26 Exciting Things to Do in Vermont in 2026 (You’ll Want to Save This List)

We often read about places that look as though they belong in a fairy tale. Sometimes those descriptions are exaggerated, but that’s certainly not true of Vermont. From the moment I moved to Burlington, I was constantly in awe of the natural beauty, from Lake Champlain to the Green Mountains.

As time goes on, though, we tend to get complacent wherever we live and sometimes need to be reminded of the beauty around us. That’s why I started a list of 26 of the best things to do in Vermont in 2026. Save this list to help guide you through the Green Mountain State's attractions.

1. Moss Glen Falls Trail – Stowe

My love of waterfalls kick-started my interest in hiking, so I always look for waterfall hikes on AllTrails+ for my next adventure. That’s where I found the Moss Glen Falls Trail. One of the best waterfall hikes in Vermont, the picturesque path is about 5.5 miles and has some obstacles, including trail erosion, but the challenges are worth it for the view of the 125-foot waterfall.

2. Lye Brook Falls Trail – Manchester

More waterfall chasing makes it on my 2026 to-do list, and it’s another moderately challenging journey, this time along Lye Brook Falls Trail. The waterfall trail in Vermont is 4.5 miles and can be slippery, steep, and rocky, but again, those obstacles will easily be forgotten once I see the 125-foot Lye Brook Falls.

3. Green Mountain National Forest – Mendon

One of the most magnificent natural wonders in Vermont, the Green Mountain National Forest, deserves a spot on every bucket list, including mine. Deciding to visit is easy, but choosing how to explore the 400,000-acre forest is a little harder, especially with its countless hiking trails, waterfalls, and wilderness areas. I’ll start with this easily accessible waterfall in Green Mountain National Forest.

4. Candlelight Coldplay and Imagine Dragons – Burlington

We all need time to sit back, relax, and enjoy good music. Add candlelight, and we’ve got the perfect evening. The Candlelight Coldplay and Imagine Dragons promises an evening of music by a string quartet, featuring iconic songs as Fix You, Radioactive, The Scientist, and Sky Full of Stars. The show takes place on January 10, 2026, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.

5. Snow Tubing at Mount Snow – Dover

Winter in Vermont promises a ton of fun, and that fun, at least for me, starts with a day of snow tubing at Mount Snow. Fortunately, Mount Snow has a magic carpet to whisk us back to the top of one of the biggest tubing hills in Vermont after each of our runs. The resort is also chock-full of plenty of other fun activities to try.

6. Pump House Indoor Waterpark – Jay

As much as I love the snow, I can feel the cabin fever setting in the deeper we get into winter, which makes Pump House Indoor Waterpark at Jay Peak Resort an idyllic destination for a dose of summer. The waterpark features a lazy river, water slides, and a flow rider, plus the vaulted ceilings and natural light make it feel like you're outdoors.

7. Stowe Winter Carnival – Stowe

Winter isn’t traditionally known as festival season, which is why the Stowe Winter Carnival earns a spot at the top of my to-do list this January. Ice carving takes center stage, along with other fun events, too, including a snow volleyball tournament. The entire month is filled with professional ice carvers constructing their masterpieces, culminating in a final demonstration day at the end of the month.

8. Vermont Maple Festival – St. Albans

A tradition for nearly six decades, the Vermont Maple Festival is perhaps the highlight of April. Three glorious days—April 24 to 26, 2026—of jam-packed fun include a parade, a carnival, sugar house tours, and a maple exhibit hall. I can’t wait to try some of that delightful maple syrup at the pancake breakfast at St. Albans City School.

9. Vermont Flower Farm & Gardens – Marshfield

Spring means opening windows, setting up the outdoor furniture, and planting our favorite flowers. Stroll through the blossoming gardens at Vermont Flower Farm & Gardens in Marshfield before buying your favorites, like lilies, peonies, or hydrangeas, to plant in your yard or add to your home décor.

10. Quechee Gorge Dewey Pond Trail – Hartford

Once the warmer temperatures roll around in the spring, I spend as much time as I can outdoors, drinking in the fresh air. I also added hikes, including the Quechee Gorge Dewey Pond Trail, to my itinerary. A short and sweet hike in Vermont at 2.8 miles, the path takes only about an hour to complete and boasts gorgeous views.

11. Lake Champlain – Burlington

One of my best memories of Vermont is kayaking on Lake Champlain in Burlington, so a repeat is on my itinerary for 2026. There’s just something so calming about being on the water, under the summer sun, and looking back to the shore as the buildings and people grow smaller and smaller. It's no wonder it's considered the nation's "sixth" Great Lake.

12. Warren Falls – Warren

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a day cooling off in an epic swimming hole in Vermont. Warren Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall, tumbles into a refreshing swimming hole, perfect for dipping your foot in or floating. There are also plenty a hiking trails surrounding the falls that are a perfect pre-swim trek.

13. Vermont State Fair – Rutland

Undeniably one of summer’s favorite traditions, the Vermont State Fair celebrates its 180th year in 2026, from August 18 to 22, 2026. With a full menu of activities, including a carnival, live entertainment, and good eats, the fair promises something for everyone. I can’t wait to dig into classic summer treats, like cotton candy.

14. Stratton Mountain Resort – Stratton

Of all the places I’ve lived, I’ve never seen fall foliage more breathtaking than in Vermont, and I can think of no better way to admire the autumn colors than on a scenic gondola ride at Stratton Mountain Resort. While the resort is most known for its powdery white ski slopes in the wintertime, it's definitely worth a visit during September and October to take in the harvest season.

15. Lajoie Stables – Jeffersonville

Only one thing is better than a scenic horseback riding tour, and that’s one during the peak of the fall foliage. Lajoie Stables offers horseback tours all year, but I’m adding the adventure to my must-do list this autumn. Just know that reservations are required, so be sure to check the stable's website for available days and times.

16. Leaf-Peeping Drive - Route 100

One of the best fall drives in Vermont is Route 100, and it promises some of the most breathtaking views of autumn colors as it winds through such towns as Wilmington, Killington, and Stowe. I'm a big leaf peeper, so I expect to pull over frequently to take in the views and snap some photos.

17. The Dog Chapel – St. Johnsbury

Only animal lovers can truly understand the profound effect pets have on our lives, even long after they are gone. The Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, offers us the chance to reflect and honor those—like my beloved rescue dachshund Rika—who have made our lives so much better. After a visit to the chapel, we can hike one of the trails or watch the pups play.

18. Middlebury Sweets – Middlebury

Having suffered from a nagging sweet tooth my whole life, I seek out candy shops, and Middlebury Sweets is one of the best candy shops in Vermont, boasting a huge selection of more than 1,500 types of candy. The jumbo chocolate peanut butter cups, chocolate pretzels, and jelly beans are at the top of my shopping list.

19. Al’s French Frys – South Burlington

I love French fries, and from the moment I first bit into a fry at Al’s French Frys, I was hooked. Any time I could, I stopped at Al’s for fries, onion rings, and ice cream, so a return visit deserves a spot right at the top of my 2026 must-visit list. The iconic restaurant is open 'til midnight on weekends, making it the perfect place to stop after bar hopping or during a night out.

20. Waterworks – Winooski

Living in Vermont means some of the best food and the most breathtaking views in the world, and Waterworks pairs the two for an out-of-this-world dining experience. One of the best restaurants in Vermont, Waterworks is also one of my favorite restaurants in the area, and I can’t wait to order the Beyond Burger, paired with a root beer float and capped off with a chocolate chip brownie. Of course, delicious cocktails are serve there, too.

21. Top City to Visit in Vermont in 2026 – Montpelier

A trip to Vermont’s capital city, Montpelier, promises a full menu of adventures. With a jam-packed itinerary that includes a visit to the Vermont State House and Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, a single day in Montpelier probably won’t be enough time. Luckily, there are plenty of luxury vacation rentals nearby to stay for multiple days.

22. Honey Pond Treehouse – South Londonderry

I was one of those kids who wished for a treehouse in my backyard to escape to with my imagination, a dream that didn’t come true until…now. While I still don’t have a treehouse, by booking a stay at the Honey Pond Treehouse, an enchanting Airbnb in South Londonderry, I can embrace the magic as I curl up by the fireplace or soak in a bubble bath next to the French doors.

23. Bavarian Castle Airbnb – Irasburg

We all deserve to feel like royalty sometimes. The Bavarian Castle, a majestic Airbnb in Irasburg, allows us to do just that with its 20 acres, including mountain views, a fairy tale pond, and a full menu of amenities, from a piano and Wi-Fi indoors to a fire pit and BBQ grill outdoors. It's the perfect fairy tale stay no matter the season.

24. Trapp Family Lodge – Stowe

When I was a kid, our family watched "The Sound of Music" every year when it was on TV. To have the chance to stay at the Trapp Family Lodge, a historic hotel in Vermont, is a dream come true, especially with the many activities, including hiking and biking, available on-site. I can’t wait to dig into a hearty helping of scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and fresh-baked pastries from the breakfast buffet at The Dining Room.

25. Sleep Woodstock Motel – Woodstock

Something about the 60s—from the music to the politics—has always fascinated me, and the Sleep Woodstock Motel promises a glimpse of a time now long gone. The retro motel in Vermont looks like it’s stepped off of an old-fashioned postcard from the outside, and the rooms...charm, coziness, and all the vibes of yesteryear.

26. Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum - Shelburne

What better way to end the year than to see some delightful holiday lights? There are plenty of spectacular displays around Vermont around December, but I really love the Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum, which typically runs from late November to early January. The gardens, buildings, and steamboat Ticonderoga are illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights, which you can walk or drive through to get a better look.

Which Vermont sights are going on your 2026 travel bucket list? Did we miss any that you know and love? If you're looking to take a first-time or returning trip to the Green Mountain State, consider using Only In Your State's itinerary planner to map out your lodging, dining, and sightseeing stops.