Vermont's Laidback Day Trip Is A Small Town With Ethereal Mountain Trails And Covered Bridges

If you're looking for a classic covered bridge in Vermont, consider a day trip to Northfield. This town isn't big, but it's home to six beautiful covered bridges, each composed of wood walls and spanning a local waterway. You can visit three of them in rapid succession: Cross the Northfield Falls Covered Bridge, then drive over some railroad tracks and find the Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge. Finally, drive another minute to find the Upper Cox Brook Covered Bridge. Their red-painted wood and sloped roofs give them the classic Vermont covered-bridge look. The Green Mountain State still claims around 100 of these structures, but they're scattered widely across the state, making Northfield's concentration of covered bridges appealing to visitors.

Northfield isn't your standard Vermont destination. Tucked into the state's mountainous middle, this little town lies about 10 miles south of Montpelier, Vermont's capital, after a curving drive along rural Route 12. If outsiders have even heard of Northfield, it's probably because of Norwich University, a college set on 1,200 acres. Norwich has the unique distinction of being the oldest private military college in the U.S. (founded 1819), and it's the birthplace of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program.

For tourists, Northfield is a blissful escape into the ethereal Green Mountains. This is a great place to hike through forests, take countless pictures, and savor the small town experience. Given its abundant natural surroundings, it's no wonder this East Coast gem is the most environmentally friendly state in 2026.

The covered bridges are a major reason to visit Northfield, but the town has other laidback attractions as well. In the middle of town is Depot Square, a small village common where Main Street and Wall Street intersect. A handful of restaurants encircle the park, such as Folino's Pizza, a local chain that sources ingredients from its own farm, and Good Measure Pub & Brewery, which serves craft beer and pub favorites like wings, tacos, and poutine. The village center is very small, with a couple of blocks of brick storefronts, but it's a pleasant base camp for other activities.

One of the best reasons to visit Vermont is to spend time outdoors, and Northfield is rich in hiking opportunities. Paine Mountain is located right outside the main village, and while it's not particularly tall (about 2,400 feet above sea level) or shapely, Paine is the setting for about 19 miles of multi-use trails. Most visitors will strap on boots and take the routes on foot, but some sections are suitable for mountain-biking and (during the famous Vermont winters) snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Instead of a limited there-and-back route, the trail network makes multiple loops, allowing you to explore the woodland without having to double back and cover the same ground. You can pick from several different sections; AllTrails rates their difficulty as "moderate" across the board.

An unusual destination is tucked into the forested highlands: The Trijang Buddhist Institute is a homey spiritual retreat that's free to enter and hosts a full calendar of workshops and meditation sessions. Learn about Tibetan Buddhism at this peaceful complex. Before you visit, familiarize yourself with the unspoken rules of visiting Buddhist temples.

The closest major city to Northfield is Montpelier, the state capital, while Burlington is roughly 50 miles north and has its own international airport, bus terminal, and nearby Amtrak station. Mass transit is hit-or-miss in Vermont, so it's impressive that you can ride from Burlington to Northfield in about two hours; hop on a bus to Montpelier, then another from the capital to the stop at Norwich University Library. This is a handy option for students and backpackers, though most people come here by car, especially on day trips. The drive from Burlington takes about an hour, most of it on Interstate 89.

One of the reasons Northfield makes for a better day trip than an overnight is the relative lack of places to stay. The main lodging in town is the Margaret Holland Inn, a classic bed-and-breakfast experience that charges about $175 per night for a room. There are a few other lodging options in and around town, but you're more likely to stay in Montpelier, a vibrant East Coast city with food and landscapes that feel just like France. Another option is to just finish your day back in Burlington, where accommodations and attractions are plentiful.