8 Friendliest Towns to Visit in Vermont in 2024
Many might be familiar with the amicable hospitality of people living in Vermont. Most of all, they should be well-informed of the friendliest towns to visit in Vermont in 2024. From exceptionally lively communities like Grafton, you can witness the production of Vermont's famous maple syrup. In mountainous towns like Stowe, Dorset, and Woodstock, you will come to appreciate the towering, lush mountains that have provided shelter to many homes since America's founding. And in bigger havens like Burlington, you will be enamored by the compelling histories and modern wonders that make Vermont so grandiose. So stamp your calendar for a vacation in one of the friendliest states in New England.
Stowe
Ascend the slopes of Vermont’s highest peaks from Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains, and enter the premier resort town of Stowe. Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains are riddled with skiing adventures for those seeking action and thrills. The Green Mountains specifically has the Smugglers’ Notch State Park, a lush and snowy forest ideal for camping and exploration. And if ever you want to reach Mount Mansfield’s summit, take the Auto Toll Road towards the top.
The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum showcases many historic ski gears that once belonged to legendary skiers. Stowe serenades one and all with jazz and other melodic genres during the Music in the Meadow event from July to August. On the other hand, the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival on October will have you chucking pumpkins for the fun of it. You might also fancy the Von Trapp Brewing Oktoberfest in the same month. Regardless of your thrilling activities in Stowe, consider first stowing your belongings at the Riverside Inn, the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, or Trapp Family Lodge.
Woodstock
Do not mistake the small town of Woodstock in Vermont with the Woodstock Festival that happened in New York. Although the shared name is pure coincidence alone, Woodstock is actually a fun and exciting place to visit in Vermont. Take the historic structures around the Green, which is the name of Woodstock’s town square. Among these old edifices is the pink sandstone structure of the Norman Williams Public Library from the 1880s.
Outside of Woodstock, you will find the Billings Farm and Museum where one can learn all about the life of dairy farmers from the 19th century. There is also a Queen Anne mansion from the 1800s at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. If you are one for exercise, then you should definitely climb to the tops of Mount Tom or Mount or wade and waddle along the Kedron Valley Pond and Silver Lake. Do not miss out on several Artistree music events like the Juan Nieves & Legado Orquestra on June. And do remember to book a room at either the Woodstock Inn & Resort, The Woodstocker B&B, or The Shire Woodstock.
Montpelier
Approximately 22 miles from Stowe, you will come upon the town of Montpelier, the capital city of Vermont. Although it is Vermont’s capital, it only has a population of 8,000, making it one of the few cities that exude the quaint and laidback air of a small town. It was named after the city of Montpelier in France, and today one can admire the 1859 Vermont State House for its golden dome and other beautiful features in its architecture. It even has a marble statue in its portico that resembles an American Revolutionary war hero named Ethan Allen. Let your feet take you through Hubbard Park’s many scenic trails, the banks of the Winooski River, or through the sinuous slopes of the Green Mountains. Let your mind familiarize itself with Montpelier’s inception at the Vermont History Center Museum. And let your eyes feast on theatrical and musical performances at the Lost Nation Theater. When all is said and done, you can be done with your daily activities and sleep safe and sound at either The Inn at Montpelier or High Hill Inn.
Grafton
Get ready to graft twigs and branches in the arboreal town of Grafton. Known for its rustic atmosphere and rural countryside, Grafton contains the Riverledge Farm for those wanting to appreciate the agricultural lifestyle. The Plummer’s Sugar House, on the other hand, is a thriving shop and business that sells maple syrup, maple candy, and other delicacies made of maple. The town’s Nature Museum showcases Vermont’s biodiversity. It is also where the annual Fairy House Festival occurs on the last weekend of September. At the Jud Hartman Gallery, you can gawk at a collection of bronze sculptures entitled “The Woodland Tribes of the Northeast.” Since Grafton is all about the outdoors, embark on Vermont’s many natural trails and treks in the Grafton Town Forest, the Beaver Deceivers International, the John Dorand State Forest, and Grafton Community Garden. Only about 39 miles from Woodstock, give yourself a break and a rest at the Grafton Inn, the Grafton Lodge, or The Inn At Woodchuck Hill Farm.
Manchester
Manchester is located within the Battenkill River Valley, a region that the Green Mountains cradles. From Manchester, one can brave the Appalachian Trail which meanders through the Taconic Range, the Appalachian Mountain Ranges, and the Green Mountains. Tour the Hildene mansion, former abode of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln. Delve into the depths of Dorset Quarry to see the many marble quarries that contributed much to dozens of opulent homes. Revel in Manchester’s art festivals and summer films at the Southern Vermont Art Center, and give yourself a much-needed sleep at the Equinox Resort, the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, or The Inn at Manchester.
Bennington
For people coming from New York and Massachusetts, Bennington is a convenient spot to first experience the wonders of Vermont. After all, Bennington is one of Vermont’s first towns since 1749. It was named after the colonial Governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth, and it was also the birthplace of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys who fought in the Battle of Bennington in 1777. The 306-foot-tall Bennington Battle Monument commemorates that particular skirmish. From atop this stone obelisk, you can also get a great view of New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
The Appalachian and Long Trails are noteworthy treks to traverse if you want to see the wilderness between three states. On July, the Bennington Trailfest hosts numerous activities for those wanting to go roaming about. The Everett Cave is open to all kinds of spelunkers, just as the Monument Arts & Cultural Center is open to musical performers and music-loving audiences everywhere. Only about 31 minutes from Manchester in the north, let some of the fine establishments of Bennington, such as the Autumn Inn and Four Chimneys Inn & Restaurant, satisfy your nightly necessities.
Dorset
Less than seven miles from Manchester, travelers will be captivated by the New England ambiance of Dorset. Situated on the rolling brooks and bends of the Mettawee River, Dorset contains a number of attractions within the Green Mountains. The Wilson House, for example, is a historic hotel where William Griffith Wilson became the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and its beneficial 12-step program. The Manley-Lefevre House, on the other hand, is the main headquarters of the Marble House Project—a multidisciplinary artist residency program that sees artists express their creativity in some of the town’s old marble quarries such as the Freedley Quarry. Backpackers can take their gear into the sublime Cutler Memorial Forest or the glittering Emerald Lake State Park. Earn yourself a grand view of Dorset and the Green Mountains from atop Owlhead Summit. Most importantly, find yourself a place to cozy up in the night at The Dorset Inn or the Aerie Inn.
Burlington
Burlington is a noticeably bigger community than the state capital of Montpelier. With a population of over 45,000, many people congregate to Burlington from Lake Champlain or from Canada in the north for the lively and lovely culture. The customer-friendly Church Street Marketplace is replete with shops and restaurants to satisfy everyone’s appetites. Similar to Bennington, Burlington honors the Green Mountain Boys and its leader, Ethan Allen, with the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. Then there is the Shelburne Museum, a massive collection of historic buildings each containing American folk and decorative artworks, including 1,400 wildfowl decoys and masterpieces of French Impressionism. One can charter boat trips or learn all about Lake Chaplain at the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Photographers will definitely find inspiration from the Burlington Earth Clock and especially from the World's Tallest Filing Cabinet. Afterwards, you can settle down and dream peacefully in opulent lodgings like the Hotel Vermont, Green Mountain Suites, or Homewood Suites by Hilton Burlington.
Named after the French phrase “les monts verts,” meaning “green mountains,” Vermont offers a perfect opportunity to explore the friendliest towns in the state to visit in 2024. Though there are little to no skyscrapers in any of these towns, there are certainly a few mountains and cliffs for you to appreciate the beautiful scenery. Where fierce battles were fought for the heart and future of America, and where and iconic heroes emerged in towns like Bennington, Vermont offers countless opportunities to enrich your visit. Let the humble attitudes of Montpelier and Burlington amaze you with a plethora of unique features. Finally, embark on a grand adventure through friendliest small towns in Vermont to visit in 2024.
