20 Vermont Landmarks

Vermont is the land of the green mountains, a state with mesmerising natural formations and historical sites that you have to see to believe. The largest maple syrup producing state in the USA, Vermont was the state that was the first to join the union after the first 13 colonies. Vermont is also the state where Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream was born. It’s known for its covered wooden bridges (there are over 100 of them in Vermont!), the first USA state to outlaw slavery and is the second-smallest US state by population. Want to know more? Here’s a list of Vermont landmarks that will help you understand more about this beautiful state.

Vermont Landmarks

Natural Landmarks in Vermont

1- Quechee Gorge

Vermont’s deepest gorge, Quechee Gorge, plunges to the depths of 165ft (50 m).

Nature shaped this gorge tens of thousands of years ago when glacial action created a long, narrow, deep stretch of water.

This place is now the Quechee State Park and the gorge is the star attraction.

Quechee Gorge is a magnet for hikers and a popular place to camp, with facilities for RVs and tents.

The gorge is a popular fishing spot for locals who fish for brook, rainbow and brown trout.

Quechee Gorge is at 5800 Woodstock Road, Hartford, VT 05047.

2- Mount Mansfield

Mount Mansfield in Chittenden County is the tallest mountain in Vermont, reaching 4,395 ft (1,340 m) above sea level.

The mountain consists of mica-albite-quartz schist, a mineral-rich rock.

The mountain’s name was a topic of controversy due to disputes over the land it stood on. However, Mount Mansfield is the name that stuck.

In 1980, Mount Mansfield secured the title ‘National Natural Landmark’ from the National Park Services.

The area is now called Mount Mansfield State Forest and is where you will be amazed at breathtaking mountains that reach massive heights.

The mountain and its surrounding mountains have several trails that are popular among skiers during the winter.

Mount Mansfield is at 175 Pleasant Valley Rd, Underhill, VT 05489.

3- Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a stretch of water that flows from the Canadian border into New York and Vermont.

It’s the 13th-largest lake in the United States, covering a distance of 107 miles (172km), reaching depths of up to 400ft (120m) and the boundary between New York and Vermont.

The lake has a fascinating history as it has seen revolutionary wars and battles due to its excellent defensive position.

This lake was the gateway between the English colonies and French Canada.

Many movies on American wars feature this lake as well.

You can drop into restaurants around the lake to eat freshly cooked fish.

4- Moss Glen Falls

Moss Glen Falls is a gem hidden away in Stowe.

Due to its beauty, Moss Glen Falls is a photographers dream come true and you’ll often see photographers trying to capture its beauty.

This is a popular hiking destination for beginning hikers and family groups.

The falls is pet friendly as well as long as dogs are on a leash.

Moss Glen Falls is at 369 to 615 Moss Glen Falls Rd, Stowe, VT 05672.

5- Killington Mountain Resort

Killington Mountain Resort and Ski Area in Rutland County is the largest Ski Resort in Vermont and Eastern United States.

The resort is on Killington mountain (3,050 feet/930 m), the second tallest mountain in Vermont has been a ski resort since the 1950s.

While at Killington, you can register for one of the tours (daily at 10 am and 11 am) to show you around the trails, restaurants, merchandise stores, spa and other amenities offered at this luxurious mountain resort.

Killington Mountain Resort and Ski Area is at 3861 Killington Rd, Killington, VT 05751.

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6- Smuggler’s Notch

Smuggler’s Notch State Park in Lamoille County is at the base of Mount Mansfield.

The park was a passageway for smuggling people and goods into Canada during the revolutionary wars.

Because of this period of history, it was named Smuggler’s Notch State Park.

The range of mountains in the park and its surroundings stretch into Quebec in Canada.

What was once a smuggling route is now a popular destination for avid hikers and campers.

There are camping sites in the area and popular trails that extend to other spots like the Moss Glen Falls.

The park is also an excellent spot for rock climbing enthusiasts to polish their skills in the field.

Smuggler’s Notch State Park is at 6443 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672.

7- Hamilton Falls

Hamilton Falls is a hidden gem and one of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont.

The 125ft (38 m) waterfall in Jamaica State Park is a gushing stream with a stunning forest background.

The top of the waterfall has quite a few potholes and uneven rocks but the lower part of the falls is safe to swim in.

The waterfall is a popular spot for local hikers who love exploring the state park.

Hamilton Falls is at Hamilton Falls Rd, Jamaica, VT 05343.

8- Hogback Mountain

The Hogback Mountain Conservation Area has a fabulous 100-mile (160 km) view, where on a clear day, you can see three states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The mountain is home to moose, deer, bobcats and black bears and provides a summer habitat for birds like blue and black-throated green warblers.
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Formerly a popular family ski hill, these days, Hogback Mountain is open all year and a popular spot for hiking and snow-shoeing.

Hogback Mountain is at Marlboro, VT 05301.

9- Hildene

Hildene is the former home of Abraham Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, a lawyer, businessman, and politician.

The name of the stately home is a combination of two words, ‘hil’ meaning hill, and ‘dene’ meaning a valley with a stream.

It was named Hildene because of the views of the mountains and river flowing through the Battenkill Valley.

Robert originally used it as a summer home till his great-grandchildren repurchased it as an ancestral home.

The 412-acre (166 ha) estate consists of the house, garden, observatory, farm and dairy making facilities.

Agricultural students used it as a place to learn and experiment with their ideas.

You can sign up for a tour of the estate to see all of these facilities.

Hildene is at 1005 Hildene Rd, Manchester, VT 05255.

10- Taftsville Covered Bridge

Taftsville Covered Bridge was constructed in 1836 and is one the oldest covered bridges in both Vermont and the United States.

The original bridge built by Stephen Taft washed away several times before it was covered in timber.

When Taft first moved to the region, he built several mills and a bridge across the Ottauquechee River.

This bridge still stands today, reaches 189ft (52cm) across the river and is a popular spot for photos.

Taftsville Covered Bridge is at Woodstock, VT 05091.

11- Billings Farm And Museum

In 1871, Billings farm was a teaching farm for agricultural practices as well as breeding techniques.

Since 1983, it has provided visitors with a taste of genuine Vermont farm life.

You can visit the museum to learn more about agricultural practices and view historical tools used throughout the years.

Exhibits are displayed in 19th-century style barns that showcase the lives of rural folk in Vermont.

Billings Farm and Museum is at 69 Old River Rd, Woodstock, VT 05091.

12- Coolidge Homestead

The President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site, also known as the Coolidge Homestead, was the childhood home of the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge.

He lived there till he was 15 before moving away to further his education.

He often visited his family on his holidays, spending time in the family home, which became a National Historic Site in 1965.

The estate has a visitor’s centre, homestead, barns and farmhouses, all in original condition.

The President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site is at 3780 VT-100A, Plymouth, VT 05056.

13- Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park is in Woodstock and is a monument to its influential owners.

Charles Marsh originally built it in 1805, and after his death, Frederick Billings bought it in 1869.

Most of the work done to the estate was during Billing’s ownership, which included expanding the small house into a mansion and establishing a dairy farm.

The final owner was Mary French Rockefeller, who later donated the entire estate to the people of the United States.

The authorities converted it into a historic park in 1992.

The estate now covers 40 acres (16 ha) and was recognised as a National Historic Landmark in 1967.

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park is at 54 Elm St, Woodstock, VT 05091.

14- New England Maple Museum

The state of Vermont produces the most maple syrup in the USA, over 1.5 million gallons.

Its output is more than twice of its closest competitor, New York.

The New England Maple Museum in Pittsford is a museum dedicated to the history of making maple syrup.

The self-guided tour will take you through a time when Native Americans first discovered maple and how it was utilised and processed back then compared to how it is done now.

The museum features an extensive collection of maple syrup artifacts and tools that date back several hundred years.

The New England Maple Museum is at 4578 US-7, Pittsford, VT 05763.

15- Great Vermont Corn Maze

The Great Vermont Corn Maze is on a dairy farm in Danville and has several mazes that can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours to complete.

Each year, a new maze is created with three miles (4.8 km) of trails and towering corn walls covering 10 acres (4 ha).

The Maze is open during certain months, offers themed events and is a fun experience for families and friends.

The Great Vermont Corn Maze is at 1404 Wheelock Rd, Danville, VT 05828.

16- Vermont State House

Vermont State House in Montpelier is the seat of the Vermont General Assembly in the smallest capital city in the USA.

The beautiful building is Neoclassical and Greek Revival in design, with furnishings from different eras.

The State House has two floors accessed by circular stairways with a Greek Ionic entrance hall where portraits of two presidents from Vermont, Calvin Coolidge and Chester A Arthur hang.

You can explore on a self-guided tour or sign up for a 30-minute guided one that covers the history of Vermont and the building.

The Vermont State House is at 115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633.

17- Old First Congregational Church

The Old First Congregational Church is one of the oldest in Vermont and the state’s first Protestant church.

The area started serving as a congregation in 1762, but a congregational church was later built in its position in 1805.

The Old First Congregational Church is at 60 Monument Ave, Bennington, VT 05201.

18- Stellafane Observatory

Stellafane Observatory dates back to 1920.

The name comes from the Latin words ‘stella’ and ‘fanum’, which mean Shrine to the Stars.

This observatory and clubhouse have been hosting an astronomical convention every year since 1926 and is overall just a place for space enthusiasts to hang out and dwell in the stars.

It was recognised as a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

The Stellafane Observatory is at Breezy Hill Rd, Springfield, VT 05156.

19- Rokeby Museum

The Rokeby Museum is located in the rural area of Ferrisburgh and covers 90 acres (36 ha) dedicated to the underground railroad history in Vermont.

The story focuses on two slaves who took refuge in the underground railroad in the events leading up to the Civil War.

The Rokeby Museum was recognised as a National Historic Landmark in 1997.

The Rokeby Museum is at 4334 Route 7, Ferrisburgh, VT 05456.

20- Ben & Jerry’s Factory

The Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury was built in 1985 and was where Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

The factory is still running and producing several hundreds of thousands of ice cream pints for its growing customer base.

It’s open to visitors who can join a tour and taste delicious ice cream.

The Ben & Jerry’s Factory is at 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Village Historic District, VT 05676.

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