Choice Hotels Banner
Group Travel Planner
Group Travel Planner
Group Travel Planner
Group Travel Planner New England > Vermont home   contact us   advertise   
Group Travel Planner
Group Travel Planner Regions/Trails: Central Vermont  |  Northern Vermont  |  Southern Vermont
Group Travel Planner
 

At a Glance

Getting Here

News

Festivals & Events

Links

More Info



Travelling More? Information On
Western Canada
Ontario
Québec
Atlantic Canada
Mid-Atlantic US


Group Travel Planner

Vermont At A Glance

Here are some general facts and important information to help your group or escort get the most from your adventure in Vermont.

Vermont
 
Average Temperatures (°F)
 
Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F) 20-40 in the winter, 50-75 in the spring, 60-80 in the summer and 25-60 in the fall.
 
 
Banks
 
Principal banks located in Vermont include, but are not limited to, Keybank, Vermont National Bank and Charter One Bank.  Banking hours vary, with most banks open Monday to Friday during normal business hours.  Some banks are open evenings and Saturdays. Automated teller machines are widely available throughout the state.
 
 
Credit/Debit Cards
 
The majority of stores, restaurants, and accommodations throughout Vermont accept major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express.  Debit or bank cards are increasingly popular and can be used almost as readily through networks such as Interac, Plus and Cirrus.  Credit and debit card charges will appear on the purchaser’s statement, converted into their home currency.  Not all credit and debit cards will be accepted in all areas, in particular more remote areas of the state. 
 
 
Currency
 
Although Canadian currency is accepted in many areas throughout the state, visitors are advised to either exchange their funds into American dollars, purchase travelers cheques in American funds, or make their purchases using credit cards. Commercial establishments are encouraged to provide a fair rate of exchange to foreign visitors.  Currency exchange rates are posted daily, and the best rates can be obtained at major financial institutions throughout the state.
 
 
Customs
 
Everyone who enters the United States - whether U.S. citizen, immigrant, visitor, etc – must be inspected at the point of entry.  Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are not required to carry passports or visas to cross the international border.  However, it is recommended that all travelers carry photo identification and proof of citizenship

Obtain a free brochure on all customs
regulations by writing to:
U.S. Customs Service,
1 Main Street, Calais, ME, 04619
Or visit U.S. Customs online at:
www.customs.ustreas.gov
 
 
Electricity
 
The United States uses the same electrical plus configuration and current as Canada: 110 to 115 volts, 60 cycles.
 
 
For More Information
 

Welcome Centers
There are many information centers located throughout Vermont, offering assistance and information to travelers.  Friendly staff is on hand to assist with accommodations, dining, attractions, special events, and everything else you would need to plan your travels.

Highgate Welcome Center: Located on the I-89 in southbound at the Canadian border.

Lake Champlain Islands: Welcome Center at Alburg, located on Route 2  at the New York-Canadian border.

Welcome Centers at Williston: Located on the I-89 southbound and northbound.

Northwestern Vermont: Information Center at Georgia: Located on the I-89 southbound and northbound.

Welcome Center at Derby Line: Located on the I-91 southbound at the Canadian border.

Northeast Kingdom: Information Center at Bradford: Located on the I-91 northbound.  Information Center at Lyndon, located on the I-91 southbound.

Welcome Center at Waterford: Located on the I-93  at the New Hampshire border.

Welcome Center at White River Junction: Located downtown at the Amtrak Station.

Capital Region Visitor Center: Located at 134 State Street, Montpelier.

Fair Haven Welcome Center: located on Route 4A at the New York border. 

Welcome Center at Guilford: Located on the I-91 northbound at the Massachusetts border.

Tourism Districts

Northern Vermont Region

Vermont's Islands and Farms

www.islandsandfarms.com
1-800-262-5226

Stowe/Smugglers' Notch Region
www.stowesmugglers.com
1-877-247-8693

Northeast Kingdom
www.travelthekingdom.com
1-800-884-8001

Lake Champlain Valley
www.vermont.org
1-877-686-5253

Central Vermont Region

Central Vermont Tourism
www.central-vt.com
1-877-887-4968

Mid Vermont for All Seasons
www.midvermont.com
1-800-733-8376

Crossroads of Vermont
www.vermontcrossroads.com
1-800-756-8880

Eastern Vermont Getaway
www.easternvermont.com
1-888-848-4199

Southern Windsor County
www.VacationinVermont.com
1-877-668-1852

Southern Vermont Region

Green Mountains
www.sovermont.com
1-877-768-3766

Southern Vermont
www.southernvermont.com
1-877-887-2378

State Agencies

Vermont Department of  Tourism and Marketing
Contact: Christiane Skinner
802-828-5905  
christiane.skinner@state.vt.us
6 Baldwin Street, 4th Floor, Drawer 33
Montpelier, VT 05633-1301
www.vermontvacation.com

Vermont Historical Society
109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609-0901
802-828-2291
www.vermonthistory.org

Vermont Ski Areas Association
26 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05601
802-223-2439        
www.skivermont.com

Vermont Council on the Arts
136 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
802-828-3291

Vermont Attractions Association
P.O. Box 1284, Montpelier, VT 05601-0037
802-229-4581
www.vtattractions.org

Vermont Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 37, Montpelier, VT 05601-0037
802-223-3443
www.vtchamber.com

Motorcoach & Receptive Tour Operators
Bristol Tours, Bristol
(802) 453-2661

Custom Tours Inc., Killington
1-888-422-2818

Finer Vermont Tours, Killington
802-422-3040

Lamoille Valley Transportation, Morrisville
1-800-359-2103

Mountain Transit, Milton
802-893-1334

Notch Above Tours, Jeffersonville
1-800-639-2367

Premier Coach Co., Colchester
1-800-532-1811

Sugar Tours, West Dover
1-888-889-8681

Tim's Transit, Killington
802-422-3500

Vermont Transit Co., Inc., Burlington
802-862-9671

 
 
Holidays 2005
 
New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Day: January 17
Lincoln's Birthday: February 12
President's Day: February 21
Washington's Birthday: February 22
Good Friday: March 25
Easter Sunday: March 27
Memorial Day: May 30
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: September 5
Columbus Day: October 10
Veteran's Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: November 24
Christmas Day: December 25
Hanukkah: December 26
 
 
Hospital/Medical Services
 
Visitors to the United States are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country.  American hospital and medical services are available to travelers, but a hospital stay can be costly without adequate insurance coverage.  Visitors taking prescribed medications are advised to take a copy of their prescription should it need to be filled during the trip.
 
 
State Icons
 

State Nickname: Green Mountain State

State Capital:Montpelier

State Population:Approximately 610,000

State Area: 9,609 square miles

State Motto: “Vermont, Freedom & Unity”

State Tree: Sugar Maple

State Flower: Red Clover

State Mineral:Talc

State Fish: Brook Trout & Walleye Pike

State Insect: Honeybee

State Bird            Hermit Thrush

State Animal            Morgan Horse


 

 
 
Sunday Shopping
 
Individual store hours vary throughout the state. Sunday shopping is widely available though stores generally open slightly later and closed slightly earlier than the other six days of the week.
 
 
Winter Travel
 
Vermont encourages winter travelers to come to the state and enjoy the many wonderful winter activities it offers.  However, visitors are advised that delays may be experienced due to changing weather conditions in winter, particularly in the northern and mountainous regions.
 
 
Area
 
9,615 square miles
 
 
Area Code
 
802
 
 
Capital City
 
Montpelier
 
 
Climate
 
There are four distinct climate seasons in Vermont, ranging from a balmy warm summer to a snow-
covered winter wonderland.  Annual rainfall is on average 36 inches and average snowfall ranges from 100-250 inches, depending on where you are in the state.  Average temperatures throughout the year are (in _F): 20-40 in the winter, 50-75 in the spring, 60-80 in the summer, and 25-60 in the fall.
 
 
Historical Dates
 
1535 – Jacques Cartier is the first European to see what is now Vermont
1609 – Samuel de Champlain, “Father of New France,” explores Vermont and leaves behind his namesake to Lake Champlain
1777 – Vermont declared an independent republic
1791 – Fourteenth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1793 – Adopted current state constitution
1805 – Montpelier selected as state capital
 
 
Major Industries
 
Vermont’s manufacturing sector is the largest behind the service industry.  The state thrives in production of electronics, marble quarry, cheese, maple products, and wood products.  There are also a high percentage of people working in the technology industry.  Vermont produces on average $2.2 billion in goods each year ranging from canoes to computer chips to teddy bears.  Tourism and higher education are also major industries in Vermont.
 
 
Origin of State Name
 
Based on the French words for green mountains, “verts monts”
 
 
Population
 
623,050 (estimated)
 
 
State Parks
 
52 State Parks
 
 
Tax Information
 
The sales tax rate in Vermont is 6%, Rooms and Meals tax is 9% (some local governments have a 10% tax),  and there is a 10% Liquor Tax applied to alcohol.
 
 
Towns
 
Vermont is made up of 251 cities and towns.
 
 
Famous People
 
Vermont is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the world of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity.  Among the list of famous Vermonters are….
• John Deere, inventor, Rutland
• Simon Fraser, fur trader, Bennington
• Chester Arthur, 21st U.S. President, Fairfield
• William Hepburn Russell, Pony Express founder, Burlington
• Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President, Plymouth
• James Fisk, capitalist, Bennington
• Richard Morris Hunt, architect, Brattleboro
• William Wilson, Alcoholics Anonymous founder, East Dorset
• Levi Morton, U.S. Vice President, Shoreham
 
 
Vermont Facts
 


• Vermont’s constitution was, in 1777, the first to outlaw slavery.
• 75% of Vermont’s total area is forested.
 Vermont has more than 220 mountains above 2,000 feet in elevation.
• Vermont produces more than 100 million pounds of cheese per year, one of the state’s most values products.
• Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States.
• Calvin Coolidge was the only U.S. president that was born on the 4th of July (1872), he was born in Plymouth.
• The first American-used postage stamp was made in Brattleboro in 1846.
• Bill Koch of Guilford received the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in Nordic skiing in 1976.
• Vermont has more than 100 covered bridges, which is, for its size, more than any other state.
• Montpelier is the only U.S. capital city that doesn’t have a McDonald’s restaurant.
• Sandpaper was invented by Isaac Fisher at Springfield in 1834.
• The first pulp paper mill was established in 1869 by William A. Russell in Bellows Falls. Russell later became the first president of the International Paper Company.

 

 
 
Transcontinental Digital Consumers Group
Days Inn


Group Travel Planner
Group Travel Planner

September, 2008  



Vermont Suppliers (26)

Search | Advanced

Suppliers By Category
Vermont Accommodations RSS Accommodations (14)
Vermont Attractions RSS Attractions (10)
Vermont Restaurants RSS Restaurants (1)
Vermont Shopping RSS Shopping (1)

Information
Information Request
Tell Us What You Think


Group Travel Planner