Vermont is, of course, known for its fall foliage and winter ski resorts, but you may be wondering about the other seasons, too. If you’re especially curious about spring in Vermont, you’ve come to the right place! Having visited Vermont in the spring season many times, I’m here to share with you what to expect, if it’s a good time of year to visit, where to go, and also, some suggestions on really fun things to do.
So, let’s get right to it, shall we?
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What Is Vermont Like In The Spring?
Much like the rest of New England, Vermont during the spring tends to be one of the least touristed seasons, mostly because it’s a time of transition. Vermont tends to stay colder and hold on to winter for longer than many other places around the region, too, so snow can linger longer, and it can feel like winter well into the spring.
In the first part of spring, scenery tends to be the least photogenic because the trees are not yet in bloom, and mud season is in full swing once the snow begins to melt. Not sure what mud season is? I’m happy to help 😊 Mud season is the time between winter and mid spring when the melting snow creates lots of … well, mud. Parks, woods, hiking trails, and such will be pretty muddy, and that tends to contribute to the less than idyllic scenery.
The second half of spring is what you’re likely envisioning this time of the year. The trees and flowers begin to bloom, there’s a better chance of nicer weather, and the state begins its transition from mud season to early summer.
All that said, there are also some really great reasons to visit this time of the year! For one, this is not a busy time to visit, so you’ll see fewer crowds at all the popular destinations and attractions. Secondly, you’ll find much cheaper rates for accommodations, especially in April and the first half of May.
Also, Vermont doesn’t experience a lot of seasonal closures like the coastal regions of New England, so while places along the coast in this region may still be closed in April and parts of May, most of Vermont is open and ready for you to visit!
Generally, I recommend visiting Vermont in the spring season between mid-May once mud season starts to wrap up, and the first two weeks of June. But let’s break that down even further …
Vermont In April
April is a tough month in Vermont, and really, all throughout New England. I’ve grown to love it over the years because it’s the official start of the spring reawakening, but it does come with a lot of rain, possibly some snow, and the weather can be all over the place.
Generally, this is the least popular time to visit of all the spring months just because of the weather being tricky. This is the month where lingering snow is a possibility, including the occasional light snow fall early in the month, and mud season is in full swing.
That said, there can be some really nice days in April, too! April is usually when the state will see its first true “spring like” days with hints of warmer weather and sunshine. The daffodils will also begin to bloom to add some color to the scenery, and some greenery will begin to rebound from the winter season.
This will also be the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Vermont in the spring, and if you’re willing to work with some finicky weather, this might be a good time for you to visit to save some money.
Average weather in Vermont in April: Day time high’s average around 55°F, and night time low’s average around 40°F.
Vermont in April quick guide: The cheapest and least crowded of the spring months, but the trade-off is riskier weather, the possibility of snow earlier in the month, and cooler temperatures. Daffodils begin to bloom to show signs of spring’s arrival.
Vermont In May
May is a great spring month to experience Vermont. The weather continues to improve, and typically offers fewer days of rain than April, and some warmer days. It’s also still an affordable time to visit, with fewer crowds, but the exception will of course be Memorial Day weekend – definitely plan on crowds if you visit during this time!
The general atmosphere and scenery begins to really come back to life in May in Vermont. You’ll find tulips and other spring flowers in bloom, and a lot more greenery as trees have bloomed. The weather is also not too hot in May, which makes for wonderful hiking temperatures. And while Vermont still experiences rain in May, it’s not as much as April, so getting outside is more likely.
Average weather in Vermont in May: Day time high’s average around 65-70°F, and night time low’s average around 45-50°F.
Vermont in May quick guide: Still not a busy time to visit, with affordable pricing (except Memorial Day weekend), and the overall atmosphere feels more like spring with color and greenery in bloom. Fewer rain days and mild temperatures makes for comfortable outdoors activities.
Vermont In June
June is the best month to visit in the spring season if you’re hoping for summery weather. This is the month during the season when you’ll experience the most sunny days and warmest weather, but it’s not usually as hot as July and August.
Because of this, June will be the busiest month during the spring season, and hotel prices will begin to rise a bit. However, compared to popular coastal destinations in New England, hotel rates will be a lot more reasonable in June in Vermont, and it still doesn’t feel overly crowded.
Because of the nice weather June brings, this is a great time to explore the lakes around Vermont, and spend a lot of time outside.
Average weather in Vermont in June: Day time high’s average around 75°F, and night time low’s average around 60-65°F.
Vermont in June quick guide: The nicest of all the spring months because of the best weather. Crowds and prices are higher than April and May, but still doesn’t feel too crowded or overly expensive.
*Keep in mind that weather averages are truly averages, and can vary based on where in the state you visit. The mountains and northern regions will be a bit cooler than the southern regions.
Where To Go In Vermont In The Spring
There really isn’t one place in Vermont that’s better to visit in the spring season, so I recommend visiting popular places that can otherwise be very crowded other times of the year. Here are my recommendations of some of the places around Vermont that are worth the hype, and that will be less crowded in the spring than ski and foliage seasons:
Woodstock: This tops everyones lists of best places to visit in Vermont, and for very good reason. It’s one of the most idyllic towns in all of New England, and while it’s small, it’s also packed with so much to do, while feeling like a cozy getaway year-round.
Woodstock is home to a wonderful town center with beautiful independent shops, fantastic cafés and restaurants, and even a beautiful covered bridge. You can easily spend an afternoon walking the picturesque side streets and around town center.
But Woodstock is also home to Billings Farm, which hosts a fun spring event I mention later in this post 😉, as well as Sugarbush Farms for some local syrup and cheese tastings.
Stowe: Also known as one of the most quaint and charming towns in Vermont, it’s probably the most popular fall foliage destination in New England. However, in the spring season, you’ll be able to avoid the biggest crowds, shop the boutiques along the adorable Main Street, enjoy the covered bridges, and hike around Smugglers Notch State Park (weather depending, of course!).
Burlington: As Vermont’s biggest city, Burlington offers so much to do year-round, and is always worth a visit. Perfect for the spring time because of plenty of options both indoors and outdoors, there’s a great brewery and dining scene here, gorgeous views of Lake Champlain, and lots of awesome shopping and art galleries.
Manchester: In southern Vermont, Manchester is another charming town that’s great for a spring visit. Home to Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, there’s history to explore, great shopping, character, and perfect New England scenery all around.
Fun Things To Do In Vermont In The Spring
1. Experience Maple Open House Weekend
Just after the official arrival of spring, the Maple Open House Weekend in Vermont typically takes place the last weekend in March, or the first weekend in April (and recently, both weekends!). While the weather is more likely to be chilly and snowy, this is definitely something to have on your spring radar!
To celebrate sugaring season, lots of sugar houses throughout the state open their doors to visitors to sample their syrups, offer demonstrations, and sell their maple products. Additionally, you’ll find other festivities taking place, including a pancake breakfast, horse-drawn wagon rides, and lots more.
This is a great event to attend to support small businesses, and also, immerse yourself into the time-honored tradition of sugaring in Vermont. Additionally, you’ll find all kinds of products infused with maple, so you’ll probably want to plan extra room in your suitcase to bring everything home 😊
2. Baby Animal Days At Billings Farm
Probably the cutest thing to experience in Vermont in the spring season is Baby Animal Days at Billings Farm & Museum. With the return of spring comes new animals at the farm, and Billings does such a great job allowing visitors to learn all about them.
Get the chance to pet and hold baby farm animals, while touring once of the best rural farming museums in the entire country. The weekend is also packed with other fun things to experience, including food trucks, the opening of their ice cream stand, kid’s crafts, and more. It’s definitely one of the best weekends of the year to visit the farm!
3. Get Your Last Few Ski Days In
Like many ski destinations in New England, the spring season brings the end of ski days. But if you’re looking for a place to hit the slopes through the end of April, Vermont has you covered. Ski resorts that typically stay open through most, or all of April are:
- Stowe
- Jay Peak
- Sugarbush
- Killington
- Stratton
- Okemo
- Mount Snow
- Mad River Glen
Some resorts like Killington and Sugarbush may even be open the first week in May – it varies from year to year.
If you’re a fan of skiing, you may also want to check out the Stowe Sugar Slalom, which typically takes place in early April. Held at the Stowe Ski Resort, this event celebrates the beginning of spring by encouraging skiers to hit the slopes in spring-themed costumes, and participate in races.
You’ll also find fun food, music, a Mardi Gras vibe, and lots more fun during the event.
4. Enjoy Spring At Hildene
Not only is Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, one of the best places to see in Vermont, it hosts a variety of events in the spring, including nature walks, bird-watching workshops, and yep – more baby animals!
If you can’t make it up to Woodstock for Baby Animal Days, Hildene has you covered. Typically in mid-April, the estate opens its barn doors and allow visitors to meet the newest additions to the farm, including baby goats, lambs, alpacas, chickens, and rabbits.
Throughout the spring, you can also take part in the nature walks and bird-watching workshops mentioned above, and enjoy the stunning grounds around the estate as everything begins to bloom and come back to life.
5. Savor The Flavors Of The Season
Vermont has such an incredible farm-to-table culinary scene, and most restaurants around the state make an effort to support local farmers, and serve what’s in season. Spring is no exception!
In the spring season, asparagus, carrots, rhubarb, peas, parsnips, and strawberries are all in season Vermont. It’s such a treat to book a table at a nice restaurant to see what kinds of creative dishes chefs around the state are coming up with that highlight these ingredients.
6. Pick Up A Spring Bouquet Of Flowers
If you live in a four-season climate, you know how exciting the first flowers of the year are, and spring has especially colorful and cheerful blooms that easily brighten up your decor. Tulips, daffodils, ranunculus, and hyacinth all grow well in Vermont, and flower farmers around the state begin to offer bouquets of these lovely flowers as early as April.
Von Trapp Flowers is a well-known tulip flower farmer in Vermont, and they send their freshly cut tulip bouquets to shops all over the state, including the Woodstock Farmers Market shops in Woodstock and Stowe. The bouquet pictured above was purchased from Von Trapp!
Wilder Flowers is a great farmer that has a great little self-service flower cart that typically opens at the end of April, and features gorgeous bouquets and arrangements of spring flowers. They even come in a cute little mason jar that comes with the bouquet.
7. Explore The Waterfalls
Spring is a great time to explore Vermont’s waterfalls because the melting snow and increased rain allows for a good water flow and more impactful falls!
And did you know that Vermont is home to at least 100 waterfalls? Some require a hike to get to, and some are easily seen from the road or a walkway, so there are tons of options when it comes to admiring waterfalls.
Some of the best to see in Vermont are:
- Moss Glen Falls in Stowe, which is the tallest in Vermont!
- Thundering Falls in Killington
- Lye Brook Falls in Manchester
- Texas Falls in Hancock
- Bingham Falls in Stowe
- Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow
8. Shop On Church Street Marketplace
Perfect for spring weather so you can enjoy both the outdoors and have the ability to duck into shops if the weather isn’t perfect, Church Street Marketplace is honestly awesome year-round. And I should know, I’ve been in all four seasons!
Spanning four blocks, this pedestrian-only shopping destination is home to a great mix of shops, cafés, restaurants, distilleries, and so much more. The shopping here is great, and you can find some really unique things, it’s just fun to walk around, and also makes for a great photo opp.
9. Stock Up On Easter Chocolates
One of my favorite things about Vermont is its chocolate shops, and while you can enjoy these delicious treats year-round, spring is a great excuse to stock up for the Easter holiday if you celebrate.
Chocolatiers and specialty chocolate shops around the state will begin creating awesome Easter and spring-themed treats that are perfect for Easter baskets, hostess gifts, or let’s be honest … to eat right away 😉
Some of my favorites in Vermont to check out are:
- Lake Champlain Chocolates (locations in Burlington, Waterbury, and Stowe)
- Snowflake Chocolates in South Burlington
- NU Chocolate in Burlington
- Burke Mountain Confectionery
- Middlebury Sweets
10. Enjoy The Covered Bridges
The covered bridges around Vermont are charming year-round, and even in the spring when the scenery isn’t the most idyllic, these little structures are still photo-worthy!
Vermont is home to over 100 covered bridges, and regardless of where you are in the state, chances are you’re not far from one. While most of the covered bridges don’t ever see huge crowds (unless it’s in a popular town like Woodstock or Stowe), the spring season is pretty much guaranteed you’ll hardly see any others around when you visit.
Some of my personal favorite covered bridges around Vermont are:
- Middle Covered Bridge in Woodstock (this one can get crowded, but not usually during spring!)
- Henry Covered Bridge in Bennington
- Red Covered Bridge in Morristown
- Emily’s Covered Bridge in Stowe (also called Gold Brook)
- Arlington Covered Bridge
11. Embrace Mud Season At Farmhouse Pottery
If the weather doesn’t fully cooperate during your spring visit, head inside Farmhouse Pottery’s flagship store in charming Woodstock and get your hands in their own version of mud – clay, that is 😉
But honestly, this is a really fun thing to do year-round, regardless of the weather. The wheel workshops at Farmhouse Pottery include clay for two to make your own special creations to take home, drinks, and an expert-led tutorial by one of their own artisans. Not only is this a fun thing to do with your spouse, partner, or friend, it’s also a great way to spend Mother’s Day with your mom if you’re looking for ideas!
12. Attend The Kingdom Maple Festival
The town of St. Johnsbury celebrates all things spring and maple during their Kingdom Maple Festival in April each year.
Featuring a pancake breakfast, yard and bake sales, performances, kid’s events, and a street fair, this is the perfect way to welcome the spring season. You’ll also find that restaurants throughout town are infusing more maple into their menus, so be sure to scope out menus ahead of time and pick where you want to go because everything always sounds so delicious!
13. Enjoy Memorial Day Festivities All Over
Memorial Day is most definitely the most popular spring celebration all over the U.S., and Vermont is no exception! So many towns throughout the state put on their own festivities for the weekend, and include parades, fireworks, food vendors, music, and tons more.
Some towns that have some really fun events or parades to check out are:
- Stowe
- Stratton
- Vergennes
- Woodstock
- St. Albans
14. Cruise Around Lake Champlain
Starting in May, tours aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen open back up, and the boat sets sail around the biggest lake in New England – Lake Champlain!
Touring around Shelburne Bay and the Vermont’s shorelines, you’ll get to enjoy the natural beauty of the state from a different perspective out on the water. During a spring cruise, be sure to dress accordingly, as the air out on the water is always chillier than land. Definitely bring a jacket or sweater (or both, depending on the weather) so you stay comfortable.
Offering all different kinds of cruise options, including sunset cruises, scenic narrated options, champagne brunches cruises, and dinner cruises, you’ll be able to find the perfect cruise that suits your plans, too!
15. Get Your First Maple Creemee Of The Season!
One of the most famous foods to come out of Vermont is the maple creemee, which is basically soft serve ice cream infused with local maple syrup. Everyone looks forward to their first creemee of the season, and honestly, we usually get them even when the weather is still cool 😉
While the maple creemee flavor is the most popular, many places will offer different flavors to choose from, depending on the season, so if you’re not a fan of maple, no worries!
Here are some great places around Vermont to get a creemee:
- Canteen Creemee Company in Waitsfield
- Palmer Lane Maple in Jericho
- Arlington Dairy Bar
- Vermont Maple Market in Middlebury
- Creemee Stand in Wilmington
- Little Gordo Creemee Stand in Burlington
Important Info For Visiting Vermont In The Spring:
Many of the back roads in Vermont are dirt roads, and during mud season, they can become difficult to drive on. Most likely, you’ll be fine, but if you find yourself driving down a dirt road that’s soft with mud because of recent rainfall or melting snow, listen to your gut, and assess the situation. It may not be the safest decision to proceed, as you could get stuck. Again, this is unlikely to happen, but I wanted to mention it so you have an awareness.
More Of My Vermont Travel Guides:
- The Absolute Best Things To Do In Vermont
- Best Times & Places To See Fall Foliage In Vermont
- Cool Things Vermont Is Known For
- Vermont In The Fall: Best Foliage Places & Things To Do
- Best Places To Stay In Vermont In The Fall
- A Perfect Vermont Covered Bridges Road Trip Itinerary
- Visiting Vermont In The Winter
- Fun Things To Do In Waterbury, VT
- Best Time To Visit Vermont
- Must-See Places On A Vermont Route 100 Road Trip
You may also enjoy some of these spring guides:
- Maine In The Spring Season
- New England In The Spring: Where To Go & What To Do!
- Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Boston
- My Guide & Tips For The Nantucket Daffodil Festival
That’s A Wrap On Visiting Vermont In The Spring
And there you have it! Now you’ve got the inside scoop on what Vermont in the spring is like, and if it’s worth visiting for you. While spring gets off to a rocky start weather-wise, there are some really fund events that take place throughout the entire season that are really fun to experience. And, of course, those cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds make this a good time to visit for many. Happy planning!
