6 Eclectic Small Towns In Vermont

As the sixth smallest state in the US, Vermont might seem quiet at first glance. However, the state’s locals know better. Across the state, travelers will find some seriously odd and quirky attractions, ranging from a chapel dedicated entirely to dogs and teddy bear factories to eerie urban legends like Pigman. Want to explore a side of Vermont like never before? These six eclectic towns are sure to surprise you.

St. Johnsbury

Recognized as the “Maple Center of the World”, travelers are sure to have a sweet trip in St. Johnsbury. One of the best times to learn about its maple heritage is in the spring, during the annual Kingdom Maple Festival. Taking place in April this year, the festival will include lots of maple treats and baked goods, a pancake breakfast, a maple-themed farmers market, and a maple history tour. Year-round, travelers can also plan a visit to the Maple Grove Sugar House Museum, which is home to one of the world’s largest maple product packagers. Travelers can learn about the factory’s history at the onsite museum as well as enjoy a maple syrup tasting and grab a maple-themed souvenir in the gift shop. If you love dogs, you should check out Dog Mountain before you leave town. Set on a mountaintop, this attraction honors all things dog. It features a dog chapel, hiking trails, and dog ponds, creating a welcoming space for dogs of all breeds!

Barre

Barre, formerly known as the "Granite Capital of the World," rose to fame in the early 20th century as a major hub for granite quarrying. Travelers should begin their granite-inspired visit to Barre at the Vermont Granite Museum, located in a historic granite manufacturing plant. The museum features interactive exhibits that explore geology, granite art, and the town’s granite heritage. Outdoor lovers can explore the Millstone Trails, spread out across nearly 1,500 acres of diverse terrain, including old granite quarries, picturesque villages, and forests. While in town, make sure to grab a picture with the Largest Zipper in North America. This zipper, made of native granite, extends for 74 feet through an alley and features colorful perennials between the zipper’s giant teeth.

Northfield

Northfield is home to one of Vermont’s strangest urban legends: Pigman. Half pig, half man, sightings of this humanoid creature date back around 50 years. Although there is not currently any photographic evidence of this being, countless residents have reported sightings over the years. Want to try spotting Pigman yourself? Make a trip out of it and stay in town for a few nights. The Margaret Holland Inn, set in a thoughtfully furnished 1850s colonial-style home, offers a cozy and historic stay, complete with a complimentary continental breakfast each morning. Another important aspect of Northfield’s history is its covered bridges. In the northern end of town, travelers can find several of these bridges concentrated close together, including the Northfield Falls Covered Bridge, the Historic Upper Cox Brook Covered Bridge, and the Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge. After your covered bridge tour, wind down with a craft beer at Good Measure Pub & Brewery, which has a diverse draft beer list and an impressive list of signature sandwiches to choose from.

Montpelier

Home to just under 8,000 residents, Montpelier takes the crown as the smallest state capital in the US. That is roughly 1,000 times smaller than New York City! It may be a small capital, but there is plenty to do in town regardless. Theater fans can catch a show at the Lost Nation Theater, which produces community theater performances all year long. Travelers may not typically associate the Supreme Court with art, but Montpelier does just that at the Vermont Supreme Court. In the court’s lobby, visitors can find rotating contemporary works from some of the state’s local artists. If you want to spend a few hours outdoors, make sure to add Hubbard Park to your itinerary. As the largest park in Montpelier, this 200-acre park offers over seven miles of skiing and hiking trails, a small pond, a soccer and ball field, a sledding hill, two picnic shelters, and a 54-foot observation tower made of stone.

Brattleboro

Brattleboro is arguably one of the most artistically inclined towns in Vermont, offering gallery walks, music venues, and music-themed museums. From May through December, the town hosts a gallery walk on the first Friday of each month that features local art exhibitions, food trucks, and live music. The Stone Church is another one of Brattleboro’s eccentric attractions. This church reopened in 2016 as a music venue, attracting both local and internationally touring artists to its stage. Once home to Estey Organ Company, one of the largest organ manufacturers in the world, travelers can also learn about Brattleboro’s organ history and heritage at the Estey Organ Museum, which showcases an extensive collection of pipe, reed, and electronic organs.

Shelburne

Travelers with children will have a great time in Shelburne. This town is home to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, offering visitors the chance to tour the factory firsthand. On a guided tour, guests will be able to learn about the factory’s history, how they cut the bears’ fur and assemble them, and even see a teddy bear hospital! In the summer and fall, travelers can also visit Shelburne Orchards, a U-pick orchard that offers the chance to pick their own sour cherries, peaches, and apples. Just a five-minute drive from downtown, golfers can enjoy the afternoon at Kwiniaska Golf Club, an 18-hole semiprivate course that offers beautiful views of the Adirondack Mountain range and the Green Mountains.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the size of Vermont fool you. The state’s towns are filled with niche attractions that will intrigue even the most particular travelers. Whether you want to visit Brattleboro’s organ museum, attend the Rockfire granite-themed festival in Barre, or grab tickets for a show at the Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier, there are so many possibilities of things to do. So, as you begin to plan your travels for 2025, think outside of the box and visit one of these six eclectic towns instead!