Ready for a road trip that feels like a journey through Westeros?
This Game of Thrones-themed adventure will lead you to breathtaking Vermont spots with medieval charm.
1. Shelburne Farms (Shelburne)
Imagine Highgarden, but with more cheddar and fewer Tyrells.
Shelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm and National Historic Landmark that would make even Olenna Tyrell green with envy.
The sprawling estate, with its majestic stone barns and picturesque landscapes, looks like it was plucked straight out of Westeros.
As you stroll through the grounds, you half expect to see knights on horseback or perhaps a dragon or two circling overhead.
But instead of fire-breathing beasts, you’ll find adorable farm animals and some of the best artisanal cheese this side of the Narrow Sea.
Their award-winning cheddar could easily be the official cheese of House Stark – sharp, bold, and unforgettable.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the grand 1886 Farm Barn, a structure so impressive it could give the Great Sept of Baelor a run for its money.
And if you’re feeling particularly lordly, book a stay at the Inn at Shelburne Farms.
It’s the closest you’ll get to sleeping in a Westerosi castle without the risk of being murdered at a wedding.
2. Wilson Castle (Proctor)
If Casterly Rock and Winterfell had an architectural love child, it might look something like Wilson Castle.
This 19th-century mansion is a delightful mishmash of architectural styles that would make even the most seasoned Maester scratch his head in confusion.
Built in the middle of the 19th century, Wilson Castle boasts 32 rooms filled with period furnishings, Oriental rugs, and stained-glass windows.
It’s like someone raided the prop department of Game of Thrones and decided to create their own Vermont version of the Red Keep.
As you tour the castle, keep an eye out for the suits of armor.
They’re not likely to come to life and defend you from the Lannisters, but they do add a certain medieval charm.
And while you won’t find any secret passages leading to dragon pits, the castle’s tower offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside that would make even Bran Stark jealous.
3. Glimmerstone Mansion (Cavendish)
If the Tyrells decided to summer in Vermont, Glimmerstone Mansion would be their go-to spot.
This Gothic Revival masterpiece looks like it was transported straight from the lush gardens of Highgarden to the rolling hills of Cavendish.
Built in the mid-19th century, Glimmerstone boasts intricate woodwork, grand fireplaces, and enough Victorian charm to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine.
The mansion’s name alone sounds like it could be a magical artifact in George R.R. Martin’s world – perhaps a mystical stone that reveals one’s true desires (or just looks really pretty in the sunlight).
While you can’t exactly host a Small Council meeting here, you can book a stay and pretend you’re plotting to take over the Seven Kingdoms from the comfort of your four-poster bed.
Just remember: when you play the game of thrones, you win or you… well, in this case, you just have a really nice vacation.
4. Hildene (Manchester)
Hildene, the Lincoln family’s summer home, is what you’d get if you combined the grandeur of King’s Landing with the charm of a New England estate.
This Georgian Revival mansion, built by Robert Todd Lincoln (son of Abraham Lincoln), sits on a 412-acre estate that would make any Westerosi lord green with envy.
As you approach the house, you’ll be struck by its imposing presence – much like the Red Keep, minus the skulls and iron throne.
Inside, the home is filled with family heirlooms and period furnishings that tell the story of the Lincoln legacy.
It’s like walking through a museum, if museums were also luxurious mansions where you half expect to bump into Tyrion Lannister having a glass of wine in the study.
Don’t miss the gorgeous gardens, particularly the Hoyt formal garden.
It’s a horticultural masterpiece that would give the gardens of Highgarden a run for their money.
And if you’re a fan of vintage transportation (perhaps longing for the days of horse-drawn carriages?), check out the Pullman car on display.
It’s not quite a dragon, but it’s an impressive mode of travel nonetheless.
5. Highgate Manor (Highgate)
If the Starks decided to build a summer home in Vermont, it might look something like Highgate Manor.
This stunning yellow mansion, with its ornate Victorian architecture, stands out against the Vermont landscape like a golden lion in a field of winter roses.
Built in the late 19th century, Highgate Manor boasts a tower that rivals the Eyrie in impressiveness (though considerably easier to access).
The intricate woodwork and period details throughout the house are so exquisite, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a more comfortable, less murdery version of a Westerosi noble’s home.
While you can’t hold court or host a royal feast here, you can explore the grounds and imagine what life might have been like for the Vermont equivalent of a great house.
Just be grateful that in this version of history, the only things hanging from the walls are paintings and tapestries, not the heads of your enemies.
6. Old Stone House Museum (Brownington)
The Old Stone House Museum in Brownington is what you’d get if you crossed a Westerosi fortress with a New England schoolhouse.
This imposing granite structure, built in 1836, looks like it could withstand a siege from the Dothraki horde – or at least a particularly rowdy class of students.
Originally constructed as a dormitory for the Orleans County Grammar School, this four-story building now houses a museum dedicated to 19th-century Vermont life.
It’s like stepping into a time machine that’s been calibrated somewhere between medieval Westeros and 1800s New England.
As you explore the museum’s collection of antiques and artifacts, you might find yourself wondering how the people of the North Kingdom (that’s Vermont to you and me) lived back in the day.
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Spoiler alert: it involved a lot less dragon-riding and a lot more churning butter.
But hey, at least they had maple syrup to sweeten the deal!
7. Park-McCullough House (North Bennington)
If Littlefinger decided to retire from his life of scheming and build a summer home in Vermont, it might look something like the Park-McCullough House.
This Second Empire-style mansion, with its mansard roof and ornate detailing, is a 35-room testament to 19th-century opulence that would make even the most jaded Lannister nod in approval.
Built in 1865, the house is a time capsule of Victorian-era luxury.
As you tour the rooms, you’ll find yourself surrounded by period furnishings, intricate woodwork, and enough gilt to make Tywin Lannister feel right at home.
The grand staircase alone is impressive enough to make you want to make a dramatic entrance, swishing your cloak behind you (what do you mean you didn’t bring a cloak?).
Don’t miss the carriage barn, which houses a collection of vintage carriages.
It’s not quite a stable full of dragons, but it’s a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century transportation.
And who knows?
Maybe one of these carriages is secretly a portal to Westeros.
8. Justin Morrill Homestead (Strafford)
The Justin Morrill Homestead is what you’d get if you crossed a Maester’s citadel with a charming Vermont farmhouse.
This Gothic Revival-style home, built in 1851, was the residence of Justin Morrill, a man who might not have sat on the Iron Throne, but did serve in the U.S. Senate for over 30 years.
As you explore the house and its surrounding gardens, you’ll be struck by the blend of architectural whimsy and practical Vermont sensibility.
It’s as if Samwell Tarly decided to build a home that combined his love of knowledge with a need for cozy corners to read in.
The interior is a treasure trove of 19th-century artifacts and furnishings, offering a glimpse into the life of a man who helped shape American education.
It’s like a history lesson wrapped in a beautiful architectural package – and unlike in Game of Thrones, this history lesson doesn’t end with everyone dying horribly.
9. Camel’s Hump State Park (Duxbury)
If the Wildlings had a favorite hiking spot south of The Wall, it would probably be Camel’s Hump State Park.
This rugged, undeveloped wilderness is Vermont’s answer to the Frostfangs, minus the constant threat of White Walkers (though the mosquitoes in summer can be nearly as terrifying).
The park’s centerpiece is Camel’s Hump itself, a distinctive peak that stands out on the Vermont skyline like a dragon perched on the horizon.
At 4,083 feet, it’s not quite as tall as The Wall, but the views from the summit are so spectacular, you’ll feel like you can see all the way to King’s Landing.
Hiking to the top is a challenge worthy of any knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
The trails are steep and rocky, but the payoff is worth it.
Just remember to bring plenty of water and snacks – there’s no Three-Eyed Raven to guide you here, and getting lost in these woods would be a lot less magical and a lot more uncomfortable than Bran’s adventures beyond The Wall.
10. Mad River Glen (Fayston)
If the Night’s Watch traded their black cloaks for ski gear, they’d probably feel right at home at Mad River Glen.
This legendary ski area is known for its challenging terrain and old-school vibe, making it the perfect spot for those who like their winter sports with a side of adventure.
Mad River Glen is famous for its single-chair lift, a relic from a bygone era that feels like it could have been designed by the same maesters who built The Wall.
It’s slow, it’s solitary, and it gives you plenty of time to contemplate your life choices as you ascend the mountain.
The ski runs here are as varied and unpredictable as Daenerys Targaryen’s moods.
From gentle slopes that even Sam Tarly could handle to steep chutes that would challenge the Mountain himself, there’s something for every level of skier.
And the best part?
At the end of the day, you can warm up in the lodge with a hot drink, instead of huddling around a meager fire at Castle Black.
11. Retreat Tower (Brattleboro)
Last but not least on our Westerosi tour of Vermont is the Retreat Tower in Brattleboro.
This 65-foot-tall stone structure looks like it was plucked straight out of Oldtown and plonked down in the Green Mountain State.
It’s the kind of tower you’d expect to find a maester peering out of, frantically scribbling notes about White Walkers.
Built in the 1880s, the tower was originally part of the Brattleboro Retreat, a mental health hospital.
Today, it stands as a silent sentinel over the town, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area to those brave enough to climb to the top.
It’s like being on top of The Wall, but with significantly less risk of being attacked by wildlings.
The tower’s winding staircase and narrow windows add to its medieval charm.
As you ascend, you might find yourself half-expecting to stumble upon a three-eyed raven or perhaps a dusty old tome revealing the secret to defeating the Army of the Dead.
Spoiler alert: you won’t find either, but the view from the top is magical in its own right.
There you have it, fellow travelers – a journey through Vermont that would make even the most seasoned Westerosi adventurer jealous.
From castles to mountains, this Green Mountain kingdom has it all.
Fuel your wanderlust!
This map has all the directions you need to make every stop a memorable one.
Winter may be coming, but in Vermont, that’s just an excuse for more maple syrup and skiing!