Vacations where you live, or “Staycations” as they are commonly known, are sweeping the nation.  If your time and money don’t exactly permit an African Safari or a trip through the Australian Outback, it doesn’t mean there aren’t a multitude of things in your own backyard to make an amazing vacation.  After all, people travel from all over the world to experience these Vermont vacations, so why shouldn’t we do the same?  Here are some awesome vacations that everyone from Vermont should take.

  1. Put the pedal to the metal.

Flickr/Jack Flanagan Whether you grab your road bike and explore winding country roads, or get down and dirty on your mountain bike in the woods, exploring Vermont has never been easier. There’s a lot of truth in the expression “it’s like riding a bike!”

  1. The fish are biting!

Flickr/BostonTx Take a boat onto Lake Champlain or hike to a flowing river and toss in your line. You’ll find fishing in Vermont is peaceful and serene… if you’re not a fish, that is.

  1. Chillax (Chill out and Relax)

Tripadvisor/Management Nothing is better to make you unwind than spending a day pampering yourself. Any of Vermont’s many spas are perfect for a romantic weekend or a girl’s day out.

  1. Camp out under the stars.

Flickr/Mervyn Chua Since you can pitch a tent just about anywhere, camping vacations are limitless. Whether you bunk up in a shelter on the Long Trail, a tent in a state park or right in your own backyard, the memories from camping will last a lifetime. Marshmallows optional, but highly recommended.

  1. Hit the slopes.

Whether you ski or board, Vermont is the best place to shred during the winter. From black diamonds to the bunny slope, there’s something for everyone. Also, there’s apres ski to continue the fun!

  1. Have a ‘charming’ time.

Flickr/Jasperdo Take the time to explore the quaint towns of Vermont. See what local fares the restaurants serve up and explore the many VT made goods. Go ahead, be a tourist.

  1. Soar into a Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Flickr/Jim Something Vermont has a few Hot Air Balloon festivals throughout the summer. Pick a destination or attend one close by. You’ll love to get in on the action!

  1. Take a hike!

Flickr/James Spahr Channel your inner explorer and discover the outdoors while hiking around Vermont. There are hundreds of hikes for all levels so the hardest part may be choosing which ones are best for you. Whether you’re alone on a Vision Quuest or with a group of friends, hiking is great exercise and the perfect way to get some fresh air while reconnecting with nature.

  1. The hills are alive!

Flickr/Katherine Martinelli The hills are alive with the sound of music year-round at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Check out where the Von Trapp family lived and explore the many things they have to offer such as their restaurant, bakery, cross country skiing, sleigh/carriage rides, hiking, biking and much more at this historical place.

  1. Ready to try the best cheese ever?

vtcheese.com Look no further than the Vermont Cheese Trail! Travel at your own pace and visit these VT made cheeses that will blow your taste buds away. Plan your own road trip by visiting some of these places or try them all at once while taking a day trip to the Vermont Cheese Maker’s Festival on July 17, 2006 in Shelburne.

  1. Bottoms up!

Much like the cheese trail, there are plenty of places to tour for people who appreciate a great VT craft beer. There are loads of Vermont breweries to visit, or you can go on a professionally guided tour such as Vermontology who can give you the inside scoop as well as provide a designated driver.

  1. National Historical Landmark Adventure

Flickr/Don Shall Take a journey back in time and explore National Historic Landmarks such as the Calvin Coolidge Homestead, the Round Church, the Emma Willard house and 15 more. What would you like to see?

  1. Ahoy Matey!

Flickr/GD Taber Grab a life jacket and set sail on Lake Champlain. Don’t have a boat of your own? No worries - there are plenty of boat rentals to set you up with the perfect boat for your day on the water.

  1. Off to the fair.

Flickr/Michael Maggard Why limit the wonderful fairs that Vermont has to offer to just one day? Spend the weekend camping out and enjoying all the fair has to offer. The nightlife at the Tunbridge World’s fair is not to be missed so make a trip out of it.

  1. Hit an indoor waterpark.

Tripadvisor/Tripadvisor A trip that’s great for kids and kids at heart - there’s nothing quite like a water park to get the adrenaline flowing. J Peak has an indoor water park if you’re looking for a little indoor fun, as well as a place to stay and eat after. Fun, fun!

  1. Shop till you drop.

Flickr/Craig T Over 40 designer outlets and fantastic savings await await you in scenic Manchester. Housed in authentically restored Vermont structures, enjoy beautiful views, wonderful food, and the most satisfying shopping experience you’ve ever had.

What are you waiting for?  Start planning your vacation (or stay-cation) today!

Flickr/Jack Flanagan

Whether you grab your road bike and explore winding country roads, or get down and dirty on your mountain bike in the woods, exploring Vermont has never been easier. There’s a lot of truth in the expression “it’s like riding a bike!”

Flickr/BostonTx

Take a boat onto Lake Champlain or hike to a flowing river and toss in your line. You’ll find fishing in Vermont is peaceful and serene… if you’re not a fish, that is.

Tripadvisor/Management

Nothing is better to make you unwind than spending a day pampering yourself. Any of Vermont’s many spas are perfect for a romantic weekend or a girl’s day out.

Flickr/Mervyn Chua

Since you can pitch a tent just about anywhere, camping vacations are limitless. Whether you bunk up in a shelter on the Long Trail, a tent in a state park or right in your own backyard, the memories from camping will last a lifetime. Marshmallows optional, but highly recommended.

Whether you ski or board, Vermont is the best place to shred during the winter. From black diamonds to the bunny slope, there’s something for everyone. Also, there’s apres ski to continue the fun!

Flickr/Jasperdo

Take the time to explore the quaint towns of Vermont. See what local fares the restaurants serve up and explore the many VT made goods. Go ahead, be a tourist.

Flickr/Jim Something

Vermont has a few Hot Air Balloon festivals throughout the summer. Pick a destination or attend one close by. You’ll love to get in on the action!

Flickr/James Spahr

Channel your inner explorer and discover the outdoors while hiking around Vermont. There are hundreds of hikes for all levels so the hardest part may be choosing which ones are best for you. Whether you’re alone on a Vision Quuest or with a group of friends, hiking is great exercise and the perfect way to get some fresh air while reconnecting with nature.

Flickr/Katherine Martinelli

The hills are alive with the sound of music year-round at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Check out where the Von Trapp family lived and explore the many things they have to offer such as their restaurant, bakery, cross country skiing, sleigh/carriage rides, hiking, biking and much more at this historical place.

vtcheese.com

Look no further than the Vermont Cheese Trail! Travel at your own pace and visit these VT made cheeses that will blow your taste buds away. Plan your own road trip by visiting some of these places or try them all at once while taking a day trip to the Vermont Cheese Maker’s Festival on July 17, 2006 in Shelburne.

Much like the cheese trail, there are plenty of places to tour for people who appreciate a great VT craft beer. There are loads of Vermont breweries to visit, or you can go on a professionally guided tour such as Vermontology who can give you the inside scoop as well as provide a designated driver.

Flickr/Don Shall

Take a journey back in time and explore National Historic Landmarks such as the Calvin Coolidge Homestead, the Round Church, the Emma Willard house and 15 more. What would you like to see?

Flickr/GD Taber

Grab a life jacket and set sail on Lake Champlain. Don’t have a boat of your own? No worries - there are plenty of boat rentals to set you up with the perfect boat for your day on the water.

Flickr/Michael Maggard

Why limit the wonderful fairs that Vermont has to offer to just one day? Spend the weekend camping out and enjoying all the fair has to offer. The nightlife at the Tunbridge World’s fair is not to be missed so make a trip out of it.

Tripadvisor/Tripadvisor

A trip that’s great for kids and kids at heart - there’s nothing quite like a water park to get the adrenaline flowing. J Peak has an indoor water park if you’re looking for a little indoor fun, as well as a place to stay and eat after. Fun, fun!

Flickr/Craig T

Over 40 designer outlets and fantastic savings await await you in scenic Manchester. Housed in authentically restored Vermont structures, enjoy beautiful views, wonderful food, and the most satisfying shopping experience you’ve ever had.

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