9 “Hidden Gems” in Vermont We’ve Always Known About but Can’t Stop Visiting

Are you looking for a new place to visit in Vermont? Something out of the ordinary or off the beaten path? If you are like me and love discovering strange and unusual local spots, these nine hidden gems in Vermont are calling your name. Be advised that these attractions are so intriguing that you will probably want to visit more than once.

1. Emily's Covered Bridge, Stowe

I love an old covered bridge, and the ones with interesting stories are the best. The official name of this picturesque wooden structure is the Gold Brook Covered Bridge, but many people know it as Emily’s Covered Bridge. The 1844 bridge is rumored to be haunted by a young woman named Emily, who ended her life when she was jilted by a lover who failed to meet her at the bridge. While I didn’t see any ghosts on my recent visit, it is a lovely place to stop whenever you are in the area. 

2. The Museum of Everyday Life, Glover

One of Vermont’s most unusual museums is located in the tiny town of Glover. The Museum of Everyday Life is a self-service museum focusing on the wonder of ordinary objects. Step inside and gain a unique perspective on the familiar items we use every day. Just be sure to turn the lights off when you exit the museum.

3. Shelburne Museum, Shelburne

While the Shelburne Museum may be one of the better-known attractions on this list, it is always worthy of a hidden gem mention. This eclectic museum is made up of 39 exhibition buildings containing more than 150,000 examples of art, toys, collectibles, and Americana. Popular exhibits include the restored Ticonderoga Steamboat and rare circus memorabilia. You will definitely need to make more than one visit to see it all. Note that the museum is open seasonally.

4. Dog Mountain, St. Johnsbury

Your whole family, including your four-legged friends, will enjoy visiting this off-the-beaten-path attraction in St. Johnsbury. At Dog Mountain, canines have the run of the scenic property and will have a blast playing in the fields. While you are visiting, stop by the dog chapel, which is part art gallery and part memorial to canines who have passed. This unique attraction is worth visiting even if you aren't a dog owner. 

5. Tallest Filing Cabinet in the World, Burlington

You can find countless filing cabinets in homes and offices throughout the state, but none nearly as impressive as this Burlington hidden gem. Venture over to Flynn Avenue and observe an installation over 40 feet tall. This highly unusual sculpture, built by artist Bren Alvarez in 2002, is widely considered the tallest filing cabinet in the world.  This Vermont gem is so intriguing that you will find yourself coming back to view it again and again.

6. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, Enosburg Falls

For a unique outdoor museum experience, I suggest heading to the northern part of the state. In the town of Enosburg Falls, you will find Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, a display of dozens of fascinating installations ranging from the whimsical to the downright puzzling. The museum typically adds new sculptures each year, so a visit here is ever-changing. The museum is open seasonally from June to October; plan your visit accordingly.

7. Simon Pearce Restaurant, Quechee

You may know Simon Pearce as the creator of luxury home goods, but did you also know the company has a fabulous restaurant in Quechee? The Simon Pearce Restaurant, located in a restored mill, serves delicious meals, including roasted cauliflower steak, braised short rib, and seafood stew. It also offers breathtaking views of a waterfall, a covered bridge, and the Ottauquechee River. This special place is worth a stop whenever you are in Quechee. 

8. Reverence Whale Sculpture, Burlington

Every time I travel up Route 89 to Burlington, I can’t help but be mesmerized by the unusual sculpture on the side of the highway. The odd roadside attraction of two whale tails sticking out of the grass is known as “Reverence” and was built by artist Jim Sardonis in 1989. The tails are 12 and 13 feet tall and are made from 36 tons of granite.

9. Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury Center

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of my favorite places to stop when I am in the Waterbury area. This quintessential Vermont store sells a treasure trove of authentic maple products, local items, and delicious baked goodies. I can never get enough of their warm cider donuts. Cold Hollow also offers an informative self-guided tour of their cider mill, which is something not to be missed.

From haunted bridges and quirky roadside art to open-air sculpture parks and cider-scented country stores, Vermont proves that its magic often lives far beyond the usual tourist stops. Whether you’re wandering through a self-serve museum of ordinary objects or savoring a warm cider donut fresh from the mill, each destination offers a story you won’t find anywhere else. Skip the predictable itinerary and seek out something strange, charming, or delightfully different. You may just discover a new favorite place you’ll return to again and again. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Vermont trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.