Mendon Orchards, Mendon

Planted in the 1920’s by Dr. John Thomas, Mendon Mountain Orchards maintains over 80% of the original heirloom apples. Pick your own produce in the fall and enjoy cinnamon-scented fresh apple pies and turnovers year ‘round from the bakery. (mendonorchards.com)

Sugar & Spice

Pick up locally made crafts, Vermont-themed gifts, or choose from a wide variety of specialty food. If you’re hungry, stop in for some old-fashioned comfort food. In spring, watch as experts carefully create maple syrup from boiling sap at the on-site working sugarhouse. (vtsugarandspice.com)

Hathaway Farm, Rutland

If you haven’t experienced a maize maze, now is the time. In summer and fall, get lost in the largest corn maze in Vermont, or find your way in the dark during Moonlight Madness. Also visit the farm store and livestock barn. (hathawayfarm.com/corn-maze)

Norman Rockwell Museum of Vermont, Rutland

A chronological display of more than 2,500 Norman Rockwell magazine covers, advertisements, paintings, and other published works show Rockwell’s development as an illustrator. Through this nationally recognized collection, one may connect Rockwell’s work to the political, economic, and cultural history of the United States from the early 20th century up through the late 1970s. (normanrockwellvt.com)

Vermont Marble Museum, Proctor

The world’s largest marble exhibit awaits at this extensive museum, where even the marble infrastructure of the village is a must-see. Enjoy carved art, interactive exhibits, and a gift shop featuring beautiful marble accents to take home. The museum is open in the summer and fall; the gift shop and accompanying café is open year ‘round. (vermont-marble.com)

New England Maple Museum, Pittsford

Immerse yourself in the story of maple sugaring. Watch a movie, sample syrup, peruse antiques, paintings, and folk art exhibits. Shop for Vermont specialty foods and maple products. In warmer weather, enjoy a walk to the on-site pond and covered bridge. (maplemuseum.com)

The Vermont Country Store, Weston and Rockingham

Dubbed “purveyors of the practical and hard-to-find,” the Vermont Country Store opened in 1946 as the first restored rural country store in the nation. Still a rustic outpost in idyllic Weston, its old-fashioned counters are stocked penny candy, legacy toys, apothecary items, gadgets, clothing, food, and cheese within sprawling buildings with creaky floors. Enjoy lunch, and in warmer weather, ice cream, a covered bridge and picnic tables. (vermontcountrystore.com)

Killington Resort, Killington

Killington Resort is a four-season recreation mecca, with skiing, riding, winter tubing, winter mountain “fat bike” rentals, and Snowcat-drawn sleigh rides. In the summer, lift-served mountain biking, hiking, golf, and scenic gondola rides take center stage, as well as the ropes course, mountain coaster, and Segway tours at the Killington Adventure Park. (killington.com)

Thundering Falls, Killington

A boardwalk leads to the first handicapped accessible portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, which is also believed to be the state’s sixth largest waterfall. Beside the falls are the remains of an historic mill. Enjoy summer’s moss and cool mist or winter’s crystalline splendor, and hike up one of the short loop trails to a view of the valley below. (www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/greenmountain/recarea/?recid=64955)

Long Trail Brewing Company, Bridgewater

Inspired by the Hofbräu House in Munich, Germany, Long Trail Brewing’s Visitors Center offers a self-guided tour, and gift shop. Enjoy lunch in the pub or outside on the seasonal terrace next to the river, and choose from an expansive array of award-winning, handcrafted beer. (longtrail.com)

Coolidge State Park, Plymouth

Take a walk through the past at the birthplace and boyhood home of Calvin Coolidge, the nation’s 30th President. The carefully preserved, early 20th-century village homes, barns, community church, one room schoolhouse, and general store feature original furnishings. Stop in for samples and specialty foods at Plymouth Artisan Cheese, a modern-day working creamery. (historicsites.vermont.gov/directory/coolidge)

Clear Lake Furniture, Ludlow

Sited in a classic red barn, Clear Lake Furniture is one of Vermont’s finest woodworking shops. Visitors are welcome to wander through the workshop, talk with the craftsmen, and browse the 3,000 square-foot gallery of heirloom, handcrafted furniture and custom designs created from responsibly harvested hardwood. (clearlakefurniture.com)

Marsh-Billings Rockefeller Historic Park, Woodstock

Conservation and stewardship of the land are the themes at Vermont’s only National Historic Park, where you can find the oldest sustainably-managed woodland in North America. Walk the carriage roads, explore the gardens, or take a guided tour of the mansion, a National Historic Landmark featuring an extensive art collection.  Open Memorial Day for late October; carriage trails are open in winter. (nps.gov/mabi/index.htm)

Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock

Learn about life in rural Vermont and enjoy meeting one of the finest Jersey cow herds in America. Take part in interactive activities, peruse award-winning historical exhibits and the gift shop, or attend one of many events. The working dairy farm and comprehensive exhibits showcase this gateway to rural heritage, sustained by the Billings and Rockefeller families since 1871. (billingsfarm.org)

Quechee Gorge State Park, Quechee

Dubbed “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon,” this park offers breathtaking views along the mile-long chasm, formed by retreating glaciers about 13,000 years ago. View the gorge from roadside at 165 feet below, or hike all the way to the bottom to the Ottauquechee River. (www.vtstateparks.com/htm/quechee.htm) 

Quechee Gorge Village, Quechee

There’s something for everyone at this Vermont-style shopping center featuring local crafts, gifts, specialty food, and anchor stores Cabot Cheese, Danforth Pewter, Putney Mountain Winery, and Vermont Spirits Distilling Company. The classic Toy & Train Museum offers antique rides and arcade games. (quecheegorge.com)