10 Serene Vermont Towns For A Weekend Retreat

Vermont may be the United States’ sixth-smallest state in size and the second smallest in population, but don’t assume the Green Mountain State is too small for a great weekend retreat. With an abundance of gorgeous mountain towns, Vermont offers many options for scenic vacations. Yet with special places like a 13,000-year-old glacier-cut gorge, a family estate built by the son of a U.S. president, and a quaint village that sits on a truly international lake, a long weekend trip always feels extra special when it’s done in Vermont.

Whether you aim to climb new mountains, enjoy some Old World-style hospitality, or simply indulge in some timelessly tasty treats, check out these ten serene Vermont towns for a weekend retreat.

Stowe

While Stowe is often called the “Ski Capital of the East” for its world-class slopes that draw major crowds in winter, there’s plenty to see and do around Stowe year-round. Though Stowe Mountain Resort closes once the winter snow starts to melt away, it opens up for scenic Gondola SkyRides to Vermont’s tallest peak at Mount Mansfield (4,395 feet above sea level), leisurely drives up the historic toll road, rock climbing outings at Stowe Rocks Climbing Center, and fantastic local whiskey and cuisine at WhistlePig Pavilion.

Beyond the ski resort, Stowe offers plenty more adventures outside. Hike the trails at Wiessner Woods for a beautiful journey into mature woods with free-flowing streams. For more challenging hikes, try the steeper mountain trails at Pinnacle Meadow and the nearby C.C. Putnam State Forest. If you’d like to explore on two wheels, hit the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail for 93 miles of bike-friendly trails. Once you’re ready to settle down, check into Topnotch Resort for a truly top-tier luxury resort experience with plush rooms and suites, refined on-site restaurants, and a full-service spa.

Newport

Sitting on the southern shores of Lake Memphremagog, a lake that straddles the United States-Canada border, Newport is a cozy small town with a uniquely international charm. Just below the border lies Eagle Point Wildlife Management Area, a tranquil lakeshore habitat for birds like bald eagles, kestrels, and red-tailed hawks, and mammals like river otters, red foxes, and deer. If you’d like to navigate the lake, head to Newport Marine Service and Storage to rent a boat and set sail.

For an easygoing beach day, go to Prouty Beach for a serene 36-acre park with a shore that’s great for kayaking and paddleboarding. And for the ultimate Newport experience, check into Cliff Haven Farm Bed and Breakfast to stay at a 19th-century farmhouse on 300 rolling acres with wooded hiking trails and a private swimming pond.

St. Johnsbury

Nestled in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, St. Johnsbury is a small town that also serves as a launchpad for big adventures. From town, you can catch New England’s longest rail trail at the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, as well as the 100-mile-long Kingdom Trails network with its nationally acclaimed mountain bike paths. A short drive west, Groton State Forest protects not just a verdant patch of forest, but also eight lakes and ponds, making this a great area for boating, fishing, and swimming.

For perhaps the most unusually satisfying expedition, head over to the Great Vermont Maze, New England’s largest corn maze with regularly changing patterns and paths, along with a goat petting farm, “barnyard golf,” and journey stone scavenger hunts. And for a truly tranquil escape, book a stay at Rabbit Hill Inn, an adults-only luxury boutique inn with a fantastic pub and restaurant on site.

Warren

Tucked in the Mad River Valley at the heart of Vermont, Warren is a tranquil mountain village that’s sure to make you glad. In town, check out the “almost world famous” Warren Store for an eclectic assortment of clothes, jewelry, and home goods, along with a delectable in-house cafe serving freshly baked goods (and barbecue on Fridays). Right next door, Art in the Village is a delightfully local gallery that regularly showcases a variety of works by local artists (and is owned by a local artist). And a short drive east, East Warren Community Market is a community co-op stocked with plenty of locally grown organic produce, unique gifts and souvenirs, and market kitchen dinners.

Just to the west of town is Sugarbush, a sporty ski resort that transforms itself into a summertime hotspot with seasonal festivals, daring mountain bike trails, the 18-hole Sugarbush Golf Club, and hiking trails leading all the way up to Lincoln Peak. Back in town, The Pitcher Inn is picture-perfect for relaxing after a busy day traipsing around town (or traversing the mountains) with the coziness of a small town B&B and the comfort of a refined resort.

Middlebury

Perched on the western slopes of the Green Mountains, Middlebury is a different kind of college town. Of course, Middlebury College makes its mark on the town and provides world-class amenities like the highly esteemed Middlebury College Museum of Art. In addition, the learned atmosphere of this college town helps sustain local treasures like the nation’s oldest community history museum at the Henry Sheldon Museum, the Town Hall Theater and its calendar full of interesting plays and musicals, and the hands-on art classes and workshops at Middlebury Studio School.

To get an even deeper sense of what Middlebury is about, head outside. To the east of town, Green Mountain National Forest has some 400,000 acres of rugged and diverse terrain with multiple exciting hiking trails. In town, the 18-mile-long Trail Around Middlebury is a great way to reach a number of local landmarks and open spaces, and the Ralph Myhre Golf Course is the college’s golf course that welcomes the public to enjoy perhaps New England’s most beautiful tee times. Whenever you’re ready to call it a day, retire to a great night at the lovely Swift House Inn bed-and-breakfast.

Killington

Killington is another mountain town that attracts plenty of winter sports enthusiasts, yet this town does anything but play dead the rest of the year. After the snow melts, Killington Resort opens the Snowshed Adventure Center to ride the Beast Mountain Coaster, find your way at the Amaze'n Maze, and try your hand at the Skye Ropes Course. In addition, Killington has its own bike park with 30 miles of trails suitable for riders at all levels. Or, for a more laid-back experience on the mountain, book a tee time at the par 72, championship-grade Killington Golf Course.

Beyond the resort, Killington also lies on the path of the Appalachian Trail, one of the United States’ longest hiking trails, and Killington’s chunk of the trail includes one of its most beautiful parts at Thundering Brook Falls. For more satisfying hiking excursions, hit the aptly named Long Trail to trek the Green Mountains from Killington to Massachusetts, or from Killington to the U.S.-Canada border. Once you’re done for the day, retreat to the Inn at Long Trail for a warm and cozy family-run bed-and-breakfast with its own Irish pub on site.

Woodstock

The rest of the world may know more about that other Woodstock (in New York) that briefly became the counterculture epicenter in 1969, but Vermont’s own Woodstock has its own timeless qualities, including New England’s “Little Grand Canyon.” A short drive east of town lies Quechee Gorge, Vermont’s deepest gorge (at 165 feet), formed by glacial activity some years ago. Go to Quechee State Park for the amazing views, and feel free to stay for its lovely hiking trails and great fishing down at the Ottauquechee River.

Back in Woodstock, you can find more historic beauty and charm at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, a wondrously verdant stretch of the Mount Tom Forest with its own hiking trails and the historic Belvedere Victorian mansion that’s open for tours during the summer season. Right next to the national park, Billings Farm & Museum offers everything from close encounters with the farm animals (including sheep, cows, horses, and chickens) to sustainable living workshops and locally made maple syrup and cheese. And just a few blocks away, Woodstock Inn & Resort provides sumptuously luxurious accommodations and elegant farm-to-table culinary experiences.

Grafton

Situated in the Okemo Valley of southern Vermont, Grafton may be known for a certain local product, but there’s much more here to make a full feast for all your senses. In town, you will find Grafton Village Cheese and its signature cave-aged cheeses. Just outside town, you can embark on a flavorful journey to discover local treasures like the Idyll Acres Farmstand with their fresh produce and hand-crafted ice cream. A little farther southwest, you can do a spectacularly scenic hike and find scenic waterfalls at the Hamilton Falls Trail.

Back in Grafton, head over to the Nature Museum for a number of interactive exhibits showcasing the region’s biodiversity, a hike into the forest on the Fairy House Trail, and even a chance to see honey bees at work. And for a fully immersive farm-to-table experience, stay at The Grafton Inn for phenomenal meals at the Phelps Barn Pub and accommodations inside a storied 200-plus-year-old village inn.

Manchester

Located at the crossroads of the Green Mountains and the Taconic Range, Manchester is also home to the intersection of stately history and rugged nature. Come for Hildene, the majestic estate built in 1905 by Robert Todd Lincoln, the only surviving son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. It’s now a nonprofit-run 412-acre preserve complete with the original Georgian revival mansion that the Lincoln family called home, along with the fully restored Sunbeam Pullman train car, a woodland trail system outside, and the eco-conscious Hildene Farm that continues to produce high-quality cheeses.

For another side of local history, go to the American Museum of Fly Fishing to dive into the origins of the sport, stop at the Orvis store to stock up on gear (and sign up for lessons) at the company that started it all here, and head to Emerald Lake State Park to go fishing yourself. (The lake is also great for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.) Whenever you’re ready to settle down, don’t settle for less: Treat yourself to a fanciful stay at the cozy yet chic Kimpton Taconic Hotel.

Bennington

About 38 miles east of Albany (New York), Bennington is Vermont’s oldest town and might also encapsulate so much of what makes this state so special. Perhaps the town’s most instantly noticeable landmark is the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-foot-tall tower commemorating the August 1777 Revolutionary War battle that American militia forces won, helping to lay the foundation for future victory in the overall war. Just a short stroll away, the Old First Church is Vermont’s oldest Protestant church (opened in 1762), and the Bennington Museum has the world’s most extensive collection of Grandma Moses’ folk art, along with many works by Vermont local artists.

A short drive away, there’s more to explore at Bennington College’s Robert Frost Stone House Museum, which is also the house where the poet Robert Frost wrote many of the poems that would be included in the Pulitzer Prize-winning New Hampshire. Also check out the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion and tour this 1865 Victorian manor that two governors called home and several prominent dignitaries visited. Then, check into the Four Chimneys Inn to enjoy some classic Vermont-style B&B hospitality.

Mountains So Green, and a State So Serene

The Green Mountain State certainly has a number of rugged, adventurous mountain towns, but Vermont is also a state that surprisingly allows you to reach your own preferred sense of serenity. Go to Stowe to reach the summit of Vermont’s tallest mountain, and head to Killington to find yourself while wandering the great expanse of the Appalachian Trail. Step back in time and dig into Vermont’s incredible history in Bennington, and discover some striking, cutting-edge art and culture in Middlebury. Whether you can use a soothing spa weekend or an indulgent foodie getaway, Vermont has several towns that make for a serene weekend retreat.