20 Worst Tourist Traps in Vermont

The Green Mountain State has mastered the art of turning simple concepts into expensive disappointments.

From overpriced cheese caves to underwhelming factory tours, Vermont’s tourist industry sometimes forgets that maple syrup can’t sweeten every experience.

Smart travelers know that the best Vermont experiences often cost nothing and involve zero gift shops.

1. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, Waterbury

This famous ice cream factory draws thousands of visitors each year with promises of behind-the-scenes tours and free samples.

You’ll spend more time waiting in line than actually seeing how ice cream is made. The tour feels rushed and commercialized.

The gift shop prices are sky-high, and the “factory experience” is more like a marketing presentation than an authentic look at ice cream production.

2. Sleepy Hollow Farm, Pomfret

This 18th-century farmhouse became Vermont’s most photographed spot after going viral on social media platforms.

The 115-acre property attracts hordes of Instagram influencers and tour buses during peak foliage season. What was once a peaceful rural setting now suffers from traffic jams and overcrowding.

Local residents became so frustrated that the town actually closed Cloudland Road for three weeks during fall 2023 to control the chaos.

3. Hope Cemetery, Barre

This granite cemetery features elaborate monuments including a soccer ball, race car replica, and a couple holding hands in bed.

While the craftsmanship is impressive, it’s become more of a tourist photo opportunity than a respectful memorial site. Visitors often treat it like an outdoor sculpture garden.

The cemetery attracts curious tourists who come specifically to take selfies with the unusual headstones rather than pay respects to the deceased.

4. World’s Tallest Ladderback Chair, Bennington

This 19-foot chair has been rebuilt multiple times after collapsing in windstorms and surviving a store fire.

The attraction exists solely for the novelty factor – there’s literally nothing else to do except take a photo with an oversized piece of furniture. You’re better off spending your time exploring Vermont’s natural beauty.

The chair’s troubled history of constant reconstruction makes it feel more like a roadside gimmick than a legitimate attraction.

5. Rock of Ages Granite Quarry, Barre

This working granite quarry offers tours and features a granite bowling alley built in the 1950s that never took off.

The bowling experience uses plastic pins and rubber balls, making it feel more like a novelty than genuine entertainment. The quarry tour can be interesting but often feels rushed.

Most visitors leave feeling like they paid premium prices for a brief industrial tour that lacks the charm of Vermont’s natural attractions.

6. Lord’s Prayer Rock, Bristol

This roadside attraction features religious text carved into a large boulder along the highway.

While it may hold spiritual significance for some, most visitors stop for a quick photo and move on within minutes. The location offers little else in terms of activities or amenities.

You’ll find yourself wondering why you made the detour for what amounts to a glorified roadside marker.

7. Glastenbury Mountain, Bennington Area

Known as Vermont’s “Bennington Triangle,” this area is famous for unsolved disappearances and alleged paranormal activity.

The mountain attracts ghost hunters and mystery enthusiasts, but the hiking trails are poorly maintained and the “spooky” reputation is largely based on local folklore rather than facts.

Most visitors leave disappointed when they realize the area offers little beyond overgrown trails and manufactured mystery.

8. Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne

This factory tour promises an inside look at teddy bear manufacturing but delivers a heavily commercialized experience.

The tour feels more like an extended sales pitch than an educational experience. The gift shop prices are inflated, and the “handcrafted” aspect is oversold.

You’re better off buying a quality teddy bear elsewhere and spending your Vermont time on authentic local experiences.

9. Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury

While Vermont cider has a good reputation, this particular mill has become overly commercialized and crowded.

The “fresh” cider experience often involves long lines and rushed tastings. The prices are significantly higher than local farm stands that offer better quality products.

The mill focuses more on tourist volume than maintaining the authentic Vermont cider-making tradition.

10. Cabot Cheese Annex, Waterbury

This cheese sampling location draws crowds but offers a limited and commercialized version of Vermont’s cheese-making heritage.

The samples are small, the selection is basic, and the prices are tourist-inflated. You’ll get a better cheese experience at local farmers markets or actual working dairy farms.

The annex feels more like a highway rest stop than a genuine representation of Vermont’s renowned cheese industry.

11. Maple Grove Farms, St. Johnsbury

This maple syrup factory tour promises an authentic Vermont maple experience but delivers a sanitized, corporate presentation.

The tour feels rushed and focuses more on the company’s history than actual syrup production. Most of the “maple making” happens off-season, so visitors often see empty equipment.

You’re better off visiting a working sugar house during actual maple season for a genuine experience.

12. Shelburne Farms Cheese Cave

While Shelburne Farms has a good reputation, the cheese cave tour has become overcrowded and overpriced for what you actually see.

The tour groups are too large, making it difficult to hear the guide or ask questions. The cheese sampling is minimal, and the gift shop prices are inflated.

The beautiful property deserves a visit, but the cheese cave experience specifically doesn’t live up to the hype or cost.

13. Vermont Country Store, Weston

This “old-fashioned” general store markets itself as authentic Vermont but feels more like a tourist theme park.

The prices are significantly higher than regular stores, and many products are mass-produced items with Vermont labels slapped on them. The nostalgic atmosphere feels manufactured rather than genuine.

Local Vermonters rarely shop here, which tells you everything you need to know about its authenticity.

14. Quechee State Park Gorge

Known as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon,” this gorge attracts massive crowds that often make viewing difficult.

The parking situation is a nightmare during peak seasons, and the viewing areas become dangerously overcrowded. The short trail to the bottom is often closed due to erosion from overuse.

Vermont has dozens of equally beautiful gorges and waterfalls with fraction of the crowds.

15. Simon Pearce Glassblowing, Quechee

This glassblowing workshop and restaurant combo draws tourists with promises of artisan craftsmanship demonstrations.

The glassblowing demonstrations are brief and often hard to see due to crowds. The restaurant prices are inflated for standard fare, and the gift shop items are expensive.

You’ll spend more time waiting and less time actually observing the craft than you’d expect from the marketing.

16. Hildene, Manchester

Robert Todd Lincoln’s estate offers tours that focus heavily on Lincoln family history rather than Vermont’s own heritage.

The tour feels disconnected from authentic Vermont culture and history. The admission price is steep for what amounts to a house tour with limited Vermont relevance.

Most visitors leave feeling like they could have gotten a better Lincoln experience in Illinois or Washington DC.

17. Stowe Gondola SkyRide

This chairlift ride to the summit promises spectacular views but often delivers disappointment due to weather and crowds.

Foggy conditions frequently obscure the promised panoramic views, and there’s no refund policy for poor visibility days. The summit facilities are basic and overpriced.

I made a classic mistake thinking a mechanical ride would be better than hiking to equally beautiful viewpoints throughout Vermont.

18. Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock

This working dairy farm museum charges premium admission for what feels like an expensive petting zoo experience.

The farm activities are geared toward young children, leaving adult visitors with little to engage with beyond watching cows. The historical exhibits are limited and don’t justify the entrance fee.

You’re better off visiting actual working farms that offer more authentic experiences at lower costs.

19. Montpelier State House Tours

While the gold dome is beautiful from the outside, the interior tours are surprisingly brief and uninspiring.

The guided tours feel rushed and focus on basic civics rather than Vermont’s unique political culture. The building itself is smaller than most visitors expect from promotional photos.

That’s why many visitors feel disappointed after making the trip to Vermont’s capital specifically for this attraction.

20. Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory, Burlington

This chocolate factory tour promises sweet insights into confection making but delivers a mostly commercial experience.

The actual chocolate-making observation time is minimal, and the tour feels more like a guided shopping trip through their retail store. The prices are significantly higher than comparable chocolates elsewhere.

The “factory” experience is largely viewing through windows rather than genuine behind-the-scenes access to chocolate production.