Millions of people visit Vermont every year to see the fall colors and ski, but the Green Mountain State also has many hidden gems just ready to be found. Beyond Vermont's well-known tourist spots like Stowe and Killington lies a world of quaint towns, untouched forests, and one-of-a-kind sites that let you experience real Vermont without the crowds.

A picture-perfect New England town is Peacham Village

Peacham, which is in the Northeast Kingdom, has all the beauty of Vermont. This small town of less than 700 people has one of the most photographed views in all of New England. Its white-steepled church is surrounded by sugar maples and rolling hills. The village's dirt roads go by historic homes from the 1700s, and the Peacham Store is both a place for people to get together and a place to buy local goods. If you are searching for tourist destinations in Vermont at a real pace, go during mud season in early spring, when locals come out of slumber for the winter and maple sugaring starts in earnest.

The Peacham Historical House shows items from the town's farming history and gives visitors a look into life in rural Vermont. Owl's Head Mountain, which is close by, has great views of the White Mountains and the Connecticut River Valley without the crowds of tourists that you see at more famous peaks.

Vermont's fjord is Lake Willoughby

Lake Willoughby is in the Northeast Kingdom and is between two steep hills. It is often called Vermont's most beautiful lake. Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor rise straight up from the water, making the scenery look like the fjords in Norway. The glaciers created the lake, which is over 300 feet deep and one of Vermont's largest areas of water.

Willoughby's beaches are still mostly unknown, unlike Lake Champlain beaches that are always busy. You can swim and fish for lake trout and rainbow trout at the northern beach. Both Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor have hiking trails with stunning views. The lake's clear waters are great for fishing and boating. The nearby Willoughby State Forest protects rare plants that can't be found anywhere else in Vermont. These include arctic plants that were left behind by melting glaciers.

History of the Presidents at Plymouth Notch

Most tourist spots in Vermont are outdoorsy, but Plymouth Notch gives you an interesting look into the past of the United States presidency. Calvin Coolidge, who became the 30th president of the United States, was born and raised in this small village. The town hasn't changed much since Coolidge's time. The family farm, general store, and one-room schoolhouse are all still exactly the same as they were in the early 1900s.

The simple house where Coolidge was sworn in as president by his father after Warren G. Harding's sudden death in 1923 is part of the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. People can visit the cheese plant that Coolidge's father ran, the family graveyard where the president is buried, and the walking paths in the nearby hills where young Calvin learned the ideals of saving and hard work that would shape his administration.

The Green Mountain Audubon Center

The Green Mountain Audubon Center is in Huntington and covers 255 acres of fields, woods, and marshes, among other ecosystems. Over 100 kinds of birds have been seen on this secret spot in Vermont, making it one of the best places to watch birds in the state. Along the five miles of walks at the center, you can see everything from beaver ponds to old-growth woods.

The educational center has displays about Vermont's animals and the seasons. There are also guided bird walks, nature talks, and activities that are good for the whole family on a regular basis. Unlike nature centers that are more focused on making money, this one keeps a small, teaching feel where people can really connect with Vermont's natural history.

Beyond the Obvious: Manchester's Food Scene

Foodies who are looking for tourist spots in Vermont often miss Manchester's great eating scene, which goes beyond the mountain places. The best restaurants in Manchester, Vermont, aren't just in fancy hotel places. They're also in secret gems that show off Vermont's farm-to-table trend.

The Silver Fork is tucked away on Main Street and serves creative American food with products from nearby farms. Their menu changes often based on the seasons, just like Vermont agriculture does. Zoey's Deli & Bakery has handmade sandwiches and baked goods that are on par with any big-city restaurant. The Copper Grouse, on the other hand, is a fine dining restaurant with a casual Vermont vibe.

People who want real local flavor can get direct access to Vermont's farming bounty at Manchester's farmers market. Craft cheeses, heritage breed meats, maple products, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are all sold by local farmers. The best restaurants in Manchester, Vermont often get their food straight from these farms. This creates a healthy food system that helps both tourists and people who live in the area.

Grafton Village: Living History

Grafton is one of the most successful efforts in New England to keep its old buildings standing, even though it isn't as well known as some other Vermont towns. In the 1960s, this small town was carefully renovated. Historic buildings were given back their 19th-century looks while still being able to do modern things.

The Grafton Village Cheese Company uses old-fashioned ways to make award-winning cheddar, carrying on a practice that goes back to 1892. People can take tours of the site where the cheese is made and try different kinds that have been kept in caves below. The Old Tavern at Grafton has been open since 1801 and has had famous guests like Rudyard Kipling and Teddy Roosevelt.

Grafton's blacksmith shop, running gristmill, and covered bridge make for a more authentic historical experience than other historic places that are also tourist traps. The area around the town has beautiful Vermont-style settings that are great for hiking and biking.

These secret gems are what real Vermont is all about, which is something that many tourists want but rarely find. Vermont's real character can be found in places other than its well-known tourist spots, from pristine rural areas to lovely towns where people still live the same way they always have. Vermont's less well-known spots offer benefits that far exceed their modest reputations, whether you're looking for outdoor excitement, cultural growth, or delicious food.