What is Vermont Known For? 33 Things Vermonters Love About Themselves

Maple Syrup

People come from all over the country for Vermont maple syrup and over half of the maple syrup in America comes from here. In fact, in 2022 the amount totalled 2.5 million gallons. It’s available at country road stands or on smaller farms using the honor system.

Simon Pearce

Voted one of “America’s Most Romantic Restaurants” by Travel and Leisure, Simon Pearce uses local ingredients in their stunning restaurant perched over the Ottauquechee River waterfall. Simon, a talented artist, hails from Ireland and began his pottery and glass crafting at 16, an apprentice at his father’s studio. His pottery and glass studio are in Quechee and hydroelectrically powered. Each glass piece is hand-blown, and there is an area to watch the artisans at work!

The Vermont Flannel Company

Handcrafted since 1991 in Ferrisburgh, this decidedly New England company has stores all over the northeast. They make all of their products in America using 100 percent certified organic cotton.

King Arthur Baking Company

King Arthur Baking Company is a staple available in nearly every store in the country. They began in Boston in 1790 as Henry Wood & Company, the first flour company in the United States. Renamed King Arthur in 1896 for their Arthurian traits of “purity, loyalty, honesty, superior strength, and a dedication to a higher purpose.” They later relocated to Norwich, Vermont in 1984, where they have a retail shop, café, and cooking school.

Orvis

Founded in 1856 selling quality flyfishing equipment, this Manchester business has grown from its humble beginnings. Today they sell quality sportswear, home furnishings, luggage, and dog products.

Ski Resorts

Winter is the time for skiing in Vermont. Here are some popular resorts that serve the East Coast:

• Smugglers Notch Resort offers 78 trails and has a vertical drop of 2,610 feet. Nearby is the town of Jeffersonville.
• Mount Snow has an elevation of 3,300 feet and 601 acres, it is near West Dover.
• Sugarbush Resort, known for the Slide Brook Express Quad the fastest and longest quad lift in America, has an elevation of 2,600 feet, spans two mountains, and is near Warren.
• Jay Peak Resort is near the Canadian border and has an elevation of 3,968 feet and 81 trails. The town of Jay is nearby.
• Okemo Mountain Resort has 122 trails and a 2,200-foot vertical drop. The closest town is Ludlow Village.
• Stowe Mountain has 116 trails on Mt. Mansfield which has an elevation of 4,395 feet and is the highest mountain in Vermont. Nearby is downtown Stowe.
• Killington Resort has an elevation of 4,241 feet, 213 trails, and spreads across six mountain peaks. It is located near Killington.

Cheddar Cheese

Known for its many dairy farms, there is a cow for every four people, and for producing great cheddar cheese since the 1800s, Vermont cheddar is available throughout the state. In fact, Cabot Creamery in Waterbury Center put cheddar on the map. Eateries throughout the state serve this delicious cheese.

Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a beautiful 125-mile-long natural freshwater lake that spans the border of New York State and Vermont and extends into the province of Quebec. In fact, the oldest fossil reef is here, it’s 450-480 million years old, keep an eye open for local legend Champ! Activities enjoyed in the area include fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, or hiking.

Hildene

Built in the Georgian revival style, this home was erected in 1905 by Robert Todd, the son of President Abe Lincoln. It overlooks the Taconic and Green Mountains and sits on 412 acres in Manchester Center. The home is now a historic museum.

Marble

Vermont is one of the leading producers of marble and has been for over 100 years. In fact, the Danby quarry is the largest underground marble quarry in the world producing over 4,000 square feet of white marble a day.

Covered Bridges

Vermont is home to more than 100 covered bridges which symbolize its charm and rural heritage. The design protects their wooden structures from harsh New England weather. As a result, Vermont has the most covered bridges of any place in New England with many listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Distilleries

From local vodkas to maple-infused liquor, distilleries in Vermont produce award-winning spirits. For example, one such distiller is Smuggler’s Notch Distilling which offers tastings of its award-winning vodka. In addition, Caledonia Spirits has won awards for its Barr Hill Gin.

Maple Creemees

Maple creemees are a local favorite. This maple-syrup-flavored ice cream is popular at ice cream shops, farm stands, and food trucks across the state. Some say the town of Rutland was its birthplace.

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

In production since 1981 in Burlington, these teddy bears are of heirloom quality. They use 100 percent recycled stuffing and provide bears to children through their Little Hero Program®. And they offer a lifetime guarantee! Watch the artisans at work in their factory.

John Deere

A standard in the industry, John Deere was the inventor of the steel plow. He was a local blacksmith and inventor born in 1804 in Rutland. His invention revolutionized agriculture in America and led to the growth of farming. Today John Deere means quality and reliability in farming machinery in America.

Calvin Coolidge

The 30^th president of the United States served from 1923 to 1929 and was born in Plymouth Notch on the 4^th of July. His family were early settlers here and had deep political roots in the state. Visit his childhood home for a tour.

Fall Foliage

Vermont is a premier destination to experience fall as the maple trees turn ablaze in shades of orange, yellow, and red during foliage time. Leaf peepers, or tourists, come to enjoy the spectacular show during the change of seasons.

Green Mountains

The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont is home to outdoor activities such as skiing, camping, hiking, and fishing. The state is known as the “Green Mountain State” for its magnificent mountain peaks. In fact, they span 250 miles from the south in Massachusetts across the border to Quebec and are part of the Appalachian Mountains.

Corn Mazes

Fall is the time for corn mazes, when fresh donuts, and apple cider are enjoyed in the harvest season. For example, a fun place to visit is the Great Vermont Corn Maze which offers 24 acres and miles of trails bordered by 10–12-foot walls of corn stalks to run through!

Apple Pie

Vermont’s official dessert is apple pie. The conditions are ideal here for growing apples, indeed the state is known for its orchards. During apple season almost every menu offers apple pie. In addition, apple picking is a popular fall activity.

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

In 1978 Ben and Jerry started their legendary ice cream business in a renovated gas station in Burlington. Today they are a multi-national brand. Take a tour at their Waterbury location where one can taste all of their unique flavors.

Bennington Battle Day Monument

On August 16, 1777, the Battle of Bennington was fought here during the Revolutionary War. The site is honored with a 306-foot tall monument, the tallest structure in the state, and was dedicated in 1891. It has an observation deck with views for miles.

Shelburne

Shelburne, in Chittenden County, was established in 1763 and is located near Lake Champlain. It is home to Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre farm and National Historic Landmark with historic buildings, gardens, and woodlands open for tours.

Burlington

The largest city in the state, Burlington is a vibrant place with many outdoor activities, lots of history, and culture. The University of Vermont makes this a big college town. Located near Lake Champlain, it is ranked one of the best places to live in the United States.

Local Breweries

Ranking #1 in the country for craft breweries per capita, Vermont has over 60 in the state. Top brands such as Fiddlehead and The Alchemist are worth a visit when in the area. The towns of Stowe and Burlington are the best places to start the tour.

Incredible Hikes

Vermont is a great place to hike with some of the best trails in New England. One such instance is The Long Trail, created by the Green Mountain Club. It is the oldest long-distance trail in the country and was created between 1910 and 1930. It runs the length of the state and is 272 miles long beginning in Bennington to the Canadian border. Allow about 20 to 30 days to complete the hike with an average between 9 to 13 miles a day.

“Green” State

The city of Burlington is the first city to receive 100 percent of its power from renewable sources. The state is working toward getting 90 percent of its energy from sustainable sources by 2050.

Four-Season State

Vermont experiences all four seasons and is famous for its colorful fall foliage from September through October. Skiing and snow season are approximately between December through March. Springtime is unpredictable but when it comes it brings fields of flowers. Summertime can be hot and humid but it’s the time for outdoor activities and festivals.

Bernie Sanders

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Bernie Sanders moved to Vermont in the 1960s. Consequently, he served as mayor of Burlington, later became a congressman, and is now a Democratic senator. He has homes in Burlington and North Hero where he resides when not in Washington, DC.

Charming Small Towns

Vermont is filled with charming towns with picturesque covered bridges, white steeple churches, rolling hills, babbling brooks, boutiques, and wonderful restaurants. For example, visit the towns of Shelburne, Middlebury, Grafton, Manchester, Woodstock, and Stowe to enjoy the experience.

Historical Sites

There are currently 18 National Historic Landmarks in the State of Vermont dating back to early Native American settlements. One such place is the Rockingham Meetinghouse, also called the Old North Meeting House and the First Church in Rockingham. It was built from 1787 to 1801 and is one of the finest examples of New England Colonial architecture. In fact, it is the oldest intact public building in the area. Another impressive site is the Vermont State House built in 1859 in Montpelier and is the state capital.

Country Breakfasts

Vermont country breakfasts consist of locally sourced sausage or bacon, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, farm-fresh eggs, hearty toast, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and locally produced coffee. A few of the local places to find this delicious way to start the day are Sugar & Spice Restaurant in Mendon, Blue Benn’s Diner in Bennington, and Butler’s Pantry in Stowe.

Rock Quarries

Smith Quarry, owned by Rock of Ages, offers tours and is one of the largest deep-hole quarries in the world. In addition, it is the world’s largest monument granite quarry located on 50 acres and is 570 feet deep. The Rock of Ages granite quarry has been in operation since 1885 and is where most of the country’s headstones come from.