Free & Cheap Things to Do in Woodstock

Parks & Nature

Vermont's only national park tells the story of conservation and land stewardship on the former estate of George Perkins Marsh and the Rockefeller family. Twenty miles of free carriage roads and trails climb through managed forest to the summit of Mount Tom, with a mansion and formal gardens at the base.

Address: 54 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: Trails and gardens are free, dawn to dusk; mansion tours are ticketed and seasonal. Free ranger-led hikes run in summer. The carriage roads are gentle and great for families. Trailheads connect right from the village.

History & Museums

A working Jersey dairy farm and museum founded in 1871, restored by the Rockefellers as a model of progressive agriculture. Meet the cows, sheep, and draft horses, tour an 1890 farmhouse, and explore exhibits on Vermont rural life. A splurge, but children's tickets stay low.

Address: 69 Old River Road, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: Children 3–4 are just $4 and under-2s are free. Admission is good for two consecutive days. Watch for seasonal events like the Sheep & Wool weekend. Across the road from the national park.

Shopping & Strolling

The oval village green and the surrounding streets of Federal and Greek Revival homes make Woodstock one of New England's prettiest downtowns. Browse independent bookshops, galleries, and the general store, or just stroll the green — all free.

Address: The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: Free on-street parking and a flat, walkable center. The green hosts the Bookstock literary festival in summer. Pair a stroll with the nearby Middle Covered Bridge over the Ottauquechee River.

Hiking & Trails

From the edge of the village, Faulkner Park's gentle switchback 'Faulkner Trail' climbs Mount Tom to a rocky overlook with a bird's-eye view of Woodstock and the Ottauquechee Valley — a free, family-friendly hike of about an hour up.

Address: Mountain Avenue, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: The Faulkner Trail's graded switchbacks make it one of the easier 'mountain' hikes in Vermont. Connects into the national park's carriage-road network at the top. Park near Mountain Avenue and the covered bridge.

History & Architecture

A rare in-town covered bridge, the lattice-truss Middle Bridge spans the Ottauquechee River right at the village green. Built in 1969 using traditional methods, it's a free, photogenic stop and the gateway to the Mount Tom trails.

Address: Mountain Avenue at the Green, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: Free to walk or drive across, and a favorite photo spot in fall. Steps from the green and the Faulkner Park trailhead. The river below is a pretty place to cool off on a hot day.

Markets & Food

A family hillside farm reached by a dirt road (and a small covered bridge) where you can watch maple syrup being made, sample more than a dozen Vermont cheeses and four grades of syrup for free, and meet the farm animals. A classic, low-cost Vermont stop.

Address: 591 Sugarbush Farm Road, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: Free cheese and maple tastings and self-guided farm visits; you only pay if you buy. The maple process room is open year-round. The access road is dirt but passable — follow the farm's signs, not just GPS.

Hiking & Trails

On the opposite side of the village from Mount Tom, Mount Peg offers another easy, free network of walking trails to a hilltop view of Woodstock. Popular with locals for a quick leg-stretch, with benches and shaded woods along the way.

Address: Golf Avenue, Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: An easy 1–2 mile loop, gentler than Mount Tom and quieter. Access from Golf Avenue or the village. A good option with younger kids or for a sunset walk.

Parks & Waterfront

At the east edge of downtown, this small riverside park and path give free access to the Ottauquechee River, with green space, public art, and an easy stroll back into the village center. A relaxed, free spot to picnic by the water.

Address: Woodstock, VT 05091

Tip: A quiet, free alternative to the busy green, with river access and seasonal events. Connects to downtown shops on foot. Free parking nearby off Route 4.