Highest-rated free things to do in Vermont, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Vermont, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Vermont.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Vermont using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. University of Vermont
- Rating: 4.5/5 (192 reviews)
- Address: Carrigan Drive Burlington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Manchester Designer Outlets
- Rating: 4/5 (173 reviews)
- Address: 65 Depot St. Manchester, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Harriman Reservoir
- Rating: 4.5/5 (82 reviews)
- Address: Wilmington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (198 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Buttermilk Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (178 reviews)
- Address: Buttermilk Falls Road Ludlow, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Foam Brewers
- Rating: 4.5/5 (166 reviews)
- Address: 112 Lake St. Burlington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Warren Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (116 reviews)
- Address: 3919 Vermont Rte 100 Warren, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. The Dog Chapel
- Rating: 5/5 (158 reviews)
- Address: Dog Mountain 143 Parks Rd. Saint Johnsbury, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Lye Brook Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (241 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Thundering Brook Falls Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (207 reviews)
- Address: 2295 River Road Fork Killington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Bingham Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (158 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Bragg Farm Sugar House & Gift Shop
- Rating: 4.5/5 (315 reviews)
- Address: 1005 Vt Route 14 South Montpelier, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Lake Champlain
- Rating: 4.5/5 (115 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Vermont Antique Mall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (304 reviews)
- Address: 5573 Woodstock Road Quechee Gorge Village Quechee, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Vermont State House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (483 reviews)
- Address: 115 State St. Montpelier, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery
- Rating: 5/5 (233 reviews)
- Address: 143 Parks Road Saint Johnsbury, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Baird Farm Vermont Maple Syrup
- Rating: 5/5 (217 reviews)
- Address: 65 West Road Chittenden, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. The Alchemist Brewery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (329 reviews)
- Address: 100 Cottage Club Road Stowe, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Burlington Farmers Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (198 reviews)
- Address: 345 Pine St. 590 Main St. Burlington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Simon Pearce Mill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (290 reviews)
- Address: 1760 Quechee Main St. Quechee, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (502 reviews)
- Address: 1168 County Road Montpelier, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Lake Willoughby
- Rating: 5/5 (181 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Smugglers Notch State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (381 reviews)
- Address: 6443 Mountain Road Stowe, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Waterfront Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (898 reviews)
- Address: 10 College St. Burlington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Moss Glen Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (427 reviews)
- Address: Brownsville Road Stowe, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Stowe Recreation Path
- Rating: 5/5 (1,461 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Sugarbush Farm
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,053 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Quechee Gorge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,057 reviews)
- Address: Route 4 Quechee, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Burlington Bike Path
- Rating: 5/5 (1,162 reviews)
- Address: Lake Champlain Burlington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Church Street Marketplace
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,004 reviews)
- Address: 131 Church St. Burlington, Vermont
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
