Updated Mar 24, 2024

7 Photos You’ll Only Understand If You Hail From Vermont

Seven photos capture unique aspects of life in Vermont, from local traditions to seasonal events.

Updated Mar 24, 2024

Written by

Updated Aug 7, 2024

Here Are 14 Things You Can Only Find In Vermont

Vermont offers unique attractions like witch windows, a replica of Fenway Park, and Heady Topper Beer that are exclusive to the state.

Updated Aug 7, 2024

Written by

Kristin Grimes

For those of us living in Vermont, we are ever so lucky! Vermont has beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, covered bridges, and more, but there are still a few things that we have that can only be found in VT. From witch windows to a 1/4 size replica of Fenway Park, here are a few things to find to complete your Vermont bucket list. Happy exploring!

1. Heady Topper Beer

This exclusive and elusive beer is hard to get - even in Vermont!

2. The Trapp Family Lodge

When the Von Trapp Family fled from Austria, they chose none other than Stowe, Vermont. The hills were as alive with music as this spot reminded them of their home.

3. Vermont Maple Syrup

Sure, you may find maple syrup made elsewhere, but it's not the same VT Liquid Gold made by hardworking and friendly Vermonters.

4. Nectar's

From Phish's songs and their live performances to the out of this world gravy fries, this Burlington haunt is world famous and a local favorite.

5. Flavor Graveyard

At the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, the flavor graveyard pays its respects to retired flavors. RIP Making Whoopie Pie. We miss you, Oh Pear! This is one of the most unique attractions in Vermont.

6. An arrest warrant for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

In 2008, voters in Brattleboro and Marlboro instituted an arrest warrant against President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for "crimes against our Constitution."

7. Vermont Teddy Bears

There are teddy bears everywhere, but these custom-made bears are lovable and personal. Hug a bear today!

8. A spider web farm.

Over 12,000 webs have been collected and transformed into works of art at this unique farm in Williamsville.

9. The world's tallest file cabinet (Burlington), ladderback chair (Bennington) and the largest zipper (Barre).

alt — Flickr/Tiny House Brewing & Travels

Necessary? No. Lighthearted and fun? Absolutely!

10. A gorilla holding a VW Bug.

It's not everywhere you can see something like Queen Connie - the gorilla statue holding up a car. OK, you probably won't find this ANYWHERE else!

11. A Dog Chapel

What a wonderful way to pay your respects to your four-legged friends! This is one of the most unique places in Vermont for all dog lovers.

12. Witch Windows

Mostly found in Vermont (specifically Northern Vermont) these slanted windows are both interesting and practical.

13. A presidential birthday party.

alt — Facebook/Calvin Coolidge Foundation

The 4th of July isn't your average Independence Day Celebration in Plymouth. Home to President Calvin Coolidge, this is the only U.S. President who was born on the 4th of July.

14. A 1/4-size replica of Fenway Park.

In a backyard in Essex are mini replicas of Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and the Field of Dreams. Some amazing charity games have been played here.

Living in Vermont sure is interesting, isn't it? Don't forget to check out these stories about witch windows and the replica of Fenway Park. Use this list to create a Vermont scavenger hunt!

If you love Vermont as much as I do, check out the Vermont apparel from our friends at Wear Your Roots!

State Pride

Updated Feb 5, 2024

16 Things Longtime Vermonters Wish They Could Tell Newcomers

Offers advice to newcomers about living in Vermont, highlighting local wisdom and practical tips.

Updated Feb 5, 2024

Written by

Kristin Grimes

There will probably always be a debate as to what makes someone a "Vermonter." Many say you have to be born here, others believe you need to have a few generations born in the 802, and some feel that they've lived here long enough and love it so much that they feel native to the Green Mountain State. Let's face the facts that newbies will be coming to our state, and the old-timers could share a few words of wisdom with these folks about life in Vermont. Let's put our birth certificates aside and have some fun for a moment while we give these newcomers to Vermont a little advice.

1. All-season tires are only for summer.

They sound all well and good but... no.

2. Invest in good boots.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is to think warm and waterproof. Living in Vermont during the winter is no joke.

3. If the locals say it’s going to be nasty out, stay home.

If they won't chance it, you shouldn't either.

4. In rural Vermont, postal addresses are approximate.

Check your mail and redistribute as necessary.

5. Summer is the 3 days after the 4th of July.

Ok, this isn't really true, but sometimes it certainly feels like it! When it comes to long summers, life in Vermont can be rough.

6. Become very familiar with the back roads.

You don't want to get stuck in leaf peeper traffic.

7. The police blotter can read like a gossip column.

Be smart and stay out of trouble.

8. Your cell phones won't always have reception.

But sometimes, it's nice to be off the grid!

9. Meet your town clerk.

She or he is a wealth of information.

10. Hard water is a fact of life.

Buy salt.

11. Neighbors are only close to you when you need them.

This is perhaps another example of rural living. Give each other space and privacy, but they'll be there in an instant if you need help.

12. Chainsaws are a gardening tool.

Sure you'll use your trowel, but sometimes you need something a little more robust.

13. Never try to scare raccoons out of the trash…

It may not be a raccoon.

14. Bird feeders are for the birds...

AND the bears.

15. Vermont roads are filled with potholes.

They come in every shape and size and can be found on any type of road. Learn how to spot them. People from Vermont have learned this the hard way.

16. Don't beep.

Nothing says "I'm new here" quite like laying on your car horn when it's not an emergency.

Are you still considering a move to Vermont after learning about these things? What other things do you think longtime Vermonters need to tell newcomers to the state? Let us know all of your thoughts about living in Vermont in the comments section below -- we'd love to hear from you! Feeling proud of the Green Mountain State? You should! Wear your state pride when you purchase something from Wear Your Roots.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/vermont/never-do-vt/

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1. In the 802!

2. Leaf-peeping season

3. Dirty cars

4. Farmer's markets all year long!

5. The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival

6. Locals love their beer

7. Vermonters wear what works

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Get the latest updates and news

1. Heady Topper Beer

2. The Trapp Family Lodge

3. Vermont Maple Syrup

4. Nectar's

5. Flavor Graveyard

6. An arrest warrant for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

7. Vermont Teddy Bears

8. A spider web farm.

9. The world's tallest file cabinet (Burlington), ladderback chair (Bennington) and the largest zipper (Barre).

10. A gorilla holding a VW Bug.

11. A Dog Chapel

12. Witch Windows

13. A presidential birthday party.

14. A 1/4-size replica of Fenway Park.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

1. All-season tires are only for summer.

2. Invest in good boots.

3. If the locals say it’s going to be nasty out, stay home.

4. In rural Vermont, postal addresses are approximate.

5. Summer is the 3 days after the 4th of July.

6. Become very familiar with the back roads.

7. The police blotter can read like a gossip column.

8. Your cell phones won't always have reception.

9. Meet your town clerk.

10. Hard water is a fact of life.

11. Neighbors are only close to you when you need them.

12. Chainsaws are a gardening tool.

13. Never try to scare raccoons out of the trash…

14. Bird feeders are for the birds...

15. Vermont roads are filled with potholes.

16. Don't beep.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

The Tiny Small-Town Pizzeria That Has Won International Acclaim

A Perfect Day at Hollywood Beach Broadwalk: Exploring Florida’s Seaside Gem

This Panoramic-View Restaurant in Alphatretta, Georgia Is a Must-Visit

The Iconic National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi Everyone Should Visit Once in Their Lifetime

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in West Virginia That We Can’t Stop Thinking About