Guidebook for Hancock
Parks & Nature
Texas Falls
Must see waterfall
Warren Falls
3919 Vermont Rte 100Absolutely must see!
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is a spectacular blend of three distinct places in Woodstock, Vermont, covering over 550 acres of stunning forest with a mansion that housed three conservation-focused families over more than 200 years.
Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of seasonal activities, including ranger-guided tours of the mansion and park, hands-on woodlands workshops, and special programs throughout the year like exploring connections to the Underground Railroad. Guests can walk, hike, ski, or snowshoe through the remarkable landscape passing under sugar maples, along the gentle slopes of Mount Tom, beside a mystifying pond, or down woodland carriage roads. More Vermont vacation ideas
54 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT, Phone: 802-457-3368
43 locals recommend
Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park
69 Elm StThe Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is a spectacular blend of three distinct places in Woodstock, Vermont, covering over 550 acres of stunning forest with a mansion that housed three conservation-focused families over more than 200 years.
Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of seasonal activities, including ranger-guided tours of the mansion and park, hands-on woodlands workshops, and special programs throughout the year like exploring connections to the Underground Railroad. Guests can walk, hike, ski, or snowshoe through the remarkable landscape passing under sugar maples, along the gentle slopes of Mount Tom, beside a mystifying pond, or down woodland carriage roads. More Vermont vacation ideas
54 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT, Phone: 802-457-3368
The Killington Ski Area comprises over 1,500 acres of skiable terrain and 73 miles of trails ranging from easy to most difficult; diverse terrain options exist for free skiers, snowboarders, quad riders, and snowmobilers. Killington also offers a variety of additional mountain adventures such as scenic gondola rides, sleigh rides, snowmobile and snowshoe tours, and a tubing park.
During summer, visitors can experience high-flying fun with attractions such as the Skyeride – a 600-foot-long, 100-foot high, 30-mile-per-hour glider offering unbeatable views, and the Beast Mountain Coaster, a 4,800-foot-long alpine coaster that whips and winds through the woods, giving riders 360-degree corkscrew thrills.
4763 Killington Road, Killington, VT, Phone: 802-422-6201
386 locals recommend
Killington Ski Area
The Killington Ski Area comprises over 1,500 acres of skiable terrain and 73 miles of trails ranging from easy to most difficult; diverse terrain options exist for free skiers, snowboarders, quad riders, and snowmobilers. Killington also offers a variety of additional mountain adventures such as scenic gondola rides, sleigh rides, snowmobile and snowshoe tours, and a tubing park.
During summer, visitors can experience high-flying fun with attractions such as the Skyeride – a 600-foot-long, 100-foot high, 30-mile-per-hour glider offering unbeatable views, and the Beast Mountain Coaster, a 4,800-foot-long alpine coaster that whips and winds through the woods, giving riders 360-degree corkscrew thrills.
4763 Killington Road, Killington, VT, Phone: 802-422-6201
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center is a 47-acre campus that supports environmental education, research, and avian rehabilitation in Quechee, Vermont. It neighbors Quechee State Park, and has more than 15 top-of-the-line rapture enclosures, two classrooms, four spaces for exhibits, and just under a mile of informative nature trails.
Visitors can sign up for animal encounter classes from birds to Cold Blooded Critters, featuring a turtle, a snake, and an amphibian. There are onsite exhibits like Ice Age Mammals on the Meadow, a place to romp and play at Nature’s Playground, and opportunities to watch certain animals feed or receive rehabilitation, among other activities.
6565 Woodstock Road Route 4, Quechee, VT, Phone: 802-359-5000
88 locals recommend
VINS Nature Center
149 Natures WyThe Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center is a 47-acre campus that supports environmental education, research, and avian rehabilitation in Quechee, Vermont. It neighbors Quechee State Park, and has more than 15 top-of-the-line rapture enclosures, two classrooms, four spaces for exhibits, and just under a mile of informative nature trails.
Visitors can sign up for animal encounter classes from birds to Cold Blooded Critters, featuring a turtle, a snake, and an amphibian. There are onsite exhibits like Ice Age Mammals on the Meadow, a place to romp and play at Nature’s Playground, and opportunities to watch certain animals feed or receive rehabilitation, among other activities.
6565 Woodstock Road Route 4, Quechee, VT, Phone: 802-359-5000
City/town information
Stowe
Quaint town with shops, restaurants, arts, crafts, great views.
Sightseeing
Tour the factory, eat fresh-made icecream, walk the Ice Cream Graveyard. Great day trip!
1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, VT, Phone: 866-258-6877
254 locals recommend
Ben & Jerry’s
1281 Vermont Rte 100Tour the factory, eat fresh-made icecream, walk the Ice Cream Graveyard. Great day trip!
1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, VT, Phone: 866-258-6877
The Billings Farm and Museum, located in Woodstock, Vermont, is well known as one of the best outdoor history museums in the nation. This has largely to do with the combination of the fully operational Jersey dairy farm and the beautifully restored 19th-century (1890) farm house, which serves as a museum.
Inside, visitors will enjoy comprehensive displays of artifacts, photographs, and oral histories illustrating the seasonal activities that forged the history and culture of pastoral Vermonters. Guests will also get the chance to engage with the award-winning draft horses, sheep, and Jersey dairy cows that are housed at the farm.
Rte. 12 & Old River Rd., Woodstock, VT Phone: 802-457-2355
171 locals recommend
Billings Farm & Museum
69 Old River RdThe Billings Farm and Museum, located in Woodstock, Vermont, is well known as one of the best outdoor history museums in the nation. This has largely to do with the combination of the fully operational Jersey dairy farm and the beautifully restored 19th-century (1890) farm house, which serves as a museum.
Inside, visitors will enjoy comprehensive displays of artifacts, photographs, and oral histories illustrating the seasonal activities that forged the history and culture of pastoral Vermonters. Guests will also get the chance to engage with the award-winning draft horses, sheep, and Jersey dairy cows that are housed at the farm.
Rte. 12 & Old River Rd., Woodstock, VT Phone: 802-457-2355
Hildene is a stunning Georgian Revival mansion and the family home of President Lincoln’s descendants. His only son to survive into adulthood, Robert Todd, was the first owner of the estate designed by Boston architectural firm Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge.
It was occupied solely by Lincoln descendants until 1975. Now, visitors can enjoy self-guided or docent-led tours of the exceptional 400-acre grounds, which include the mansion and 13 historic buildings. Highlights included the formal garden, a 1903 Pullman car, an observatory, a solar-powered goat cheese and dairy-making facility, and a historic carriage barn. Guests will also appreciate the several walking trails around the grounds.
1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT, Phone: 802-362-1788
158 locals recommend
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
1005 Hildene RdHildene is a stunning Georgian Revival mansion and the family home of President Lincoln’s descendants. His only son to survive into adulthood, Robert Todd, was the first owner of the estate designed by Boston architectural firm Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge.
It was occupied solely by Lincoln descendants until 1975. Now, visitors can enjoy self-guided or docent-led tours of the exceptional 400-acre grounds, which include the mansion and 13 historic buildings. Highlights included the formal garden, a 1903 Pullman car, an observatory, a solar-powered goat cheese and dairy-making facility, and a historic carriage barn. Guests will also appreciate the several walking trails around the grounds.
1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT, Phone: 802-362-1788
Shelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark that serves as a campus for their nonprofit organization committed to providing education for a sustainable future. They provide learning opportunities for the youth to examine what is needed to create a sustainable society.
In addition to their environmental education programs, visitors can explore the walking trails on the property all year round and visit the onsite inn. Guided property tours are available between May and October. Guests can also visit the historical farm barn, which features a seasonal children’s farmyard, partake in cheese making, and dine at the Farm Cart for lunch. Shelburne Farms is one of the top Vermont attractions.
1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT, Phone: 802-985-8686
243 locals recommend
Shelburne Farms
1611 Harbor RoadShelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark that serves as a campus for their nonprofit organization committed to providing education for a sustainable future. They provide learning opportunities for the youth to examine what is needed to create a sustainable society.
In addition to their environmental education programs, visitors can explore the walking trails on the property all year round and visit the onsite inn. Guided property tours are available between May and October. Guests can also visit the historical farm barn, which features a seasonal children’s farmyard, partake in cheese making, and dine at the Farm Cart for lunch. Shelburne Farms is one of the top Vermont attractions.
1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT, Phone: 802-985-8686
The Shelburne Museum is an eccentric and charming landmark in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. The exquisitely landscaped campus houses various historic buildings, including the Round Barn, Webb Gallery, Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, and Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building.
Each features unique exhibits on the art, history, and nature of Vermont. Visitors can enjoy everything from impressionist paintings and folk art to circus collections and an onsite steamboat. Guests can dine on flatbread pizzas and sandwiches at the museum café, and shop in the artisanal or museum stores. The gardens, circus displays, and steamboat are outdoor attractions.
6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT, Phone: 802-985-3346
242 locals recommend
Shelburne Museum
6000 Shelburne RdThe Shelburne Museum is an eccentric and charming landmark in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. The exquisitely landscaped campus houses various historic buildings, including the Round Barn, Webb Gallery, Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, and Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building.
Each features unique exhibits on the art, history, and nature of Vermont. Visitors can enjoy everything from impressionist paintings and folk art to circus collections and an onsite steamboat. Guests can dine on flatbread pizzas and sandwiches at the museum café, and shop in the artisanal or museum stores. The gardens, circus displays, and steamboat are outdoor attractions.
6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT, Phone: 802-985-3346
The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company offers visitors a premier theater experience in the quaint southern Vermont village of Weston, where they have been staging live theater since 1937. Visitors can catch performances on both the main stage and other stages at Walker Farm.
West Town Eatery provides a fine dining experience for those who fancy enjoying dinner and a show. The restaurant is located below the cabaret theater. Theater-goers can also opt for cabaret and cocktails with desserts and savory snacks if they don’t want dinner. Visitors can expect a new Center for the Arts and expanded programs as the theater grows.
703 Main Street, Weston, VT, Phone: 802-824-8167
80 locals recommend
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company
703 Main StThe Weston Playhouse Theatre Company offers visitors a premier theater experience in the quaint southern Vermont village of Weston, where they have been staging live theater since 1937. Visitors can catch performances on both the main stage and other stages at Walker Farm.
West Town Eatery provides a fine dining experience for those who fancy enjoying dinner and a show. The restaurant is located below the cabaret theater. Theater-goers can also opt for cabaret and cocktails with desserts and savory snacks if they don’t want dinner. Visitors can expect a new Center for the Arts and expanded programs as the theater grows.
703 Main Street, Weston, VT, Phone: 802-824-8167
Brattleboro Museum and Art Center is an independent contemporary art museum in Brattleboro, Vermont, originally founded in 1972 as a non-collecting institution showcasing the works regional and national contemporary artists working in a variety of media. Frequently-changing exhibits are showcased at the museum's galleries, which are open to the public Wednesdays through Mondays with the exception of major national holidays. Exhibits strive to educate and inspire the public through the arts, showcasing artists working in traditional and modern forms and focusing on a variety of cultural and artistic topics. Each month, the museum stays open late on first Fridays, offering free admission and additional performances and activities. An ArtEd program provides artistic opportunities for students in grades 3-6, while an Art and Conversation series offers presentations once a month.
10 Vernon St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, Phone: 802-257-0124
53 locals recommend
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
10 Vernon StBrattleboro Museum and Art Center is an independent contemporary art museum in Brattleboro, Vermont, originally founded in 1972 as a non-collecting institution showcasing the works regional and national contemporary artists working in a variety of media. Frequently-changing exhibits are showcased at the museum's galleries, which are open to the public Wednesdays through Mondays with the exception of major national holidays. Exhibits strive to educate and inspire the public through the arts, showcasing artists working in traditional and modern forms and focusing on a variety of cultural and artistic topics. Each month, the museum stays open late on first Fridays, offering free admission and additional performances and activities. An ArtEd program provides artistic opportunities for students in grades 3-6, while an Art and Conversation series offers presentations once a month.
10 Vernon St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, Phone: 802-257-0124
Ethan Allen is Burlington, VT’s hometown hero. The revolutionary hero and Green Mountain Boy played key roles in protecting Vermont homesteading rights and aiding the Continental Army. Vermont even celebrates Ethan Allen Day every June. At the homestead, visitors have a chance to see inside his snug former home, a nearly 200-year-old Cape Cod, and watch daily tasks demonstrated by staff.
Guests will also learn about Allen’s ideas, from his philosophical writings to his land speculations. The homestead provides archaeological and historical gallery exhibits to explore and an onsite gift shop. Outdoor trails offer visitors the same experience Allen had while walking the tranquil farmland.
1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington VT, Phone: 802-865-4556
32 locals recommend
Ethan Allen Homestead Museum
1 Ethan Allen HomesteadEthan Allen is Burlington, VT’s hometown hero. The revolutionary hero and Green Mountain Boy played key roles in protecting Vermont homesteading rights and aiding the Continental Army. Vermont even celebrates Ethan Allen Day every June. At the homestead, visitors have a chance to see inside his snug former home, a nearly 200-year-old Cape Cod, and watch daily tasks demonstrated by staff.
Guests will also learn about Allen’s ideas, from his philosophical writings to his land speculations. The homestead provides archaeological and historical gallery exhibits to explore and an onsite gift shop. Outdoor trails offer visitors the same experience Allen had while walking the tranquil farmland.
1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington VT, Phone: 802-865-4556
The Morse family has a combined 200 years of maple syrup-making experience through eight generations at the Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier, Vermont. Visitors are welcome to explore the property all year round via guided motor coach or walking tours as well as self-guided tours.
Guided tours begin in the woodshed theater, where colorful videos and live presentations give guests the history of Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, and end with a delicious sweet treat. Visitors will also be able to walk along their nature trail, check out whimsical carved folklife figures created by Burr Morse, and explore the outdoor Vermont farm life museum and country store.
1168 County Road, Montpelier, VT, Phone: 800-242-2740
39 locals recommend
Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
1168 County RdThe Morse family has a combined 200 years of maple syrup-making experience through eight generations at the Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier, Vermont. Visitors are welcome to explore the property all year round via guided motor coach or walking tours as well as self-guided tours.
Guided tours begin in the woodshed theater, where colorful videos and live presentations give guests the history of Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, and end with a delicious sweet treat. Visitors will also be able to walk along their nature trail, check out whimsical carved folklife figures created by Burr Morse, and explore the outdoor Vermont farm life museum and country store.
1168 County Road, Montpelier, VT, Phone: 800-242-2740
No trip to Shelburne, Vermont, is complete without a stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. What started as a one-man operation handcrafting teddy bears in a garage in 1981 has become today’s in-demand teddy bear factory in a 60,000-foot facility on a 57-acre campus.
Visitors can tour the factory and watch as artisans handcraft the bears at a rate of 150,000 per year. Tours are guided by Bear Ambassadors, who are fun and informative. Guests can also create their own bears, watch the Bear Doctor repair bears, and purchase teddy bears and related items in the factory Bear Shop.
6655 Shelburne, VT, Phone: 802-985-3001
47 locals recommend
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory station
6655 Shelburne RdNo trip to Shelburne, Vermont, is complete without a stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. What started as a one-man operation handcrafting teddy bears in a garage in 1981 has become today’s in-demand teddy bear factory in a 60,000-foot facility on a 57-acre campus.
Visitors can tour the factory and watch as artisans handcraft the bears at a rate of 150,000 per year. Tours are guided by Bear Ambassadors, who are fun and informative. Guests can also create their own bears, watch the Bear Doctor repair bears, and purchase teddy bears and related items in the factory Bear Shop.
6655 Shelburne, VT, Phone: 802-985-3001
Scenic train rides with Green Mountain Railroad have somewhat unpredictable schedules, so it’s best to check their website for current schedules. Fall foliage and a variety of winter holiday themed rides are the most popular and the most regular. Train rides at other times of the year are limited to weekends and some holidays.
Guests ride through the charming Vermont countryside and, depending on destination, last between 35 minutes to an hour. Dinner train rides are available during the fall. For other train rides, guests may bring their own food and snacks or purchase snacks and nonalcoholic drinks onboard. Purchases on the train are cash only.
1 Main Street, Burlington, VT, Phone: 800-707-3530
8 locals recommend
Green Mountain Railroad
54 Depot StScenic train rides with Green Mountain Railroad have somewhat unpredictable schedules, so it’s best to check their website for current schedules. Fall foliage and a variety of winter holiday themed rides are the most popular and the most regular. Train rides at other times of the year are limited to weekends and some holidays.
Guests ride through the charming Vermont countryside and, depending on destination, last between 35 minutes to an hour. Dinner train rides are available during the fall. For other train rides, guests may bring their own food and snacks or purchase snacks and nonalcoholic drinks onboard. Purchases on the train are cash only.
1 Main Street, Burlington, VT, Phone: 800-707-3530
take a trail ride on the Icelandic at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm at 3061 North Fayston Road in Waitsfield, in the heart of the Sugarbush area. The farm hosts full-day and half-day trail rides as well as two- to six-day treks. In winter, the Icelandic Horse is at its best, growing a shaggy coat and reveling in the snow. Rides accommodate all levels of riding skill, including novices. Children over 10 years old with riding experience are welcome. Phone: 802-496-7141
8 locals recommend
Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm
North Fayston Roadtake a trail ride on the Icelandic at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm at 3061 North Fayston Road in Waitsfield, in the heart of the Sugarbush area. The farm hosts full-day and half-day trail rides as well as two- to six-day treks. In winter, the Icelandic Horse is at its best, growing a shaggy coat and reveling in the snow. Rides accommodate all levels of riding skill, including novices. Children over 10 years old with riding experience are welcome. Phone: 802-496-7141
Food scene
The Church Street Marketplace consists of four blocks of exceptional dining and shopping space in downtown Burlington. This award-winning, outdoor mall features more than one hundred places for visitors to dine and shop, hosts festivals all year round, and is constantly alive with activity from local music and street entertainers.
While meandering about this beautiful public space, guests will be delighted by the exceptional historic architecture and one-of-a-kind shops. The mall boasts amazing seasonal events all year long where, depending on the time of year, guests can experience everything from free miniature horse rides to a holiday artist market and everything in between. Things to Do in Burlington
2 Church Street, Suite 2A, Burlington, VT, Phone: 802-863-1648
142 locals recommend
Church Street Marketplace
131 Church StThe Church Street Marketplace consists of four blocks of exceptional dining and shopping space in downtown Burlington. This award-winning, outdoor mall features more than one hundred places for visitors to dine and shop, hosts festivals all year round, and is constantly alive with activity from local music and street entertainers.
While meandering about this beautiful public space, guests will be delighted by the exceptional historic architecture and one-of-a-kind shops. The mall boasts amazing seasonal events all year long where, depending on the time of year, guests can experience everything from free miniature horse rides to a holiday artist market and everything in between. Things to Do in Burlington
2 Church Street, Suite 2A, Burlington, VT, Phone: 802-863-1648
Located in the charming town of Waterbury Center, Vermont, Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of the best known historic cider mills in New England. Visitors are invited to visit the processing plant and watch apples being turned into delicious ciders using the old-fashioned rack and cloth method. Attached to the mill is their large retail store selling not only their ciders, apples, and famous apple cider donuts but also maple syrup, fresh pastries, excellent sandwiches, wraps, and paninis. What goes better with hot sandwiches than one of 60 local craft beers and a whole range of hard ciders? There are also sweets, toys, and Vermont crafts and souvenirs.
3600 Waterbury Stowe Rd, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, Phone: 800-327-7537
146 locals recommend
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
3600 Waterbury-Stowe RdLocated in the charming town of Waterbury Center, Vermont, Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of the best known historic cider mills in New England. Visitors are invited to visit the processing plant and watch apples being turned into delicious ciders using the old-fashioned rack and cloth method. Attached to the mill is their large retail store selling not only their ciders, apples, and famous apple cider donuts but also maple syrup, fresh pastries, excellent sandwiches, wraps, and paninis. What goes better with hot sandwiches than one of 60 local craft beers and a whole range of hard ciders? There are also sweets, toys, and Vermont crafts and souvenirs.
3600 Waterbury Stowe Rd, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, Phone: 800-327-7537
Lake Champlain Chocolates is a family-owned business that has been making chocolates and chocolate products since 1983. Since the next generation joined the business, they’ve expanded to creating chocolate from locally sourced ingredients, establishing fair trade partnerships with global cacao growers, and developing organic products.
Thirty-minute chocolate factory tours with tastings are free and guided by Tour Ambassadors weekdays in the morning and early afternoon. Mid to late afternoon tours are self-guided. Chocolate tastings are available weekends with tasting guides, where guests can sample four chocolate profiles, but there are no factory tours. Chocolates are available for purchase in their three stores.
750 Pine Street, Burlington, VT, Phone: 800-465-5909
24 locals recommend
Lake Champlain Chocolates
2653 Waterbury-Stowe RdLake Champlain Chocolates is a family-owned business that has been making chocolates and chocolate products since 1983. Since the next generation joined the business, they’ve expanded to creating chocolate from locally sourced ingredients, establishing fair trade partnerships with global cacao growers, and developing organic products.
Thirty-minute chocolate factory tours with tastings are free and guided by Tour Ambassadors weekdays in the morning and early afternoon. Mid to late afternoon tours are self-guided. Chocolate tastings are available weekends with tasting guides, where guests can sample four chocolate profiles, but there are no factory tours. Chocolates are available for purchase in their three stores.
750 Pine Street, Burlington, VT, Phone: 800-465-5909
The Warren Store is an historic business in Warren that dates all the way back to the beginning of the 19th century, when it was used as a boarding house and stagecoach stop. Today, the facility has been transformed into a charming mom-and-pop-style bakery, deli, and general store, carrying its reputation as a major community center into the 21st century. Delicious bagels, breakfast burritos, and omelettes are served at its deli counter during the morning hours, while a wide variety of creative deli sandwiches are available later in the day. Grab-and-go dinners are also sold, along with scrumptious delicacies prepared by the Warren Store Bakery. A boutique area sells clothing, accessories, and home goods, while a beer and wine shop carries hard-to-find wines and Vermont craft beers.
284 Main St, Warren, VT 05674, Phone: 802-496-3864
84 locals recommend
Warren Store
284 Main StThe Warren Store is an historic business in Warren that dates all the way back to the beginning of the 19th century, when it was used as a boarding house and stagecoach stop. Today, the facility has been transformed into a charming mom-and-pop-style bakery, deli, and general store, carrying its reputation as a major community center into the 21st century. Delicious bagels, breakfast burritos, and omelettes are served at its deli counter during the morning hours, while a wide variety of creative deli sandwiches are available later in the day. Grab-and-go dinners are also sold, along with scrumptious delicacies prepared by the Warren Store Bakery. A boutique area sells clothing, accessories, and home goods, while a beer and wine shop carries hard-to-find wines and Vermont craft beers.
284 Main St, Warren, VT 05674, Phone: 802-496-3864