48 Hours in Vermont’s White River Valley
Central Vermont’s White River Valley stars the 56-mile White River, whose various branches snake across the region. Along the free-flowing river — known by the Abenaki as “Wôbatekw,” or “clear stream” — historic villages blend with outdoor recreation, creating an adventurer’s playground.
DAY ONE
HISTORY, HIKES, AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VALLEY’S NORTHERN HALF
Kick off your trip to the White River Valley in Randolph, the state’s geographic center and the region’s definitive heart. Begin in the historic downtown with house-made bagels from Wee Bird Bagel Café or, if you prefer a sweet start to the day, stop by Windy Lane Bakehouse for cinnamon rolls and cupcakes.
After breakfast, check out Randolph’s art galleries, which include People’s Gallery and the women-owned ART, etc. The latter is located within a renovated church from the 1880s and shares space with Brainstorm Art Supply, in case you’re inspired to pick up a set of paints and create your own masterpiece. Finish off your time downtown by perusing the books and records at Speaking Volumes.
Head out of town via Vermont Route 66 and watch for Whale Dance, an outdoor sculpture of two whale tails overlooking the Green Mountains. On the other side of I-89, you’ll find more roadside attractions in the form of the historic Braley, Gifford, and Hyde-Kingsbury covered bridges. Of these, the Hyde-Kingsbury is probably the most photogenic, thanks to its unusual rounded portal. However, if you just have time for one, head up to Brookfield’s Floating Bridge, the country’s only floating bridge east of the Mississippi (though note the bridge is closed in winter).
Pause for lunch after marveling at the view of the bridge’s Sunset Lake and walking through the adjacent Hippo Park. At Brookfield’s 1000 Stone Farm, onsite restaurant The Farmers’ Hand is open Fridays and Saturday from 1-8 p.m. and pairs cider with seasonal dishes. Farther south, check out Middle Branch Collaborative, a women-owned general store. If you’d rather eat back in Randolph, stop by Chef’s Market, a cafe and grocery hybrid. And for those heading east, there’s the Tunbridge General Store, where you can pick up items for a picnic.
If you’re in the market for maple, you have options. Both Wood’s Vermont Syrup Company, which is just five minutes from downtown Randolph, and Silloway Maple about 10 minutes further east, feature stores selling barrel-aged and infused syrups alongside more traditional recipes. Silloway swirls creemees and runs tours of the sugarhouse year-round, and the trails through their woods are open for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Once you’re fueled up, there are a lot of ways to take to the region’s terrain. For those looking to explore on two wheels, Randolph’s The Gear House can outfit you with rental gear. Trails of all kinds — from hiking paths to snowshoeing routes — can be found throughout the region. Allis State Park’s Bear Hill Trail is a favorite, with a fire tower that rewards hikers with lofty views. Plus, you can complete Bear Hill Trail in about an hour, freeing your afternoon for more activities. Consider filling that gap with fishing — cast your line with Bethel’s Stay Bent Fishing Tours.
When it’s time for dinner, you’ll find the greatest concentration of options in and around Randolph. Oak & Iron and Rochester’s Maple Soul serve farm-to-table cuisine, while the James Beard Award-winning Saap Restaurant specializes in northern Thai. If you’d prefer a unique brewery setting, check out the savory meatless menu and mountain views at Braintree’s Bent Hill Brewery. And Brookfield’s Green Trails Inn keeps it cozy in their onsite pub.
Randolph’s community culture provides multiple options to close out your day. You might catch a movie at the 1919 Playhouse Movie Theatre, a performance at Chandler Center for the Arts, or live music at The Underground.
DAY TWO
FAIRS, WATERFALLS, AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VALLEY’S SOUTHERN HALF
If you can, time your White River Valley trip to align with a signature festival. Every fall, celebrate Vermont’s agricultural roots at the Tunbridge World’s Fair, replete with rides, shows, and historic reenactments and demonstrations on History Hill. If you’re visiting in late summer, Randolph’s New World Festival promises a day of lively Celtic and Quebecois music. Winter brings its own festivities, such as the Brookfield Ice Harvest and Mid-Winter-Fest. Held at the Brookfield Floating Bridge, attendees watch a demonstration of ice harvesting tools from the 19th and 20th centuries and get a chance to cut their own ice block.
This region has another specific claim to fame: no matter the time of year, you can visit the birthplace of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in South Royalton. If you’re interested in this religious pilgrimage, turn it into an all-encompassing Royalton trip — before or after your memorial visit, pick up a latte from the town’s women-owned First Branch Coffee and shop for local delights at the South Royalton Market.
Start today’s outdoor adventure just west of Hancock at Texas Falls, which you can reach via a one-mile loop trail. While scenic in all conditions, the series of cascading falls rushes in the spring with the snowmelt. To stretch this walk into something closer to a half-day excursion, tack on a hike along the 1.3-mile (one-way) Hancock Trail, which features three bridge crossings of the Hancock Branch of the White River.
Rochester, the next town to the south, is another gateway to the Green Mountains. In fact, it’s the most popular start and end point for The Heart of the Greens, a multi-day, 38-mile loop trail that connects rural communities and trail networks, complete with backcountry huts for overnights. Of course, you can also just spend a few hours here hiking or biking the Rochester Valley Trails. For bike rentals, Green Mountain Bikes is the shop to look for. In the winter, the trails transform into cross-country ski tracks, snowshoe routes, and natural photography backdrops.
Wrap up the day in Central Vermont by driving along the backroads to Bethel. If hunger calls, grab a bite at the Bethel Village Sandwich Shop or Creek House Diner. But be sure to save room for dinner at Worthy Burger, a beloved burger joint in South Royalton with farm-to-table bites and draught beer. Alternatively, you can grab tacos from Carlita’s Cantina just up the street. Should you be visiting in the summer, round out your meal with a bucket of popcorn while catching a movie after dark at the Bethel Drive-In.
WHERE TO STAY IN WHITE RIVER VALLEY
Across the region’s towns, you’ll find cozy inns, rustic campsites, and comfortable hotels. In Rochester, try The Stable Inn for lodgings in a 14-room, timber-frame home dating from the 1840s, powered by renewable energy. Then there’s Liberty Hill Farm & Inn for an immersive farm stay experience — the property is home to over 100 dairy cows, and the inn itself was built in 1825. For more outdoor-forward options, try Randolph’s Lucky Bugger Vineyard Cabin, a cozy cabin located just uphill from the property’s vines, or Allis State Park, where you can camp in an RV, tent, or lean-to. Randolph’s My Place Hotel offers a traditional guest experience.