Start your trip in Burlington, Vermont's largest city, with a visit to the Church Street Marketplace, an outdoor mall filled with breweries, restaurants, and shops. Next, head to the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, an aquarium and science museum dedicated to the lake's ecology. End the day with dinner and drinks at Zero Gravity Craft Brewery.
Drive to the town of Stowe and start the day with a scenic hike or gondola ride up Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak. Afterward, grab lunch at The Alchemist Brewery and Visitors Center to taste some of the best IPAs in the state. Spend the afternoon at Stowe Mountain Resort and end the night with dinner and drinks at Doc Ponds.
Visit Vermont's capital city, Montpelier, and take a tour of the Vermont State House, an impressive 19th-century building. Afterward, stop by Uncommon Market for lunch and unique shopping. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city's small businesses and historic sites.
Take a scenic drive to the town of Manchester and visit the Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, which was once the summer residence of President Abraham Lincoln's son. Next, go shopping at the Manchester Designer Outlets before ending the day with dinner and drinks at Copper Grouse.
Drive to Woodstock, a charming village that's home to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, a mansion and estate that's a great spot for a picnic and stroll. Visit the Billings Farm and Museum to learn about Vermont's rich farming history. Finish the day with dinner and drinks at Worthy Kitchen.
Spend the day at Killington Resort, a popular ski resort that offers summer activities like mountain biking, ropes courses, and an alpine slide. Grab lunch at the resort's Kettle Corn New England before heading back to your hotel to get ready for your flight home!
Consider renting a car for the duration of your trip for maximum flexibility in getting around Vermont. Estimated costs for a basic car rental start at around $35 per day. Keep in mind that tolls may also be part of your travel expenses, and parking in the downtown areas may be limited.
If you have more time, consider adding a visit to Burlington Bay Market & Café for breakfast on day 1. On day 2, take a guided Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory Tour for an additional $4/person. If you have less time, skip Manchester and spend more time in Woodstock or Montpelier instead.
Vermont's largest airport is the Burlington International Airport (BTV), which is about 5 miles from downtown Burlington. Other airports include Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT) and Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB), which are more central to Vermont and may require a rental car.