Bridgewater VermontATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Bridgewater, Vermont.
1. Long Trail Brewing Company
CRAFT BEER PARADISE
Long Trail Brewing Company is a popular Vermont microbrewery that opened in 1989 and has become a favorite destination for craft beer enthusiasts. Visitors can tour the facility, sample various brews in the tasting room, and enjoy meals in their riverside pub. The brewery offers a relaxing atmosphere with views of the surrounding Vermont landscape.
2. The Long Trail
ICONIC HIKING EXPERIENCE
The Long Trail is a 272-mile hiking trail stretching from Massachusetts to Canada that passes through Bridgewater. Hikers can enjoy stunning views of the Green Mountains and valleys along this historic path established as the first long-distance hiking trail in the United States. The trail offers options for day hikers and through-hikers alike, with various access points in the Bridgewater area.
3. Ottauquechee River Trail
SCENIC RIVERSIDE PATH
The Ottauquechee River Trail offers a scenic nature walk along one of Vermont's beautiful waterways. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful sounds of flowing water while observing local wildlife and plant species that thrive in this riparian environment. The trail is suitable for casual walkers and nature photographers looking to capture Vermont's natural beauty.
4. Bridgewater Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Bridgewater Historical Society Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of this charming Vermont town. Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Bridgewater's development and the lives of its residents through the centuries. Visitors can learn about the town's connection to the Duke of Bridgewater and explore how this rural community has evolved over time.
5. Bridgewater Mill Mall
HISTORIC SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Bridgewater Mill Mall is housed in a converted historic mill building offering a unique shopping experience. Visitors can browse antiques, crafts, and Vermont-made products while appreciating the preserved architectural elements of this industrial landmark. The mall combines retail therapy with a glimpse into Vermont's manufacturing past.
6. Woodstock Village
QUINTESSENTIAL VERMONT TOWN
Woodstock Village is a picturesque New England town just minutes from Bridgewater known for its well-preserved historic buildings and covered bridges. Visitors can stroll the charming downtown area with its boutique shops, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants. The village's central green and surrounding Federal-style homes create one of Vermont's most photographed and beloved townscapes.
7. Billings Farm & Museum
LIVING HISTORY FARM
Billings Farm & Museum is a working dairy farm and museum that showcases Vermont's rural heritage through interactive exhibits and demonstrations. Visitors can meet Jersey cows, sheep, and other farm animals while learning about sustainable agriculture practices both historic and modern. The museum offers seasonal events that highlight traditional New England farming activities throughout the year.
8. Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
CONSERVATION LEGACY SITE
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park preserves the home and lands of three families who were pioneers in American conservation. Visitors can tour the Victorian mansion filled with Hudson River School paintings and explore 550 acres of managed forest with 20 miles of carriage roads and trails. The park tells the story of evolving American attitudes toward land stewardship and environmentalism.
9. Quechee Gorge
VERMONT'S LITTLE GRAND CANYON
Quechee Gorge is Vermont's deepest gorge, formed by glacial activity and the flowing waters of the Ottauquechee River. Visitors can view the spectacular 165-foot deep chasm from the Route 4 bridge or hike down to the basin on well-maintained trails. The surrounding Quechee State Park offers picnic areas, camping, and additional hiking opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
10. VINS Nature Center
RAPTOR REHABILITATION FACILITY
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Nature Center features live raptor exhibits, nature trails, and environmental education programs. Visitors can observe rehabilitating eagles, hawks, owls, and other birds of prey in naturalistic enclosures while learning about their ecology and conservation. The center's Forest Canopy Walk provides a unique perspective of the forest ecosystem from 65 feet above the ground.
11. Killington Ski Resort
BEAST OF THE EAST
Killington Ski Resort is the largest ski area in the eastern United States, offering year-round mountain activities just a short drive from Bridgewater. Winter visitors can enjoy 155 diverse trails across six mountains, while summer guests can mountain bike, hike, or ride the scenic gondola. The resort features multiple lodges, restaurants, and après-ski entertainment options for a complete mountain experience.
12. Simon Pearce Restaurant and Glassblowing
ARTISANAL CRAFT EXPERIENCE
Simon Pearce combines a world-class restaurant with a fascinating glassblowing and pottery workshop in a restored mill overlooking a waterfall. Visitors can watch skilled artisans create handcrafted glass and ceramic pieces using traditional techniques. The restaurant serves farm-to-table cuisine on Simon Pearce's own handmade tableware for a truly Vermont dining experience.
13. Sugarbush Farm
MAPLE SYRUP TASTING
Sugarbush Farm is a family-owned working farm specializing in maple syrup production and artisanal cheese making. Visitors can tour the maple sugaring operation, sample four grades of pure Vermont maple syrup, and taste over a dozen varieties of cheese. The farm's scenic hillside location offers beautiful views and walking trails through maple groves and pastures.
14. Bridgewater Corners Covered Bridge
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
The Bridgewater Corners Covered Bridge is a classic example of New England covered bridge architecture spanning a picturesque Vermont stream. Photography enthusiasts appreciate the bridge's timeless appeal and the opportunity to capture quintessential Vermont scenery. The site includes informational displays about the history and construction techniques of these iconic structures.
15. Plymouth Notch Historic District
PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHPLACE VILLAGE
Plymouth Notch Historic District preserves the birthplace and boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge in a remarkably well-preserved rural Vermont village. Visitors can tour the modest house where Coolidge was born and the homestead where he grew up, along with the village store operated by his father. The site includes the simple family homestead where Coolidge was sworn in as President by his father by candlelight following Warren Harding's death in 1923.