Vermont’s nickname, “the Green Mountain State,” represents why people want to go on a Vermont family vacation — to escape in nature.
- The Great Outdoors: Vermont is the perfect staycation and vacation getaway if you and your family want to escape work, school, or big cities and return to nature.
- Perfect In Any Season: With a massive array of activities, most of which affordable and featuring the green mountains, finding fun and relaxation is easy regardless of the season.
- Planning Your Break: We’ve done much of the research for you, all that remains is to pick your favorite season and decide what to do when you arrive on your Vermont break.
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Where is Vermont?
Vermont is located in the northeast of the United States, right between New Hampshire and New York. Its weather is quite similar to the states around it, with four distinct seasons. Winters can get quite cold and snowy, but it is worth it when the summer months roll around and the temperature hovers in the 80s for weeks at a time. Each season boasts unique Vermont vacation opportunities, and some of these are listed below.
What to do in Vermont in the Summer?
The summer is a time for sun and swimming. Believe it or not, Vermont isn’t always cold and its natives do plenty of water-related activities.
If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Dorset Quarry. This is a local hot spot in the summer, but not a lot of people outside of this area know it exists. It used to be a source of marble, but now it is a deep swimming ground (60 ft deep to be exact). People drive there, park their cars for the day, and lounge on the remaining giant marble rocks. One of the rocks is 10 feet above the water, which turns this swimming spot into a cliff diving destination too. There are also smaller-sized jumps, which will make it an adventure for everyone during your Vermont family vacation.
More swimming options include Lake Champlain, Lake St. Catherine, and Lake Bomoseen. These are not too far from the town of Dorset and have Vermont vacation rentals. These are all freshwater lakes that can also offer water sports like tubing, boating, and waterskiing.
There is also the summer theatre series at the Dorset Playhouse, which is only about 30 minutes away from Lake St. Catherine. They put together several plays and musicals that run over the summer from June to September and feature Broadway shows and actors. This is a great nighttime activity if you are looking for some adult entertainment.
These are just some of the activities you can experience if you vacation in Vermont, but there are always hidden gems you can find just driving around this beautiful state.
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What to do in Vermont in the Fall?
Vermont cools down a bit in the fall, but nothing beats the view of the leaves changing colors all over the mountains. If you stop by Lake St. Catherine, there is a state park that actually sits on the lake. You can pay to camp there with an RV and use the facilities including hiking trails, fishing, paddle boat rentals, etc.
Another spot to look at the changing colors in the leaves would be Mount Independence in Orwell, VT. Mount Independence is a State Historic Site due to its use in the Revolutionary War as a site where fortifications were built. Along with seeing exhibits highlighting its importance, you can also hike several different trails that lead you up the mountain itself.
If you are ready to leave the water, though, you can stay at nice hotels and inns around the area. For example, in Dorset, Vermont there is the refinished historic Dorset Inn. The Inn sits directly behind the Dorset Field Club, which features a gorgeous and well-acclaimed golf course. This Inn has excellent food and is located right down the street from the Manchester Designer Outlets and the Dorset Playhouse. There is a lot to do in these neighboring towns in terms of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
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What to do in Vermont in the Winter?
If you don’t mind the cold, Vermont has awesome winter sports that your whole family will enjoy. For example, if you like to ski, there are several great ski mountains in areas close to each other. Stratton, Bromley, and Killington mountains all have great skiing and snowboarding options. A lot of them have great childcare or skiing lessons that can help out every member of your family. Nearby resorts take care of living and dining arrangements as well.
What to do in Vermont in the Spring?
If you like farms, cheese, and ice cream, there are really cool tours you plan during your Vermont family vacation. There are farm tour options via Vermont Farm Tours where you can learn how to make cheese and see farms around the Shelburne, Vermont area. The Cabot Creamery and Ben & Jerry’s Factory are also both located in Vermont. The Cabot Visitors Center is in Cabot, Vermont, which features activities like cheese tastings and product displays. Additionally, the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, Vermont offers a guided factory tour and products shop.
Another destination that can be fun in the springtime is The Equinox, which is a hotel, luxury golf resort, and spa. This is a relaxing place where you can get away while also staying close to the Manchester Designer Outlets and the town of Manchester itself.
Lastly, another place to visit in the spring is the college town of Burlington, VT. This is the home of the University of Vermont, which has great shopping, dining, and scenery. While it is a decent drive from some of the towns previously listed, it makes a great day trip. It also lies on the shore of Lake Champlain, which provides more springtime activities.
As you start to plan your next big trip, think about going to Vermont. Not only does it boast several indoor attractions, but the views are even more impressive. Have fun exploring the beautiful state of Vermont!