Quirky Roadside Attractions You’ll Only Find in Vermont
A quirky stop that surprises many visitors lies just outside Brattleboro, about 15 minutes south of the city along Route 9. The Vermont Country Store in Weston feels like stepping into a living time capsule. This multi-building emporium specializes in nostalgic goods from bygone eras, featuring everything from old-fashioned candy to classic clothing styles and vintage household items. The store’s charm comes from its deep embrace of Vermont’s rural heritage, offering a tangible connection to simpler times. Visitors delight in sifting through shelves stocked with products you won’t find in modern supermarkets. The best time to visit is in the fall, when the nearby Green Mountains put on a fiery display of reds and golds, framed perfectly by the store’s rustic wooden facade.
About 40 miles north of Montpelier, in Barre, the quirky allure of the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry is unmistakable. It’s billed as the world’s largest deep-hole granite quarry, and the scale is staggering. Visitors can take a guided tour into the quarry itself, descending hundreds of feet to witness the vast open-pit where the famous Barre granite is extracted. This spot is unique in how it combines industrial heritage with natural beauty, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Green Mountains. Watching workers chisel and saw through solid rock showcases Vermont’s long history as a granite-producing powerhouse. The quarry is open year-round, but the summer months afford the clearest views and safest footing for exploring the outdoor paths.
A whimsical roadside attraction near Middlebury, about 30 minutes southwest of Burlington, is the American Precision Museum. While museums may not be “roadside” in the traditional sense, this one’s focus on 19th-century machine tools and precision manufacturing makes it a standout. The museum is housed in an old factory where early American inventors developed tools that revolutionized industry. Visitors can examine intricate collection pieces, including early lathes and milling machines, and appreciate how Vermont once stood at the forefront of mechanical innovation. Fall is an especially pleasant time to visit when the nearby Otter Creek Valley is painted with vibrant autumn hues, adding an unexpected natural backdrop to this industrial gem.
Not far from Stowe, about 10 minutes southeast of the village center, the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury offers a delightfully quirky experience centered on ice cream and local culture. The factory tour lets visitors see the quirky artwork and playful spirit behind the company’s iconic flavors. Sampling fresh ice cream while strolling through exhibits on environmental activism and Vermont’s social values gives a taste of the state’s distinct personality beyond the dairy. The real bonus is the “Flavor Graveyard,” a playful outdoor display that memorializes retired ice cream flavors with humorous epitaphs. Summer is the perfect season to visit when the factory buzzes with energy and the nearby scenic hiking trails invite a full-day excursion.
In the town of Barre, about 10 minutes northeast of Montpelier, stands the Vermont Marble Museum, an odd but fascinating attraction that delves into the state’s marble quarrying past. The museum showcases local marble’s role in iconic American architecture, with hands-on exhibits and massive stone slabs that tell Vermont’s geological story. Nearby marble quarries are still operational, and the museum’s proximity allows visitors to grasp the scale and craft behind this beautiful stone. This spot is unique for its blend of art, geology, and industry all in one place. Late spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, when the nearby quarry landscapes bloom with wildflowers, softening the rugged stone environment.
A short drive from Middlebury, heading west toward the New York border, you’ll find the quirky and colorful exhibit at the Ethan Allen Homestead. This historic site celebrates the life of Vermont’s Revolutionary War hero in a way that’s both educational and unexpectedly playful. The homestead includes preserved buildings, interpretive trails, and a visitor center that uses interactive displays to bring 18th-century Vermont to life. What sets this apart is how the site blends serious history with a lighthearted spirit, often hosting folk music events and storytelling sessions that echo Vermont’s frontier roots. Early autumn is a particularly magical time to visit, as the surrounding hills turn fiery red and crisp air adds to the colonial atmosphere.
Heading to the northeastern corner of the state, near Newport and about 45 minutes from Burlington, is the quirky Kingdom Trails network. While the trails are best known for mountain biking, they also offer an offbeat attraction for road-trippers: art installations scattered along the paths and roads. Local artists have embedded whimsical sculptures and painted signs that surprise and delight travelers. Exploring the trails is a way to experience Vermont’s commitment to outdoor recreation with a quirky artistic twist. The trail system spans over 100 miles of singletrack and doubletrack, suitable for all levels, making it an adventurous stop for the curious traveler. Fall foliage season enhances this area’s appeal, turning the dense forests into a kaleidoscope of color.
Finally, tucked away in the small village of Glover, about an hour northeast of St. Johnsbury, the Glover Steam Museum offers an unusual peek into Vermont’s industrial past. This quirky collection features vintage steam engines, tractors, and logging equipment that once powered the state’s rural economy. The museum is set amid rolling farmland, giving visitors a sense of Vermont’s agricultural roots alongside its mechanical ingenuity. The charm here lies in the lovingly restored machinery and the stories shared by volunteer guides who keep these engines alive. Visiting in late spring or early summer is ideal when the fields are lush and the weather encourages lingering to soak in the pastoral scene.