Check Out White River Junctions Best Dining, Entertainment, Shopping, and Outdoor Activities
Explore White River Junction, Vermont like a local with our staff’s favorite places to eat, drink, and wander. Hartford has a lot to offer, but the village of White River Junction, specifically, is loaded with opportunities to support local businesses and experience Vermont like a true Vermonter.
Read below to find exactly what you’re looking for. Keep reading if you’re looking for it all.
Where To Eat and Drink in White River Junction
Elixir — Dinner for Any Occasion
A personal favorite of the owner of The Tea House, Elixir is the perfect dinner spot for everything from a casual Tuesday night out to a girls' night or date night you’ve been planning for weeks. Since 2007, they’ve been a go-to spot in the Upper Valley for unique plates and cocktails. Being right on Main Street, it’s a great place to grab a drink and a bite after a day of exploring the village shops.
Tea House rec: Seared Faroe Island Salmon
REDCAN — Date Night Fun
REDCAN is a sexy Prohibition-era-themed spot on Main Street, though this one offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else in White River Junction. On top of their menu, which changes regularly depending on the local ingredients available, they also have a secret speakeasy in the back that serves cocktails and mocktails. Look for Room 39—no password required.
Tea House rec: Almanack Farms Wagyu Steak
(Almanack Farms is less than an hour away from WRT. This dish is fresh.)
Wolf Tree — Creative Cocktails You Won’t Find Elsewhere
If you need a good watering hole and aren’t feeling particularly hungry, we recommend checking out Wolf Tree. This cocktail bar is a James Beard Award 2025 semi-finalist for the Outstanding Bar category. It has cocktails you will not find elsewhere, as well as beer, wine, and classic and seasonal cocktails.
We love taking advantage of their outdoor patio, but they also have cozy indoor seating. Meat and cheese boards are available to snack on, and keep an eye on their Instagram—they sometimes partner with local restaurants to create some ridiculously good one-time-only menus!
Tea House rec: Special Delivery cocktail with a meat and cheese board
Putnam’s vine/yard - All the Things and More
Putnam’s vine/yard is a memorable place to visit and bring friends. It has so much to offer, from delicious dinners and weekend brunches to classes on vines and wines to quiet strolls through secret gardens, that you’ll probably want to stop by more than once. Their ever-changing menus feature local Upper Valley products and farmers. Their near-nightly events highlight local presenters and discussion topics.
For a full Putnam’s experience, hit up their cafe in the morning for a coffee and a locally-made pastry before setting out on Main Street, and then stop back for dinner and drinks in the evening. If you time it right, you may even catch some live music!
Tea House rec: Vermont Cheese Board (You can never go wrong with Vermont cheeses.)
Where To Buy Weed in White River Junction
The Tea House — The First and Best Dispensary in White River Junction
Come see us at The Tea House on Woodstock Road for a one-stop shop with all the products and education you need. We stock the best cannabis products Vermont has to offer, and as a minority- and woman-owned business ourselves, we make a point to feature and work with as many minority-owned brands as we can.
Our care specialists offer one-on-one personalized service while you’re in-store, and you can also schedule a personal concierge service if desired. We open every day of the week, so come see us any day you like!
Where To Shop in White River Junction
Revolution — Eco-Chic Apparel, Jewelry, and Accessories
Revolution is one of our absolute favorite locally-owned shops. It’s a cute little spot on Main Street with beautiful vintage and contemporary pieces that showcase many local and independent designers. They also have jewelry and home accessories, all with a little funky flair that adds a unique touch.
If you really want to feel like a local, pick up one of their iconic “White River Junction... It's Not So Bad” t-shirts or hoodies. You’ll probably see a few downtown while you’re walking around!
Simon Pearce — High-End, Hand Blown Glass (with food)
Simon Pearce is an incredible glass-blowing studio that doubles as a place to eat in White River Junction. The restaurant overlooks White River, but the real view isn’t the scenery. Turn around, and you’ll have the pleasure of watching local artists create blown glass pieces by hand.
Whether or not you choose to eat there, we highly recommend you explore their flagship store on site. They sell their latest glass and pottery designs, as well as near-perfect “seconds” that are often more eye-catching than the perfect pieces.
Where To Play Outside in White River Junction
Quechee State Park — For the Most Gorge-ous Scenery
Just a 10-minute drive from The Tea House, Vermont’s Quechee State Park is a gorgeous place to spend the day. We recommend following the Quechee Gorge Trail down to the gorge for some Instagram-worthy views. (We always take our guests here!) You can look down about 165 feet and see the Ottauquechee River below. Feel free to bring your pets with you too.
Quechee State Park also has a beautiful campground, offering six cabins, 45 tent/RV sites, and seven lean-to sites.
Ski Quechee — “Make a Mountain of Memories”
Ski Quechee is a family-friendly mountain in the heart of Upper Valley that is a great place to spend a winter’s day. It has 13 trails, so there’s plenty of options for beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders alike. You can also take in the beauty of a Vermont snow day in a horse-drawn sleigh ride or with a round of s’mores by the fire.
No need to bring your own gear unless you want to. You can rent everything there, and they have several yummy restaurants for when you need a break from the slopes. Outside of winter, you can also visit the mountain for big events on Mother’s Day and the Fourth of July, among others.
Where To See Live Events
Northern Stage — Theater for Everyone
Northern Stage’s memorable performances are a point of pride for White River Junction. This theater company was founded in 1997 and has been entertaining White River Junction ever since. Like us, they prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their work, so we love to support them.
[Get Tickets to Northern Stage]
Shaker Bridge Theater — Theater for Date Night
Shaker Bridge Theater presents edgy, contemporary shows that push the boundaries of traditional theater. Their location is intimate and encourages you to give your full attention to the actors, especially because some of the content they cover can be quite unexpected. It’s centrally located in historic downtown, so it’s a great one to line up after dinner and/or drinks at one of the spots we mentioned above.
[Get Tickets to Shaker Bridge Theater]
Dartmouth College — Ivy League Athletics
Dartmouth is only a 10-minute drive from Hartford in Hanover, New Hampshire. You’ll find many a local there for football, soccer, basketball, and ice hockey games. If you’re in town at the right time, you can watch Ivy Leaguers go head-to-head with match ups against Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and more.
Don’t forget to wear your Dartmouth green!
[Get Tickets to Dartmouth Athletics]
Where To Learn Something New
Billings Farm & Museum - Fun for the Whole Family
Billings Farm & Museum, run by nonprofit The Woodstock Foundation, has something for everyone in the family. It’s an active farm that allows kids to meet the animals and see what a functional dairy is all about. (You’re definitely going to want to try some cheese.) Plus, adults can learn gardening and sustainable living skills. And everyone will want to take a selfie in their massive Sunflower House.
There’s more to offer inside their theater and research rooms, though doing your own “research” by exploring the 1890 farm manager’s house on site might be more fun if you have kiddos in tow.
[Explore Billings Farm & Museum]
Tip Top Pottery - Create and Paint
Tip Top Pottery is a fun place to try something new. You can book a lesson on hand-building or wheel throwing with clay. Or, if you’re feeling spontaneous, you can stop by any time to paint one of their hundreds of pre-made ceramic pieces. They also have classes for painting on canvas, as well as a “pottery to go” option if you’d rather host the party at your place.
The best part—you can bring your own food and beverages, including wine, to the studio to enjoy while you create.