Green Mountain Getaways: Vermont's Best Summer Resorts

Located in Manchester, Vermont, The Equinox Resort blends historic charm and modern comforts. The resort features a range of high-end delights, including on-site spa treatments and Land rover off-road driving, fly fishing classes, and more.

Located in Manchester, Vermont, The Equinox Resort blends historic charm and modern comforts. That’s thanks to the Main Inn, an elegant take on the classic BnB, and the more intimate Orvis Inn which is also available to stay in. For those looking for a little more space, The Equinox also rents residences, including townhouses and their Meadow Home.

The resort features a range of high-end delights, including on-site spa treatments and Land rover off-road driving. At meal time, simply head to the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, the Chop House, to enjoy fine dining featuring local flavors. Find your own adventure in Manchester’s surrounding hills, which cater to fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and more.

Better yet, take advantage of the Orvis Fly Fishing Experience hosted at The Equinox this summer, which includes classes on the Battenkill River and on stocked casting ponds. Classes are for all experience levels and are limited to one or two people for maximizing individual attention. The Orvis/Equinox package comes with two tickets to the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

Golfers, take note: The Equinox is home to its renowned 18-hole golf course, known for its hilly lies and excellent greens, all among Vermont’s picturesque Green Mountains. For experts and those less acquainted with the sport but looking to make the most of their stay, the resort offers golf lessons and practice facilities.

The Mountain Top Resort has no shortage of charm and luxury, located in Chittenden, Vermont in the center of the state. The four-season destination is set on 700 acres, offering views of the Green Mountain National Forest and the nearby Lake Shelburne and a slew of activities for every time of year.

The Mountain Top Resort has come a long way from its start as a turnip farm in the 1870s. Now there’s no shortage of charm and luxury at the resort, located in Chittenden, Vermont in the center of the state. The four-season destination is set on 700 acres, offering views of the Green Mountain National Forest and the nearby Lake Shelburne and a slew of activities for every time of year.

The resort provides a range of lodging, including private guest cabins, luxury cabins and lodge rooms. From there, guests can partake in the resort’s full-service spa and beach pavilion, and find refreshment in the on-site Dining Room and Mountain Top Tavern, which keeps 12 Vermont craft brews on tap. While fully available for individual or smaller groups, Mountain Top is also a popular venue for weddings and corporate retreats, even providing services like an on-site florist team.

Winter guests can enjoy cross-country skiing on 60 kilometers of trails, ice skating, snowshoeing, or joining on a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the resort’s grounds. In the summer, hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking are all must-do adventures.

The Mountain Top Resort captures the essence of a Vermont getaway, giving guests a blend of history, luxury, and action to partake in throughout the year.

Located in its namesake town, the Essex Resort and Spa sits on 18 rolling acres only two miles from downtown Essex and a short drive from Burlington. Guests can partake in seasonal activities, like tennis, hiking and biking, as well as nearby skiing. While there’s no end of outdoor fun, the Essex stands alone as a premiere destination for culinary experiences.

Located in its namesake town, the Essex Resort and Spa sits on 18 rolling acres only two miles from downtown Essex and a short drive from Burlington. The Essex is home to a variety of rooms and suites, all elegantly designed for comfort, and the on-site spa adds a sophisticated element of relaxation. During their stay, guests can take advantage of the seasonal activities, like tennis, hiking and biking, as well as nearby skiing at Bolton Valley Resort , Smugglers’ Notch Resort , and Stowe.

While there’s no end of outdoor fun, the Essex stands alone as a premiere destination for culinary experiences. The resort offers dining options that include the upscale Junction restaurant and the more casual Tavern, which offers a modern, local take on classic pub fare. Perhaps best of all, the Essex offers classes via their Cook Academy, where guests learn culinary techniques from expert chefs. Participants can hone in existing skills, learn new ones, and receive hands-on instruction to take at-home hosting to a new level.

The Essex offers a blend of relaxation, adventure, and gourmet dining. The culinary excellence, combined with luxurious accommodations and a full-service spa, makes it a top destination for food enthusiasts and those seeking a refined, relaxing vacation.

Located in Barnard, Vermont, Twin Farms is an elegant take on a trip to the Green Mountains. With stays only available to adults, the resort offers lodging in comfortable cottages and suites, each one individually designed and outfitted with what Twin Farms describes as “eclectic, museum-quality art.”

Located in Barnard, Vermont, Twin Farms is an elegant take on a trip to the Green Mountains. With stays only available to adults, the resort offers lodging in comfortable cottages and suites, each one individually designed and outfitted with what Twin Farms describes as “eclectic, museum-quality art.”

The resort is all inclusive, which means a stay covers house-made breakfasts, gourmet lunches, and farm-to-table dinners. Along with that, Twin Farms provides cocktails and canapés every evening, as well as wines, beers, and spirits. With appetites satiated, guests can also partake in the inclusive activities, wherein equipment and instruction are provided.

Twin Farms takes a holistic approach to their wellness offerings, providing access to hike, bike, canoe, fish, ski, and ice skate throughout their 300 acres, as well as a fully outfitted fitness center. For those looking to fully unwind, guests can book a massage, face and body treatment, and additional spa treatments either in their private cottages or in Twin Farm’s furo.

Whether seeking adventure or tranquility, guests at Twin Farms will find the perfect environment to relax and de-stress, making it an ideal destination for an escape to Vermont's beautiful Green Mountains.

The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt., blends elegance, history, and access to action for the entire family. Best known for its history rooted in the legacy of the von Trapp family from "The Sound of Music," the Trapp Family Lodge offers a unique blend of Austrian-inspired charm and modern luxury.

The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt., blends elegance, history, and access to action for the entire family. Best known for its history rooted in the legacy of the von Trapp family from "The Sound of Music," the Trapp Family Lodge offers a unique blend of Austrian-inspired charm and modern luxury. Set on 2,600 acres, the resort provides mountain views that stun year-round and a variety of accommodations, including guest rooms, suites, and villas.

The lodge features world-class dining with farm-to-table cuisine and the on-site Von Trapp Brewing for beer enthusiasts. Year-round activities include hiking and biking in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Downhill skiers can embark to nearby and world-renowned Stowe Resort, which offers some of the best skiing in New England. The Trapp property also includes a fitness center, spa, and yoga classes for relaxation and wellness.

Whether looking for a destination for a family vacation, wedding, or corporate event, the Trapp Family Lodge provides a timeless venue and professional, comprehensive services. It’s a sought-after locale for guests seeking adventure, relaxation, or a blend of both worlds.

Stowe, Vermont’s Topnotch Resort is a retreat versatile for all seasons. The 120-acre property sits at the base of Mt. Mansfield, the state’s tallest mountain, which provides a stunning backdrop to guests’ stays.

Stowe, Vermont’s Topnotch Resort is a retreat versatile for all seasons. The 120-acre property sits at the base of Mt. Mansfield, the state’s tallest mountain, which provides a stunning backdrop to guests’ stays.

In the winter, guests can enjoy skiing at  Stowe , snowshoeing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides through rolling fields. The resort also offers an indoor and heated outdoor pool, ensuring family fun even in the colder months. Year-round activities include tennis at the world-class Topnotch Tennis Academy, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. For those looking to fully relax, Topnotch’s on-site spa is heralded for its variety of massages and treatments—it’s the perfect end to a day spent skiing or serves as a day’s activity on its own. 

Topnotch’s dining options are The Roost and Flannel, both offering gourmet meals that cater to diverse palates. The resort highlights local farmers, artisans, and cheesemakers and crafts their dishes with locally grown, organic ingredients whenever possible. 

For those seeking an action-packed winter getaway or a serene summer retreat, Topnotch Resort provides a perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and relaxation.

The Woodstock Inn and Resort is nestled in the charming village of Woodstock, Vermont along the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park. It’s a year-round escape that blends history and modern amenities, thanks to the inn’s classic New England aesthetic and contemporary outfittings.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort is nestled in the charming village of Woodstock, Vermont along the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park. It’s a year-round escape that blends history and modern amenities, thanks to the inn’s classic New England aesthetic and contemporary outfittings. 

Guests can indulge in the LEED-certified spa that offers custom treatments within a tranquil environment, or take the adventurous route and partake in the resort’s 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, ski touring center, and the nearby  Saskadena Six  ski resort. Additionally, the resort's Racquet & Fitness Club includes an indoor pool, steam room, sauna, and sports courts.

Not to miss: the resort’s four distinct restaurants that highlight farm-fresh, local ingredients. Try the Red Rooster, a AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant, for gourmet dining, or head to Richardson’s Tavern for a more casual atmosphere with local craft brews and hearty Vermont fare. Either way, it’s the perfect way to end a day spent exploring the town’s charming boutiques and the resort’s natural surroundings and amenities.

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