As we all know, there is so much to do and see in Vermont. Over the last few months, we here at Only in Vermont have chronicled some of the most popular things both tourists and Vermonters love to experience. For today’s article, we’re going explore a few alternative destinations just to change things up a bit. After all, isn’t it nice to do something a little less known from time to time? Below are 12 awesome touristy things to do in Vermont and 12 lesser known touristy things to check out next!
- After you take a cruise on The Spirit of Ethan Allen…
Flickr/BostonTx
Take the Lake Champlain Ferry!
Flickr/Alex1961 These ferry boats run about every 20 minutes and take you across the beautiful Lake Champlain and back. With the spectacular views and the wind in your face, you can enjoy this ride any time you like - and for a lot less!
- After you take a gondola ride…
Flickr/Ryan Taylor
Take a toll road to the top!
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM If you want to soak in the views from the top of one of Vermont’s peaks, take one of the many toll roads right to the top. To save even more cash, hike to the top for free!
- After getting ice cream from the Ben & Jerry factory…
Flickr/benjerry.fr
Get a creemee!
Flickr/Richard Schatzberger Vermonters love their creemees - especially if it’s maple flavored. There are loads of mom and pop shops that are not only delicious, they support the local businesses.
- After getting apples at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill…
Flickr/John Hyun
Go pick your own apples!
Flickr/Putney Pics Head to one of Vermont’s many apple orchards and pick your own. Bring a picnic and make a day of it, and be sure to pick enough extras to make a pie!
- After going to the Shelburne Museum…
Flickr/Jalan’s Place
Go to the John Strong House!
Flickr/Don Shall Don’t get us wrong - we think everyone should check out the Shelburne Museum at least once in their lives, but the John Strong Mansion is also loaded with history and is a great way to add a little variety to your sightseeing. Five generations of the Strong family occupied this well preserved mansion, and the museum has been operated by the Vermont Daughters of the American Revolution continuously since 1934.
- After going to the Echo Center…
Flickr/Jared and Corin
Check out the Maritime Museum!
Flickr/Don Shall Get your nautical juices flowing at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum at 43 King Street in Burlington.
- After going to a restaurant on the waterfront…
Flickr/Jay McAnally
Have a fresh picnic in the Northeast Kingdom!
Flickr/Kenneth Peters Head over to Newport’s Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center and grab some freshly baked bread, cheese and other goodies. Have yourself a waterfront picnic on the beautiful Lake Memphremagog.
- While the bridges over Lake Champlain are beautiful…
Flickr/Alan Levine
Don’t forget to check out the floating bridge!
Flickr/Doug Kerr The floating bridge in Brookfield is a truly unique experience. If you know where to look, you may even spot a couple of hippos nearby…
- After of going to the Rock of Ages Granite Quarrry in Barre…
Flickr/Libby
Check out the Hope Cemetery!
Flickr/Melvin Mason The quarry is great to see, but it’s also interesting to see the intricately carved monuments from the granite at the nearby Hope Cemetery.
- After taking pictures of every cow in the countryside you see…
Flickr/Ken Johnson
Go in search of some artful animals!
Flickr/Don Shall From Burlington to Brattleboro and beyond, you can find artfully created cows and moose. Always be on the lookout because sometimes they Moo-ve around the state!
- After going to the Quechee Gorge…
Flickr/angela n.
Conquer your fear of heights at the Clarendon Gorge!
Flickr/ It’s a nail biting look down, and it also has a swinging suspended bridge. Yikes!
- After shopping at the designer outlets in Manchester…
Flickr/Craig T
Pop into a second hand shop!
Flickr/Cathy Stanley-Erickson See what treasures you might find at one of the many second hand clothing and antique shops throughout Vermont. It may not be a designer brand, but the prices are unbeatable.
While we suggest you go to ALL of these places, these are some off the beaten path options you may enjoy as well. What are some other alternative activities you enjoy doing in Vermont? Keep the conversation going!
Flickr/BostonTx
Flickr/Alex1961
These ferry boats run about every 20 minutes and take you across the beautiful Lake Champlain and back. With the spectacular views and the wind in your face, you can enjoy this ride any time you like - and for a lot less!
Flickr/Ryan Taylor
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
If you want to soak in the views from the top of one of Vermont’s peaks, take one of the many toll roads right to the top. To save even more cash, hike to the top for free!
Flickr/benjerry.fr
Flickr/Richard Schatzberger
Vermonters love their creemees - especially if it’s maple flavored. There are loads of mom and pop shops that are not only delicious, they support the local businesses.
Flickr/John Hyun
Flickr/Putney Pics
Head to one of Vermont’s many apple orchards and pick your own. Bring a picnic and make a day of it, and be sure to pick enough extras to make a pie!
Flickr/Jalan’s Place
Flickr/Don Shall
Don’t get us wrong - we think everyone should check out the Shelburne Museum at least once in their lives, but the John Strong Mansion is also loaded with history and is a great way to add a little variety to your sightseeing. Five generations of the Strong family occupied this well preserved mansion, and the museum has been operated by the Vermont Daughters of the American Revolution continuously since 1934.
Flickr/Jared and Corin
Get your nautical juices flowing at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum at 43 King Street in Burlington.
Flickr/Jay McAnally
Flickr/Kenneth Peters
Head over to Newport’s Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center and grab some freshly baked bread, cheese and other goodies. Have yourself a waterfront picnic on the beautiful Lake Memphremagog.
Flickr/Alan Levine
Flickr/Doug Kerr
The floating bridge in Brookfield is a truly unique experience. If you know where to look, you may even spot a couple of hippos nearby…
Flickr/Libby
Flickr/Melvin Mason
The quarry is great to see, but it’s also interesting to see the intricately carved monuments from the granite at the nearby Hope Cemetery.
Flickr/Ken Johnson
From Burlington to Brattleboro and beyond, you can find artfully created cows and moose. Always be on the lookout because sometimes they Moo-ve around the state!
Flickr/angela n.
Flickr/
It’s a nail biting look down, and it also has a swinging suspended bridge. Yikes!
Flickr/Craig T
Flickr/Cathy Stanley-Erickson
See what treasures you might find at one of the many second hand clothing and antique shops throughout Vermont. It may not be a designer brand, but the prices are unbeatable.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
