Ahhh, summer. The sun is shining and the great outdoors beckon us to get out and do something fun in the fresh air. If you’re looking to round out your summer and explore a wide variety of things to see and do, check out these 13 summer destinations in VT that will make this summer the best one ever.

  1. Mt. Mansfield

Fickr/Doug Cadmus Whether you take the gondola, drive up the toll road or hike up, seeing Vermont from the highest peak is breathtaking.

  1. Quechee Gorge

Flickr/Gerald Azenaro Visit Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon and check out the view down from the bridge. If you’re feeling adventurous, the hike to the bottom is easier than you think and it gives you a whole new perspective.

  1. Lake Willoughby

Flickr/Ben Perry There’s no spot in the world quite like Lake Willoughby. Picturesque and serene, you’ll love a day spent here.

  1. Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park

Facebook/Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park It’s not often that you’ll find a Japanese garden in Vermont, and the one at Vermont’s newest State Park in Hubbordton is absolutely incredible.

  1. Champlain Valley Fair

Flickr/Nicholas Erwin 10 days of fun and excitement, no summer is complete without a day at this epic fair.

  1. Warren Falls

Tripadvisor/orenrosenfeld Jump into one of Vermont’s best and most beautiful swimming holes - Warren Falls! There is even a natural water slide for thrill seekers.

  1. Creemees Stand

Facebook/Creemee Stand This hot spot in Wilmington has VT Maple creemees to die for!

  1. Emerald Lake

Flickr/rachel traub Glide on top of the green water at the stunning Emerald Lake in East Dorset. Talk about the Green Mountain State!

  1. Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market

Facebook/Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market There is always something new and exciting at the Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market. Sights, sounds, tastes and smells - this place is simply awesome.

  1. President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site

Yelp/Kim K Head over to Plymouth Notch and take a step back in time at this historic sight. The town is perfectly preserved and full of interesting history for the young and old.

  1. Shelburne Museum

Facebook/Shelburne Museum The Shelburne Museum is one of North America’s finest museums of art, design and Americana. You’ll find over 150,000 works exhibited in a picturesque setting of 39 exhibition buildings and manicured gardens.

  1. Montshire Museum of Science

Facebook/Montshire Museum of Science This hands-on museum in Norwich is great year round, but the outdoor water exhibits are spectacular in the summer. Wear a bathing suit at a museum? Yup!

For even more places to go, check out the 11 very best day trips you can take in Vermont.

Fickr/Doug Cadmus

Whether you take the gondola, drive up the toll road or hike up, seeing Vermont from the highest peak is breathtaking.

Flickr/Gerald Azenaro

Visit Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon and check out the view down from the bridge. If you’re feeling adventurous, the hike to the bottom is easier than you think and it gives you a whole new perspective.

Flickr/Ben Perry

There’s no spot in the world quite like Lake Willoughby. Picturesque and serene, you’ll love a day spent here.

Facebook/Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park

It’s not often that you’ll find a Japanese garden in Vermont, and the one at Vermont’s newest State Park in Hubbordton is absolutely incredible.

Flickr/Nicholas Erwin

10 days of fun and excitement, no summer is complete without a day at this epic fair.

Tripadvisor/orenrosenfeld

Jump into one of Vermont’s best and most beautiful swimming holes - Warren Falls! There is even a natural water slide for thrill seekers.

Facebook/Creemee Stand

This hot spot in Wilmington has VT Maple creemees to die for!

Flickr/rachel traub

Glide on top of the green water at the stunning Emerald Lake in East Dorset. Talk about the Green Mountain State!

Facebook/Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market

There is always something new and exciting at the Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market. Sights, sounds, tastes and smells - this place is simply awesome.

Yelp/Kim K

Head over to Plymouth Notch and take a step back in time at this historic sight. The town is perfectly preserved and full of interesting history for the young and old.

Facebook/Shelburne Museum

The Shelburne Museum is one of North America’s finest museums of art, design and Americana. You’ll find over 150,000 works exhibited in a picturesque setting of 39 exhibition buildings and manicured gardens.

Facebook/Montshire Museum of Science

This hands-on museum in Norwich is great year round, but the outdoor water exhibits are spectacular in the summer. Wear a bathing suit at a museum? Yup!

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