8 Darling Small Towns in Vermont
Looking for precious small towns and cute attractions with friendly communities? If so, the northeastern US state of Vermont may be the best bet for anyone who craves these delights. The "Green Mountain State" is one of the trendiest destination ideas for tourists who like a mixture of commercial vibrance and natural or historical splendors. With scenic spots and tranquil sites, these darling New England towns will make anyone feel at home!
Stowe
A village town also known as the "Ski Capital of the East," Stowe is a must-visit for its charming features and outdoor adventures. The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum is a highlight for its skiing memorabilia and guided tours of vintage clothing and artworks. At Gold Brook Covered Bridge, visitors can experience the beauty of historic local flowerbeds and also check out an endearing coffee shop nearby! Waterfall enthusiasts may appreciate Bingham Falls, a hidden gem for alluring gorge views and rocky waterfalls that make for the ultimate hiking itinerary.
For a peaceful camping retreat, families can spend a night around Smugglers' Notch State Park Campground, known for its solitary forests and village vibrance that often leaves smiles on faces. The Stowe Theatre Guild offers an unparalleled entertainment experience for newcomers who like welcoming musical shows and seasonal plays. For brewery fans, The Alchemist Brewery has a classic pub environment mixed with friendly locals and social events that reel in outsiders. At Idletyme, guests can experience cozy dining and delicious french fry meals that will always be remembered for a lifetime!
Shelburne
An underrated destination that one cannot miss out on, Shelburne is a joyful town that brings out the best of sightseeing. The Shelburne Museum has about 80,000 historic folk art collections and pieces that make it easy to see why people love this town! The Ticonderoga Steamboat is equal parts commercial and historical as a 220-foot steamboat that provides walking beam tours and 19th-century port history to support maritime knowledge. Shelburne Bay Park is a hiker's paradise in town with its beautiful moor scenery and open meadows for lakeside access.
At Shelburne Orchards, tourists can enjoy fruit varieties and cider-tasting moments alongside happy residents; it also has fun tractor rides! The Shelburne Vineyard is around for nature lovers who desire wine tasting, apricot workshops, and downtown patio cheese appetizers. For a truly unique experience, one can stop by Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, home to dozens of cute teddy bears and custom plush creations. Palmer's Sugar House is an adorable locale featuring many candies and maple sugar treats. The Flying Pig Bookstore has various book titles catered to all literary audiences. Hungry guests can visit Namaste Kitchen, a glorified Indian and Nepali diner with tasty South Asian cuisines and hospitable staff.
Brattleboro
An attractive little town that locals know as "The One and Only" and "Brat," Brattleboro makes the best use of history and nature to make visitors feel comfy! The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center has local cultural exhibits and art classrooms downtown that may fulfill any itinerary involving talent and social outings. At the Estey Organ Museum, tourists can see more cultural finds and an assortment of reed organs, melodeons, and other musical artifacts passed down over the years. For travelers who want to have laidback photography for the trip home, Creamery Covered Bridge is a delightful crossing area where people can enjoy New England's local hemlocks and peaceful hiking trails.
At the Robb Family Farm Sugar House, visitors are treated as esteemed guests as they browse through charming maple sugar products and dairy ingredients. Latchis Theatre is another casual locale that some may like, with its classical live performances and Greek heritage events that usually make for a fun-filled trip! Vermont Artisan Designs knows how to please newcomers with its enchanting glass and jewelry displays that generate curiosity. Irish pub fare and old-school dining themes are at Kipling's Tavern, a hotspot for European burger inspiration and retro bar amusement.
Woodstock
Recognized as "America's Prettiest Town," Woodstock is no stranger to beauty. The Billings Farm & Museum has historical dairy farm relics, sunflower labyrinths, and ice cream sessions to make for an amazing itinerary while new to town. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park also adds intrigue with its stewardship history, cottage-like foliage, and beautiful porch vibrance out front with friendly locals. For bridge scenery and outdoor adventures, one can trek across Taftsville Covered Bridge, a meaningful landmark with sunset grace and gorgeous close-ups of water reflections and interior colors!
On Mount Tom, dog-friendly mountain backpackers can take in forested runways and panoramic cross-country skiing or horseback routes that are perfect for capturing a view of the town. For a magical evening, travelers of all ages can enjoy Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, a historic and commercial stop for modern and past-era films within a Victorian-style opera complex. Mon Vert Cafe is a darling locale with delicate artisanal beverages and maple-friendly bread platters to suit easygoing atmospheres. For more fancy dining and luxury, one can stop by Sante, a frequented spot for creative farmland dishes and custom cocktails that are best served alongside hearty folks.
Burlington
Burlington, the "Queen City," is a northwestern Lake Champlain town with plenty of motivators to keep people coming back for more! History lovers can take on Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and Historic Site, known for its 17th-century tours of early settlements around Winooski River, and also has pleasant walkways for hikers. For an ambient beachside retreat, sightseers can visit Oakledge Park, a rocky landmark with volleyball enthusiasts, cycling trails, and adorable picnic shelters. One of the most noteworthy parts of town is the World's Tallest Filing Cabinet, a historical monument that doubles as a quirky commercial detour thanks to its massive beauty!
The Fleming Museum of Art is a mainstay for tourists, students, and faculty who want to admire cultural artworks and educational gallery contributions passed down through generations. At the ECHO Museum, vacationers can see innovative science and nature exhibits that appeal to families, including engineering bonding time activities. For anyone who likes comedy nights, Vermont Comedy Club makes outsiders and locals laugh with humorous events and full bar service. French cuisine appreciation is expected at Leunig's Bistro, a heartfelt vintage diner with cheerful staff and upscale lunches and dinners to make travelers feel like they are living in Paris!
Dorset
Seen as the location for Convention statehood meetings within Cephas Kent's Inn, which eventually gave this town its independence, tourists have nothing to lose when visiting Dorset! It is best known for natural landmarks like Emerald Lake State Park, a calming site for hardwood forestry and deer habitats; it also surrounds Emerald Lake, recognizable for its scenic green waters and bass fishing expeditions. Norcross-West Marble Quarry is ideal for those who wish to plunge into swimming quarries and take in breathtaking marble sights. Dorset Historical Society may be more appealing to those who like dated manuscripts about early settlers going back as far as the 17th century.
At Mad Tom Orchard, newcomers can experience a mixture of social vegetation tours and attractive apple-picking splendors while hanging out with residents who love cider and syrup. Dorset Farmers Market is a gracious spot for finding conversational locals, summer and winter produce, and flower boutiques! For entertainment and roleplay performances, Dorset Players has community-oriented shows and evening theatrics to draw in curious minds. Fun salad and cocktail sessions can be had at Dorset Inn Restaurant and Tavern, a highly-rated restaurant remembered for its high chair seating arrangements and lavish history.
Montpelier
Vermont's very own capital, Montpelier, is both "Montpeculiar" and special to everyone who visits. Free guided tours and generous cafeteria meals are provided at Vermont State House, a historic stop for anyone feeling like exploring key foundations of village life and mid-19th century political estate halls. There is also plenty of history to uncover at the Vermont Historical Society Museum, where chronological household exhibits and authentic World War II antiques. Academic lectures and fine arts programs are just some of the elements one can find at Vermont College of Fine Arts, a graduate school that offers educational and tourist-friendly walk-ins!
For nature-oriented itineraries, one can explore North Branch Nature Center, an iconic venue with rolling hills and picnic spots that make for amazing firefly viewing areas. A fun locale that does not get enough appreciation is Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, a sugar shack with farmland trinkets and woodshed amenities to help customers from all wakes of life fit in! One can consider the darling Savoy Theatre's art-house cinema and historic popcorn snacks within a 2-screen showing room. The North Branch Cafe is also a worthwhile tea cafe with awesome Winooski River views that should not be overlooked!
Vergennes
Vergennes, the "Little City with the Big Heart," is an enticing travel destination for so many reasons. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum houses maritime exploration tools and local archaeological finds that have been preserved for many years. Vergennes Falls Park is another trendy spot for downtown culture and is often touted for its 15-mile looping trails and boating or kayaking ports. At the Vergennes Opera House, historical town hall photography and exciting saxophonist concerts make for a satisfying newcomer trip!
Bixby Memorial Free Library is a beautiful and comfortable spot for quiet minds and solitary ideas while enjoying local indie collections and audiobooks. Shoppers at the Big Barn Country Store can browse through old-fashioned barn goods, taste fresh espresso, and adore candy gifting treats. Vergennes Laundry is yet another option for cute and cozy tourism, as backpackers can wander through its wood-fired bakery and imagine they are in a French cafe! Adventurists who need a bite can savor pizza at Rockers Pizzeria, a contender for the best cheesy slices and casual rock culture.
These darling towns are the best options for any traveler who wants something new and memorable for a lifetime. With plenty of commercial, natural, and historical avenues of tourism, there is so much to see and do in the New England region of Vermont. An unforgettable travel experience full of wonder awaits in the "Green Mountain State"!
