Rainy Day Fun in Vermont: Explore Local Favorites

If you’ve spent any amount of time in Vermont, you’ve probably learned one thing fast: the weather doesn’t always cooperate. You could wake up to sunshine and end the day in a thunderstorm, especially in the mountains. But that’s part of the charm. Vermonters don’t cancel their plans when it rains, they just pivot. Whether you’re a tourist visiting for the weekend or a local looking to salvage a soggy afternoon, there’s no shortage of ways to turn a dreary day into something memorable.

Here’s how we locals turn gray skies into golden opportunities.

Embrace Vermont’s Cozy Culture

Rainy days in Vermont practically beg for a slower pace. Here’s how we lean in and get cozy.

1. Duck into a Charming Bookstore or General Store

Vermont is home to some of the coziest bookstores in New England. Curling up in a quiet corner with a good read is a perfectly acceptable way to spend an afternoon.

Some local favorites:

• Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, a downtown staple with strong local ties
• The Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, a perfect stop before heading to the café across the street
• Phoenix Books in Burlington and Essex, complete with reading nooks and local author displays

If books aren’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with a local general store. Grab a cup of coffee, browse local goods, and chat with someone behind the counter. Try:

• Willey’s Store in Greensboro
• Farr’s Country Store in Chester
• Vermont Country Store in Weston or Rockingham

2. Hunker Down in a Café or Cider House

Vermont knows how to do warm beverages right. When the rain starts falling, locals flock to small-town cafés with fresh baked goods, seasonal lattes, and good people-watching.

Try one of these cozy favorites:

• PK Coffee in Stowe for strong coffee and stronger pastries
• Carrier Roasting Co. in Northfield, stylish and mellow with local flavor
• Catalyst Coffee Bar in St. Albans, a community staple in a beautiful old bank building

If you’d rather sip something a little stronger, consider a visit to a cider taproom. Rainy days pair beautifully with dry cider and live music.

Top picks:

• Stowe Cider, fun vibes and often live music even when it’s pouring
• Citizen Cider in Burlington, indoor seating with a full kitchen and easy parking
• Shacksbury Cider in Vergennes, offering unique flavors with rustic charm

3. Indulge in Vermont Comfort Food

Few things go better with rain than a steaming bowl of something cheesy or carb-heavy.

Some go-to rainy day meals include:

• Tomato soup and a grilled cheese made with Cabot cheddar
• Mac and cheese from Prohibition Pig in Waterbury
• Farm-fresh burgers or pulled pork at Worthy Burger in South Royalton
• Soup and salad combos at The Scale in Hardwick or The Skinny Pancake (multiple locations)

Indoor Fun That Still Feels Like Vermont

Rain doesn’t mean you have to miss out on what makes Vermont special. You just need to look indoors.

1. Visit a Distillery, Brewery, or Cheese Cave

Plenty of Vermont’s producers offer indoor tastings, tours, and cozy spaces to enjoy their products.

• Smugglers’ Notch Distillery, with tasting rooms in Jeffersonville, Stowe, Burlington, and more
• Jasper Hill Cellars, where you can sample world-class cheeses in Greensboro
• Hill Farmstead Brewery, known worldwide and worth the detour even in the rain

Many of these locations offer flights, samples, and a chance to learn about the craft behind the product.

2. Explore a Local Museum

Vermont’s museums aren’t just for rainy days, but they sure come in handy when the forecast turns.

Great picks include:

• ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington, part aquarium, part science museum
• Shelburne Museum, with many indoor exhibits and galleries
• Bennington Museum, famous for its Grandma Moses collection
• Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury for natural history and sky shows
• Vermont History Center in Barre, a hidden gem for history lovers

3. Go on a Scenic Drive Through Covered Bridges

Rain doesn’t ruin the view, it just changes it. A covered bridge drive lets you enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your car, with the bonus of historic charm.

Ideas for routes:

• Montgomery, known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Vermont
• Northfield, featuring several beautiful bridges in one compact area
• Taftsville Bridge near Woodstock, one of the oldest in the state
• Emily’s Bridge in Stowe, said to be haunted and even spookier on a rainy day

Creative and Cultural Vermont Indoors

For travelers or locals who want something hands-on or artsy, rainy days can be surprisingly inspiring.

1. Take an Art or Pottery Workshop

Many Vermont artists open their studios for short workshops or drop-in sessions.

Try:

• Mud Studio in Middlesex for wheel-throwing and hand-building classes
• Artist in Residence in Enosburg Falls for changing exhibits and occasional classes
• Frog Hollow Craft Center in Burlington for browsing or taking a class

2. Browse Antique Shops and Artisan Markets

There’s something about rainy weather that makes a good antique or craft store even better.

Favorite stops:

• Vermont Antique Mall in Quechee, massive and multi-vendor
• Emporium in Barre, vintage, quirky, and packed with surprises
• Artisan’s Hand in Montpelier, beautifully curated handmade art

3. See a Show or Live Music

Vermont’s performance scene is intimate and authentic. Check local listings for:

• Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier
• Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe
• Higher Ground in South Burlington for indie music and comedy

Rainy Day Ideas with Kids

If you’re traveling with little ones, a rainy day can feel like a challenge. But Vermont has plenty of family-friendly indoor options.

1. Head to a Science Center or Aquarium

• Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich with tons of hands-on exhibits
• ECHO Center in Burlington for aquatic animals, science exhibits, and lake views even on a cloudy day

2. Try Indoor Adventure or Recreation Centers

Let them get their energy out indoors:

• PetraCliffs in Burlington for indoor rock climbing
• MetroRock in Essex with a full climbing gym and classes
• Jay Peak’s Indoor Waterpark, a bit of a splurge but unbeatable for a rainy vacation day

3. Visit a Maple Sugarhouse or Candy Store

Many sugarhouses stay open year-round with indoor tours, demos, and maple tastings.

Great options:

• Bragg Farm Sugarhouse in East Montpelier
• Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier
• Maple Grove Museum in St. Johnsbury

You can also stop into Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington for samples and hot chocolate.

Make It a Self-Care Kind of Day

Sometimes, the best thing to do on a rainy Vermont day is nothing too ambitious.

1. Treat Yourself to a Vermont Spa Experience

Spa days aren’t just for resorts. You’ll find local spots that offer massages, maple sugar scrubs, hot tubs, and even salt caves.

Popular picks:

• Topnotch Resort Spa in Stowe
• The Spa at The Essex
• Purple Sage in Middlebury for affordable treatments in a cozy setting

2. Stay In and Make It Special

If you’re staying in a rental, you can have a memorable rainy day with:

• A puzzle and hot cider
• A local cheese board with a bottle of Vermont wine
• A movie marathon with Vermont-made popcorn and maple kettle corn
• Trying a new recipe using King Arthur flour or maple syrup

Pick up supplies from the co-op, pour a glass of wine, and let the world slow down.

A Rainy Day Done Right in Vermont

Rain in Vermont isn’t a setback. It’s just a different rhythm, one that locals are used to and often enjoy. Whether you’re relaxing in a café, exploring hidden museums, or uncovering small-town gems you might’ve missed on a sunny day, there’s something wonderfully cozy and Vermonty about embracing the clouds.

Some of our best memories are made when plans change. So next time the skies open up, don’t panic. Just pivot.

What’s your favorite rainy day Vermont spot? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your photos @greenmountainpeaks.