Vermont Gay Travel - Area Info

Vermont is divided into three distinct regions, each slightly different from the next.  Northern Vermont is known for its vistas, skiing, farmland and Burlington's downtown attractions; Central Vermont features picturesque small towns, quaint college villages, and outdoor recreation. Southern Vermont for its furniture makers, events, and getaways. 

Northern Vermont Tourism
From the breathtaking, unspoiled landscape of the Northeast Kingdom to the cosmopolitan yet low-key style of Burlington, northern Vermont offers an incredible array of things to do and places to explore. Escape to a timeless place or enjoy the finest of today's food, arts, and recreation - northern Vermont breweries, restaurants, and skiing resorts - all within a 1-hour drive.

Burlington, which sits on Lake Champlain, is the financial, educational and cultural center of Vermont. Offers a lively downtown area, which is still close to water activities on Lake Champlain and nearby ski resorts. 

Stowe, the "ski capital of the East", is a premier winter resort as well as a summer one. Home to the famous Von Trapp family, from Sound of Music fame, the town features a 200 year old typical Vermont village set against the massive backdrop of Mount Mansfield. Nearby is Waterbury home to Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Smugglers Notch Resort is a self contained village which can accommodate 2,000 people. This major ski resort sports a natural snow bowl with a variety of terrain.

St. Johnsbury and Craftsbury exemplify the typical picturesque Vermont village. Quaint shops, white steepled churches and rolling hills greet visitors. 

Most visitors in Jay Peak hail from across the Canadian border. One of the most spectacular views in the state can be seen from the 3,681 foot summit of the Peak. 

The Northeast has some of the most beautiful lakes in Vermont. The largest, Lake Memphremagog stretches thirty miles from Newport to Quebec. This French influenced area is a delightful place for those who like to fish, hike and observe wildlife.

In the Champlain islands, visitors will see cows and silos, mountain views and beaches. Visitors swarm to this region during the summer months to enjoy the waterside farms, orchards and watersport activities.

Missisiquoi Valley Rail Trail wanders 26.4 miles through the farms, forests, fields and wetlands of Franklin County. See the postcard images of Vermont you have grown to love. The trail is open year round for biking, hiking, walking, jogging, roller blading, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling.

Central Vermont Tourism
Central Vermont boasts rolling hills, lush valleys, and the ost famous peaks of the Green Mountains. What locals call "the heart of Vermont" is not just the heart but also the soul, where you can get in touch with agriculture heritage, scenic small-town charm, and tremendous outdoor recreational opportunities.

Gay travelers to Vermont will find over two dozen towns scattered along the Vermont and New Hampshire banks of the Connecticut River. Dartmouth College, the ninth oldest college in the country, calls Hanover home. Norwich is considered one of the prettiest towns in Vermont. Newbury was once known as a 19th century spa. The spa has long vanished but the town's charm remains. 

Woodstock has been rated one of the prettiest towns in America. A beautiful town to explore on its own or a great place to rest your head while skiing at nearby Killington.

Killington is the largest ski resort in the East. Featuring six mountains, the longest ski run and the most extensive snow making equipment in the world. In summer, there is exceptional hiking and biking through these mountains. 

Sugarbush offers year round activities. World class skiing in the winter and hiking over some of the highest peaks of the Green Mountains in the summer. 

Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the Union. Montpelier is small town America at its best. 

Two historical events have occurred in Castleton. It was here that Ethan Allen and Seth Warner planned the capture of Ticonderoga. During the American Revolution, American militiamen made a brave stand against the British, in the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Vermont soil. Castleton is a showcase of Greek Revival homes. 

Middlebury is home of the prestigious Middlebury College. A true college town, visitors, students and parents find this a great place to shop and stay. 

Southern Vermont Tourism
Southern Vermont, the gateway to the Green Mountain State, is home to an astonishing range of historic attractions, outstanding arts and crafts, and delightful nooks and crannies to get away from it all. Perfect for a planned vacation or simply exploring without an agenda, a warm welcome always awaits you in Southern Vermont, where you'll find furniture shops, local cheese, and other attractions

Brattleboro, once upon a town was comprised of numerous communes in the 60's and 70's. Today, you will find a delightful artistic community with lovely B&B's. It is often said that you can't throw a stone on Main Street without hitting an artist, musician or poet. Live theatre, music and dance, as well as galleries, shops and restaurants, make this a place not to miss. 

Mount Snow is a major ski resort with 767 acres of terrain. 

Bennington is nationally known as home of Bennington College, as well as the home of Bennington pottery. Historically, this was the location of Battle of Bennington, during The American Revolution.

Magic Mountain is the place for lots of winter activities. Enjoy skiing, riding, tubing at the mountain, sleigh rides, skating, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in Vermont's winter wonderland. Fine dining, superb dining and romantic lodgings are available in the area.

Manchester has been a summer resort since The Civil War. Nestled in The Green Mountains, many stay here while skiing at nearby Stratton and Bromley. The town also boasts some fifty top outlet stores and another fifty or so specialty shops and galleries.

Picturesque villages dot the Southern Vermont countryside. Grafton, Chester, Saxtons River and Bellows Falls offer beautiful Bed and Breakfasts to stay, galleries, shops, and restaurants to enjoy. 

The Okemo Mountain rises from the town of Ludlow. Okemo is a destination ski area with a small resort feel. Summer visitors enjoy staying on one of the many mountain lakes and enjoying fishing and hiking. 

Putney is a charming Vermont village possessing a quality of life, lost to so many urban dwellers and exactly what so many folks come seeking. Putney offers a very active artist and music community and probably has the greatest density of potters within any five miles within the state! Agri-tourism farming is a huge activity with the "the pick our own" berries and apples crowd and there are great maple sugar tours. Hiking and biking trails Is Putney, not to mention the home to US Cross Country Ski Team. Their ski trails are incredible. Putney has lovely access to the pastoral Connecticut River and can make the claim of two federal boat landing put-ins.

Courtesy Vermont Attractions Association