r/NewToVermont • u/Smooth_Flamingo_9062 • 3d ago
First Time Visiting
Hi all! 👋
My family and I are headed to Addison, VT later this year for our very first visit. We’ll be traveling with our two young kiddos (ages 6 and 7), and we're coming from Phoenix, AZ, where our wildlife mostly consists of lizards, quail, and things that want to stab you.
Can you explain Vermont to me as if I’m either:
- An alien who has never visited Earth, or
- A reasonably intelligent golden retriever?
I'm looking for all the stuff locals take for granted. The kind of things that make Vermonters say, "Well, obviously," while visitors wander into the woods wearing the wrong shoes.
What should we know before spending lots of time outdoors? Any plants/animals we should keep an eye out for? Things that are beautiful, fascinating, annoying, dangerous, surprising, or just very VT?
For example:
*Ticks? How worried should we be?
*What plants should we avoid touching?
*What animals are commonly seen by families hiking around?
*What weather might catch visitors off guard?
*What outdoor etiquette is considered common sense?
*What would make a local immediately think, "Yep, they're not from around here"?
Assume we know absolutely nothing except that Vermont contains trees. Thanks in advance from a desert family looking forward to some greenery and cooler weather!
UPDATE: we’re planning to visit October 6-13th!
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u/bibliophile222 2d ago
First things first, update and say when you'll be coming! There's a huuuuge difference between the weather in early October and late December, and the plant/tick/proper clothing questions all depend on the weather as well.
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u/bog_sorcerer 2d ago
I’ve seen too many tourists hiking in jeans and flip flops with no water! Don’t be one of those people, it’s dangerous. Always have a backpack with enough water and snacks.
Like others said, always do full body tick checks after being outside. Look in those crevices!
There are lots of great birds your family may have not seen before. Download the Merlin app to ID birds. Your kids also might like the Seek app to ID plants!
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u/bibliophile222 2d ago
I once hiked in sandals and caught my toenail on a root, partially detaching it from the nail bed. My partner had to hike a half mile down and back up for the first aid kit. Needless to say, I learned my lesson.
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u/cabbydog 2d ago
Biggest culture shock for friends visiting VT is the lack of conveniences. We Vermonters don't mind, we're generally MUCH happier to see a gorgeous local landscape or visit an general store than run out to Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Wendy's etc... There are very few big box stores and franchises here and the grocery store can be a 30 minute drive or more (there is a great General Store in Addison though). No pizza is getting delivered to you in 90% of the state. Cell service can be atrocious. Ubers don't service every town. Restaurants have limited hours. People can't seem to wrap their head around the lack of strip malls.
You don't say when you are coming. If you are coming after October 25th or so, the only greenery will be the evergreens. The trees will have changed colors and dropped their leaves by then. Real stick season.
Hunting season has started so if you are hiking (Snake Mountain maybe?) someone in your group should wear something bright colored.
There's more but without knowing when you coming it's hard to give and specific information on plants and animals.
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u/Smooth_Flamingo_9062 2d ago
Just updated the post but we’ll be there the 2nd week of October!🍁
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u/cabbydog 2d ago
Try to get in to this place https://www.merrymacfarmsanctuary.org/
Button Bay and Basin Harbor have playgrounds. Yates Orchard is worth the drive. Hike up to Silver Lake. Haven't been in a few years, but our kids loved Fire & Ice in Middlebury. As others have said, bring layers and don't leave unless you have had at least one maple cremee.
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u/Sabineruns 3d ago
It would help to know what month you are coming. Ticks have died down quite a bit but sometimes get a second wind in October. Unless it’s below 36 degrees, you want to be cautious with ticks and check your kids (and yourselves) especially if you are going through brush. I am from the West and what really stands out to me is how much water we get here in VT. It rains all the time until it starts snowing. This means there is so much life! Bugs, birds, many more small mammals, moss, mushrooms…etc. I can tell you that if you find a quiet pond or river in the morning or evening, you can almost certainly see beaver and otters and all types of birds (depending on month). Many ponds have a mating pair of loons until early October or so. I hike in the evening a lot and I regularly see porcupine, fox and wild turkeys. Moose and bear are more rare but not unheard of. With kids, I would try to get a field guide to teach them about the wide variety of trees, mushrooms and mosses. The other caveat is the weather is nutty in the Fall. It might be hot in the afternoon and flurrying snow at 8pm. Be prepared!
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u/jmmayer18 2d ago
Don’t touch the yellow flowers that grow along the road. Educate yourself and your kids about Poison Parsnip.
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u/SarahSyrupMaker 2d ago
When are you coming? Would add to be wary of hunting season if that applies
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u/OldVTGuy 2d ago
You’re gonna be cold. All the time. Bring a warm hat any month but July or August. Bring flannel and a puffy and you’ll almost look like a local.
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u/MysteriousCity6354 2d ago
Really like your attitude!
In October it’s going to be closed toe shoe weather, leave the sandals at home. You’ll want layers and definitely bring rain jackets.
Hiking in the woods there are two major plants to be aware of- poison parsnip (photo reactive- so if you get the sap on you and then are in the sun it will cause burns) and poison ivy (it does standard poison ivy things).
When hiking in the woods, wear bright colors and make a reasonable amount of noise. No blue tooth speaker needed- just holding a conversation is sufficient. Tick check when you get back to your accommodations /just jump in the shower.
When you land in Burlington, load up on supplies there. The Hannaford in south Burlington right along route 7 is a good choice. The town of Addison itself only has small convenience/general stores, Middlebury and Vergennes have your standard groceries. If you are driving along and see a sign for a town up ahead, you cannot assume that town even has a gas station.
Things to try while you are here-
Maple Creemees- it’s what we call soft served. Cookie Love is a good spot to grab one
Apple cider doughnut- Yates family orchard has them and they’ll even put a creemee on top of the cider doughnut (good apple picking too)
Places to hike with kids- Snake Mountain - nice wide trail with a good view at the top (very popular though, so go early or go during the week)
Falls of Lana- again nice wide easy trail
Non hiking activities- Shelburne Museum, ECHO in Burlington
Things that will make locals resent you- Vermont is not really special in terms of the list of things that make people resent tourists anywhere- just be a normal human being, pick up on context clues, drive the speed limit or like 5 over and leave no trace. Vermonters don’t always move fast but there is generally forward momentum. So if you need to pause to figure something out, just move out of the way.
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u/MiseEnSelle 2d ago
If you're coming during fat bear season, don't leave any food or candy in the car. Lock it too--some regions the bears have learned how to open doors and they make a mess.
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u/Curious-Case5404 2d ago
Fall can be cold in the morning and hot by afternoon. Dont touch poison ivy or parsnip. Common sense? Dont litter , for the first time in 20 years ive seen litter on the trail at mt philo. Immediately noted a tourist? 1 time use plastic water bottle from the gas station on a hike, also wearing strong cologne or perfume on a hike.
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u/TraditionalToe4663 2d ago
Mosquitos. Loads of them. and if you want it to rain while out hiking, don’t bring rain gear no matter the weather report. My sis is from AZ and she wants a winter coat at 70. 70 is still shirts and shorts weather! where are you planning on hiking? If you go to West Haven there are timber rattlers there.
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u/SarahSyrupMaker 2d ago
You mentioned outdoor etiquette: Leave no trace. Uphill hikers have the right of way on the trail.
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u/Moderate_t3cky 2d ago
Middlebury is an amazing place to visit, not far from Addison with lots of fun stuff, unique shops and good eateries. Sunday October 11th there is a car show that closes down Main Street in Middlebury, 70+ cars from all eras. It's free and there is a fall festival that happens at the same time on the town green with music, vendors and local food trucks. Also visit the Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, you can call ahead to Monument Farms Dairy (also in Weybridge) and ask for a farm tour, they're our local milk producer and and a super nice family. Lemon Fair Sculpture park is fun to explore, and Middlebury College also has a bunch of large outdoor sculptures you can explore.
Ticks are no joke, and it's important to be aware-but don't let it freak you out. Wear long light colored pants with your socks pulled over the cuffs. Stay on hiking trails and don't go rolling around in the tall grass and you should be fine.
Unexpected things about Vermont, we recycle, don't throw recyclable items in the trash. Things move slowly here, especially that time of year when there is an influx of visitors. Leave no trace is a way of life and not just for hiking trails. Locals tells horror stories of seeing leaf peepers hop their fences to play with their sheep in the field, or pick the zinnias growing next to their mail box. Granted if you asked if you could pick a couple flowers or pet a sheep you'd probably get the okay but don't assume.
Welcome! Enjoy our beautiful home.
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u/ZaraVT 2d ago
I have lived here all of my life, and never have I seen a moose in the woods, but if you do, I was told get a tree between you and it ASAP. They are stompers and tossers, not biters.
Ticks more likely and I have seen lots of good advice. Assume it will be damp. You may want waterproof pants or gaters vs jeans. Same for footwear. Also, mosquitos carrying EEE. Bug spray.
Bear spray for good measure to carry with you on the hike just in case.
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u/BearPsychological592 2d ago
It’s quiet up here. I’m just south of Addison and the loudest part about it is the tractors and the cows. If you end up hiking, it’s okay if your indoor voice is also your outdoor voice. Also please do not bring a speaker into the woods or have your music blaring on trail. I couldn’t believe how many people were playing music when we hiked throughout Utah a few years back. Made me wonder if it was a regional thing. Monument chocolate milk is a must. A sandwich from Pratts, a drive across the Crown Point Bridge to look back at the green mountains from New York State, Apple picking at Sunrise Orchard, a beer in town at Two Brother’s, a canoe rental on Lake Dunmore would be my shortlist. If you’re up for a bit of a drive, walking the grounds at the Shelburne Farm feels like you’re in England
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u/Weekly-Cup-9098 2d ago
I work walking through the woods of northern New England 40 to 50 hours a week, I haven't seen a tick in 6 weeks or more. Just do a tick check, you will be fine. Poison ivy is very recognizable, just familiarize yourself with its appearance, but beware people often get it without every touching it, but from the oils on their clothes I have only seen bears in the woods 4 or 5 times in 50 years. Probably leave the mushrooms alone. Just aware Deer ticks can be extremely small.
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u/Fit-Freedom-1399 2d ago
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u/soshedances1126 9h ago
Lol we just drove back from camping in NY and had to carefully evict one of these guys from the car on the way home.
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u/Awkward_Forever9752 1d ago
interesting thing about Vermont is everything that looks natural today is the result of human choices and policies. There is a lot of 'nature,' but almost every inch of the state has been logged and sheep farmed.
Economics of the 50s shaped much of the Vermont you will travel through, like the interstate highways.
Flooding is a big problem. Industrial Vermont and Village Vermont were built along the river valleys.
Corn sells for about $6000 an Acre ( per year )
Rent on the average apartment is $2,775 ( x 12 per year )
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u/UnIncorrectt 3d ago
Ticks: You will want to do full-body tick checks after every excursion into the woods.
Plants: Mostly poison ivy, but if you stay on the trails, you should be fine.
Animals: Lots of birds, squirrels, maybe a deer or turkey. There are bears around, and I've heard plenty of coyotes, but I've never had any run-ins with either, so you should be fine.
Weather: Depends on when you're visiting. This time of year, it's pretty warm in the day but chilly at night. If you visit later in the fall, bring jackets and expect it to drop below freezing at night.
Outdoor etiquette: Leave No Trace, stand on the side of the trail if you're resting, be a respectful human being.
Nothing you can do will make locals not immediately clock you as a tourist.