Things to Do in Vermont, United States: City Guides

The best things to do in Vermont combine mountain landscapes, historic towns, Lake Champlain and the state’s distinctive New England character. Known for its Green Mountains, Vermont is a landlocked state in the northeastern United States, with Quebec to the north and the Connecticut River Valley along much of its eastern border. Neywo offers free audio guides for three cities in Vermont, with 29 narrated places in total.

What to see and do in Vermont

Vermont’s landscape is shaped by the Green Mountains, which run north to south through the middle of the state. The range separates the Lake Champlain region in the west from the Connecticut River Valley and provides a setting for forests, towns and winter sports. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy, helping make skiing and other winter activities an important part of Vermont tourism.

Explore Burlington and Lake Champlain

Burlington is Vermont’s largest city and sits in the western part of the state, near Lake Champlain. The lake is central to the region’s geography and history: Samuel de Champlain led the first European expedition to it and made the first known map of the area.

The city also offers several notable places to discover. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ethan Allen Engine Company No. 4, Burlington Breakwater and Fleming Museum of Art are among the narrated places featured in Neywo’s Burlington, Vermont guide.

Visit Montpelier, Vermont’s capital

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont and the least populous state capital in the country. Its history reflects the state’s political importance, while its setting connects it with the forests and mountains that define central Vermont.

The city’s narrated places include Washington County, Bethany Church, UCC, Christ Episcopal Church and College Hall. They provide a way to explore Montpelier’s built heritage while learning more about the state around it. See the Montpelier city guide for the places covered by Neywo.

Discover Stowe and the Green Mountains

Stowe lies in the Green Mountain landscape, where forests and snowy winters have helped establish Vermont as an important destination for winter sports. The state is home to some of New England’s largest ski areas, making its mountain towns especially relevant for travellers interested in outdoor activities.

Two of Stowe’s narrated places are Gold Brook Covered Bridge and Stowe Community Church. They are included in Neywo’s Stowe guide.

Learn about Vermont’s unusual history

Vermont’s political history began before it joined the United States. Abenaki and Mohawk communities were active in the area at the time of European contact. French colonists later claimed the territory as part of New France, before France ceded its lands east of the Mississippi River to Britain.

The territory then became the subject of a dispute between New York and New Hampshire over land grants west of the Connecticut River. The Green Mountain Boys militia defended settlers who held New Hampshire grants. In 1777, representatives declared independence and created the Vermont Republic, which governed itself from Windsor. Vermont also abolished slavery before any other United States state. In 1791, it entered the Union.

Even the name Vermont reflects this past. It was adopted as a French translation of “Green Mountains”, the range running through the heart of the state.

See the state’s natural contrasts

Vermont’s geography brings together several distinct areas. The Green Mountains form a central spine, broad forests cover much of the state, Lake Champlain lies to the west, and the Connecticut River marks much of the eastern edge. Quebec borders Vermont to the north, while three other United States states surround its remaining sides.

This combination of mountains, forests, lake country and river valley gives Vermont a varied landscape despite its small population. The state has fewer residents than all but one other United States state, and its rural character remains an important part of the experience of travelling through it.

Explore Vermont with Neywo’s free audio guide

Neywo has free audio guides for 3 cities in Vermont: Burlington, Montpelier and Stowe. Together, they cover 29 narrated places across 3 walking tours. Narration is available in 11 languages.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Download Neywo and explore Vermont’s cities while the stories play along the way.