When most people picture Vermont, they think of maple syrup, cozy cabins, and that fiery fall foliage. Sure, those are solid reasons to visit, but the Green Mountain State has a few surprises up its flannel sleeve.
There are quirky roadside attractions and some breathtaking natural wonders here. Vermont’s packed with fun, unique adventures you just won’t stumble upon anywhere else.
Maybe you’re chasing hidden gems. Or perhaps you crave a bit of small-town charm.
If you’re after something a little different from the usual leaf-peeping, in this article, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best things to see and do in Vermont that will surely inspire some new ideas for your next trip.
So, pack your sense of adventure, and maybe toss a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the car for the road. Vermont’s ready to surprise you!
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Keep in mind: Our articles may contain errors, despite our best efforts. So, do thorough research before deciding on a travel destination.
1. Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard (Waterbury)
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On a grassy hill behind the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, you’ll find one of Vermont’s quirkiest attractions: the Flavor Graveyard.
This spot is where the ice cream giant lays its “dearly de‑pinted” flavors to rest, complete with granite headstones, witty epitaphs, and the birth and death dates of each flavor.
You can walk among the graves of once‑beloved creations like “Wavy Gravy,” “Fossil Fuel,” and “Makin’ Whoopie Pie,” reading the clever tributes that keep their sweet memories alive.
The graveyard began in the late 1990s as a tongue‑in‑cheek way to honor discontinued flavors, and today it has grown into a full‑fledged tourist stop.
You don’t need to take the factory tour to wander through the cemetery; it’s free to visit, but pairing the two makes for a perfectly indulgent outing. After paying your respects, you can grab a cone at the scoop shop, browse the gift store, or simply enjoy the mountain views that surround the factory grounds.
Equal parts funny, nostalgic, and Instagram‑worthy, the Flavor Graveyard gives you a taste of Vermont’s playful spirit, and maybe a craving for a scoop or two!
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2. Dog Chapel (St. Johnsbury)
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High on Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, you’ll discover one of Vermont’s most heartfelt and unusual landmarks: the Dog Chapel.
Built in 2000 by artist Stephen Huneck, this small white chapel was designed in the style of a classic New England church, but with a twist: everything inside celebrates the bond between people and their dogs.
From stained-glass windows featuring joyful pups to hand-carved wooden details, every inch reflects Huneck’s love for man’s best friend.
As you step inside, you’ll notice the walls covered from floor to ceiling with photos, notes, and tributes left by visitors honoring their beloved pets. It’s a living memorial that feels deeply personal and touching.
Outside, you and your dog can roam the 150-acre Dog Mountain, where leashes are optional and trails, ponds, and meadows invite endless play.
The Dog Chapel offers you a space filled with love, peace, and a sense of community!
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3. Floating Bridge of Brookfield
(Floating Bridge, Brookfield, Vermont, USA by Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0)
In the quiet village of Brookfield, you’ll come across one of Vermont’s most unusual treasures: the Floating Bridge.
Stretching across the still waters of Sunset Lake, this wooden bridge has been defying expectations since 1820, when townspeople first built it to connect both sides of the lake.
Because the water is too deep for traditional supports, the bridge was designed to float, originally on logs, later on barrels, and today on modern pontoons. It remains the only floating bridge in Vermont, and one of just a handful in the entire country.
As you drive or walk across, you’ll feel the gentle sway beneath your feet, a reminder that you’re traveling on something truly unique.
The views of the surrounding hills and the lake make the crossing feel almost magical, especially in autumn when the trees are full of color. In summer, you might see kayakers gliding below, while winter brings quiet to the frozen waters.
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4. The Tallest Filing Cabinet (Burlington)
(Tallest Filing Cabinet, Burlington, Vermont, USA by Chris Rycroft, CC BY 2.0)
In Burlington’s South End, you’ll find a landmark that is as thought-provoking as it is quirky: the Tallest Filing Cabinet.
Rising more than 40 feet into the air, this towering sculpture is made up of 38 stacked drawers, each one representing a year of bureaucratic delays on a long-planned local road project.
Created in 2002 by artist Bren Alvarez, the piece, officially titled “File Under So. Co., Waiting for…”, is a playful work of art and a quiet commentary on the weight of paperwork and red tape.
It’s a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, creativity can transform frustration into something meaningful and memorable.
The Tallest Filing Cabinet invites you to pause, smile, and reflect on how art can turn everyday objects into symbols of resilience and humor. It will leave you with both a photo and a story worth sharing.
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5. East Corinth, Beetlejuice Filming Location
In the small village of East Corinth, you can step into the world of Tim Burton’s cult classic Beetlejuice. Though the film was set in the fictional town of Winter River, Connecticut, it was here in Vermont that the movie’s most iconic scenes were filmed.
The rolling hills, winding roads, and New England charm of East Corinth provided the perfect backdrop for the quirky, otherworldly story that has captivated audiences since 1988.
You’ll recognize familiar spots from the film, including the covered bridge and the hillside where the Maitlands’ house once stood. While the house itself was only a set, the landscape remains much the same, offering you a chance to imagine the scenes.
Locals have even marked filming locations with photos and signs, making it easy to trace the movie’s footsteps.
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6. Freedlyville Quarry (Dorset)
The Freedlyville Quarry is in the hills above Dorset, and it’s a place where history and nature come together. Once a thriving marble quarry in the 19th century, it supplied stone that helped build cities like New York and Washington, D.C.
Today, the quarry lies quiet and abandoned with its tunnels carved deep into Mount Aeolus. Walking into the cool, shadowy space, you can still feel the echoes of its industrious past.
Inside, a clear pond reflects the light filtering through the openings, creating a scene that feels mysterious. In winter, the water freezes into a natural ice rink, drawing adventurous skaters beneath towering marble arches.
In summer, the quarry becomes a peaceful retreat for hikers looking for a glimpse of Vermont’s hidden history.
The Freedlyville Quarry gives you a chance to step into Vermont’s story, where human ambition and natural beauty have left behind a place that feels timeless.
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7. Bellows Falls Petroglyphs
One of Vermont’s most mysterious and meaningful treasures, the Bellows Falls Petroglyphs, is located along the banks of the Connecticut River in Bellows Falls.
Carved into the bedrock near the Great Falls, these ancient figures are believed to have been created by Native peoples hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years ago.
The carvings depict human-like faces with eyes, mouths, and radiating lines.
Some believe the figures are connected to Abenaki traditions, while others see them as markers of spiritual or cultural significance. Whatever their origin, they remain a rare and powerful reminder of the deep history of this landscape.
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8. Mount Mansfield State Forest (Stowe)
Rising above the Green Mountains, Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s highest peak at 4,393 feet, and the heart of the sprawling Mount Mansfield State Forest.
As you make your way up its trails, you’ll notice how the ridgeline resembles the profile of a human face, complete with forehead, nose, lips, and chin. It’s a sight that reminds you how nature often has its own sense of art!
Hiking here offers you more than just exercise: it’s a journey through diverse landscapes, from quiet hardwood forests to rare alpine tundra that has survived since the Ice Age.
On a clear day, the summit rewards you with amazing views that stretch across Vermont, New Hampshire, and even into Canada. In autumn, the hillsides blaze with color, while in winter the slopes transform into a playground for skiers and snowboarders.
Here, adventure and serenity meet, and leave you with memories as enduring as the mountain itself.
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9. Shelburne Museum (Shelburne)
Spread across 45 acres near the shores of Lake Champlain, the Shelburne Museum is unlike any museum you’ve ever visited.
Instead of a single building, you’ll walk through a village-like setting of 39 exhibition spaces, many of them historic structures that were relocated here from around New England.
You’ll step into a covered bridge, a lighthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, and even the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga, all carefully preserved to tell the story of America.
Inside these buildings, you’ll discover an extraordinary collection of more than 150,000 works of art, design, and Americana. From Impressionist paintings and folk art to quilts, carriages, and hand-carved decoys.
The museum was founded in 1947 by Electra Havemeyer Webb, a visionary collector who believed that everyday objects and architecture could be just as meaningful as fine art.
As you explore, you’ll feel inspired by the stories that shaped this region and the country beyond.
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10. Quechee Gorge (Quechee)
Known as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon,” Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in the state, carved by glaciers more than 13,000 years ago.
Standing on the Route 4 bridge, you can look down 165 feet to the Ottauquechee River flowing below. The view is breathtaking in every season: green in summer, fiery with foliage in autumn, and calm under a blanket of snow in winter.
Quechee State Park surrounds the gorge, offering you trails that lead down to the river’s edge, where you can feel the cool spray of the water and hear its rush echoing off the stone walls.
In warmer months, you might see kayakers navigating the rapids or families picnicking along the banks. The park also offers campsites, making it easy to enjoy the beauty of the Upper Valley.
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