Highest-rated free things to do in Vermont by visitors

Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Vermont.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Vermont using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. World's Tallest Filing Cabinet

- Rating: 3.8/5 (331 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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#29. Mount Tom

- Rating: 4.7/5 (177 reviews)
- City: Woodstock
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#28. University of Vermont

- Rating: 4.6/5 (196 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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4 / 30

#27. Lake Champlain

- Rating: 4.6/5 (117 reviews)
- City: not available
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5 / 30

#26. Harriman Reservoir

- Rating: 4.6/5 (84 reviews)
- City: Wilmington
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6 / 30

#25. Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Emily's Covered Bridge)

- Rating: 4.2/5 (246 reviews)
- City: Stowe
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7 / 30

#24. Foam Brewers

- Rating: 4.4/5 (265 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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#23. Hope Cemetery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (253 reviews)
- City: Barre
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#22. Lye Brook Falls

- Rating: 4.4/5 (242 reviews)
- City: Manchester
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#21. Burlington Farmers Market

- Rating: 4.7/5 (198 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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#20. Warren Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (118 reviews)
- City: Warren
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#19. Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery

- Rating: 4.9/5 (234 reviews)
- City: Saint Johnsbury Northeast Kingdom Verm
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#18. Bingham Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (167 reviews)
- City: Stowe
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#17. Buttermilk Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (183 reviews)
- City: Ludlow
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#16. Vermont State House

- Rating: 4.6/5 (488 reviews)
- City: Montpelier
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#15. Vermont Antique Mall

- Rating: 4.3/5 (310 reviews)
- City: Quechee Hartford
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#14. Thundering Brook Falls Trail

- Rating: 4.5/5 (212 reviews)
- City: Killington
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#13. The Alchemist Brewery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (339 reviews)
- City: Stowe
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#12. Bragg Farm Sugar House & Gift Shop

- Rating: 4.6/5 (326 reviews)
- City: Montpelier
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#11. Simon Pearce Mill

- Rating: 4.6/5 (293 reviews)
- City: Quechee Hartford
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#10. Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks

- Rating: 4.5/5 (508 reviews)
- City: Montpelier
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#9. Lake Willoughby

- Rating: 4.7/5 (181 reviews)
- City: East Burke Northeast Kingdom
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#8. Smugglers Notch State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (384 reviews)
- City: Stowe

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#7. Waterfront Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (907 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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#6. Stowe Recreation Path

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,466 reviews)
- City: Stowe
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#5. Moss Glen Falls

- Rating: 4.7/5 (443 reviews)
- City: Stowe
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#4. Sugarbush Farm

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,077 reviews)
- City: Woodstock
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#3. Quechee Gorge

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,073 reviews)
- City: Quechee Hartford
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#2. Burlington Bike Path

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,174 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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#1. Church Street Marketplace

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,018 reviews)
- City: Burlington
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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