7 Things to Do on a Sunny Day in Vermont!

Even if you love the snowy winters and the beautiful fall foliage we’re lucky enough to have here in Vermont, most of us can’t wait for the beauty that the summer season brings! The fresh air, lush greenery and colorful flowers are truly special and not something you get in every state! Plus the change in weather comes with more hours of daylight, which is something I think everyone can agree that they love no matter where they live! But our summer season is short, so while it’s here we have to make the most of it - we’ve put together seven awesome things for you to do that will get you outside and enjoying some fun in the sun!

1. Take a Hike

One of the best ways to get to experience the beauty of Vermont is to go exploring in it! We have a list of the 10 Best Hikes in Vermont that you'll want to check out if you’re up for a little workout and a great view. And if you’re not looking to break a sweat that’s okay too, there are tons of beginner-level hikes and walks you can take. Mt. Philo in Charlotte, the Red Rocks State Park in South Burlington and Moss Glen Falls in Stowe are all great options and are easily doable for kids of almost any age as well. 

2. Go Paddling on the Lamoille River

What better way to enjoy a sunny day than getting out on the water and enjoying some new scenery?! Vermont Canoe and Kayak offer a variety of rentals including single and tandem kayaks, two and three-person canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Grab lunch from the local gem next door, The Cupboard Deli (they have the most delicious peanut butter cookies if you’re into that sort of thing :)), and have a picnic as you float along the river on your own self-guided tour - there is even a river scavenger hunt you can participate in to add some extra fun to the day! Or take one of their many guided tours, like the Maple Tour, where you choose your boat and paddle to the VT Maple Outlet to learn about the sugaring process and enjoy a maple creemee while you shop for some delicious maple and Vermont-made goodies to take home with you!

3. Cool Off with Some Ice Cream

What goes better with a sunny day in Vermont than cooling off with some delicious locally made ice cream?! There are so many great spots to enjoy a tasty treat - to see if there are any new places you should try, check out our blog on the 6 best ice cream shops in Vermont!

4. See a Little Piece of History at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum

If you’re in the mood to explore a little history, this historic house was built way back in 1787 by Ethan Allen, one of the state's founding fathers. This is a farmhouse turned into a museum along the shoreline of the Winooski River and history buffs will surely appreciate the guided tours and lectures walking you through the late 18th century period, intersecting artwork, and era-specific exhibits. This is a kid-friendly attraction and they host a section where kids can play archeologists, and they also have a collection of reproduced antique toys. Plus the 300-acre public park surrounding the museum features numerous bike paths and gorgeous gardens for you to enjoy as well, so whether you’re looking to travel back in history for a while or enjoy the crisp summer air and beautiful surroundings, the Ethan Allen Museum has you covered!

5. Visit Coolidge State Park

This is one of the largest state parks in the region and a great place to enjoy a lot of fun activities all throughout the year. Get in some hiking and fantastic nature sightseeing experiences, go for a swim or boat ride (they have pedal boat, canoe and kayak rentals available) and camp out overnight. They offer areas where you can pitch your own tent or if you’re looking for a more unique experience, you can stay in one of the wooden ''lean-tos'' in the park and take in the exquisite views over the countryside from high up in the mountains. 

6. Hang Out at the Beach

There are tons of beaches you can visit to enjoy the beauty of Lake Champlain and North Beach in Burlington is one of the most popular spots to check out! Aside from the beautiful sandy beach, they have active lifeguards on duty all summer long, and there are tons of things to do from the kayak and paddleboard rentals offered by Paddlesurf Champlain to the playground area for the kids to enjoy and picnic tables and grills for some easy summertime beachside BBQing. They also have a snack bar to grab a quick bite or The Beach House which offers drinks and dining at umbrella-covered tables right on the sand. They have well-maintained public restrooms and showers and it’s easily accessible by car with plenty of parking available. The Burlington bike path directly connects to the beach, making it easy to take a nice sunny stroll or bike ride and just a little ways up the bike path you can pop into the Rock Point Trail which is a lesser-known local favorite!

7. Head down to the Burlington Waterfront

A sunny day (or evening) is the perfect time to take a trip to the Waterfront Park in Burlington. It offers a truly picturesque view of Lake Champlain along with tons of people-watching opportunities and a host of other activities for all ages and activity levels. For the more inquisitive members of the group, (we know it’s not technically in the sun, but we have to mention it anyway) the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is a great place to start - its open-air aquatic campus will educate and fascinate any science enthusiast as well as kids with diverse themes ranging from scientific discoveries to marine biology. And for the more adventurous types, you can rent a bike from Local Motion and go exploring that way, or take an informative Tree Tour with Burlington Tree Tours. You can even charter a sailboat at a relatively affordable rate with Let’s Go Sailing. And if you love food and beer - Waterfront Park has you covered there too! Spot on the Dock and Farm & Foragers both have dockside restaurants and Foam Brewers and Deep City are on Lake Street with some delicious local offerings as well. And if you’re like us, you’ll find that the best way to end your time at the Waterfront is to grab a creemee and watch the sunset on one of the swinging benches overlooking the water’s edge while taking in all the beauty around you

With all the awesome things Vermont has to offer, you can be sure that no matter what you decide to do on a sunny day, you’ll definitely have tons of fun! Enjoy! 

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This post is sponsored by Teddy Moving and Storage.