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This Magical Road Trip Will Take You To 11 Vermont Spots With Game Of Thrones Vibes


Forget dragons and white walkers—Vermont’s got its own brand of fantasy lurking in plain sight.

Strap in for a journey through the Green Mountain State that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into Westeros, minus the constant threat of beheading.

1. Shelburne Farms (Shelburne)

Farm meets fancy at Shelburne. Who knew sustainable agriculture could look so regal?Farm meets fancy at Shelburne. Who knew sustainable agriculture could look so regal?
Farm meets fancy at Shelburne. Who knew sustainable agriculture could look so regal? Photo credit: Edible Manhattan

Holy cow!

And I mean that literally—this place has actual cows.

Shelburne Farms is like the Highgarden of Vermont, if Highgarden made really good cheese.

The sprawling estate, with its turreted Farm Barn, looks like it could house a small army of knights or, you know, a bunch of happy dairy cows.

Shelburne Farms: Where cows have lake views! This stone castle-turned-farm is Vermont's answer to Highclere.Shelburne Farms: Where cows have lake views! This stone castle-turned-farm is Vermont's answer to Highclere.
Shelburne Farms: Where cows have lake views! This stone castle-turned-farm is Vermont’s answer to Highclere. Photo credit: Stephanie Benner

As you stroll the grounds, you half expect to see Lady Olenna Tyrell sipping tea and dropping sass bombs.

Instead, you’ll find visitors sampling award-winning cheddar and taking in views of Lake Champlain.

It’s a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, without any poison involved.

Probably.

2. Wilson Castle (Proctor)

Wilson Castle: Where Downton Abbey meets Vermont charm. This red-brick beauty could make even the Crawleys jealous!Wilson Castle: Where Downton Abbey meets Vermont charm. This red-brick beauty could make even the Crawleys jealous!
Wilson Castle: Where Downton Abbey meets Vermont charm. This red-brick beauty could make even the Crawleys jealous! Photo credit: Ken Crites

If Cersei Lannister decided to summer in Vermont, Wilson Castle would be her go-to spot.

This 19th-century mansion is a hodgepodge of architectural styles that somehow work together, kind of like the uneasy alliances in King’s Landing.

With its red brick exterior and round tower, it’s giving serious Red Keep vibes.

Turrets and trees: Wilson Castle's fairy-tale facade invites you to live out your royal fantasies, Vermont-style.Turrets and trees: Wilson Castle's fairy-tale facade invites you to live out your royal fantasies, Vermont-style.
Turrets and trees: Wilson Castle’s fairy-tale facade invites you to live out your royal fantasies, Vermont-style. Photo credit: Heather Demar

Inside, you’ll find 32 rooms filled with period furnishings and art.

No Iron Throne, sadly, but plenty of other fancy seats to park your royal behind.

Just watch out for any suspiciously placed wildfire.

3. Glimmerstone Mansion (Cavendish)

Glimmerstone's Gothic glory: This mansion's pointy perfection has 'Addams Family summer home' written all over it.Glimmerstone's Gothic glory: This mansion's pointy perfection has 'Addams Family summer home' written all over it.
Glimmerstone’s Gothic glory: This mansion’s pointy perfection has ‘Addams Family summer home’ written all over it. Photo credit: bill repke

Glimmerstone Mansion is what you’d get if you asked a Vermont farmer to build Winterfell.

This stone beauty might not have dire wolves roaming its grounds, but it’s got enough charm to make even the grumpiest Stark crack a smile.

Cavendish's castle in the woods. Glimmerstone Mansion proves Vermont can do 'brooding and mysterious' with the best of them.Cavendish's castle in the woods. Glimmerstone Mansion proves Vermont can do 'brooding and mysterious' with the best of them.
Cavendish’s castle in the woods. Glimmerstone Mansion proves Vermont can do ‘brooding and mysterious’ with the best of them. Photo credit: Glimmerstone Mansion

The mansion’s Gothic Revival style screams “winter is coming,” even in the middle of July.

With its pointed arches and ornate details, it’s the perfect backdrop for brooding like Jon Snow or plotting revenge like Arya.

Just don’t expect any secret passages or face-swapping magic—this place keeps its mysteries old-school Vermont style.

4. Hildene (Manchester)

Hildene: Where Honest Abe's son lived large. This Georgian gem puts the 'grand' in Green Mountain grandeur.Hildene: Where Honest Abe's son lived large. This Georgian gem puts the 'grand' in Green Mountain grandeur.
Hildene: Where Honest Abe’s son lived large. This Georgian gem puts the ‘grand’ in Green Mountain grandeur. Photo credit: Deb Musser

Hildene, the Lincoln family’s summer home, is basically the Eyrie of Manchester.

Perched on a hilltop with stunning views of the Taconic and Green Mountains, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stand on the porch and dramatically declare, “I am the Lord of the Vale!”

Manchester's marvel: Hildene's stately silhouette against Vermont's rolling hills is a sight for sore city eyes.Manchester's marvel: Hildene's stately silhouette against Vermont's rolling hills is a sight for sore city eyes.
Manchester’s marvel: Hildene’s stately silhouette against Vermont’s rolling hills is a sight for sore city eyes. Photo credit: Xuan Hu

The Georgian Revival mansion is all about understated elegance, much like the Arryn family before they went all “moon door” crazy.

The formal gardens are a far cry from the harsh mountain landscape of the Vale, but they’re just as impressive.

And hey, no risk of falling through a hole in the floor here!

5. Highgate Manor (Highgate)

Highgate Manor: Sunshine yellow and Victorian charm. This cheery château is Vermont's answer to Belle's castle.Highgate Manor: Sunshine yellow and Victorian charm. This cheery château is Vermont's answer to Belle's castle.
Highgate Manor: Sunshine yellow and Victorian charm. This cheery château is Vermont’s answer to Belle’s castle. Photo credit: Very Random Channel

If the Tyrells decided to ditch the warm climate of Highgarden for some good old New England weather, they might end up at Highgate Manor.

This sunny yellow Victorian mansion is giving major “grow strong” energy with its ornate trim and tower.

A manor of many hats: From speakeasy to B&B, Highgate Manor's sunny facade hides a colorful past.A manor of many hats: From speakeasy to B&B, Highgate Manor's sunny facade hides a colorful past.
A manor of many hats: From speakeasy to B&B, Highgate Manor’s sunny facade hides a colorful past. Photo credit: Renee Aube

The wraparound porch is perfect for sipping lemonade and plotting political machinations—or just enjoying the view, if you’re not into the whole “game of thrones” thing.

Inside, the period furnishings and decor will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, minus the constant threat of war and dragons.

6. Old Stone House Museum (Brownington)

Old Stone House: Built like a medieval keep, educated like a New England school. History with a side of sturdiness.Old Stone House: Built like a medieval keep, educated like a New England school. History with a side of sturdiness.
Old Stone House: Built like a medieval keep, educated like a New England school. History with a side of sturdiness. Photo credit: Peter Sorrell

The Old Stone House Museum is what you’d get if you crossed a mini Castle Black with a New England schoolhouse.

This imposing granite structure looks like it could withstand a wildling attack or, more realistically, a really intense pop quiz.

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Built in 1836 as a dormitory for the Orleans County Grammar School, it now houses a museum filled with 19th-century artifacts.

Brownington's fortress of learning: The Old Stone House proves education can be rock-solid in more ways than one.Brownington's fortress of learning: The Old Stone House proves education can be rock-solid in more ways than one.
Brownington’s fortress of learning: The Old Stone House proves education can be rock-solid in more ways than one. Photo credit: Anna

It’s like stepping into a time capsule of Vermont history, complete with that slightly eerie feeling that the exhibits might come to life when you turn your back.

Night’s Watch, meet Night at the Museum.

7. Park-McCullough House (North Bennington)

Park-McCullough House: Victorian opulence meets New England practicality. It's like Downton Abbey's sensible cousin.Park-McCullough House: Victorian opulence meets New England practicality. It's like Downton Abbey's sensible cousin.
Park-McCullough House: Victorian opulence meets New England practicality. It’s like Downton Abbey’s sensible cousin. Photo credit: Park–McCullough Historic House

The Park-McCullough House is serving serious Tully vibes, minus the fish obsession and the whole “family gets massacred at a wedding” thing.

This Second Empire-style mansion is a 35-room behemoth that screams “old money” louder than Tywin Lannister at a debt collectors’ convention.

With its mansard roof and decorative brackets, it’s like the architects said, “Let’s make this place so fancy, even the Lannisters will be jealous.”

North Bennington's crown jewel: The Park-McCullough House, where 19th-century wealth meets 21st-century charm.North Bennington's crown jewel: The Park-McCullough House, where 19th-century wealth meets 21st-century charm.
North Bennington’s crown jewel: The Park-McCullough House, where 19th-century wealth meets 21st-century charm. Photo credit: Miroslaw Wierzbicki

The best part?

You can actually tour the inside without fear of being caught up in any political intrigue.

Probably.

8. Justin Morrill Homestead (Strafford)

Justin Morrill Homestead: Pink, pretty, and full of history. It's the architectural equivalent of a smart person in a party dress.Justin Morrill Homestead: Pink, pretty, and full of history. It's the architectural equivalent of a smart person in a party dress.
Justin Morrill Homestead: Pink, pretty, and full of history. It’s the architectural equivalent of a smart person in a party dress. Photo credit: Jim Bowen

The Justin Morrill Homestead is like if the Citadel decided to set up shop in Vermont and got really into Gothic Revival architecture.

This pink gem (yes, pink!) was home to Justin Morrill, a senator who was basically the Maester of 19th-century American education.

Strafford's rosy retreat: The Justin Morrill Homestead proves you can fight for education and live in a fairy tale.Strafford's rosy retreat: The Justin Morrill Homestead proves you can fight for education and live in a fairy tale.
Strafford’s rosy retreat: The Justin Morrill Homestead proves you can fight for education and live in a fairy tale. Photo credit: Jan Kovarik

The house is a bookworm’s paradise, filled with Morrill’s extensive library.

It’s the kind of place where Sam Tarly would feel right at home, minus the constant fear of White Walkers.

The gardens are a far cry from the desolate landscape around the Wall, but they’re just as impressive in their own, less frozen way.

9. Camel’s Hump State Park (Duxbury)

Camel's Hump: Vermont's natural skyscraper. The view from up here? Pure Green Mountain magic.Camel's Hump: Vermont's natural skyscraper. The view from up here? Pure Green Mountain magic.
Camel’s Hump: Vermont’s natural skyscraper. The view from up here? Pure Green Mountain magic. Photo credit: C. S

Camel’s Hump is Vermont’s answer to the Fist of the First Men, minus the whole “constant danger of being murdered by ice zombies” thing.

This distinctive mountain, with its bare, rocky summit, offers views that’ll make you feel like you’re on top of the world—or at least on top of New England.

Hiking Camel's Hump: Where the air is thin, but the views are thick with beauty.Hiking Camel's Hump: Where the air is thin, but the views are thick with beauty.
Hiking Camel’s Hump: Where the air is thin, but the views are thick with beauty. Photo credit: Rachel Erotika

The hike up is no joke, but unlike Jon Snow, you won’t have to worry about wildlings or White Walkers.

Just watch out for the occasional moose, which, let’s be honest, is probably scarier than most things you’d find north of the Wall.

10. Mad River Glen (Fayston)

Mad River Glen: Where skiing goes old school. No frills, just thrills on nature's own snow.Mad River Glen: Where skiing goes old school. No frills, just thrills on nature's own snow.
Mad River Glen: Where skiing goes old school. No frills, just thrills on nature’s own snow. Photo credit: Tyler McCord

Mad River Glen is like the Wall, if the Wall was a ski resort and the White Walkers were replaced with gnarly double black diamond runs.

This old-school ski area prides itself on its challenging terrain and natural snow, making it a haven for ski purists.

Ski like it's 1949 at Mad River Glen. Who needs modern amenities when you've got mountains of character?Ski like it's 1949 at Mad River Glen. Who needs modern amenities when you've got mountains of character?
Ski like it’s 1949 at Mad River Glen. Who needs modern amenities when you’ve got mountains of character? Photo credit: Michael Smith

The single-chair lift is like taking the winch elevator up the Wall, only with better views and less risk of being pushed off by your wildling girlfriend.

And unlike the Night’s Watch, you can leave whenever you want.

Though, like Jon Snow, you might find yourself saying, “My watch begins” every time you strap on your skis.

11. Retreat Tower (Brattleboro)

Retreat Tower: Brattleboro's stone sentinel. Climb for the view, stay for the 'I'm king of the world!' moment.Retreat Tower: Brattleboro's stone sentinel. Climb for the view, stay for the 'I'm king of the world!' moment.
Retreat Tower: Brattleboro’s stone sentinel. Climb for the view, stay for the ‘I’m king of the world!’ moment. Photo credit: kyle smith

The Retreat Tower in Brattleboro is giving serious Oldtown vibes, if the Citadel decided to build a satellite campus in Vermont.

This stone tower, perched on a hill overlooking the town, looks like it should be housing ancient tomes and grumpy maesters.

A tower with a view: Brattleboro's Retreat Tower offers three-state vistas and a dash of Victorian charm.A tower with a view: Brattleboro's Retreat Tower offers three-state vistas and a dash of Victorian charm.
A tower with a view: Brattleboro’s Retreat Tower offers three-state vistas and a dash of Victorian charm. Photo credit: Lindsay Johnson

Built in the 1800s as part of a mental health retreat, it now stands as a silent sentinel over Brattleboro.

You can climb to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding area, perfect for spotting approaching armies or, more likely, checking out the fall foliage.

Just don’t expect to find any dragon glass or Valyrian steel up there.

There you have it, folks—a tour of Vermont that’s more magical than Melisandre’s necklace and less deadly than a Dothraki wedding.

Your road trip starts here.

Use this map to stay on course and create memories at every turn.

magical road trip vermont mapmagical road trip vermont map

Now go forth and conquer… er, explore!





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