The northern state of Vermont shares a border with Canada and is also known as the Green Mountain State. This name alone reveals how impressive the nature in the state is and what you can expect on a trip. As part of New England, Vermont is also one of the historic founding parts of the United States of America and with its unique architectural style, which can still be seen today in many villages and towns of the state, there is as much to see for friends of architecture and history as for enthusiastic explorers of nature.

Peace and relaxation between mountains, forests and rivers

If you move through Vermont, you will probably quickly have the feeling that you have arrived in the seemingly endless expanses of the Canadian landscape rather than being in the USA . Everything is a bit quieter and smaller here. There are no metropolises with skyscrapers and impressive dynamism, but there are a large number of small cities that can usually trace their history back to the founding period of the United States. The state sinks a bit into the silence of nature when you move through the dense deciduous forests. Landscape and nature have always played an important role for people.

Vermont is known in the United States not only for its almost permanent autumn colors in the leaves, but also for its maple syrup. Here the proximity to Canada can be illustrated, which can also be felt in other corners of the state. In general, you feel a strong connection to your brother in the north and the 15 border crossings that can be found in the state invite you to take a little trip to the north. This is certainly also due to the fact that theoretically you are still in the same landscape.

Top attractions on a trip to Vermont

Vermont is a paradise for nature lovers. Countless activities can be carried out in the extensive forests. In winter, there’s also the chance to go on an adventure on one of the state’s many ski slopes and try out your own winter sports skills. The state is very diverse in this regard and offers just the right options for active vacations – from aforementioned hikes and ski trips to bike tours through the Indian Summer, the brown spectacle in the forests. The various lakes also usually offer many options for different tastes, from pedal boats to canoeing on the rivers.

The other side of the state is the historical heritage of the USA, which can probably not be experienced in any part of the country as much as it is in New England. A visit to Burlington is therefore definitely a must. The city attracts with old houses from the Wilhelminian period, which are well maintained and still offer a glimpse of how the first people organized themselves here in small towns. Nearby is Hildene in Manchester. The former summer house of Abraham Lincoln has now been converted into a museum about the famous American president and the founding period of the USA.

Lake Champlain is also located directly near Burlington. The huge lake was an important point for the first settlers and in the immediate vicinity there are a variety of museums and institutions that deal with this period. What’s more, you’ll find arguably the best restaurants in the state that tempt you with New England cuisine — typically rustic cuisine that works primarily with seafood and meat.

Top tips for traveling through Vermont

In general, a visit to Vermont is recommended, especially in autumn. When the colors of the foliage change and most of the state’s cultural festivals are just around the corner, you not only have the opportunity for long trips into the forests, for hikes and bike tours, excursions on the many lakes in the state, but also pleasant temperatures for your own activities. When booking, it should always be kept in mind that only about half a million people live in the state at all. Accordingly, the offers for overnight stays and hotels are a little limited. There are hardly any classic luxury hotels, but small guesthouses dominate here, which are usually set for a stay of one or two nights.

It should be said that the exploration works best if you have your own car at your disposal. Vermont may seem small, but in fact it takes a few hours to travel from state border to state border. If you want to explore the outdoors and mountains on your own, it’s best to opt for an SUV that can handle the local conditions and only add to the adventurous spirit of exploring Vermont. In addition, any papers for a trip to Canada should be applied for early – it is not so easy to get a tourist visa for a spontaneous visit to the northern brother state of the USA.

In the northwest of the USA, the state of Wisconsin nestles against two of the “Great Lakes”, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Here, nature is the trump card, dominated by farms and forests and invites you to cycle and hike tours. The large dairy industry has earned Wisconsin the nickname “Dairy Country” as a dairy country. But regardless of whether you are a farmer or a city dweller, it is certain that a good 50% of Wisconsin’s residents have their roots in Germany .

Milwaukee – beer city with a lot of culture

The German influence has also had a lasting impact on Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city. The immigrants began to brew their local beer here. This is how the city on Lake Michigan with its 600,000 inhabitants got its nickname “brewery city”. Many of these breweries can be visited on guided tours – with a good sip of beer to top it off. At the lakefront on the lake, visitors not only enjoy a beer in the summer, but also countless festivals that are held here almost every weekend. The pier is also home to the “Discovery World” museum of technology and science with a three-masted ship, which is moored next door in the harbour to conquer. Motorcycle fans won’t be able to resist Harley Davidson’s factory and museum. Culture enthusiasts can be inspired by the Broadway Theatre Center or the Florentine Opera Center. In general, the various museums of the city are impressive, which also has a public museum with replicas of worldwide villages and an architecturally impressive art museum.

Charming and tolerant – the federal capital Madison

Despite all its size, Milwaukee is not the capital of Wisconsin, but the smaller Madison with its approximately 250,000 inhabitants. The city center nestles on a headland between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. The university town is rather tranquil and charming, but is considered the friendliest of all cities in the USA – with particularly tolerant inhabitants. The roads have been so well developed for cyclists that Madison is considered an example of environmental friendliness among US cities. Madison’s lakes are wonderful to walk around on foot or by bike. All this makes Madison a livable seat of government for old and young.

In the imposing “State Capitol” of Wisconsin, the parliament meets. The building, built in 1907, is not only reminiscent of the Capitol in Washington D.C., but is also the second largest Capitol after the one in the capital of the USA. The guided tours offered to visit the building are extremely worthwhile. But even the square on which Wisconsin’s seat of government stands offers a special sight: On Saturdays, it hosts the Farmers Market of Dane County, to which Madison belongs. As one of the largest U.S. markets for farm products, it has made a name for itself in particular with dairy products and home-made cheese. It thus does credit to the “Cheeseland” state and is a highlight for visitors. If you prefer to sit in one of the cafés or a bar, you should try your luck on State Street, which runs west from the market square. There is also the “Contemporary Art Museum”, which is well worth seeing.

The Mecca of aviation enthusiasts – Oshkosh and its “AirVenture”

Once a year, the town of Oshkosh is turned upside down. That’s when aviation enthusiasts from all over the world gather at Lake Winnebago – and many come with their small planes. The largest exhibition of private aircraft in the world, the “EAA AirVenture“, has been taking place at the end of July for over 50 years and makes Wittman Airport the “busiest airport in the world” for a whole week. Several 10,000 aircraft such as old World War II bombers, biplanes and ultra-modern light aircraft then make a stop here. For one week, there will be countless exhibitors, lectures and events on the subject of aviation. The “Who’s Who” of the aerospace industry will be speaking here, including the astronauts of the Apollo missions. Even an Airbus A380 visited here in 2009. The highlight is the daily “airshows” with aerobatic demonstrations and spectacular overflights. These shows also take place at night, where they are supplemented with fire shows. The AirVenture is a spectacle that attracts more than 600,000 visitors every year. If you come to Oshkosh, you should also visit the associated “EAA Aviation Museum“.

Wisconsin’s nature through the seasons

Wisconsin’s nature is extremely diverse and is characterized by the “Great Lakes” and the many rivers. If you hike here, you will experience impressive waterfalls, countless lakes, ancient forests and species-rich wetlands. Wisconsin does not have a national park, but “National State Parks” worth seeing can be found in all parts of the state. Paddling, camping and swimming are not only popular with visitors here. Rock cliffs and caves are also worth exploring, such as Crystal Cave near the town of Eau Claire. A special highlight in winter are the caves of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on one of the 21 islands in Lake Superior. Then they become enchanted ice caves. In winter, Wisconsin often experiences strong sub-zero temperatures, while in summer it gets very hot with around 30 degrees.