10 Vermont Spots You Need to Visit This Summer

From Segway tours to farmers' markets, necn has you covered

1. Local Motion Bike Ferry, Burlington: Looking for the special experience of having water on both sides of you as you ride your bike this summer? Check out the Colchester Causeway, a pedestrian and bike path that goes across a section of Lake Champlain. The causeway has a gap in it called "The Cut," which the non-profit Local Motion helps bikers cross, so they can continue their rides on the other side. The group’s bike ferry connects Colchester and South Hero, bringing riders and their bicycles across that cut and opening up many riding opportunities in Vermont's scenic Champlain Islands!

2. Burlington Segway Tours: If you're not feeling like hoofing it on foot through Vermont's largest city, you can get a guided tour on a Segway! Small groups can explore the city's waterfront, downtown, and university districts. The guides offer one- and two-hour tours, for $68 and $98, with lessons included for folks who have never before ridden one of the personal transporters. Reservations are required.

3. Killington Mountain Biking: Think Vermont's ski resorts are only for the winter? Think again. Killington Resort has dramatically increased its mountain biking terrain in recent years, with varying levels of difficulty for riders from a range of abilities. Don't worry about climbing that mountainous terrain, though: the trails are served by ski lifts! That means you can get up the hill effortlessly, and enjoy the ride down. The resort also offers lessons and rentals. 

4. Burlington Farmers' Market: There's much more to this market than just kale and beets! Nearly 100 vendors from around the state descend on City Hall Park and a neighboring street each Saturday morning through late October to sell gourmet cookies, artisan spirits, wood products, pottery, soaps, clothing, and more. Sample foods you may never have tried before, or grab a snack to enjoy while walking around downtown Burlington. Just don't forget your reusable shopping bag: it may end up full by the end of your stroll! 

5. Queen City Ghostwalk, Burlington: Why should ghosts and paranormal happenings only be on your mind at Halloween? Historian and author Thea Lewis explores Burlington's spookier side with leisurely walking tours and stories that will surprise both visitors to Vermont and locals alike. If tales of UFOs, lake monsters, and madmen are your thing, look no further than this fun and quirky take on Burlington history. 

6. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock: Who can resist the cute face of a baby calf? Not us! A landmark in Woodstock, Billings Farm is a working dairy farm, where families can watch some of Vermont's happiest cows be milked, and learn about the history of farming in this agriculture-dependent state. Sheep, oxen, and other livestock also live on the handsome property, which sits just down the street from the shops and restaurants of downtown Woodstock. 

7. Long Trail Brewing Company, Bridgewater Corners: With labels like Double Bag, Limbo, and Blackbeary Wheat, Long Trail is one of Vermont's best-known beers. But if you haven't checked out the riverside pub attached to the Bridgewater Corners brewery, you're missing out on meals that pair well with the beer from right next door. We tried the beer-braised brat and beer-battered fish and chips, and are eyeing the Grafton mac and cheese for next time!

8. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes: From shipwrecks to heroic naval battles waged on majestic Lake Champlain, this destination west of downtown Vergennes offers visitors a glimpse at the Lake Champlain basin's long history and diverse culture. Check out a replica of the Revolutionary War gunboat Philadelphia, and marvel at the towering 1902 Storm King, a yacht that would zip across the lake's frozen surface. You don't have to own a boat to appreciate the beauty and fascinating history of Vermont's most iconic natural landmark.

9. Burlington City Arts: There's not much in life that's free, but visiting this art center is! The wing of city government in charge of boosting the cultural vibrancy of Burlington, BCA operates a multi-level space on the Church Street Marketplace that exhibits a wide variety of contemporary art. Exhibitions change several times throughout the year, so duck in from the busy marketplace for a few minutes, or spend more time contemplating creative ideas from around the country and world. 

10. County Fairs: Shhhhh! Don't tell your doctor you just indulged in another helping of fried dough! Fairs are a summertime favorite in Vermont, and the largest of them all is the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction. Whether you're into big carnival rides, agricultural displays, grandstand entertainment, or blue ribbon-winning vegetables, there's something for everyone to enjoy during the "Ten Best Days of Summer." 

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