Things to Do in Woodstock, Vermont
What to See, Do, and Eat On Your Trip
Home to the state’s only national park, Woodstock is an idyllic Upper Valley destination for travelers seeking small-town charm. On your way to Woodstock’s bustling downtown, drive Route 4 along the Ottauquechee River to take in views of picturesque farms and rolling hills. There, the elegant Woodstock Inn & Resort, the stony exterior of St. James Episcopal Church and Central Street’s 19th-century architecture surround the town green. The village is verdant in the spring and summer, giving way to breathtaking fall foliage and snowy winters, when holiday lights and traditions keep the darkness of the shorter days at bay. Explore this quintessential New England town by window shopping, taking in the views from the top of Mount Tom, and befriending the farm animals at Billings Farm & Museum.
Start the Day at a Café
Local ingredients are at the heart of the menu at Mon Vert Café. The downtown breakfast and brunch spot offers a range of pastries and coffees, plus hit sandwiches such as the Coffeehouse Brisket and the Maplebrook Mozzarella. On a cold winter’s day when the front patio is snowed in, find a spot in the cozy upstairs seating area. Just up the street with similarly glowing reviews is Soulfully Good Café, which serves classic breakfasts, as well as paninis and southern-style options.
Places to Visit in Woodstock
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Sugar maples, evergreens and covered bridges surround the birthplace of George Perkins Marsh, a founding father of the conservationist movement. Since 1998, when Laurance and Mary French Rockefeller donated the land, it has been Vermont’s only national park. See the gardens or hike to the top of Mount Tom to take in a view of the town and neighboring hills from above. Bikers, horses and pets are welcome, as are Nordic skiers and snowshoers in winter.
Farmhouse Pottery
Have you ever picked up something at an art shop and wondered, “How did someone make that?” Find the answer at Farmhouse Pottery, where you can schedule a private pottery-making date or group workshop. Spend an hour learning from a master potter and end the session with a piece to be shipped home. If you’re short on time, explore the store and watch a master potter at work on-site. Simple yet elegant, this shop has a variety of beautiful kitchenware and home décor.
Woodstock Farmers Market
This year-round market is hard to miss for anyone driving by on West Woodstock Road. The front display overflows with flowers in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. Inside is a cornucopia of produce, cheese, and fresh-baked goods and dishes. After surviving a fire and two major floods, this store is more than a grocery staple for the surrounding community — it’s a symbol of Vermont resilience.
Shop Along Central Street
Park by the town green, then wander historic Central Street’s art galleries and gift shops. Stop to browse books at the Yankee Bookshop and handcrafted local art at Collective – The Art of Craft. Find durable fashion at Elevation Clothing, or see what’s trending at 37 Central Clothiers. Nearby, F.H. Gillingham and Sons has been the town’s general store since 1886 and is still owned by the Gillingham family. Make sure to visit in December, when Central Street lights up for an award-winning Wassail Weekend full of holiday festivities.
Dine Local
Ready for dinner? With a colorful, rustic interior and a bar full of craft beer, Worthy Kitchen lives up to its name. Its partner restaurant in South Royalton has won awards for its burgers, and you can find these alongside sandwiches and salads on the pub-style menu. For something fancier, dine in an upscale mill perched on the Ottauquechee River — with close-up views of a waterfall — at Simon Pearce Restaurant. The menu is creative American, and the bar offers wine, beer and cocktails in the signature glassware made on-site. Browse artisan glass and pottery in the adjoining rooms after dinner.