Discover Vermont: Nature, Culture, and Maple Tradition

Vermont combines expansive forests, historic buildings, waterways, and a strong maple tradition. Those looking for a vacation rental or holiday home can choose a region based on their own travel plans: Should the focus be on hiking trails and water, on culture and history, or on enjoyable discoveries along scenic roads?

Forests and trails for different kinds of days

Mount Tom Forest is a special natural area. It is considered the oldest continuously managed scientific forest in the United States. Vermont also offers very different hiking experiences for trip planning. The trails range from challenging mountain ascents to accessible routes through lush forests. Groton State Forest encompasses more than 17 miles of hiking trails. This makes it possible to plan an active day as well as a more relaxed tour through the woodland landscape.

Cyclists and mountain bikers can also find scenic routes through Vermont’s landscape, including options for users of adapted equipment. The state’s rail trails follow scenic and accessible routes through downtowns and regions. One specific connection can be seen at Ricker Pond State Park: The park borders the Montpelier-Wells Rail Trail, which is also known as the Cross Vermont Trail.

Water experiences and active getaways

Ricker Pond State Park has a designated swimming area and a small sandy beach. In addition, Vermont’s lakes and winding rivers are suitable for canoeing and kayaking. Swimming is possible in lakes, ponds, and natural swimming areas. This variety makes it possible to plan each day around different interests: While one group chooses a water activity, another can spend time on the shore or on a trail through the landscape.

Vermont’s winter offerings include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Those who do not want to limit their trip to a single season can therefore consider both nature and water experiences as well as winter activities when searching for accommodation.

Culture, agriculture, and historic bridges

The Shelburne Museum adds a cultural highlight with art and Americana collections spanning four centuries. Billings Farm & Museum offers another way to explore the region’s history. There, a fully operational Jersey dairy farm is combined with educational exhibits as well as interactive programs and events.

Notable historic structures include the Pulp Mill Covered Bridge, considered Vermont’s oldest covered bridge, and the Fisher Covered Bridge. The latter was the last covered railroad bridge in operation in Vermont and is part of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The two bridges offer different starting points for a trip that combines historic landmarks with scenic routes.

Maple tradition and scenic drives

The Maple Meander showcases Vermont’s maple culture in several forms. These include sugarhouses, tastings of maple products at local restaurants, maple-inspired cocktails, and shops. The Maple Meander Passport also offers year-round experiences centered on Vermont’s maple products. This means that even a trip focused on culture or cuisine can have a clear regional character.

For a road trip, ten state-designated Scenic Byways at the federal level are available. Those who enjoy discovering different landscapes and places on one drive can take these routes into account when choosing their starting point and vacation rental. A single accommodation does not have to be connected to every experience; what matters instead is which themes define your trip and which region you would like to explore more closely.

Regional guidance for finding accommodation

For further selection, you can consider the individual subregions: Windham County, Bennington County, Rutland County, Addison County, Washington, Chittenden, Lamoille and Windsor County as well as Caledonia, Orleans County, Orange, Grand Isle County, Franklin County and Essex County. The right base depends on whether you want to focus on nature, water, culture, maple tradition, or scenic drives.

For the overview of the broader destination: USA.