7 of the Most Welcoming Towns in Vermont
If Vermont did not want to welcome visitors, they would not have made it so perfect. Vermont's small towns take the freshest ideas and apply them to a gorgeous New England landscape dripping with history as the 14th state to enter the Union. Whether listening to the hermit thrush’s song on a walking path or expanding the mind in an art gallery, Vermont is where personal growth happens. Escape to the spectacular sights, sounds, and friendly and welcoming hospitality of the Green Mountain State.
Brattleboro
Brattleboro has a friendly population of people who love showing off their small paradise. Despite being closed to traffic, the Creamery Covered Bridge is perhaps the most welcoming landmark in small-town history. The 80-foot-long, covered bridge was built out of spruce in 1879. The popular tourist photo opportunity is within walking distance of the Brattleboro Farmers Market and the Vermont Country Deli. Be transfixed by the ever-changing exhibitions at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC). The BMAC was founded in 1972 by Brattleboro citizens who repurposed their historic train station. Enjoy the tastes of the Eastern Mediterranean at Yalla Vermont restaurant.
Manchester
Manchester’s Museum of the Creative Process is one of the most interesting cultural landing spots in any small town anywhere. It was founded by psychiatrist Dr. Albert Levis and focuses on the scientific aspects of creativity as well as creative expressions of psychological states. When it’s time to purge the mind of big, weighty ideas, head with a friend to Pastime Pinball, an arcade of shockingly well-preserved pinball games from the 1950s to today. The interior of the South Vermont Arts Center gives one the impression of being in a capsized vessel. The result is an intensely intimate performance space with unforgettable acoustics.
Williston
Williston’s proximity to Burlington International Airport maintains its draw to curious tourists looking to kill a day before their ski vacation starts. Before you head into the town, stroll through the famous Church Street Marketplace in Burlington. Then, head into Williston and check out the Catamount Outdoor Family Center, which has every outdoor activity one can think of on hand year-round. Enjoy a bowl of ramen with friendly service at the Scale Poke Bar, and mingle with the friendly locals. Allow the experts at Goodwater Brewery to pair a meal at their restaurant with in-house brews that frequently have customers grabbing colorful cans to-go.
Middlebury
It should be no surprise that the chosen home of Robert Frost has a thriving, vibrant culture today, ranked as one of the US's favorite towns. A ten-minute visit to the Farmers’ Market proves that. Shop amid scents of freshly harvested seasonal delights in a sea of musicians and local artisans. Middlebury loves to welcome newcomers with a smile. The temporary exhibitions at Middlebury College’s Museum of Art are exquisitely well-timed, leaving viewers with a re-evaluated sense of their place in this world. Nearby, the Rikert Outdoor Center makes its own snow so visitors can get a head-start on winter sports. There are also many easy trails and even one that allows hikers a chance to glimpse Robert Frost’s summer cabin.
Shelburne
The first stop in Shelburne is the cultural nexus point, the Shelburne Museum. The museum campus is the largest art and history museum in northern New England. The sprawling 45-acre property has 39 buildings, 25 of which are historic buildings that were gifted and relocated to the area. Even Shelburne’s industry is welcoming. The Vermont Teddy Bear factory is open 10 to 4 every single day. End the day with newly made friends at the tasting room of the famous Fiddlehead Brewing Company.
Stowe
Visitors can choose a gondola sky ride or a hot air balloon for a literal overview of Stowe’s vibrant scene. Experience the magic of one of America’s most welcoming and picturesque towns at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, which also features an art gallery kept fresh by brilliant curators. Visit the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum for a mind-expanding peek into the sports’ history. Classes are available, along with a shifting schedule of exhibitions and speakers. The best way to decide what to do first in Stowe is to ask a stranger in its historic downtown. Stowe residents love welcoming new friends with fresh recommendations that cannot be found online.
Montpelier
Montpelier was once named one of the 100 best small arts towns in the US. The friendly, vibrant town has bounced back after a July 2023 flood affected several businesses. Vermont’s state capital maintains its welcoming, small-town status by actively creating it. Montpelier, Vermont is a work of art by the citizens of Montpelier, Vermont. The one-of-a-kind downtown shops earned the town the designation of "Best Small Town for Shopping in America" from USA Today. After indulging in the Epicurious gauntlet of Barre Street, feel the wind thrust hair aside on the bike path that runs along the Winooski River.
Vermont is beautiful because dedicated Vermonters keep it that way. Please take care to clean all traces of trash before leaving outdoor sites. It is important for the future of Vermont to remember that Europeans were not the first people to enjoy the area. For more information about the Green Mountain State’s pre-colonization population, visit the respective websites of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe, the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, the Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation, and the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.
