are some of the fun things to do in Manchester Vermont.

1. Bike riding through Manchester Village

We were excited to be using our new bikes for the first time in New England. What better way to explore Manchester VT than riding down the charming Main Street, which splits Manchester into two sections.

We began in Manchester Village, which is where you’ll find many of the white columned mansions and Victorian-era inns.

There is the gorgeous church and in the fall you’ll get golden pops framing the spire.

The popular and luxurious Equinox Hotel, built in 1769, is the centerpiece of the village.

Mary Todd Lincoln and her children from Washington D.C. spent two summers at The Equinox, which is said to be haunted by Honest Abe’s beloved wife.

A little cycle further north and you’ll reach Manchester Center with the more unpretentious stores, one of the most famous being the Northshire Bookstore sitting on the corner of a busy intersection.

There are a few arts and crafts shops and restaurants here as well.

2. Prospect Rock Trail

There are a lot of hiking trails in the Green Mountain National Forest.

We chose the Prospect Rock Walk as it seemed family-friendly and offered good views over the Manchester Valley. It was an uphill, 3.1 mile return walk. The uphill was fairly gentle though so easy enough to do with kids.

It’s a dirt trail beside a creek for some of it. The girls enjoyed the walk and seeing the fall colors for the first time.

It winds along a mountain brook before departing into birch-beech forest on a wide and open logging path. The trail criss-crosses the Appalachian Trail and Long Trails.

Be warned, you may miss the entrance to Prospect Rock. It comes off the main trail on the right. I only saw it because I glimpsed at the group of Malaysians in front of us who were standing on the rock.

Once we figured out how to get there we looked up and saw a small sign camouflaged high up on the tree trunk pointing you to the beautiful views of the Manchester Valley with Mount Equinox to the west.

If you’re looking for a more challenging trail, consider the Mount Equinox hike, which offers views of The White Mountains, the Green Mountains, the Adirondack Mountains, and the Berkshire Mountains!

3. Drive Around and See the Covered Bridges

Looking for a bit of nostalgia and quirky character on your Vermont Road trip?

A drive to discover the covered bridges in Southern Vermont and the Manchester VT area might be just your thing.

We learned that hunting for covered bridges are one of the most popular things to do in Manchester, New England! They are also called kissing bridges for the lovers who’d linger as they passed through. Vermont has more than 100 covered bridges.

We jumped in the car to explore five of them from Manchester to Bennington.

If you’re short on time, I’d skip this, or at least visit the following two covered bridges, which I found most interesting. You can get a bit covered-bridge tired after the first couple.

Chiselville Bridge

Just down the country road from Manchester and spanning the Roaring Branch and tucked down into the dip was our first covered bridge sighting.

Slow down so you can see the sign upon entry, and so you don’t get a fine.

As the sign says, it’s a $1 fine for driving too fast across it!

West Arlington Bridge

Two miles from the New York border is the cute West Arlington Bridge spanning the Batten Kill River.

The West Arlington Bridge was built in 1852 and is on National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the most known, and photographed in Vermont.

4. Bennington Battle Monument

Looking for historical things to do in Manchester VT and fancy a bit of Revolutionary War history?

I quite enjoyed the Bennington Monument, which was built to commemorate the Battle of Bennington. The battle which occurred on August 16, 1777, is considered to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War

For $5 you can take the elevator to the top of the Monument (306 ft high).

I’ve you’ve come all this way, I recommend you do. It offers a pretty birds eye view of the Bennington area, including where the battle was fought and all the way to New York state and Massachusetts.

5. Skyline Drive to Mt Equinox

One of the most popular things to do in Manchester VT is the Skyline Drive!

In true yTravel with kids fashion, we were late getting up the Skyline Drive which meant the lighting was harsh in the middle of the day for viewing and photographs: plenty of haze with the endless valley views.

The Mount Equinox Skyline Drive is the longest privately owned paved toll road in the USA. 5.2 miles long, elevation increases to 3,235 feet.

There are some parts of the Skyline Drive that were pretty, but not as spectacular as I was hoping as it was more brown in color. The auto toll road was a little expensive as well.

We did three different toll roads in New England up mountains and this was my least favourite. I think if you went at the right time of the day and had more time to take some walks and have a picnic it would be a better experience.

We did have a play with our new drone on the way back down though which gave us a wonderful perspective and some good video and photos.

Mt Equinox Skyline Drive toll road prices: 

• $15.00 car and driver
• $5.00 per passenger

6. Visit Earth Sky Time

I’m pretty sure anyone can just pop into the Earth Sky Time Community Farm and it was one of the most interesting things to do in Manchester VT.

It’s a certified organic three-generation family farmstead, wood-fired bakery, and thriving community of artists, musicians, and friends and was founded by Oliver, the brother of Melissa from the Wilburton Inn.

Melissa took us to see the cool things they are doing with the farm.

Every week, the farm bakes 2,000 loaves of bread for local markets, restaurants, and cafes. Earth Sky Time now has a community farm store with fresh produce from the garden.

Oliver is also known for making amazing hummus. And they have various art and music programs and events on the farm.

Oliver and his wife have recently started homeschooling their kids so it was great to have a chat with them about our roadschooling lifestyle and how to transition into it and make it work.

We also had a look at the bus Oliver welded together for his family’s road trip in the US. They baked bread along the way which they bartered for various things. How cool? The world is full of people doing fascinating things.

The farm is also popular with WOOFers. So if you like to follow this volunteering strategy around the world this farm may be the place for you.

Oliver has taken old shipping containers and refrigeration trucks and built woofing quarters out of them. Lots of sustainability things happening at this farm.

7. Stay at the Historic Kimpton Taconic Hotel

Located in downtown Manchester, the Kimpton Taconic Hotel is a historic building and boutique hotel that offers luxury and hospitable accommodations.

The hotel is set in the former home of Julius Kellogg, who built the cottage in 1876. It was turned into a hotel in 1907. It has changed names as a hotel many times over the years, but it has always retained its rustic charm.

With cozy fireplaces, wood-paneled walls, and a white-washed porch, it’s one of the most authentic properties you can stay in Manchester.

8. Visit The Lincoln Family Home (Hildene)

The Hildene Manor is a large mansion estate that was commissioned by Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, the only one of Abraham Lincoln’s children to survive into adulthood.

He built this Georgian Revival mansion to be his summer house in 1905. Today it is a museum and lovingly preserved home of Robert Lincoln and his descendants.

The Hildene Estate is a massive complex with a huge manor, 14 historic buildings, an observatory and manicured gardens. There are over 12 miles of trails that take you to Hildene Farm and Dene Farm, where you can pet the goats, sheep, and cows.

The home stayed in the possession of the Lincolns until 1975, when the last of the descendants, Mary Lincoln Beckwith, passed away, it was passed to the non-profit organization, Friends of Hildene.

Visitors can book a guided tour before visiting.

9. Learn about Fly Fishing at the American Museum of Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is one of the top things to do in Manchester, or Vermont for that matter, and if you want to learn all about how this unique sport came to the area, there’s no better place to learn than at the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

The museum preserves the history, traditions, and practices of fly fishing and also strives to promote the conservation of the rivers.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at fly fishing, the Battenkill River is one of the best places to try it.

10. Admire Local Art at the Southern Vermont Arts Center

The Southern Vermont Arts Center is a space for the community to come together and participate in the arts. They hold regular classes and workshops, as well as showcase the work created by local residents.

If you’re interested in art, then a visit to the Southern Vermont Arts Center is definitely worth adding to your Manchester itinerary.

11. Roam Around Equinox Pond

The Equinox Pond is a relaxing lake just outside central Manchester. It’s a relaxing place with a few hiking trails nearby. To get to the pond, park your car near the Red Gate Trail Head and walk 800 meters to the pond.

The Equinox area’s nature is unlike anywhere else. It’s quiet and tranquil, and depending on the time of year you visit, is alive with color. We definitely recommend coming here in the Fall if you can.

The Equinox Valley Nursery is also a great place to visit in October during the fall season. The nursery is full of trees and greenery that comes alive with color this time of year.

12. Pack Your Snowshoes and Check Out The Ski Resorts

Stratton Mountain is the number one place for skiing near Manchester in the winter. It has 99 trails and runs from one singular summit and the highest peak in Vermont.

It’s also known for being the birthplace of snowboarding.

The trails range from beginner trails to advanced trails, so if you’re a skiing or snowboarding enthusiast, this is the best thing to do in Manchester for you.

You can also take sleigh rides from Taylor Farm, if you’re visiting with kids in the winter and not interested in hitting the slopes.

13. See Glass-Blowing at Manchester Hot Glass

Manchester Hot Glass is a glass-blowing studio where you can learn and create amazing hand-blown glass products. Glass-blowing classes tend to take around two hours and you can take home the product you create.

This is certainly one of the most exciting things to do in Manchester on a rainy day, as well as a way for you to take home a unique souvenir.

14. Manchester Farmers Market

Manchester Farmers Market runs every Thursday from early June through early October. It’s a local produce market that pops up in Adams Park from 3pm-6pm, where 30 vendors sell their produce and artisans.

It’s the perfect place to pick up some local food to sit and have a picnic.

15. Chase Manchester’s Rivers and Waterfalls

Manchester is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, so you should definitely make sure to head out in search of the best nature spots.

Some stunning natural landscapes in the Manchester area are Lye Brook Falls, which lies on the Appalachian Trail. There’s also Dorset Quarry, which has been filled and turned into a lake.

Places to Eat in Manchester VT (and surrounds)

Of course, exploring all these top things to do in Manchester means working up an appetite. If you’re not sure where to eat in Manchester, here are some of our top recommendations.

Silver Fork

For a special night out, Silver Fork is an elegant dining room serving high-end French cuisine. The owner is an award-winning chef who creates dishes that are works of art.

The menu changes according to what the chef finds fresh at the market or what’s in season, so you’re always guaranteed to have a delicious and fresh meal.

Copper Grouse

This restaurant is like an English tavern that has been dropped in the middle of Vermont. It’s dedicated to traditional American craft cooking, using freshly sourced ingredients.

Even if you don’t eat here, be sure to order a cocktail and enjoy the pub-style ambiance.

Up For Breakfast

On our first morning, we headed to Up For Breakfast on recommendation by our waitress the evening before.

It’s a local’s favorite tucked up a set of stairs in a cozy building.

The carrot cake pancakes came highly recommended which I was dying to try, although they did not have a gluten free version, so we opted for the blueberry gluten free pancakes instead.

You try the carrot cake ones for me and let me know what they are like, okay?

The L-Shaped room is cramped yet grandmotherly cozy. It definitely wasn’t a fancy place and, while I didn’t think it was worth raving about, it was a local’s tip so we’re sharing it with you.

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

Don’t let the name fool you, this restaurant is one of the number one places to visit for authentic Southern Vermont local food.

Like Silver Fork, The Reluctant Panther also has an intimate dining setting, but is a little less “date night” and a great place to eat for any traveler visiting Manchester.

J.J. Hapgood General Store & Eatery, Peru

We loved this little grocery store we discovered in the quaint one-street town of Peru near Bromley Mountain, one of the ski resort areas in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Historically, J.J. Hapgood has been the longest continuously-running general store in the state.

Owner Juliette Britton grew up in Peru and, with her husband Tim, revived the beloved general store in 2013.

It’s now not just a store that provides provisions, dry goods, and local produce, but it houses a local foods café, a custom wood-fired oven built by artisan Peter Moore, a gallery space, an outdoor patio, and growler filling stations.

We ate delicious homemade food on the tables outside in the warm sun while the girls played games of corn hole and giant jenga in the garden.

I highly recommend a glass of the local kombucha on tap. It was a relaxing lunch after our Prospect Rock Walk.

Bryant House, Weston

Another cute village near Manchester VT is Weston, home to Vermont’s oldest professional theater company.

The famous Vermont Country Store is an impressive art gallery and the popular Bryant House, which is where we stopped for lunch on the way to Stowe.

Next door to the busy Vermont Country store is the 1825 eating rooms at the Bryant House Restaurant.

It’s popular so book ahead or arrive early.

We sat at the bar in the 1885 bar room as we were in a hurry. The menu is pure New England fare, with classics like Yankee Pot Roast and Chicken Pie.

The roast vegetable stack that I had was the most delicious meal I had in Vermont. It was also Bryant House where we had our first taste of hot apple cider – a Vermont specialty – it was delicious and is something we now seek out.

Where to Stay in Manchester

One of the highlights of visiting Manchester VT was our stay in a cozy cottage at Wilburton Inn, a historic inn on a 30-Acre hilltop estate.

If you like your accommodation to be more than just a bed to lie in, then The Wilburton Inn is for you.

The property was built in 1902, but has been independently owned for 30 years by the Levis family. I enjoyed meeting with Melissa, the daughter of the owner, who has taken over as manager of the estate.

Over breakfast, Melissa moved around to every breakfast table, greeting the customers, sometimes with a warm embrace, and spending time to find out a little about their backgrounds and lives.

It’s really rare to see that kind of care and interest. There is a lot of love and passion behind creating a warm, friendly and heartwarming experience at the Wilburton Inn.

This is the kind of atmosphere that her mother created when the family took over the inn and transformed it from an exclusive resort to a warm and friendly place open to creatives and romantics.

The Levis want their property to be more than just a hotel. Throughout the year, they put on fun events such as murder mystery weekends, Farm Nights with music and special menus, and holiday celebrations.

The Wilburton Inn also is the site for private yoga retreats, and corporate getaways, with its beautiful vistas and historic charm, many weddings.

There is plenty to do on the beautifully maintained 30 acres of property – biking and walking paths as well as tennis courts and a swimming pool (in season).

Don’t miss The Museum of the Creative Process, which consists mostly of a sculpture trail around the property.

These sculptures pay homage to love and the art of Greece, Japan, Mexico, India, and Mesopotamia. There are seats near many of the sculptures for your reflection or meditation.

The Wilburton has inn rooms, suites, and vacation villas ranging from 2-bedroom cottages to a 15 bedroom mansion.

We stayed in the Inn keeper’s cottage with unobstructed views of the Green Mountains.

The cottage was first built for the original innkeepers. It’s a two bed, two bath cottage that can sleep up to 6 people.

The cottage has a kitchen and is spacious and cozy (especially with the wood fire burning at night.) I loved watching the fog break over the mountain early in the morning during sunrise from the deck.

We stayed for three nights as guests of the Wilburton Inn.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the best things to do in Manchester VT and as you can see, there’s more to see and do than just skiing.

We hope this guide helped you plan your Manchester adventure!

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Vermont is a state with so much to offer. It’s known as the ‘Green Mountain State’ because of how naturally stunning it is, and it’s also where foodie fans will love sampling all the fresh organic produce and delicious maple syrup. There are so many things to do in Vermont, you will never be bored.

But since many of the top places to visit in Vermont are nature spots, it’s best to explore the area by car. This is why a New England road trip is such a good idea. You can explore all the incredible scenery without worrying about public transport and finding a place to stay nearby.

It’s a good idea to rent a car beforehand, as prices tend to rack up if you leave it to the last minute. Check out RentalCar, a price comparison website where you can find the best deals.

If you’re not sure which are the best destinations to visit in Vermont, then read on, as these are all the best spots to visit on a Vermont road trip.

Places to Visit in Vermont

When started living in Raleigh, we made sure to make Vermont high on our list of places to explore. We’re so glad we did, as you are about to see why. These are all the top places to see in Vermont.

1. Manchester & Green Mountain National Forest

Our introduction to New England was the quaint town of Manchester VT in the valleys of the Green Mountain National Forest.

We stayed in Manchester Vermont for three nights and did our best to chase the leaves all over the Green Mountain region, using Manchester our base to explore southern Vermont.

There are so many things to do in Manchester that make it an exciting place to visit in Vermont. One of our favorite attractions is the Skyline Drive to Mt Equinox.

The drive is the longest privately owned paved toll road in the USA at 5.2 miles long, and the elevation increases to 3,235 feet.

We kind of messed up on this drive by doing it in the middle of the day when the lighting is at its harshest, so my tip is to do the drive in the morning or later in the afternoon for sunset.

You also need to remember to pay a toll fee. The fees are $15.00 car and driver, and an extra $5.00 per passenger.

There are a lot of hiking trails in the Green Mountain National Forest. We only had time for one hike so we chose to do the Prospect Rock Walk Trail, as it seemed family-friendly and offered good views over the Manchester Valley.

It is an uphill 3.1 mile return walk, but going up was fairly gentle depending upon your fitness level, but our kids aged 10 and 6 managed it no problems.

The trail winds along a mountain brook before departing into birch-beech forest on a wide and open logging path, and criss-crosses the Appalachian Trail and Long Trails.

Once at Prospect Rock, you get beautiful views of the Manchester Valley with Mount Equinox to the west.

Another popular hiking trail in Manchester is around Emerald Lake State Park, which is a great place to do some kayaking.

Manchester VT is a lovely town to explore on foot or bicycle.

But Manchester is a great place to explore in its own right. Downtown Manchester is full of exciting attractions and places to see.

The charming Main Street splits Manchester into two sections, and we began by exploring Manchester Village, which is where you’ll find many of the white-columned mansions and Victorian-era inns.

There is a gorgeous church and in the fall you’ll get golden pops framing the spire.

The popular and luxurious Equinox Hotel, built in 1769, is the centerpiece of the village.

Manchester Center is where the more unpretentious stores are – one of the most famous being the Northshire Bookstore. There are a few arts and crafts shops and restaurants here as well.

For breakfast the cafe Up 4 Breakfast is a popular spot – our kids loved their pancakes.

Where to Stay in Manchester: Wilburton Inn

One of the highlights of visiting Manchester VT was our stay in a cozy cottage at Wilburton Inn, a historic inn on a 30-Acre hilltop estate.

The property was built in 1902 but has been independently owned for 30 years by the Levis family.

There is plenty to do on the beautifully maintained 30 acres of property – biking and walking paths as well as tennis courts and a swimming pool (in season).

The Wilburton has inn rooms, suites and vacation villas ranging from 2-bedroom cottages to a 15 bedroom mansion.

We stayed in the Inn keeper’s cottage with unobstructed views of the Green Mountains.

The cottage was first built for the original innkeepers. It’s a two-bed, two-bath cottage that can sleep up to 6 people making it a great place to stay in Vermont for families.

2. Bennington

Downtown Bennington is only a 30-minute drive from Manchester and has the quintessential Main Street feel with shops, sidewalk cafés, art galleries, and museums.

There’s also a Riverwalk, a farmers market, and a thriving community center with a rich history, stunning architecture, and small-town hospitality.

Like Manchester, there are many things to do in Bennington, such as explore the Bennington Battle Monument.

This is one of the best places to visit in Vermont with family for a bit of Revolutionary War history.

The Bennington Monument was built to commemorate the Battle of Bennington, which occurred on August 16, 1777 and is considered to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War.

For $5 you can take the elevator to the top of the Monument (306 ft high) which offers a pretty birds eye view of the Bennington area, including where the battle was fought and all the way to New York state and Massachusetts.

This monument was definitely one of the most interesting things to see in Vermont.

Another popular place to visit in Bennington is Covered Bridges Drive. Vermont has more than 100 covered bridges and there are several of them in Southern Vermont.

We learned that covered bridges are also called kissing bridges for the lovers who’d linger as they passed through, and we explored five of them from Manchester to Bennington.

Some bridges we suggest you check out are Chiselville Bridge, which is near Roaring Branch.

Slow down so you can see the sign upon entry, and so you don’t get a fine. As the sign says, it’s a $1 fine for driving too fast across it!

Another bridge to slow down for is West Arlington Bridge, which is just two miles from the New York border and spans the Batten Kill River.

It was built in 1852 and it sits on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s one of the most known, and photographed in Vermont.

3. Wilmington

Wilmington is a vintage Vermont Village nestled in the mountains and the nearest Vermont skiing destination for major East Coast cities (Mount Snow, Timber Creek, and The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain).

Take a stroll around town with a dozen eateries on offer, we grabbed a bite to eat at Anchor Seafood House & Grille, then nearby there are miles of woodland hiking trails.

Sadly Wilmington was badly hit by Hurricane Irene in 2011 and many of the beloved historical buildings have been badly damaged by flooding, but it’s still a town worth visiting.

The Hurricane bought the town’s people together and you can really feel the community spirit as you wander the streets.

It’s also a mountain village, which means it’s the perfect place to visit in Vermont for outdoor adventures. There are many hiking trails and lakes nearby, and if you drive along the backroads you’ll see some beautiful foliage and natural landscapes.

4. Weston

From Wilmington, jump on the Vermont Route 100 North and head to Weston.

Weston is another one of the cute towns in Vermont and is home to Vermont’s oldest professional theater company.

Stop in at the famous Vermont Country Store, an impressive art gallery, and the popular Bryant House.

We had lunch at Bryant House Restaurant, it’s popular so book ahead or arrive early – we sat at the bar in the 1885 bar room as we were in a hurry.

The menu is pure New England fare with classics like Yankee Pot Roast and Chicken Pie.

It was at Bryant House that we had our first taste of hot apple cider – a Vermont specialty – absolutely delicious and something we seek out now!

5. Vermont Route 100

One of the prettiest drives in all of New England is the Vermont Route 100, also known as “Vermont’s Main Street” and “The Skier’s Highway” as it connects some of the best Northeastern winter skiing and riding.

Route 100 Vermont is a North – South state highway running through the center of the state and is 216.59 miles long and is a great way to take in the Vermont fall foliage.

Once we left our base in Manchester and finished exploring Southern Vermont, we took this route north to Stowe and the Vermont fall colors were on show.

It’s a lovely drive that runs along the eastern edge of the Green Mountains with photographic opportunities along the way.

6. Stowe

Out of all the places to visit in Vermont in October, Stowe was our favorite. Stowe VT is a small USA town in the northern part of the state near Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.

Around town, you have 60+ unique shops and 40+ restaurants, and the church steeples and colonial-style houses dusted in snow make Stowe look like it sprung out from the pages of a children’s Christmas story.

Stowe’s proximity to the mountains means it offers endless opportunities to enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing adventures. So you can enjoy the outdoors any time of the year!

One of our favorite places to go biking is the Bike the Stowe Recreation Path.

The Stowe Recreation Path begins behind the community church in town and winds for 5.5 miles alongside the West Branch River, through forests and open farmland.

The trail crosses the creek over wooded bridges at 10 different places, and for us, the fall colors were sparkling. The route takes you through spectacular views of the mountain and the chance to experience a little local flavor.

Some popular spots along the trail are the Farmers Market where you can stop for shaved ice and fresh juice, and wander the stalls (the markets are only on Sunday).

You also pass The Alchemist Brewery, which is home to the Heady Topper, voted as the best beer in the USA, someone even told us the world, but I think that’s a difficult contest to judge.

Put this on your list of fun things to do in Vermont.

Here’s a short video of the Stowe recreation path

Another fun thing to do in Stowe is to hike Mount Mansfield. At the toll road checkpoint at the bottom, the lady told us the 2.8 mile round trip hike up to ‘The Chin,’ otherwise known as the summit of Mount Mansfield, would take an hour and a half…one way.

“We’ll start and see how it goes. We can always turn back.”

The locals told us that this was one of the best hiking trails in Vermont with great views over Mount Mansfield State Forest and Smuggler’s Notch State Park, the popular ski region of Vermont.

We pulled into the car park at ‘The Nose,” the start of the ridge walk.

The walk begins through scrubby woods but quickly opens up to be mostly over the rugged mountain peak with fragile alpine vegetation on either side of the trail.

There are views all around of the Green Mountains, Smuggler’s Notch, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Mountains, and even out to Canada.

Different trails branch out from the main trail. One leads down to the gondola, which is an alternative way to experience Mt Mansfield.

But the Gondola SkyRide does not go to the top of the summit but to a viewing platform below the summit.

If you don’t want to hike the trail and just want views then the cost of the gondola is $28 for adults and $19 for children (5-12).

I’m glad we decided to complete the ridge walk and at $47 for our family of four to drive up the auto toll road, it was cheaper than taking the gondola. The toll road charges $23 for vehicle and drive and $8 per passenger over 5 years old.

Our girls handled the ridge walk really well, but be prepared for the winds to pick up the closer you get to the summit.

If you’re looking for places to stay near the hiking trails, we hear that Stowe Mountain Resort and the Trapp Family Lodge offer excellent rooms.

Another popular attraction in Stowe is the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. However, as you may know, it’s not the cheapest ice cream going around but like most things you pay for what you get.

One experience our kids really looked forward to on this road trip was the chance to visit the home of Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury, just 15 minutes from Stowe.

Here you can learn all about the story of Ben & Jerry’s.

With a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State and a $12,000 investment, Ben and Jerry opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington in 1978.

And the rest, as they say, is history. If you are looking for unique places to visit in Vermont, head over to the “Flavor Graveyard” which is a comical attraction showcasing headstones for past flavors that are no longer in production.

You can take a 30-minute guided factory tour and learn how they make ice cream and how they put their values into action at every step of the process.

Plus, you can enjoy your favorite flavor at their full-service Scoop Shop. It was busy and definitely one of the most popular Vermont attractions.

If ice cream doesn’t take your fancy, then maybe cider will? Vermont is also known for its cider mills, and one that you should check out is Cold Hollow Cider Mill.

Now that we follow a gluten-free diet, we’ve been drinking plenty of cider on our US travels, and the cider in Vermont is the best so far.

The Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of Vermont’s most popular tourist attractions, and they are a top New England producer of fresh apple cider.

At the mill, they do it the old-fashioned way, making pure cider with a traditional rack and cloth press built in the 1920s.

Explore the vintage mill and see cider being made, then sample jellies and mustards.

And in the bakery section, they make their legendary Cider Donuts — called one of the country’s four best donuts by Gourmet magazine — every day, fresh all day long.

Also featured are Pumpkin Rolls, Mapled Nutty Bars, Apple Turnovers, Homemade Fudge and good old Apple Pie.

For a lovely elevated view of Stowe Village, head up to Sunset Rock, located in the heart of Stowe’s historic village.

To get there on foot, the trail up begins at the end of Sunset Street and takes less than an hour to complete the round trip.

7. Burlington

Burlington is the biggest of the Vermont cities and home to the University of Vermont.

There’s a thriving arts scene, good shopping, and a range of outdoor activities in all four seasons due to its location beside beautiful Lake Champlain and the surrounding mountains.

Burlington is only a 50-minute drive from Stowe which enabled us to make an easy day trip.

Our favorite thing to do was cycle the Burlington Bike and Waterfront Park that runs along the Lake Champlain shoreline towards Oakledge Park.

It’s an 8 mile paved Burlington Bike Path popular for cyclists, runners, and walkers, especially during summer, fall and spring, but the truly dedicated even get out there in winter.

We didn’t do the whole path, but being mostly flat and paved this was an easy ride for our kids, with playgrounds and food places to stop at along the path for a rest.

One place we stopped in at was Foam Brewers for a drink, a historic brick building in a great location along the Burlington waterfront.

Take a stroll along Church Street Marketplace, the outdoor pedestrian shopping and dining mall which takes up four blocks of Church Street between Main and Pearl Streets.

There are ample restaurants, cafes, and stores to look in, and historic buildings ranging in style from Victorian to Art Deco.

If you’re in town on a Saturday, the Burlington Farmers Market is popular with locals and tourists.

More than 90 stands are set up in downtown Burlington’s City Hall Park, just off of the Church Street Marketplace offering seasonal produce, artisan wares, and more.

8. Woodstock

Ahh Woodstock, you may have heard the name before as Woodstock Live Music Festival, but that’s not the Woodstock in Vermont. That festival takes place in New York State. But Woodstock, VT does have its own arts festival with live music!

But actual Woodstock is worth checking out. It’s another quaint small town in America with an old-world charm. You’ll find many boutique stores, cozy coffee shops, and live music on weekends (and yes, some festivals too).

Another reason to visit Woodstock is to visit the Quechee Gorge, the deepest gorge in Vermont. It’s said the gorge was formed by glaciers over 13,000 years ago and is still deepening thanks to the constant stream of the Ottauquechee River that cuts through 165 feet below.

Another top attraction in Woodstock is Billings Farm and Museum. It’s located just a short walk out of the town and is a pleasant day out for families.

It’s a working farm, where visitors can see the live animals in their barns and learn about the operations of the farm. The farm owner created the museum to educate visitors on America’s agriculture.

9. Shelburne

Located on Lake Champlain, Shelburn is the best place to visit in Vermont in the winter. The town is about 90 minutes from the slopes of Killington Resort, which is under Killington Peak – Vermont’s second highest mountain.

The peak is known as the “beast of the East” because it has the largest vertical drop in New England.

There are 155 trails and slopes that cater to skiers of all levels, from beginners to experts to cross-country skiing.

Another popular attraction in Sherburne is the Shelburne Museum, which has 39 historic buildings showcasing historical artifacts from former years in America. It also has an old, dry-docked steamboat, that you can explore.

Another popular place to visit in Shelburne is Shelburne Farms, a 1400-acre dairy farm. You can take guided tours of the farm and wander around the estate. Vermont is known for its cheese manufacturing, and this is where you can get an inside glimpse into its process.

10. Montpelier

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont, so it wouldn’t be right to forget about it on this list. It’s home to the largest urban historic district in Vermont, and is famous for its entertainment culture. You can see performances at the local Lost Nation Theater and watch live music and movies at The Savoy arts cinema.

Montpelier has several notable attractions, including the restored Vermont Statehouse, which is known for its gold-domed Greek Revival building. Inside, you’ll find decorative and fine art collections, as well as exhibits on the state’s history.

If you’re looking for more history, the Vermont History Museum is worth spending some time in.

Montpelier, like most towns in Vermont, is surrounded by natural beauty. The wooded Hubbard Park is rich with colorful meadows and a birch grove. It’s certainly one of the best places to visit in Vermont in Spring.m

Before You Go

I hope this guide gave you some ideas and helped with your travel planning to visit Vermont. It’s a gorgeous state and easy to get around in a short amount of time.

So whether you’re looking for a one week or longer Vermont vacation as part of your New England road trip, this state is typically one of the most beautiful places to visit in the fall.

But I am interested in coming back in the summer, and maybe even winter, brrr.

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Most people only think of autumn road trips, but New England can be great any time of year and can even be romantic.

These are some small towns you can’t miss!

1. Plymouth, Massachusetts

Plymouth rock, not worth it. It’s a rock with “1620” carved into it from when the pilgrims first came to the coast.

What is worth it? Plimouth Plantation where you can interact with actors dressed as the pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe and it’s kid friendly.

Perfect for historians and a great getaway from Boston.

2. Burlington, Vermont

One of the best New England vacation spots since Burlington isn’t really near any major highway systems like I-95 so it’s a perfect off the beaten track New England road trip in fall!

From their waterfront park where you can enjoy Lake Champlain weird things like the world’s tallest filing cabinet, this small town has tons to enjoy.

3. Bar Harbor, Maine

If you really want a full weekend getaway in New England, you have to see this small island.

From Acadia National Park that’s right there, full of hikes and viewpoints in Maine to historic Bar Harbor.

There are carriage rides to enjoy at all times of the year too, and learn things you never knew about the Rockefellers!

4. Merrimack, New Hampshire

Romantic getaways in New England have to include this small town, simply because of all of the breweries (both beer and wine) in the area.

Seeing the leaves change colors with fall is great along the several trails you can hike and different town parks you can visit.

5. Camden, Maine

One of the not-so-famous New England vacation spots is Camden Hills State Park.

On top of Mount Battie you can see Camden and all of Penobscot Bay. The small town itself has harbor cruises and whale watches during the appropriate times of the year, including the Snow Bowl ski resort in winter.

6. Chatham, Massachusetts

This cute beach town on the south east corner of Cape Cod can’t be missed during your New England day trip.

From pristine beaches to beautiful and historical lighthouses with amazing views it’s the place to be.

If you’re into railroads, don’t forget to visit the Chatham railroad museum.

7. Greenwich, Connecticut

From boating in Long Island sound and seeing old colonial style homes mixed in with modern mansions, Greenwich has it all.

An hour from New York makes it a great place to start your New England getaway. A famous New England attraction is Great Captain Island, which is a quick ferry ride away.

8. Jamestown, Rhode Island

With lighthouses, beaches, and forts this small island has it all.

Don’t miss Fort Adams State Park, 25 minutes away over the river in Newport, where there’s swimming, sailing, and festivals to enjoy at different times of the year.

Also, visit Castle Hill Lighthouse, which is technically on Newport Island, which is right next to Jamestown.

9. Rutland, Vermont

From hikes to children’s museums to 19th century castles, what more could you want from this beautiful New England small town?

This makes it for the perfect family destination for a New England road trip.

If you’re a fan of Norman Rockwell, visit his museum while you’re there too.

10. Groton, Connecticut

One of the best New England attractions has to be the fact that the navy has submarines in Groton.

All things aquatic are to be seen here, from their aquarium to their submarine museum and an old whaling ship now out of commission for you to enjoy during your New England trip.

More Tips for New England:

• 17 things to do in Boston
• 7 tips for a New England road trip in the fall
• 6 beautiful places to visit in Vermont
• 25 New England Romantic Getaways 

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The bright golden canopy of leaves covering the steep winding roads guiding us to the top hadn’t even distracted them from their bored and surly moods.

Great. This was going to be a fun adventure.

The lady at the toll road checkpoint told us the 2.8 mile round trip would take an hour and a half … one way.

One way?

We hadn’t really scheduled in that much time for the walk and I was sure I walked faster than that.

How could I handle their whining for that long?

As we always say with each new adventure with unpredictable children,

“We’ll start and see how it goes. We can always turn back.”

A few of the locals had told us that this was one of the best hiking trails in Vermont and a must not miss thing to do in the Stowe region.

It was meant to be fairly easy yet adventurous and fun with great views over Smuggler’s Notch, the popular ski region of Vermont.

It was blowing a gale so we piled on as many sweaters, jackets and beanies we could find in the car to get started.

It’s been about four years since we’ve experienced cold winters and judging by our clothes you could tell we weren’t prepared.

I had managed to pack an old coat – so old that when I reached into the pocket, my hand grabbed a piece of treasure to reveal an old dummy/pacifier/binky of Kalyra’s!!! That’s a nine-year-old treasure.

Time for some new winter travel clothing. Let me know your favourite in the comments.

It wasn’t too long before the layers started to come off. It wasn’t long before the girls were giggling and playing, scrambling over rocks and wowing at the 360 degree views.

The Nature Effect

It never ceases to amaze me how much my girls will complain about going for a walk or a hike, yet once they get on the trail, they start to unwind.

They find rocks to scramble over, sticks to beat or cast spells with, pretty leaves to pick up and scrunch, as well as enjoying the thrill of pushing your body up ‘just one more hill.’

I think we can. I think we can.

Savannah and I walked together up the last incline to the top of Mt Mansfield. Until we got to the top and it wasn’t. I think it was the mountain’s Adam’s Apple, the chin so close, yet so far away.

“Come on Savannah. Let’s do it together. Let’s see if we can get there first.”

Turning it into a game so she’d keep going. becoming a cheerleader, so I’d keep going.

The air was thinner, the wind was blowing and the hills kept coming. Perhaps it was time to turn around I thought.

We’ll go just one more hill.

Thankfully it was the last.

The Mt Mansfield Ridge Walk

The Mt Mansfield summit walk wasn’t really too much of a challenging walk.

The walk begins through scrubby woods, but quickly opens up to be mostly over the rugged mountain peak with fragile alpine vegetation on either side of the trail and views all around of the Green Mountains, Smuggler’s Notch, Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains and even out to Canada.

Different trails branch out from the main trail. One leads down to the gondola, which is an alternative way to experience Mt Mansfield.

The Gondola SkyRide does not go to the top of the summit but to a viewing platform below the summit.

If you don’t want to hike the trail and just want views then the cost of the gondola is $28 for adults and $19 for children (5-12) The gondola trail to the summit looked like a pretty steep climb.

I’m so glad we decided to complete the ridge walk and at $47 for our family of four up the auto toll road, it was cheaper than taking the gondola.

The girls handled the ridge walk brilliantly. The views were incredible and our bodies loved the workout.

Be prepared for the winds once you reach the summit. They’re designed to knock you over!!

We didn’t stay on the summit for too long. Enough for a chocolate protein bar reward, a quick spin around, a few photos, and of course a couple of high fives.

The walk back down was much easier and faster. (like the ride back down on this family friendly bike trail was in New Hampshire)

Just keep an eye on your kids if you do this ridge walk at Mt Mansfield. There’s a couple of sections with narrow paths and steep drop offs.

“That was so much fun” the girls cried, laughing and hugging as we got back into the car.

This time they noticed the valley covered with red, orange and yellow tree tops,

“Wow, the leaves are so pretty”

It’s amazing how a walk in nature can transform our spirits.

More tips for Vermont:

• 6 places to visit in Vermont 
• Biking the Sublime Stowe Recreation Path in Vermont
• Check out this Fall Foliage New England tour from our partner Viator
• Check out these top USA scenic drives.

Planning a Trip to Stowe, Vermont

Where to stay in Stowe

Our accommodation in Stowe was this cozy cottage which was attached to a large carriage house on 26 acres of countryside within an easy 5-minute drive into Stowe.

There’s lovely mountain views, a pond, and even a tennis court. It was a lovely base and the owners are super friendly and gave us some great local tips on activities to do in Stowe.

Flights to Vermont

Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).

Booking Car Rental in Vermont

RentalCars.com is the world’s biggest car rental booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar. Book your car rental in Vermont here

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Comment: Know of any other family friendly hikes in Stowe Vermont? Have you done the ridge walk to the summit of Mt Mansfield before?

We’re slowly setting down more permanent roots and before setting off on our leaf peeping adventures through New England, decided to buy some bikes.

We love exploring by bikes as a family.

Riding the Stowe Recreation path in Vermont made me so happy with our decision. It was a sublime half day adventure to have as a family and is one of the most popular attractions in Stowe.

Where is Stowe?

We had never heard of it until our community told us Stowe was a must not miss destination in the state of Vermont.

Stowe is a charming village near Mt Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. (We hiked to the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont)

The church steeples and colonial style houses dusted in snow makes Stowe look like it sprung out from the pages of a children’s Christmas story.

Stowe’s proximity to the mountains means it is action packed full of hiking, biking and skiing adventures at any time of the year.

We’ll share more with you on things to do in Stowe in a later post.

For now, let’s share the family friendly Stowe Recreation path – you can walk it, bike it, or even snowshoe it in the winter!

The Stowe Recreation Path

The Stowe Recreation path begins behind the community church on the main street of town and winds for 5.5 miles alongside the West Branch River, through forests of orange and gold (in the Fall) and open farmland.

The trail crosses the creek  over wooded bridges at 10 different places along the route.

Along the way there are benches and picnic areas.

At several points, there are places for wading in the river during the summer months. It was a little too chilly for swimming on our bike ride.

Savannah loses the training wheels

It was only two days before riding this trail that Savannah mastered a bike without training wheels for the first time.

She wasn’t in complete control of the bike and there is no way she would have ridden 5.5 miles on her own bike. Our friend, Rina, had a tag along she no longer uses which she gave to us before this trip.

The tag  along is attached at the back of Craig’s bike.

We first tried it on a small bike ride through the town of Manchester Vermont. Even though she is on the back of Craig’s bike it still requires balancing and pedaling. We were worried she might fall off, but she handled it brilliantly.

It was so wonderful to experience the joy she felt at accomplishing a huge goal  and overcoming her fear, as she was really worried about getting on the bike.

After that moment, she was begging us every day to go bike riding. She was thrilled when we told her we’d be doing the 11 mile return ride along the Stowe Recreation Path.

Now we know we can explore further on bikes as a family (and we biked a few days later in the Franconia State Park in the White Mountains for New Hampshire. )

Back to the Stowe Recreation Path

We started the bike ride with overcast skies and by the time we hit the Farmer’s Market 15 minutes later the sky was out and our sweaters off.

It was a gorgeous warm Fall day and the colors were sparkling.

We love a Farmers Market so were stoked to jump off the bikes for a shaved ice, a fresh juice and a wander. The markets are only on a Sunday, so if you want to experience it come then.

The Alchemist Brewery, across the street, however is closed on a Sunday.

So take your pick as to what you want to experience more. I was disappointed we missed the brewery as it is home to the Heady Topper, voted as the best beer in the USA, someone even told us the world, but I think that’s a difficult contest to judge.

Be warned, according to local residents, the line up to snag one of these beers are not short and can be twenty minutes long.

It was our experience in Stowe and Burlington that lines were long everywhere you went. But, we did visit on the busiest week of the year!

After the Farmer’s market we continued the bike path crossing over the bridges, and enjoying the gorgeous world of yellow and orange we found ourselves in.

We had the wind behind us on the way back, which was perfect as Kalyra was getting pretty tired. It blew us back home pretty quickly and was the perfect finish.

Lunch at Idletyme Brewery

No. Not quite.

Just before the Farmer’s Market, we cycled past a brewery with a beautiful outlook onto the path and forest, games of corn hole in the garden out the front (which Savannah loves to play) and a beer garden and deck.

“Let’s stop here for lunch!”

We parked in the bike rack and pulled up a table on the deck in the warm sunshine.

The girls were having fun playing in the garden, we had delicious lunch, and I got to taste a new delicious local lemon and ginger cider.

I think Vermont would have to have the best cider as they are all about the apples. I had quite a  bit of cider tasting on our New England road trip.

Would have loved nothing more than to sample some of those craft beers, but you know, gluten and all!

Check Trip Advisor Reviews here. 

I highly recommend spending half a day cruising along the paved Stowe Recreation Path.

The route takes you through spectacular views of the mountain, great exercise and the chance to experience a little local flavour.

Plan time to make stops along the way.

Of course you can walk or roller skate if you like. We also came across some people on horseback. There were plenty of joggers and walkers, but don’t worry, the bike path, wasn’t too crowded.

Most of the places to stop at are about 15 minutes into the bike ride.

Along the path they also have mechanic stations should anything happen to your bikes, and there is also a corn maze we cycled past if you want to stop for more outdoor family fun.

Check out how awesome the Stowe Recreation path is in our travel video:

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How do we find out about cool activities like the Stowe Recreation Path to do?

Our amazing community!

They share with us all their America Unplugged tips and secrets. We’d love to have you join our travel tribe and help shape our travels so we can help you travel more richly!

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Planning a Trip to Stowe, Vermont

Accommodation in Stowe

During our visit to Stowe we stayed in this cozy cottage attached to a large carriage house on 26 acres of countryside within an easy 5-minute drive into Stowe.

We had lovely mountain views, there’s a pond you can take a boat out on, and even a tennis court. It proved to be a lovely base with super accommodating and friendly owners who gave us some great local tips on activities to do in Stowe.

Booking flights to Vermont

Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).

Booking Car Rental in Vermont

RentalCars.com is the world’s biggest car rental booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar. Book your car rental in Vermont here

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Have you ridden the Stowe Recreation Path before? What’s your favourite family friendly bike trail?