Vermont is one of those places that quietly steals your heart. Small, scenic, and full of charm, it’s everything people imagine when they picture New England — rolling hills, covered bridges, cozy towns, and maple syrup on everything.
But Vermont isn’t just beautiful; it’s authentic. From world-famous ice cream and sharp cheddar to peaceful hiking trails and brilliant fall foliage, it captures that perfect balance between simplicity and wonder.
Here’s why everyone ends up falling in love with Vermont.
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10 Things people love about Vermont
Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s may well be America’s favorite ice cream brand and Vermont’s most famous company. And they are proud of it. If you notice their package, you’ll surely see the slogan “Vermont’s Finest” right in the center and above their logo.
Founded in 1978 in Burlington, Ben & Jerry’s manufactures ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. In 2000, it was sold to Unilever, and since then, it has operated globally as a subsidiary of the conglomerate. However, it still has its headquarters in South Burlington and a factory in Waterbury, Vermont. In fact, one of the best things to do in Vermont is to visit the original Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory.
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is delicious, and they have so many different flavors that you are bound to find one (or 10) that you love. Why? Well, besides the creative punny names, Ben & Jerry’s ice creams are made with premium ingredients (sugar, milk, and cream), less air, and more butterfat. And apparently, that’s their secret, less air!
Ben & Jerry’s is also known for its efforts to be a socially conscious and environmentally friendly company. Thus, their ingredients are carefully chosen and non-GMO. The eggs are cage-free, the dairy is hormone-free, and the sugar, bananas, vanilla, coffee, and cocoa are all Fairtrade certified.
Maple Syrup
What is Vermont famous for? Maple Syrup is one of the things that immediately comes to mind. With a production of about 2 million gallons per year, Vermont produces half of the maple syrup in the USA. Though it is not only the quantity, Vermont’s Maple syrup is reputed to be the best in the country.
Maple syrup is one of Vermont’s leading products. And Vermonters are proud of it and their sugarmakers. Maple syrup is made with a simple process. It’s all-natural – no additives or conservatives are needed.
You need to harvest the sap from the tree and boil it until it transforms into the nectar we love. One average maple tree produces about 10 gallons of sap. Forty gallons of sap make one gallon of syrup.
In the end, maple syrup is a great gift or souvenir – you bring a delicious ingredient and a small piece of Vermont with you. Plus, you are supporting the local economy and the rural heritage of Vermont.
We strongly suggest you stop in one of the treehouses and buy directly from the producer; you’ll probably enjoy the experience, as some of these producers also have tours and explain the process.
Autumn Splendor
The maple trees that produce maple syrup are also responsible for another famous thing in Vermont, the spectacular fall foliage. Fall foliage is also typical in most of the other New England states, but the abundance of Maple trees in Vermont makes it unique.
Depending on the year’s climate, the fall foliage in Vermont usually comes earlier than in other states. The colorful foliage typically starts in early September and stretches through mid-October. The peak season is generally in the last two weeks of September when the reds, yellows, and oranges are at their brightest.
If you’re considering going there, be sure to plan. It is really popular, with leaf peepers coming from all over the world. The most popular route to see the autumn splendor is Route 100, which goes from Massachusetts in the south all the way to Canada in the north. It goes through several waterfalls and lovely bridges while exploring the picturesque Green Mountains.
Green mountains
The green mountains are the most prominent geographical feature of Vermont. They are so notorious that Vermont is usually nicknamed the Green Mountain State. Furthermore, some scholars believe that when the French explorer Samuel de Champlain named Vermont, he called it Verd Mont, meaning green mountain in French. With time, Verd Mont became Vermont.
The Green Mountains are part of the much larger Appalachian Mountains system. They extend for 250 miles, crossing Vermont from North to South, through the center, with a width of about 30 miles. The highest point of the Green Mountains is Mount Mansfield, with 4,393 feet, which is also the highest peak in Vermont.
Despite the presence of different mountain ranges, all of the Vermont mountains are usually called the Green Mountains because they always seem to have a green hue. Even in winter, when the snow covers the hills, the trees still appear green because they hide the snow.
Snow and Ski resorts
The Green Mountains are renowned for their lush greenery and breathtaking scenic beauty, but they are also popular winter destinations with excellent skiing facilities and other snow-related activities. Many of these resorts open as early as November and don’t close until mid-April, sometimes in May.
The ski resorts in Vermont aren’t located at really high altitudes like the ones in Utah or Colorado. However, they still have enough variety and terrain to challenge any expert skier or bodyboarder. The resorts are also known for their luxury lodging, fine restaurants, indulgent spas, and high-end shops. On the other hand, there are still some more basic and budget options.
For all of this, Vermont is a paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and anyone who loves snow activities on the East Coast. The resorts are ideally located and easily reached in less than 3 hours from Boston and less than five hours from New York. Some of the best ski resorts include Okemo, Killington, Jay Peak, and Stowe.
Marble
Marble is one of the most famous products from Vermont. While it isn’t as renowned as Italian marble, it is very popular because of its quality and beauty. Apparently, besides being a fine natural stone and used in historically significant architecture, it is considered one of the most durable marbles in the world.
Vermont has been producing marble for more than 100 years now. Established in the 1850s, the famous Danby Marble Quarry in Dorset Mountain, Vermont, was the first marble quarry in the US. The exterior of the quarry isn’t too impressive, but inside, it twists and turns for one and a half miles deep. Most of Vermont’s marble production comes from the Champlain Valley and Vermont Valley.
Vermont’s marble is famously durable because it’s a very dense stone that doesn’t stain easily, unlike many other marble varieties. The low absorption rate means it is less likely to absorb strain substances that cause permanent damage.
Different varieties of Danby Marble have been used to construct many famous structures in the USA, such as the US Supreme Court, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Beinecke Library at Yale, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
Vermont Cheddar cheese
What is Vermont famous for? Foodies be like Vermont Cheddar cheese!! While Vermont is not the state that produces more cheddar cheese (that’s Wisconsin), Vermont cheddar cheese is extremely popular for its quality and unique flavor.
Vermont cheddar cheese is notable for its sharp, bitey, and bitter flavor. This means that it has a pleasant, rich flavor and smooth, creamy texture.
Another characteristic of Vermont Cheddar is that it doesn’t contain annatto. Yet, you should note that Cheddar without annatto is usually tagged as Vermont Cheddar, even if it is not produced in Vermont. So, if you want the real thing, look at where it is made. Or if you are traveling in Vermont, but locally.
Bernie Sanders
We don’t usually include famous personalities in this list, but Bernie Sanders is the exception. He is arguably the most famous person in Vermont and one of the most influential politicians in the USA over the last decade. Notably, Vermont has two former US presidents, Chester A. Arthur (21st President) and Calvin Coolidge (30th President).
Bernie Sanders has been the junior senator of Vermont since 2007. Between 1991 and 2007, he was Vermont’s Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and before, he had been the Mayor of Burlington between 1981 and 1989.
Despite technically being an independent, Sanders is primarily famous for two unsuccessful runs for the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States in 2016 and 2020, finishing in second place in both campaigns. In 2016, he lost to Hillary Clinton and in 2020 to Joe Biden, who became the 46th US President.
Bernie Sanders identifies himself as a “democratic socialist.” He has been one of the most influential politicians in the Democratic Party and has been credited with the party’s leftward transition since 2016.
Sanders advocates for social democratic and progressive policies and opposes economic inequality and neoliberalism. He is highly influential, and people tend to love him or hate him for his political views.
Billboards
Vermont is nationally known as one of the four states that don’t have billboards; the others are Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska. Billboards are so prevalent on US roads that their absence is strikingly noticeable, given how accustomed people have become to them. Though it’s not really a case that we miss it, is it?
With the 1968 State Billboard Act, Vermont was the second state to ban billboards, particularly off-premise advertising signs. On-premise signs are still allowed under certain conditions. Instead of billboards, travel information signs are used along Vermont’s highways.
This groundbreaking law was created to clear road corridors of visual clutter. Billboards are inherently distracting, diverting attention from traffic safety and the beauty of a place. Tourism is Vermont’s largest industry, and this law helps preserve its beauty. According to a study (Gibson 2012), the “lack of advertising is one of the most commonly reported things visitors appreciate about Vermont.”
Records and fun facts about Vermont
Finally, Vermont holds various records and is home to some unusual and fun facts. These facts are globally recognized, helping further the state’s popularity. Let’s explore these Vermont facts and records:
- Vermont was the first state to enter the union after the 13 original colonies.
- Vermont is one of the four once-independent states. The others were Texas, California, and Hawaii)
- When it became independent, Vermont was called the Republic of New Connecticut. This happened between 1777 and 1791.
- The first constitution of Vermont was adopted in 1777. It abolished slavery and provided universal male suffrage without property qualifications.
- It was also the first state to abolish slavery.
- Vermont was the last state to have a Walmart. The first shop opened in 1996.
- Montpelier is the capital of Vermont. With only 8247 people, it is America’s least populous state capital.
- Montpelier is the only state capital that doesn’t have a McDonald’s
- The first person in the US to file and be granted a patent was from Pittsford, Vermont.
- Vermont is the only US state without buildings taller than 124 feet. Thus, Vermont doesn’t have skyscrapers.
Vermont might be small, but it’s packed with character — a place that values nature, community, and simple pleasures. Whether you’re here for the vibrant fall colors, a taste of maple syrup, or the calm of a mountain morning, it always leaves a lasting impression.
It’s not just a destination — it’s a feeling. And once you’ve been, you’ll understand why everyone falls in love with Vermont.