Vermont

Travel Guide North America USA Northeastern United States New England Vermont

Introduction

Big Red Barn, Vermont

Although a small state, Vermont, is very interesting. One of the most liberal states and open minded states it has been a pusher for liberal policies for decades including civil unions, liberal drug laws and the last state to put photos on drivers licenses. Its beauty is also stunning and the falls are not to be missed.

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Geography

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Cities

Burlington is the largest city in the state.
Montpelier is the state capital.
White River Junction a small town
Essex Junction a small town

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Sights and Activities

Huntington Gorge

Huntington Gorge, located on Dougway Road in Richmond, Vt, is a stunning sight. The Huntington River is a wide rocky river before it reaches the gorge. At the gorge the river narrows and disappears into a cleft only a few feet wide. In the gorge the river goes over several drops, ranging from 6 to 12 feet in height. Swimmers BEWARE as this gorge has claimed dozens of lives throughout the last century. Swimmers can easily become pinned in potholes formed by STRONG water currents. Never the less swimming here is possible and very enjoyable as long as common sense and caution are exhibited.

Other Sights and Activities

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Events and Festivals

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Weather

Summers last from June to September and are nice and warm, between 25 and 30 degrees during the day and between 15 and 20 degrees at night. Winters last from December to March with average daytime temperatures mostly around zero or slightly above. Nights are well below zero during this time. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with sometimes very heavy snowfall in winter. During summer, heavy showers can occur, especially after periods of hot weather.

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Getting There

By Plane

By Train

Two trains operated by Amtrak serve the state of Vermont:

The Vermonter travels from Washington DC and New York up north towards Vermont, ending in St. Albans.
The Ethan Allen Express travels from New York to Rutland, Vermont.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

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Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

Many international rental companies have a wide selection of rental cars and these include Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Budget and Alamo/National. Most companies will require you are at least 25 years of age, although younger people might be able to rent cars at slightly higher rates and with some insurance differences as well. A national driver's license is usually enough, but an additional international one is recommended. Also note that it usually costs more to include lots of other extra things. For example extra drivers, GPS, the first full tank, SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance), PAI (Personal Accident Insurance, usually covered already at home), road assistance/service plan, and drop-off costs for one-way rentals.
If you want to book a car, it is recommended that you book your car before arriving in the USA. This is almost always (much) cheaper compared to just showing up. Also, try and book with a so-called 'broker', which usually works together with a few or many car rental companies and can offer the best deal. Some examples include Holidayautos, Holidaycars and Sunny Cars. Some of the cheapest deals to book from Europe, includes Drive-USA, which also has a German version.

For more information and tips about renting cars and campers, additional costs, insurance, traffic rules, scenic routes and getting maps and fuel it is advised to check the USA Getting Around section.

Vermont has a number of National Scenic Byways which offer a great way to explore the state crossing beautiful landscapes. Mostly, there are lots of national parks, state parks or monuments along the way and it's generally a better alternative than the faster but boring Interstate Highways.

By Bus

By Boat

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

Hotel and Motel Chains

There are dozens of hotel and motel chains, ranging from budget to top end. Allthough they are not the most charming accommodations, they usually have a very decent midrange service with good rooms and are generally good value. At least you know what to expect and in some cases they are either the only or the best option in the area. Some of them include: