8 Of The Most Quaint Small Towns In Vermont

Vermont became a state in 1791 — the fourteenth of the United States, just after the group of US states that together formed the Thirteen Original Colonies. Ever since then, Vermont's mix of lakes, mountains, and central location in New England and nearby neighboring Canada make the place a destination of choice. In its quaint small towns especially, the best of the state's attributes shine through. Whether for first-time visitors or those who return time and again, Vermont's natural and cultural attractions ensure something for everyone. 

Manchester

Manchester sits in the state's southwest, with about 4,500 residents. The town offers a sense of exceptional history — and it does it in style. Hildene, the name of the stately home of Abraham Lincoln's son Robert, has a huge Georgian Revival mansion and draws visitors from around the world. So, too, does Manchester's American Museum of Fly Fishing, with its bright displays of rods, flies, and other fishing gear from the past and present. The town is the headquarters of the fishing and clothing brand Orvis, popular among older Americans and outdoorsy types of all ages. For a little local culture, the Southern Vermont Arts Center offers exhibits, a sculpture garden, and a performing arts space, as well as forest trails and walking paths. Hikers should make for Mount Equinox west of town or the Green Mountain National Forest to Manchester's south. 

Burlington

Burlington, in northwestern Vermont, is the state's most populous town — but that does not mean it is a big place. The town's population is a modest 44,600. Like many of Vermont's historic places, the town offers a blend of history and bundles of charm. Church Street Marketplace allows for great shopping and strolling. Its four blocks were named in 2022 the "Best Public Square" in the United States by the newspaper USA Today. Other town highlights include the Flynn Center for Performing Arts, Burlington City Arts, and the Fleming Museum of Art. Burlington is likewise home to the University of Vermont and Champlain College, which form the town's vibrant University District. For fresh-air fans, the Burlington Waterfront provides city views and perspectives on this great Vermont town. The town sits on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, the sixth-largest lake in the United States, which lies mostly south of the Canadian border, making the town a convenient stop for Canadians looking for a quaint trip into the US. 

Stowe

With 5,300 full-time residents, Stowe may be the top skiing and snowboarding destination in the state. Home to the Stowe Mountain Resort, the town claims to be the "ski capital of the east," meaning the eastern United States. Sitting in the shadow of the picturesque Mount Mansfield, the town offers outdoor fun beyond the winter months, too. Among Stowe's cultural attractions is the home of the von Trapp family, the owners of the eponymous Trapp Family Lodge. The history of the Von Trapp family would later be used as material for the movie The Sound of Music. The lodge remains in operation today. Since 2002, Stowe has been home to the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. 

Montpelier

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont, but with 8,000 residents, this north-central town ranks as the single-smallest capital "city" among US states. Yet Montpelier's small size contrasts with its broad set of fascinating places. Settled in 1787, just before Vermont achieved statehood, the town has many points of interest, from the Vermont State House and the Vermont History Museum to the picturesque Hubbard Park north of town. The history museum is housed in the Pavilion, a multi-purpose building that also hosts the office of the state governor. Visitors can adopt the state's environment-friendly attitude and travel there by Amtrak train. The station lies two miles south of town on a northeast regional service called, appropriately, the Vermonter. 

Woodstock

Woodstock, not to be confused with the same-named town and 1969 cultural moment in upstate New York, has a population of 3,000. This southeastern Vermont town offers a great deal to attract fans of 19th-century history and architecture: the Woodstock Village Historic District has highlights like the Lincoln Covered Bridge, built in 1877, and the First Congregational Church, erected in 1890. The Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park gives spectacular views of the area — and it is the only part of the US national park system in Vermont aside from the Appalachian Trail. The Billings Farm and Museum, once owned by the Rockefeller family, includes a working dairy farm and a farmhouse built in 1890. 

Newport

Newport, in the state's northeastern corner, boasts a modest 4,400 inhabitants and a rich history of entertainment. First settled in 1793, the former lumber town sits on the southern shore of Lake Memphremagog, which forms part of the US-Canada border and has for generations been a popular destination in warm weather. The town's motto, "Genuine by Nature," fits the natural setting and Vermont's quaint essence very well. The town's International Club was once a hot ticket for good times, music, and especially dancing — during the period between the world wars, its dancefloor was New England's largest. Performers like Louis Armstrong, Rosemary Clooney (an aunt of movie star George Clooney), and many others have graced its stage.

Bennington

Bennington, with 15,300 inhabitants, has beckoned adrenaline junkies and intellectual thinkers since 1749, the year of its founding. It is a double-college town, being home to Bennington College and Southern Vermont College. Bennington was a hotbed of activity during the American Revolutionary Era. More recent histories show up in places like the town's Park-McCullough Historic Governor's Mansion, a Victorian home built between 1864 and 1865 with no fewer than 35 rooms. The town also hosts the Bennington Battle Monument, a stone obelisk honoring the 1777 Revolutionary War battle fought here. At 306 feet tall, the monument is Vermont's tallest human-made structure.

Brattleboro

Brattleboro, population 12,100, has much to intrigue the out-of-town visitor. Popular outings here include the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center and the Estey Organ Museum, from when the town was a hub of musical instrument production. Outdoors enthusiasts will want to seek out the Brattleboro Words Trail — which connects visitors to the state's most famous stories and storytellers — as well as Fort Dummer State Park, which has biking, hiking, and camping possibilities. Tucked into the state's southeast corner, near New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Brattleboro serves as a handy base for exploring central New England as a region. 

Vermont's Small Towns Show The Best Of The State

Clearly, Vermont has a lot to attract visitors, and the state's quaint small towns may just have the best of Vermont for the interested tourist. Not for nothing is the state's tourism motto — "Vermont, Naturally" — focused on the charms of its mountains, lakes, rivers, and green spaces. Just as Newport is "genuine by nature," so, too, is Vermont's honest-to-goodness blend of great culture and the great outdoors. From northern Newport to Bennington, Brattleboro, and back again, Vermont has enough to entice travelers for many future visits.