7 Most Vibrant Towns In Vermont

Vermont is the sixth smallest state in size and second smallest in population, but this gem of the New England region is packed with great attractions. The “Green Mountain State” is rightly famous for its natural beauty and endless outdoor recreation options, but it also has numerous small towns that deserve recognition. Among the state’s many vibrant towns, there are many that deserve spots on your next Vermont travel itinerary.

Woodstock

Woodstock thrived in the 1800s as the home of several water-powered textile mills along the Ottauquechee River, a tributary of the Connecticut River. Many stately, historic homes from that era still stand in Woodstock, and several of them have been transformed into bed-and-breakfasts. The town also maintains its historic charm with a covered bridge, a farmer’s market, and its “town crier” (an outdoor chalkboard that offers community information). Yet Woodstock is definitely not a sleepy old town; it especially comes alive during popular annual events like Harvest Weekend (in October) and Wassail Weekend (in December).

Stowe

Mountainous Stowe has an Alpine look and feel—so much so that the real von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame relocated there in 1942 and maintains their family lodge to this day. Soaring mountains mean great skiing, and Stowe Mountain Resort, covering both Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, is perhaps the premier ski area in the eastern United States. The beautiful mountain landscape also draws in droves of artists, and Stowe is home to renowned galleries like the Helen Day Art Center and Northwood Gallery. From skiers to artists to sightseers, downtown Stowe brims with activity throughout the year!

Shelburne

Few Vermont towns can claim a better location than Shelburne: set alongside Lake Champlain, less than 10 miles from Burlington, with the Adirondack Mountains over the lake to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. Visitors come to Shelburne to enjoy the outdoors but also to explore the impressive Shelburne Museum, which covers 45 acres and displays an amazing range of Americana, including the former Lake Champlain passenger steamboat SS Ticonderoga. Other Shelburne highlights include the Vermont Teddy Bear Company factory, Shelburne Farms, and a nonprofit educational center. 

Montpelier

Montpelier is both a small town and a state capital and is, in fact, the smallest state capital in the nation, with only 8,000 residents. This means that Montpelier has impressive institutions like the Vermont State House and Vermont History Museum, as well as a quaint downtown along the State Street corridor. The town’s most impressive architecture may, in fact, be found at Green Mount Cemetery, founded in 1854 and perfect for a quiet stroll. Montpelier also offers more vibrant attractions as well, such as along the Winooski River waterfront and in Hubbard Park.

Manchester

Not to be confused with the city of the same name in New Hampshire, Vermont’s Manchester is a small town of under 5,000 residents set between the Taconic Mountains and Green Mountains. Some visitors opt to visit only the outlet shopping mall and never make it into town, which is a shame. Downtown Manchester is home to several local small businesses and has three historic districts that showcase architecture from the Victorian era and earlier. For example, the luxurious 1905 Hildene House offers visitors the chance to walk through its fabulous gardens. Hikers, meanwhile, can challenge themselves at nearby Mount Equinox.

Grafton

Grafton once thrived as a stopover for stagecoaches crossing the Green Mountains, then as a hub for soapstone mining and textile mills, and is full of historic structures like the 1801 Grafton Inn. The Grafton Historical Society Museum covers the town’s past, while the Grafton Nature Museum holds a unique collection of nature-related artifacts. Ongoing revitalization efforts, starting in the 1960s, have maintained Grafton’s historic charm while enlivening its downtown area. Despite having only 600 residents, Grafton is a popular day-trip destination for residents of nearby northeastern cities like Albany and Boston.

Brattleboro

Brattleboro, Vermont, sits right across the Connecticut River from New Hampshire and only a few miles from Massachusetts, and this cute town of 12,000 is a popular destination for tourists from all three states and beyond. Brattleboro is well known for its lovely and lively downtown area, with a postcard-pretty Main Street and architectural highlights like the Gothic-style Municipal Center (a former high school). Brattleboro is also great for outdoor recreation, from kayaking on the Connecticut River to skiing on Mount Snow. The town, once home to one of the world’s biggest organ factories, also celebrates this unique past at the quirky Estey Organ Museum.

Vermonters are rightly proud of their unique home state and its small-town spirit and are typically eager to welcome visitors. You should definitely check out the seven vibrant towns on our list but also set aside some time to take the country byways and explore the towns you come across. Every time you return to Vermont, your must-visit list of vibrant small towns will expand—as will your affection for the Green Mountain State!