Welcome to the small village of Quechee, Vermont. Many visitors find their way to Quechee on a road trip through Vermont or during a weekend getaway in nearby Woodstock. Yet, the village of Quechee has a wonderful array of things to do that it is worthwhile to spend longer than a quick stop in this town. Whether you make a short stopover in Quechee to check out the highlights or spend an entire day experiencing the best things to do in Quechee, VT, you are bound to have a great time exploring this New England village.
Experience the untouched natural beauty, unique activities, and wholesome family fun in Quechee. We spent a bit of time in Quechee while staying in Woodstock, and I was blown away by how much there was to see and do in this small village. Many visitors see Quechee as an extension of Woodstock, and while the two destinations are great to combine on a trip, don’t miss out on all the great attractions in Quechee. There is much more to see and do in this village beyond the stunning Quechee Gorge.
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Where is Quechee, VT
Quechee is located along the Ottauquechee River, which you will soon discover is one of the highlights of this village. The village of Quechee is one of five villages in the town of Hartford, VT, situated near the Vermont/New Hampshire border. Further, Quechee is just over 7 miles from the popular tourist destination of Woodstock, Vermont.
How to Get to Quechee, Vermont
If you are visiting Quechee, driving is the best way to get there. Having a car is essential when visiting most areas in Vermont, as many places to visit are scattered around the state and outside of the main towns and cities. You will need a car to get to and around the region. If you don’t have a car, be sure to book your rental in advance.
In order to get to Quechee, you can either plan to drive from a surrounding state or rent a car upon arrival.
If you are flying into the region, here are the best airports to fly into. While there are some other smaller state airports, they are not well-serviced or connected. Your best option is to fly into one of these airports and then drive to Quechee. Be sure to check flights using Skyscanner.
- Burlington International Airport, VT – 87 miles (1h 29m)
- Boston Logan International Airport, MA – 136 miles (2h 16m)
Additionally, you can take the train into the nearby town of White River Junction, New Hampshire. There is a car rental spot near the train station.
Best Things to do in Quechee VT
View Quechee Gorge Overlook
One of the most popular things to do in Quechee is to stop at the Quechee Gorge Overlook. Even if you don’t have much time to explore Quechee, visiting this overlook is so quick and easy and a must-do if you’re in this region of Vermont. Many people stop at this overlook en route to Woodstock and think of it as an extension of things to do in Woodstock, VT.
To get to the Quechee Gorge Overlook, park at the large parking lot outside Quechee Gorge Gifts & Sportswear. From here, walk along the pedestrian walkway of the Quechee Gorge Bridge. From the bridge, you will see stunning views of Quechee Gorge. Keep in mind that the bridge has metal fencing with holes to take photos. While the fence doesn’t necessarily block the view, it does obstruct it. So be sure to look through the openings for an unobstructed view of Quehee Gorge and to take a photo.
Hike Quechee Gorge Trail
The Quehee Gorge Trail is a 1.3-mile out-and-back trail that allows you to get a closer look at the beautiful Quechee Gorge. This is an easy hike that follows the bank of the Ottauquechee River and leads to a rocky area along the gorge. When water levels are low enough, you can walk along the rocks within the river to get a unique view of the Quechee Gorge with the Quechee Gorge Bridge in the background.
Due to its relative ease, this hiking trail is popular. During high season especially, there will likely be many people hiking along the Quechee Gorge Trail. However, it never felt overly crowded.
Explore Quechee State Park
Spanning 700 acres, there is plenty to do at Quechee State Park. The highlight of Quechee State Park is Quechee Gorge, including stopping at the Quechee Gorge Overlook and hiking the Quechee Gorge Trail. Yet there are various other hiking trails and activities to do in this park. Enjoy camping, trout fishing, and other outdoor activities in this Vermont state park.
Antiquing at the Vermont Antique Mall
Whether you love antique shopping or are looking for a unique activity, visiting the Vermont Antique Mall is a great thing to do in Quechee, Vermont. This 17,000-square-foot barn has some of the best antique shopping in New England. There are over 140 vendors selling a wide array of antiques. Quite frankly, the sheer volume of antiques can be a bit overwhelming. But there are some incredible treasures to be found at the Vermont Antique Mall.
In addition to the indoor vendors, there are often vendors selling antiques outside of the market as well.
Browse the Quechee General Store
Located adjacent to the Vermont Antique Mall is Quechee General Store. Quechee General Store is the perfect spot for local goods and souvenirs in Vermont. You can get everything for local products, including maple syrup, Cabot cheese, local craft beer, and wine. The General Store is quite large, and there are plenty of souvenirs and local products to browse.
TRAVEL TIP: Grab some Vermont cheese and other snacks from the Quechee General Store to bring to the Quechee Gorge Trail. You can enjoy a picnic at one of the benches along the trail!
Forest Canopy Walk at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science
You can walk along the treetops in Quechee, Vermont, at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. VINS Nature Center has a Forest Canopy Walk that allows you to walk high above the ground amid the treetops. The Forest Canopy Walk includes various wooden walkways, platforms, and even a woven nest that you can sit on above the trees.
The best part about the Forest Canopy Walk is that you get an aerial view of the forest and the Ottauquechee River without having to hike or climb for the view. This makes it a great activity in Quechee for people of all abilities. However, if you are not afraid of heights and can walk up a winding set of stairs, head up to the Tree House, an elevated platform along the Canopy Walk. The Tree House brings you 100 feet above the ground and is one of the best vantage points of the forest.
In addition to the Forest Canopy Walk, there are various other daily programs at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, including bird demonstrations.
Price: $19 for adults, $16 for kids (4-17), and Free for kids 3 and under
Address: 149 Natures Wy, Quechee, VT 05059
Simon Pearce Glass Factory
Situated along the Ottauquechee River in Quechee is Simon Pearce’s original workshop. Simon Pearce is an Irish glass maker who opened his glass studio in Quechee, Vermont in 1971. The studio has since expanded to a larger factory, yet you can still see glass-blowing demonstrations at the original workshop in Quechee and shop for glasswork.
In addition to seeing the workshop, the Simon Pearce Glass Factory is also home to one of the best restaurants in Quechee.
*Currently, the glass demonstrations are unavailable, yet you can browse the shop and eat at the Simon Pearce Glass Factory restaurant.
Check out the Quechee Covered Bridge
There’s nothing quite as quintessentially Vermont as a covered bridge, so naturally, we had to add checking out the Quechee Covered Bridge to the list of things to do in Quechee, VT. The Quechee Covered Bridge is a natural wood bridge over the Ottauquechee River. In addition to the charming covered bridge, you will also see Mills Pond Falls, also known as Quechee Falls.
Sample Spirits at Vermont Spirits Distilling Co
Pop into Vermont Spirits Distilling Co., Vermont’s oldest craft distillery, for free spirits samples. The tasting room dubbed The Meeting House, is a lovely place to sample what Vermont Spirits Distilling has to offer and learn more about what Vermont Spirits is all about. Don’t miss sampling Vermont Gold Vodka, made from 100% pure Vermont maple sap and Vermont water.
Visit Woodstock
While there are plenty of things to do in Quechee to keep you busy, you cannot visit this area without seeing the oh-so-charming Woodstock, Vermont. Woodstock is just down the road from Quechee and is a lovely village to explore. Be sure to stroll through the village, meandering around the village green and popping into some of the specialty shops in town.
READ MORE: Things to do in Woodstock VT in Fall
Where to Stay in Quechee
Whether you’re looking for rustic charm or a convenient hotel chain, here are some of our top recommendations for where to stay in Quechee. If you’re looking for an inn or hotel experience that feels a bit more luxurious, consider staying in nearby Woodstock, VT.
The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm
The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm is such a charming place to stay in Quechee. With 22 guestrooms furnished in vintage Queen Ann furnishing, this property is a true gem. When you’re not out exploring the region, you can enjoy the sprawling property and cozy interior of The Quechee Inn.
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Holiday Inn Express White River Junction
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in White River Junction during our trip to Woodstock and Quechee. White River Junction is about a 10-minute drive to Quechee and was a perfect option to stay, especially as many of the boutique properties in Quechee and Woodstock were sold out when we were planning our Fall getaway.
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Woodstock Inn
If you’re looking for a luxury stay, you must stay at the Woodstock Inn. The Woodstock Inn is an iconic property in the heart of the village of Woodstock. This inn is a prime example of understated New England luxury with a simple, clean design and many amenities.
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Best Time to Visit Quechee VT
If you’re looking for the best season to visit Quechee, there’s actually no bad time to visit this Vermont village. You are able to visit all the attractions in Quechee year-round. You can even do the forest canopy walk in the winter! However, there are some additional reasons for visiting each season.
Winter
There is quite a bit to do in Winter in Quechee, from enjoying the snow-covered scenery to fun seasonal activities such as the VINS Forest Canopy Walk adorned in twinkling lights. Quechee is also home to a small skiing hill at Quechee Lakes Ski Area and is an excellent place for beginner skiers.
Spring/ Summer
Spring and Summer bring mild to warm weather, perfect for hiking and enjoying the beautiful outdoors in Quechee. It is also a prime time for festivals, such as the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival, held every June.
Fall
Fall is Quechee, VT is incredible. It is no secret that Vermont has some of the best Fall foliage in the United States, and Quechee is just one of the wonderful spots to visit during the season. You can enjoy the stunning Fall foliage at Quechee Gorge and via the Forest Canopy Walk at VINS Nature Center. Nearby Woodstock, Vermont, is decorated impeccably during the Fall season, and you can indulge in maple-flavored everything at Sugarbush Farm.
Things to do in Quechee VT: Wrap-up
This wraps up the guide to visiting Quechee, Vermont. While Quechee often gets lumped in with visiting Woodstock, you should absolutely plan to spend some time exploring what this village has to offer aside from the Quechee Gorge. There are so many unique things to do in Quechee, VT, that will enhance your visit to Vermont.
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