docphoto Loc: Illinois

Good evening... My wife and I would like to take a short trip to Vermont for a few days. Obviously while she is "shopping" I want to go and photograph the sights. I would like to ask any of you who have been to Vermont where are the places to photograph, ie landscapes, quaint towns, waterfalls. Our itinerary will be coming from Albany, NY driving across to Vermont ( Bennington) and go up to the middle of the state. We'll be in Vermont for about 3 days ( short get-away) Thank you

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider Shelburne VT
Shelburne VT has Shelburne Farms that is now a not for profit that was owned by the Vanderbilts.
Great trails and views of Lake Champlain and classic barn buildings.You may get hooked on their Cheddar Cheese.
https://shelburnefarms.org

If you are into waterfalls checkout
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-amazing-waterfalls-in-vermont/

docphoto Loc: Illinois

THANK YOU... I love to photograph waterfalls

MDI Mainer

Depending on the season there are some scenic boat trips on Lake Champlain out of Burlington, VT.

There are also car ferries crossing Lake Champlain between New York and Vermont which offer great scenic views. We were coming from the south and took the shortest one from Essex to Charlotte, then drove north to Burlington/Shelburne, before heading east back to Maine. I'd definitely recommend one of these, perhaps on your return trip.

https://ferries.com/vt-ny-ferry-routes/

BTW I 100% concur that Shelburne Farm is a wonderful location (and that their cheeses are world-class)(neat bakery and gift shop too).

In the Bennington area I can recommend this covered bridge tour:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-bridges-of-bennington-county-vermont-1601324

MDI Mainer

I would just add about the boats -- you can be outdoors, the boat is moving and there's usually a breeze on the water so I'd rate the trip covid-safe, with a mask of course (which is required). We recently took the ferry from St. George to Monhegan Island, and felt perfectly safe.

User ID

You ask about my home turf.

You might try heading about 13 miles south of Bennington to Williamstown. Bordering Williamstown on the East is North Adams. Google the placenames.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Almost every town in Vermont has a water falls that was turned into water power for early 19th century manufacturing.
They seem to be every where you go. Cabot cheese factory, Ben and Jerry's factory tour near Stowe, and the Cider Mill for fresh cider and cake donuts. Waterbury has Hen of the Woods, one of the finest Restaurant's in Vermont.
Winooski might be worth a stop for lunch and the dam.
And do not forget about my name sake, Aubuchon Hardware stores.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi

Albany to Bennington is a good start. You have really two options - coming up on the East or West side of the ridge of the Green Ridge Mountains. Both will be nice, but can’t really cross back and forth.

On the west side, head up from Bennington through lots of little towns on Rt 7. Will take you through Shelburne where, in addition to the awesome farm (see the barn, climb the hill), you have Shelburne Museum and then into old town Burlington.

On the East side, cross to Brattleboro, spend some time there (one of my favorite small downtowns in VT) and then take Rt 30 up to Rt 100 through Okemo, Killington and work your way to Burlington. If you want to go to Shelburne still, drop back down Rt 7 for 15 minutes.

Up to Winnooski either way for some spectacular falls with an urban trail

Either way, look at the map to see the towns you will run through, and google each for sites. As noted, most have waterfalls from abandoned waterworks.

You don’t say when you are going, but we are entering “mud season” now. You may want to wait until spring firms things up.

Also, VT has some of the most stringent Covid-19 travel/visitor protocols in the country, strictly enforced, including at lodging in the State. If you want to come for 3 days, you both will need to be vaccinated first. Another reason you may need to wait until late spring or early summer

Xanadu Loc: Clay County FL

You have received many good suggestions. You might also want to consider driving up Route 100 (considered the backbone of the State) - it can be photographic friendly. I would avoid the upcoming mud season and think about the first week of May. That is usually when Spring blossoms in Vermont. Vermont is justifiably known for its Fall foliage but I find Spring in Vermont to be spectacular.
Enjoy your trip.

WJB Loc: Salisbury, MD

Check out the vicinity around Woodstock. The Billings Museum is full of potential.

There's also a "mountain" road from outside (east side) of Woodstock up a hill to a beautiful farm on the right side-supposed to be the most photographed farm in the state. (I'm sorry, but I don't remember the name of the road.)

drharveys Loc: Holly Springs, NC

Quechee Gorge. Also, have a great meal at Simon Pearce.

Sergey

I only went to VT in the fall for foliage pictures, so I don't know how places look in spring or summer. In no particular order: Quechee Gorge and nearby Woodstock town, Simon Pearce glass blowing place in Quechee, Smugglers Notch in Stow (but it's quite up North), Mt,.Mansfield (you can drive up there on the toll road), Hamilton Falls in Jamaica State Park, Shelburne Farms, Burlington, Jenne Farm, Sleepy Hollow Farm, Peacham, there is a beautiful farm nearby (I don't remember the name), it has a couple of red barns, white fences and horses.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The Armani Outlet in the Manchester Outlets is quite a charming structure. Sort of...
I personally prefer Depot Street Burgers, but not for photography. Too much Ketchup exposure for my equipment.
Let's face it, she will tell you it is a quick trip and not to go too far away and then it will take 8 hours... Unless you do go too far, in which case she will tell you to pick her up as you are getting out of your car at the Lye Brook Trail for the falls, the Battenkill River or one of the Appalachian trail access points in the area. Maybe she will wait until you are two miles from your car. Then you have to run back.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

The farm is the Jenne Farm. I have photographed it in the fall and in the winter. This past winter I even bought maple syrup from the owner. There are many covered bridges in the area. We even did a Dairy Farm tour, and I milked a cow!

**Jenne Farm is a farm located in Reading, Vermont. It is one of the most photographed farms in the world, especially in autumn. The farm has appeared in magazine covers, photography books, and a Budweiser television advertisement; it has also served as a setting in the films Forrest Gump and Funny Farm. Photographs of the farm have appeared on posters, postcards and wall calendars.Despite its fame, the private farm is located along a dirt road and is not heavily promoted. The only sign indicating its presence is a tiny board along Vermont Route 106 advertising maple syrup.**

Pumble

If you don't visit the Vermont Country Store in Weston, it may be your wife will without you!!!! https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/

But seriously, go to the Weston location. They allow you to photograph anything in the store and there are some really nice shots to take given the retro products mixed with current flair and the candy section of offerings from yesteryear is spectacular. Your wife will likely spend a few hours just wandering around the expanse of the store. Across the street, there is an old grist mill with a small man made dam with water fall that could consume the hours that your wife is spending in store across the street. The location in Rockingham has sights but I think Weston has a more rural charm. The is one of my photos from there taken 10 years ago with an older Canon 50D. My how our technology and cameras have changed in such a short time.

Truly, I live in CT and take trips to Vermont given the virtually unlimited opportunities for Photography. Also if you have time, drive up Mount Equinox. Spectacular views at the top of the mountain on a self guided drive.

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