There’s a good reason why Vermont got nicknamed the Green Mountain State. Its vibrant and beautiful hillsides, as well as most charming towns, make it the best travel location for those whose goal is to snap unreal-looking pictures throughout their whole scenic adventure. To make the most of the trip, the best thing is to visit during fall to have the greatest contrast between colors or in winter to catch a glimpse of the snow-covered mountains, perfect for Winter Wonderland lovers.
Vermont already has outstanding hotels and resorts that overlook the state’s finest landscapes and can cater to almost every need and taste. However, there’s just something magical about hopping on one of Vermont’s many rail tours and going through the beautiful landscapes that the Green Mountain State has to offer. Plus, some of the tours have unique activities that add a ton of value to each trip and are certain to keep even the pickiest travelers entertained.
10 Champlain Valley
Aerial picture of Champlain Valley in Vermont
With outstanding views of the lake below and a wide contrast between different vibrant landscapes, Champlain Valley is definitely the main point of Vermont’s railway scene. Offering a unique view during each season of the year, there’s no bad time to tour by and see what the valley has in stock. As an added bonus for the experience, the Champlain Valley Dinner Train takes its passengers through this and more of Vermont’s natural wonders during the fall foliage season. But, to get the most out of the valley, it’s recommended to rent out a cabin and get a properly extended visit.
9 Castleton
Colorful, charming, and friendly, Vermont’s railway system passes right through the side of this old-fashioned yet beautiful town. Castleton is home to one of the state’s main colleges, Castleton University, and it’s one of the oldest towns in Vermont. Tourists and passer’s-by alike will be happy to find a small haven of historical architecture among a sea of trees and its own lake to put a cherry on top.
8 Rutland
Photo of rural landscape in Rutland, VT
Seat to its namesake county and just a few minutes past Castleton, Rutland mixes the feeling of a cozy town with big city dreams, all while still offering marvelous rural views right off its borders. If passing during the wintertime, Rutland’s Downtown streets can also serve as a colorful landscape as it covers itself with countless decorations of the festivities.
7 Florence
It might not be as glamorous as its Italian counterpart, but Vermont’s city of Florence still has a unique feel to it, offering vibrant sceneries in every direction. The city also serves as a direct gateway to the Green Mountain National Forest, which is currently one of Vermont’s only public and federally managed forests state-wide.
6 Otter Creek
Crossing through multiple of Vermont’s towns and cities, Otter Creek is like a huge bow that ties together most of the state’s remaining western railway system. Although it holds a completely misleading title, it’s not actually a creek. Otter Creek is, by far, the longest and one of the largest rivers in Vermont. It does, however, house river otters, which can be found in small populations throughout the whole way.
Otter Creek follows Vermont’s Rail System from a merging in Fredleyville, going through Emerald Lake State Park all the way to Brooksville before connecting with Lake Champlain.
5 Otter View Park
Following on the otter topic, one of the frolicking spots that can be found along the river is the Otter View Park, which is part of the Middlebury community in Vermont. It might seem a bit desolate at first glance, but when glancing from the right angle and in the appropriate season, it gives a clear display of the perks that being right next to a bountiful river grant: a mix between vivid forests, tall meadows, and a swampy wetland for all kinds of wildlife to live in peace.
4 Mount Tabor
Ever wondered what it’s like to watch a Bob Ross painting in real life? That’s what’s to be expected from passing through Mount Tabor during the fall. Taking a look to the right gives a colorful spectrum of trees as far as the eye can see, and to the left cozy cabins hidden through the woods truly accentuate the feeling of being a community of just over 200 inhabitants.
3 Lake Shaftsbury
Located within the state park of the same name, Lake Shaftsbury only appears briefly during the railway’s path, but its mix between dense foliage and high volume of water makes it a must for nature lovers. For Vermonters and visitors, the lake offers all sorts of activities, including, but not limited to, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and picnicking. So, it might be normal to want to take a trip back after finishing the train ride and enjoying the lake first-hand as an enjoyable, yet affordable, experience.
2 Williams River
It might not be as impressive as Otter “Creek” when it comes to size, but Williams River holds its own unique charm to add to the long stretch of railways in Vermont. Just like any other large body of water within the State, Williams River has its own state forest, which keeps the area always active and looking pretty for pictures.
1 Berlin Pond
Vermont has a liking to have places named after other places in the world, like Manchester, Florence, and even Peru, with Berlin Pond being part of that group. Known for its birdwatching potential, the pond houses a great number of different species that call the area their home. The whole amplitude of the pond can be overlooked from the railway’s path, which makes it great for taking pictures before reaching the next destination.