There are many reasons to visit Vermont. The cheese, the beer, the maple syrup, the foliage, the mountains, the peace and quiet, the calm—all things the Vermont brand has become known for. Maybe you’re eager to taste the craft beer trail, slip down our icy slopes or simply trade your hurried life for some R&R for the weekend. For a real Vermont experience, you can skip Ben & Jerry’s and forgo the Vermonster sundae. Instead, opt for a visit to the Green Mountain State complete with authentic “travel like a local” adventures that will guarantee you experience Vermont like someone who lives here.

Trade in your Vermont tourist itineraries now, because here I give you your 2016 bucket list for visiting Vermont in 2016. Check each one off and share your adventures in the comments below. What would you add to the list?

1. Take in Vermont’s Natural Beauty from a Mountain Peak. No matter the season, there are ample hikes that reward you with stunning Vermont views at the top. Bring your snowshoes for the winter months and take the ride down on a sled or your ski pants (fair warning: watch out for trees and ledges!). For the beginner or those out of shape, opt for Snake Mountain in Middlebury or Mount Philo in Charlotte—there’s a steep but paved road to the top for those who prefer stable footing. Want more of a challenge? Try Mount Abraham (Mt Abe)—the fifth tallest peak in Vermont—for a hike over 4,000 feet with the trailhead in Lincoln.

For avid hikers and those who don’t might a little scrambling, Camel’s Hump lends itself to some of the very best views of Vermont from above. Interested in taking in stunning views without the physical work? Visit Stowe and take the Gondola SkyRide to the top of Vermont’s tallest mountain for breathtaking vistas. Wherever you end up, pack some Vermont trail mix or a lunch of hearty sandwiches and a couple of brews to allow you to sit, slow down and take in all of Vermont’s natural beauty.

2. Visit the Best Brewery in the World. On any given day Wednesday through Saturday, Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, Vermont, is overwhelmed with beer connoisseurs trying to get their hands on limited-release bottles filled with Green Mountain gold. Ratebeer named Hill Farmstead the best brewery in the world in 2015 and for good reason. Shaun Hill is a true artist/magician with malt, hops, aged barrels and well water. He is—by far—brewing the juiciest IPAs and best sours in the state right now.

Making the trek to the Northeast Kingdom can be intimidating and waiting in line for beer can seem like a waste of time when you have an itinerary chock full of places to see and things to do in Vermont. Here’s my advice: Make a day of it. The rural area surrounding Hill Farmstead is utterly beautiful and largely untouched. The brewery itself is on an old dirt road when the Hill family’s homestead still remains. While you’re waiting in line for bottles in the retail shape or to fill growlers in the newly renovated visitor center, enjoy it. Waiting in line for beer is a Vermont experience in-and-of-itself; frankly it should be its own bucket list item here. Eavesdrop on your neighbors. Pick people’s brains on their travel to and around Vermont. Play with Charlie, the resident greeter at Hill Farmstead (in the form of an overweight, uber friendly golden retriever). Bring your own pups; yes, the brewery is largely pet-friendly.

Make the trip over to Parker Pie in West Glover for fantastic pizza and lots of Hill Farmsteads brews on tap in the back of a general store or visit Willey’s Store in Greensboro to see what a real Vermont country store is like (psst – they also have Hill Farmstead beers on the shelf.) If you’re planning an overnight, choose Airbnb as there are few inns and bed and breakfasts in the area.

3. Have a New York City-Caliber Meal in an 1835 Grist Mill. When you pull into the parking lot at Hen of the Wood in Waterbury, you’ll hear rushing water—a waterfall behind the restaurant that found a home in a renovated grist mill dating back to 1835. When you walk inside and down the steps to Hen of the Wood, you’ll see slate walls softly lit by votive candles, balanced with old exposed beams acting as supports for the building.

The popular restaurant—arguably the best in Vermont—only seats forty guests, making the experience intimate. The servers act more like members of a ballet rather than waitstaff, all working in unison—never pushy, hardly noticed unless you need them, and thoroughly knowledgable. The menu changes nightly depending on what vegetables are available locally and what meats were recently butchered. Indulge in small plates and one of the larger selections. Don’t skimp on cheese for dessert from their extensive local offerings or a sweeter finish to your meal, such as homemade sorbet.

Hen of the Wood – Waterbury is the only place in Vermont where you can always find the Alchemist’s Heady Topper on tap and bottles of Backacre’s Sour Golden Ale. I’m not sure if it’s the ambiance, the service or the food, but the trio creates the perfect dining experience, certainly on par with Gramercy Tavern, Per Se and Craft in New York City, IMO. Dine al fresco in the warmer months overlooking the falls. Have a large party? You’ll likely be seated in the heart of the restaurant where the old mill used to sit. Eat and be merry, as this is one of Vermont’s very best fine dining experiences.

4. Let Your Guard Down and Get Your Dance on to Vermont’s Best Après Ski Band. The Grift—Vermont’s good-time party band —is the perfect finish to a day on the slopes. Their original tunes with Vermont-centric themes and diverse covers spanning different eras of music get everyone moving. Once named Vermont’s best après ski band, The Grift frequently rocks General Stark’s Pub at Mad River Glen and the Castlerock Pub at Sugarbush, as well as Hostel Tevere and the Localfolk Smokehouse, both in Waitsfield.

If you can, catch them at MRG where the floor literally shakes from some serious dancing. Plus, MRG always has Lawson’s Finest on draft for an added bonus. It’s also a great spot for people watching… Dancers in neon ski suits and their ski helmets to Let’s Go Crazy. Only in the Mad River Valley and only to The Grift. (They’re also the best Vermont wedding band, just in case you’re coming to the Green Mountain state to get hitched.) If you can’t make it to a Grift après ski gig, look for Dojo, their alter-ego in the form of an ’80s bluegrass cover band.
                       *Photo courtesy of Benjamin D. Bloom.

5. Leave Your Maps Behind, Turn Off Google Maps and Take a ‘Who-Knows-Where-We’ll-End-Up” Road Trip. One of my favorite activities in Vermont is road tripping, especially on a warm summer day with the windows down and tunes cranked or during foliage when the reddest-reds have finally popped. I usually don’t have a specific destination in mind when I take off for a day of exploration but rather choose a general vicinity of the state to explore.

One of my favorite road trip routes is the northern section of Scenic Route 100 through Granville, Hancock, Rochester, Stockbridge and Pittsfield. You may find folks selling maple syrup and honey out of their trucks and ample swamps where if you’re lucky, you may spot a moose.

Some of the fun of road tripping in Vermont is getting lost. Take a wrong turn. Choose the back roads. You never know what hidden treasures you may find, from a serve-yourself farm stand with an honor-policy to a sugar shack boiling sap to scenic vistas to ample cows, alpacas and wildlife. Stop in random general stores. Take your time. Take in the sights. For a really fun time, road trip in a BMW convertible rental from Country Driving Tours in Bristol (just probably not in the winter…).

6. Get Over Your Fear of Bed & Breakfasts and Stay in One of Vermont’s Best Lodging Options.
I’ve never understood the stigma of bed and breakfasts and inns. Many people I talk to equate B&Bs with dusty antiques and frilly decor, but in Vermont, bed and breakfasts offer some of the warmest hospitality I’ve experienced and tastiest breakfasts I’ve eaten, along with comfy accommodations for more than just a good night’s sleep.

Whenever possible, I choose to stay in locally owned inns and bed-and-breakfasts for the personalized service and insider recommendations you receive as a guest. I also enjoy choosing a room with decor that appeals to me (rather than a place where every room is cookie cutter) and striking up conversations with other guests.

There are countless beautiful inns and bed and breakfasts throughout Vermont that are worth a visit, but a few I would recommend over and over again are the Jackson House Inn in Woodstock (the breakfast is phenomenal), the Wilder Farm Inn in Waitsfield (innkeepers Linda and Luke are as sweet as can be), Hill Farm Inn in Sunderland (for a rural retreat in a gorgeously decorated farmhouse) and the Lang House in Burlington (for its location close to Church Street and a killer breakfast). For a splurge-worthy stay, choose The Pitcher Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property in Warren. It may be pricey, but the relaxation and hospitality is offers is unmatched in Vermont. Wherever you choose to say, try an independently owned Vermont lodging establishment to experience Vermont hospitality at its best.

7. Dine at a Vermont Farmers’ Market: Make a Meal Out of Local Ingredients.
Farmers’ markets are part and parcel of the Vermont brand. We, as a state, seriously value our farmers, and farmers’ markets are one of the best ways to support the “eat local” and “support small” movements in Vermont. Many locals will buy all of their produce for the week from a farmers’ market, if they don’t grow it themselves or participate in a CSA.

Farmers’ markets in Vermont are more of an event than just a grocery-shopping mission. Many markets offer prepared meals and music to encourage folks to come with a blanket and hang out for awhile in the summer months. Some offer cooking demos and Vermont wine and liquor samples as well.

The Burlington Farmers’ Market—one of the largest in the state—was recently named the second best farmers’ market in the country and for good cause. So much more than just veggies, the Burlington Farmers’ Market offers Vermont-made crafts, artwork, plants, body products, maple syrup, mustard, hot sauce, rolling pins… you name it, you’ll find it. Grab a Maple Lemonade, Rookie’s Root Beer or Chaga tea, and dine at the market by grabbing a bite from Barrio Bakery or Samosaman. At other well-known Farmers’ Markets like the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market, Capital City Farmers’ Market in Montpelier and Middlebury Farmers’ Market, load up on local cheese, meats and produce and make your own picnic with locally sourced, seriously tasty, fresh Vermont ingredients.

8.  Find the Vermont Country Store with the Most Eclectic Offerings.
Vermont’s general stores are experiences in-and-of-themselves. When I’m traveling around the state, I always make an effort to stop and check out Vermont general stores that are epicenters of community. There are over 30 country stores in Vermont and no two are alike… some are known for their craft beer selection (hello Warren Store in Warren and Willey’s in Greensboro), while others are  known for their one-stop shopping for any kind of item you might need.

Many Vermont general stores play the role of deli/boutique/hardware store/gathering place for local Vermonters. Some of my personal favorites include: The Barnard General Store in Barnard, the Pittsfield General Store in Pittsfield (check out the restaurant the The Backroom out back!), FH Gillingham & Sons in Woodstock, the Jericho Center Country Store in Jericho and the Ripton General Store in Ripton. For a full list of Vermont country stores, click here and start planning your next road trip around the state. You never know what treasures you might find…

9. Find the Very Best Creemee in Vermont.
Creemees, better known as soft-serve ice cream outside of Vermont, are a staple of Vermont summers and the quintessential Vermont treat. Maple creemees, coffee creemees, black raspberry creemes, blueberry creemees and twisted creemees are cheap and plentiful throughout the state, usually served in waffle cones or wafer cones. Many Vermonters will eat a creemee (almost) every day in the summer months; they’re that good.

Make it your mission to find the very best creemee in Vermont. When it comes to creemees, everyone’s tastes are different. I prefer creamy creemees, whereas others like a hint of ice in theirs. Although no one knows who sold the first creemee in Vermont, our ready access to quality milk sure has something to do with it.

If you’re traveling around the state and spot a giant vanilla creemee sign, you must stop! Some of my favorite creemee shops include the Village Creemee Stand in Bristol, Cookie Love in Ferrisburgh, Goodies in Addison, the Village Scoop in Colchester and Burlington Bay Cafe in Burlington. But really, when it comes to creemees in Vermont, there’s no such thing as a bad creemee… Shop around and try to taste them all.

10. Join the 251 Club to Keep Exploring Vermont.
Can’t get enough of Vermont? Join the 251 Club, a group of folks who are dedicated to truly visiting (not just passing through) every town in the state. With more than 5,000 members in the club currently, membership is a way to document your travels through and appreciate every single town in Vermont. Up for the challenge? Sign up and experience authentic Vermont in all her glory.

Want more ideas to explore Vermont as a local? Here are a few more Vermont bucket list items for really ambitious visitors to the Green Mountain State:

Strip Down and Take a Dip in a Locals’ Swimming Hole.
Believe it or not, it does get hot during the summer in Vermont. Few people and towns have pools, so lakes, streams and creeks have become go-to destinations for locals to take a dip and cool off. Warren Falls and Bartlett Falls in Bristol are two hot spots in the center of the state with places for rock jumping, waterfalls and natural water slides. The Laureau Swimming hole in Waitsfield offers shallow water and is a family friendly swimming spot. The Bolton Potholes are another option but can be super crowded on hot summer days. Warning: Before taking a dip, use common sense! If Vermont just experienced some serious rain, these Vermont swimming holes can be dangerous with strong currents.

People-Watch on Church Street.
Burlington’s Church Street—a pedestrian-only outdoor mall of sorts with ample boutiques, restaurants and street food vendors—attracts a wide variety of people, which makes for seriously good people watching. Grab a Maple Latte and Pecan Sticky Bun from the Bluebird Coffee Stop. Hunker down on a bench and watch the world go by. On a weekend day, you will see street performers, hung-over college students and many dogs meeting one another. It’s the perfect place to take in your surroundings and get a good sense for the type of people Vermont attracts, as disparate and varied as they are.

Pick-Your-Own Apples, Berries or Sunflowers
One of my favorite date activities (and something equally fun for families) is visiting apple orchards in the fall for apple picking. Hot mulled cider, fresh cider donuts and crisp fall air round out the Vermont experience. In the warmer months, I frequent blueberry, strawberry and raspberry patches to stock up on berries for smoothies, pies and pancakes (oh my!). Picking apples, berries or sunflowers isn’t just about the end product, though. Being out in a field harvesting fresh fruit and sampling vine-ripe strawberries as you go is peaceful and fun. Douglas Orchards in Shoreham, Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury, the Charlotte Berry Farm in Charlotte, Lower Notch Berry Farm in Bristol, and Maple Hill Farm’s sunflower field on Spear Street in Shelburne are some of the best pick-your-own-places in Vermont.

Listen to Music al Fresco at the Shelburne Museum or on the Burlington Waterfront.
There’s nothing quite as special as listening to some tunes al fresco on a warm summer’s night in Vermont. The Waterfront Park in Burlington and Shelburne Museum both offer a number of shows throughout the summer. Serving up Vermont beer and wine, Ben & Jerry’s and food from countless local food trucks, these concerts make a perfect date night or a memorable experience for your kiddos first introduction to live music.

Experience the Very Best Fourth of July Parade.
Warren, Vermont, a tiny town in the Mad River Valley, throws a big party for Independence Day. Warren is home to arguably the very best Fourth of July parade in Vermont (or anywhere really.). You’ll still see a few fire engines and collect candy thrown out to spectators on the sidelines, but what you can’t find anywhere else is the whimsical, sometimes downright hilarious, floats that all have a political satire theme. Vermont Senator and Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is known for making an appearance as well. Park yourselves near the start of the parade by the Warren Covered Bridge and follow the parade route down to the Warren Store.

Take Photos of Vermont Covered Bridges, Scenic Vistas or Barns and Get Featured on #IGVermont or #ScenesofVT.
In the past year, Instagram has taken off as a way for locals and tourists alike to show off the beauty that is Vermont. Snap photos from your travels in the Green Mountain State and tag #IGVermont, #Vermonting, #VermontShots and #ScenesofVT at a chance to be featured daily. Whether you come across a stunning covered bridge or a scenic vista, or snap a photo of your frothy Vermont beer, document your Vermont travels for a chance to be appreciated by many lovers of Vermont across the US and beyond.

What do you consider a quintessential Vermont experience? What would you add to the list? Share below to help create the very best Vermont travel guide and bucket list for Vermont visitors to follow.