Panton VermontATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Panton, Vermont.
1. Lake Champlain
SCENIC WATERFRONT PARADISE
Lake Champlain offers breathtaking views and a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to Panton. The lake provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming during the warmer months. Its shoreline is perfect for picnicking or simply enjoying the natural beauty of Vermont.
2. Button Bay State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Button Bay State Park is a popular destination featuring a unique geological formation of button-like concretions on the shoreline of Lake Champlain. The park offers camping facilities, a swimming pool, hiking trails, and picnic areas for day visitors. Nature enthusiasts can observe various wildlife and plant species throughout the 253-acre park.
3. Rock Island
BIRD WATCHERS' HAVEN
Rock Island is a small island (less than 0.5 acres) in Lake Champlain that provides critical habitat for migratory neotropical birds and nesting waterfowl. Visitors can enjoy fishing and picnicking on the island, but should avoid climbing the bluffs during spring months to protect nesting birds. The best time to visit is late summer or early fall when lake levels are lower, exposing the rocky shoals that serve as perfect landing spots for paddlers.
4. Cloud Nine Fishing Charters
PREMIER FISHING EXPERIENCE
Cloud Nine Fishing Charters offers guided fishing excursions on Lake Champlain for anglers of all skill levels. Guests can experience the thrill of catching various fish species including bass, trout, and salmon with professional equipment and expertise. The charter service provides memorable adventures for families, friends, and fishing enthusiasts looking to explore the lake's abundant aquatic life.
5. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
NAUTICAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum showcases the rich maritime history of the region through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can explore replicas of historic vessels, learn about underwater archaeology, and discover stories of naval battles that took place on Lake Champlain. The museum offers educational programs and special events that bring the lake's nautical heritage to life.
6. Vergennes Falls Park
CASCADING WATER BEAUTY
Vergennes Falls Park features a spectacular waterfall where Otter Creek drops over 37 feet before flowing into Lake Champlain. The park offers viewing platforms, picnic areas, and walking paths for visitors to enjoy the natural scenery. Historical significance adds to the attraction as the falls once powered mills and factories that contributed to the economic development of Vergennes.
7. Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area
BIRD MIGRATION HOTSPOT
Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area is renowned for its exceptional bird watching opportunities, especially during the fall migration when thousands of snow geese stop over. The 2,858-acre conservation area features diverse habitats including wetlands, fields, and forests that support various wildlife species. Visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, and nature observation throughout the seasons.
8. Mount Philo State Park
PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Mount Philo State Park offers spectacular panoramic views of the Champlain Valley, the Adirondacks, and the Green Mountains from its 968-foot summit. Visitors can access the top via a scenic road or hiking trail, making it an accessible mountain experience for people of all ages and abilities. The park features a historic lodge, camping facilities, picnic areas, and interpretive displays about the natural and cultural history of the region.
9. Shelburne Museum
AMERICAN FOLK ART TREASURE
Shelburne Museum is an extraordinary collection of American folk art, artifacts, and architecture spread across 45 acres with 39 historic buildings. Visitors can explore diverse exhibits ranging from impressionist paintings and quilts to historic carriages and a restored steamboat. The museum's unique approach of displaying collections in authentic settings creates an immersive experience that tells the story of American life and creativity.
10. Shelburne Farms
HISTORIC WORKING ESTATE
Shelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm and National Historic Landmark known for its stunning Frederick Law Olmsted-designed landscape and magnificent buildings. The estate operates as a nonprofit educational center focused on sustainability, offering programs, events, and tours that connect people to the land and agriculture. Visitors can enjoy farm-to-table dining, award-winning cheesemaking, walking trails, and interactions with farm animals in a picturesque setting on Lake Champlain.
11. Chimney Point State Historic Site
ANCIENT CULTURAL CROSSROADS
Chimney Point State Historic Site preserves one of the oldest and most strategic locations on Lake Champlain, occupied by Native Americans for thousands of years before European settlement. The 1785 tavern building now houses a museum with exhibits chronicling the overlapping French, British, American, and Native American history of the region. Visitors can enjoy the interpretive trails, picnic areas, and spectacular views across Lake Champlain to the Adirondack Mountains and the historic Crown Point lighthouse.
12. Rokeby Museum
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HERITAGE
Rokeby Museum documents the history of the Underground Railroad through the story of the Robinson family who sheltered escaped enslaved people at their farm in the 19th century. The 90-acre historic site features the preserved Robinson family home with its original furnishings and a modern visitor center with award-winning exhibits. Visitors can explore the hiking trails, outbuildings, and gardens while learning about abolitionism, agriculture, and Quaker history in Vermont.
13. Basin Harbor Resort
HISTORIC LAKESIDE RETREAT
Basin Harbor Resort is a historic family-owned resort established in 1886, offering traditional Vermont hospitality on the shores of Lake Champlain. The 700-acre property features diverse accommodations, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming areas, and various water activities including sailing and kayaking. Guests can enjoy farm-to-table dining, hiking trails, gardens, and the relaxed atmosphere of this classic New England lakeside retreat.
14. Vermont Folklife Center
CULTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Vermont Folklife Center documents and preserves the cultural heritage and traditions of Vermont through oral histories, exhibits, and educational programs. Visitors can explore the gallery with changing exhibitions, browse the archive of recordings and photographs, and participate in workshops about Vermont's diverse communities. The center is housed in a historic building in downtown Middlebury and serves as a valuable resource for understanding the lived experiences of Vermonters past and present.
15. Middlebury College Museum of Art
FINE ART COLLECTION
The Middlebury College Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of art spanning ancient to contemporary periods from cultures around the world. The museum's galleries feature rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative arts that support the college's educational mission. Visitors can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and the architectural beauty of the museum building on the picturesque Middlebury College campus.