Woodstock, Vermont is a popular destination for tourists to visit, year-round. The downtown’s quaint charm and historic buildings are what you’d envision for a New England town with lots of local shops and restaurants.
The surrounding area offers plenty of options for outdoor recreation along with other interesting and fun places.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do in Woodstock, Vermont during your next road trip in Vermont.
Woodstock is home to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, the only national park in Vermont. Woodstock also has three historic covered bridges.
Find a One-of-a-Kind Piece at Farmhouse Pottery
1837 W Woodstock Rd, Woodstock, VT
You can shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted pottery, apparel, and decor at Farmhouse Pottery.
If you’re flying back home there is also an online store if you’re concerned about traveling with your purchases.
Look for their “Seconds and Sale collection” for additional savings on handcrafted products that are last-chance offers or apprentice-made pots.
Inside the store, shoppers can watch the Master Potters at work from a large viewing window.
Farmhouse Pottery offers pottery workshops where beginners and seasoned artists can learn more about the craft through hands-on instruction to create a one-of-a-kind piece of pottery.
Visit Billings Farm & Museum
69 Old River Rd, Woodstock, VT
(Check their website for hours of operation)
Billings Farm & Museum is an outdoor history museum where guests can learn more about what farming was like during the 1890s.
Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the farm animals in the historic barns.
Highlights of the property include:
- Heifer and Cow Barn
- Draft Animal Barn
- Cow Barn
- Chicken Barn
- Education Barn
- Small Animal Barn
- Farm Life Exhibits
- “A Place in the Land” is a 32-minute film about Billings Farm & Museum and the adjoining Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
- Icehouse
- Farmhouse Cafe
- Walking Trail
- Farm Manager’s House
- Garden Shed
- Sunflower House
- Production Gardens
Public Wagon Rides are included with admission and available seasonally on select dates.
Explore Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
69 Old River Rd, Woodstock, VT (Park at Billings Farm & Museum)
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park walking entrance is across the street from the Billings Farm & Museum.
The historical park has the boyhood home of one of America’s first conservationists, George Perkins Marsh.
The home was later owned by Frederick Billings, a successful lawyer and businessman, who was also passionate about conservation.
Mary F. Rockefeller (Billing’s granddaughter) and her husband Laurance S. Rockefeller gave the property to be used as a National Historic Park on August 26, 1992.
The National Historic Park has 20 miles of trails and carriage roads open from dawn until dusk for hiking and equestrian use.
Hike Mount Tom and The Pogue
69 Old River Rd, Woodstock, VT (Park at Billings Farm & Museum)
Mount Tom is part of 550 acres of the oldest professionally managed forest in the United States.
The peak at Mount Tom stands at 1357 feet.
I recommend taking a picture of the map to use as a reference for the trails.
There aren’t many signs on the trails that provide an overview of the area to help you identify where you’re at within the park.
It can be a bit challenging to figure out your bearings without a map.
The carriage trails are wide and have a gradual incline.
Once you’re at the top of the carriage trail, you’ll be rewarded with scenic views of Pogue Lake, which has hiking trails around the perimeter.
Dress in layers for the hike. Especially if you’re visiting in the fall.
We carried our coats on our way up the carriage trail because we warmed up quickly.
On the way back down we were grateful for our raincoats.
Explore Woodstock Village
Woodstock Village has a variety of local shops to check out.
You’ll find boutiques that sell apparel, art, decor, sporting goods, jewelry, gifts, and more.
The Vermont Flannel Company, an American company established in 1991, is a popular option if you’re looking for a new handcrafted flannel.
Downtown also has interesting architecture and scenic spots for photo ops.
Many buildings in town date back to the late 1800s.
Admire the Art on the Woodstock Town Smiler
6 Elm St, Woodstock, VT
Be on the lookout for the Woodstock Town Smiler chalkboard featuring beautiful art.
Parking in Historic Downtown Woodstock
Depending on when you visit, parking could be more limited.
Six-hour metered and kiosk parking is available in Woodstock Village Monday through Saturday, 10 AM –4 PM.
The parking meters accept coins, credit cards, and the ParkMobile App.
There is free parking at Woodstock Village on Sundays, and most holidays, north of the Green on Elm Street and off Pleasant Street, west of Town Hall, or at the elementary school on weekends only.
View the Covered Bridges in Woodstock, VT
There are 100+ covered bridges in Vermont.
Woodstock has four covered bridges that go over the Ottauquechee River.
- Lincoln Covered Bridge – 530 US-4, Woodstock, VT
- Middle Covered Bridge – Mountain Ave, Woodstock, VT
- Taftsville Covered Bridge – Covered Bridge Road, Woodstock VT ( off Route 4)
- Quechee Covered Bridge – 4, Waterman Hill Rd, Quechee, VT
Sample Vermont-Made Products at Sugarbush Farms
591 Sugarbush Farm Rd, Woodstock, VT
Sugarbush Farm is a 550-acre hillside farm in central Vermont that’s home to the second, third, and fourth generations of the Luce family.
The farm was bought by Jack and Marion Ayres in 1945, and today, it’s run by their daughter and her family.
This was the first farm in Vermont to start packaging cheese in waxed bars. The waxed bars made it easier to transport the cheese without refrigeration.
You’ll want to try both the cheese and maple syrup samples. Their original Natural Smoked Cheese is very popular.
The cheese is smoked with Hickory and Maple wood chips in their farm smokehouse for three days, with no artificial smoke flavor added.
Inside the Sugarhouse you can learn more about the maple syrup-making process.
Did you know that it takes four maple trees all season to make one gallon of pure maple syrup?!!
With that knowledge, it’s easier to understand why the price of 100% pure maple syrup is higher than other low-quality syrup products you find at the grocery.
Their Amber maple syrup flavor was my favorite during our maple syrup sampling.
They also have a nice sampler kit that makes a great gift or souvenir from your visit.
During the warmer months, a few farm animals are at the farm, and a playground is near the parking area and a hiking trailhead.
Artisan Glassmaking at Simon Pearce
1760 Quechee Main St, Quechee, VT (14 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
Simon began apprenticing in his father’s pottery studio in Ireland at age 16 and later learned from glassmakers all over Europe.
He founded a studio in Ireland in 1971 and moved his studio to the historic woolen mill in Vermont in 1981.
The showroom displays beautiful pieces that are functional works of art.
There are now twelve Simon Pearce stores across the United States and their products can also be found in 400+ retailers.
Dine Near a Waterfall at Simon Pearce Restaurant
1760 Quechee Main Street, Quechee, Vermont
(Open for reservations Wednesday- Sunday)
Simon Pearce Restaurant serves local American cuisine made with local ingredients. The restaurant has been voted one of “America’s Most Romantic Restaurants.”
Patrons at the restaurant can enjoy views of the Ottauquechee River waterfall and covered bridge.
This is a popular restaurant and you need an advanced reservation for your desired date/ time.
Watch Artisans in Action at Simon Pearce
You can observe glassblowing artisans in action on the lower level of Simon Pearce.
After watching the glass that’s transformed into a beautiful piece, you’ll have an even greater appreciation of their craftsmanship.
Admire Quechee Covered Bridge
4, Waterman Hill Rd, Quechee, VT (14 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
The lower level of Simon Pearce also has an outside observation area that provides another perspective of the Quechee Covered Bridge and Ottauquechee River waterfall.
There is parking near the opposite side of the covered bridge for another vantage point.
Cross State Lines to Dine at 110 Grill West Lebanon
250 N Plainfield Rd, West Lebanon, NH
110 Grill offers “Modern American Cuisine, in a Trendy Casual Atmosphere” and has several locations throughout New England.
We learned the hard way that most restaurants in Vermont need advanced reservations.
An employee at Sugarbush Farms told me that many locals drive to New Hampshire for more dining options.
Here are a few recommendations from our visit.
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich: chicken breast brined in pickle juice, deep fried in cajun-seasoned flour, shredded lettuce, and pickle chips on a griddled bun, topped with hot honey.
Fish & Chips: North Atlantic cod, fried in seasoned flour and served with French Fries, tartar sauce, and coleslaw.
110 Reuben: Certified Angus Corned Beef® with Swiss and sauerkraut, topped with their special dressing on griddled marble rye.
Local Brews at Harpoon Brewery Taproom and Beer Garden
336 Ruth Carney Drive, Windsor, VT (24 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
Harpoon Brewery Taproom and Beer Garden is a great place to go for craft beer and American fare.
I tried one of their local ciders and everyone else at our table ordered their preferred craft beer.
If you happen to order the UFO beer, it’s fun to watch the blueberries as they float up and down the glass.
There is indoor dining and an outdoor patio and I’d recommend making a reservation ahead of time if possible.
The Vermont Wagyu burger was the favorite menu item at our table.
It’s made with 100% pure wagyu beef cooked to order and served on Martin’s potato roll, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and their signature fry sauce.
I tried the “Locals Only! Turkey Sandwich” with sweet potato waffle fries.
The sandwich is made with roasted turkey, a spread of Blake Hill Preserves Rhubarb with Dandelion and honey jam swirled with VT creamery goat cheese, mixed greens, red onion, bacon, roasted tomato aioli, and sliced apple served on King Arthur Baking Co bread.
I requested Alexe’s chili oil aioli to dip my fries in and couldn’t get enough of it! If you’re a fry dipper I recommend ordering this sauce for your fries.
If you’re visiting with kids there is a playground nearby where they can burn off extra energy.
Sample Jam at Blake Hill Preserves Speciality Shop
60 Artisans Way, Windsor, VT ( 24 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
Speaking of Blake Hill Preserves, you can sample and purchase an assortment of jam flavors from their store conveniently across the parking lot from the brewery.
The hardest part may be narrowing down your favorite sweet, savory, and spicy jams. The jams are always gluten-free and natural too.
Sample Craft Spirits at SILO Distillery
3 Artisans Way, Windsor, VT (24 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
SILO Distillery takes pride in producing a local product that goes from farm to barn to bottle.
The grain comes from Grembowicz Farm in North Clarendon, Vermont and everything is done at their barn distillery from start to finish.
The artisanal craft spirits are made with local and natural ingredients.
Their cucumber vodka and maple-flavored whiskey were our favorites.
Get on the Water With Great River Outfitters
36 Park Rd; Windsor, Vermont
(Their season is from Memorial Day to Indigenous Peoples Day [Columbus Day])
If you want to connect with nature on the Connecticut River, Great River Outfitters offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, rafts & river tube float trips, and camping.
This outfitter is located within walking distance of the brewery and the distillery.
A Short Scenic Hike to Thundering Falls
2295 River Rd Fork, Killington, VT (28 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
The Thundering Brook Falls hiking trail is a .5 mile out and back that takes an average of 11 minutes to complete according to AllTrails.
This is an easy waterfall to hike to, even in the rain.
Most of the hiking trail to the waterfall is on the scenic boardwalk followed by a short dirt trail that weaves over to the waterfall viewing area.
The best times to visit the waterfall are through the months of March-October.
The observation platform allows you to safely view the waterfall as you glance above and below.
Thundering Brook Falls is the sixth largest waterfall in Vermont at 140 feet tall.
The hiking trail also connects to the Appalachian Trail if you want to continue your hiking journey.
Visit Killington Ski Resort
3861 Killington Road, Killington, VT (21 minutes from Woodstock, VT)
Killington Ski Resort has bragging rights as the largest ski resort in the eastern United States with nearly 2000 skiable acres and is home to the largest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet.
The ski resort also offers snow tubing and scenic winter gondola rides to experience scenic mountain views for non-skiers and snowboarders.
During the off-season, there is a Summer Adventure Center, golf course, and bike park.
Additional Adventures in Vermont
- Things to do in Ludlow and adventures in the surrounding area (37 minutes from Woodstock)
- Vermont Day Trip Ideas – Things to Do Around Stowe, Vermont (1 hour 19 minutes from Woodstock)
Where We Stayed in Vermont
We stayed in a 3-bedroom vacation rental in a condo in a historic building in downtown Ludlow. Our vacation rental was a great base for mini road trips while exploring Vermont.
