7 Most Photogenic Towns In Vermont

Vermont is renowned for its mountains, fall foliage, and picturesque towns. Nestled within in the New England region, the Green Mountains represent just one example of the state's beauty. After all, the state was so named from the French phrase “les monts verts,” meaning “green mountains.” But of course, the most defining features you can enjoy in Vermont are the most photogenic towns in the state. Towns such as Stowe, Dorset, and Woodstock are examples of the beautiful resort destinations in Vermont’s verdant slopes, whereas places like Burlington and Montpelier testify to Vermont’s cultural and artistic aptitudes. No matter where you are or where you are going, you ought to first go to one or more of the seven most photogenic towns in Vermont.

Woodstock

The historic town of Woodstock continues to preserve a splattering of antebellum architecture for you to tour, specifically around the town’s square, the Green. There is, for example, a pink sandstone structure known as the Norman Williams Public Library that has been around since the 1880s. Then in the rural countryside of Woodstock, you will find the Billings Farm and Museum that exemplifies the livelihoods and operations of an ordinary dairy farmers from the 19th century. At the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, you can go exploring at a Queen Anne mansion from the 1800s, and in June, you can immerse yourself in Artistree music events such as the Juan Nieves & Legado Orquestra. You might also be interested in touring the home of J. J. Richardson, the man who invented the socket wrench in 1863. For exercises and explorations, you can go kayaking and swimming on Silver Lake and Kedron Valley Pond or climbing at Mount Tom. And for lodgings, you can look to the Woodstock Inn & Resort, The Woodstocker B&B, or The Shire Woodstock for your accommodations.

Grafton

Grafton is home to some of the most serene and beautiful farmlands in Vermont. Whether you are learning all about agriculture at the Riverledge Farm or purchasing scrumptious delicacies made entirely out of maple at the Plummer’s Sugar House, you will doubtlessly find Grafton a quintessentially cheerful small town. Learn to appreciate Vermont’s wilderness from the Nature Museum or Vermont’s artistic side at the Jud Hartmann Gallery and its collection of bronze sculptures known as “The Woodland Tribes of the Northeast.” Participate in the much-beloved Fairy House Festival on the last weekend of September and go traipsing through the arboreal areas of the Grafton Town Forest, the John Dorand State Forest, and Grafton Community Garden. Last but not least, book a room in one of Grafton’s resplendent lodgings such as the Grafton Inn, the Grafton Lodge, or The Inn At Woodchuck Hill Farm.

Stowe

Stowe, stowed away amid some of Vermont’s highest mountain peaks, is a perfect getaway from much of the city chaos you might need a break from. Within the snowy tops of Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains are premier ski resorts and recreational areas like the Smugglers’ Notch State Park; they're suitable for just about everyone. The toll road is unpaved and filled with sharp turns, but it's one of the best and most photogenic routes you can take to the top of Mount Mansfield. The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum exhibits quite a few historic ski gears previously owned by some of the best skiers in the region. The best time to visit Stowe is definitely in the period between July and August when the Music in the Meadow fills the mountain air with music. You might also want to attend the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival in October or the von Trapp Brewing Oktoberfest for some delicious brews. If you need to stow your belongings in Stowe, you ought to do so at either the Riverside Inn, the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, or Trapp Family Lodge.

Montpelier

Although Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont, it only has a population of about 8,000. Thus, it has a small-town atmosphere that you will certainly enjoy. Deriving its name from the city of Montpelier in France, visitors to Vermont’s small capital can admire the golden dome and architecture of the 1859 Vermont State House in addition to the marble statue in its portico in the likeness of American Revolutionary War hero named Ethan Allen. The Hubbard Park and the Winooski River entreat people with recreational activities at your own pace and leisure, just as the Green Mountains dominate the nearby horizon of Montpelier for you to traverse. The Vermont History Museum gives newcomers glimpses into Montpelier’s origins, while the Lost Nation Theater offers innumerable venues for local performances. Finally, exquisite abodes like The Inn at Montpelier and the High Hill Inn will keep you safe and comfortable and feeling at home in the smallest state capital in the country.

Bennington

Bennington is one of Vermont’s first towns, founded in 1749 close to the state borders of Massachusetts and New York. Deriving its name from the colonial governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth, the town gives you a photogenic view of three different states from a top a 306-foot-tall stone obelisk known as the Bennington Battle Monument. This monument commemorates the Battle of Bennington in 1777. Every year in July, the townsfolk encourage everyone to partake in the Bennington Trailfest where people go walking about in scenic routes such as the Appalachian and Long trails. One can go spelunking through the Everett Cave is open to all kinds of spelunkers or enjoy a show at the Monument Arts & Cultural Center. Only around 31 minutes from the city of Manchester, you can seek daily and nightly accommodations at either the Autumn Inn or the Four Chimneys Inn & Restaurant.

Dorset

Dorset, near the Mettawee River, is one of the best small towns; its elevation is 1,300 feet, and the Taconic Mountains take up most of the town's landscape. One can book a room at the Wilson House of East Dorset, where William Griffith Wilson was born; he became the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and developed its iconic 12-step program. Artists who want to learn from a multidisciplinary residency program can head over to the Manley-Lefevre House, the main headquarters of the Marble House Project. The Freedley Quarry is an old marble quarry that now serves as an artist’s playground in Dorset. Meanwhile, destinations such as the Cutler Memorial Forest and the Emerald Lake State Park are excellent areas for adventures. If you ever get exhausted from all the traveling, you can always book a room at either The Dorset Inn or the Aerie Inn.

Burlington

Burlington, relatively close to the US-Canada border and right beside Lake Chaplain, is home to over 1,400 wildfowl decoys and French impressionist artworks at the Shelburne Museum. Visitors from other US states or even from Canada will absolutely adore the customer-friendly Church Street Marketplace for its restaurants and shops. The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum chronicles the legacy of the Green Mountain Boys and their leader, Ethan Allen. Elsewhere, the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain provides innumerable opportunities for photography, and there's also the Burlington Earth Clock and the World's Tallest Filing Cabinet to see in Burlington. So for those of you enthusiastic to see more of what Burlington has to offer, you should first book a room in places like the Hotel Vermont, Green Mountain Suites Hotel, or Homewood Suites by Hilton Burlington.

Conclusion

For a state without skyscrapers, Vermont’s cities are as comfortable and charming as the many photogenic small towns in the New England region. From Dorset’s historic connections to Stowe’s stupefying attractions in the Green Mountains, the seven most photogenic towns in Vermont are paradises for photographers and photo enthusiasts. Venture deeper through the verdant mountains of Vermont and capture memories and mementos from the most photogenic small towns in the state.