Vermont is a wilderness wonderland and a model New England state. This relatively small state bordering Canada is distinguished by its stunningly rough topography. Mountains are home to some of the best Small Towns in Vermont ski areas in the world and have produced Winter Olympians.
For summertime enjoyment, hiking and mountain bike paths wind through those places. Glassy pools can be found in lakes surrounded by woodlands, making for lazy, misty days. Meanwhile, tiny communities in Vermont are home to museums, monuments, and historic structures that tell the past of the early American colony and the country.
charming towns in vermont
1. Bennington
The Bennington Engagement Memorial honors the location of a significant American War of Independence engagement that took place close to this historic Vermont town. Constructed in 1889, this 93-meter obelisk honors the battle of 1777.
The Park-McCullough Historic House, located nearby, is one of the best-preserved specimens of Victorian architecture in the New England region. The public is also welcome to see this 35-room home. Historic structures that have been there since the town’s inception more than 250 years ago are abundant in Bennington’s downtown district.
2. Warren
Nestled between two peaks of the verdant Green Mountains lies the small village of Warren in the Mad River Valley. Since the first ski lift was constructed in the valley in the 1930s, skiing has gained popularity in the area.
As ski resorts grew in the 1950s, the town began to draw jet-set celebrities, such as the Kennedys, who came to vacation on the slopes. Warren Falls is a natural swimming location in a crystal-clear canyon surrounded by the splendor of the mountains. In the summertime, both residents and tourists swarm there to cool down.
3. Middlebury
Middlebury, located in Addison County, is a valuable resource for learning about Vermont’s past. The Vermont History Henry Sheldon Museum, established in 1882, is home to a small but extensive collection of antiques and artwork. Similarly, the town’s Vermont Folklife Center is an excellent resource for learning about Vermont culture.
In addition to its rich past and impressive architecture, Middlebury is next to the tranquil Lake Dunmore, a lake surrounded by a forest ideal for hiking and bicycling. The less daring Battell Park is closer to town and ideal for a stroll in the middle of the vermont quaint towns forest.
4. Waterbury
Waterbury sits in the heart of Vermont, tucked away amidst the breathtaking Green Mountains. For those who enjoy being outside, the town offers a plethora of sights and activities. The opportunity to experience skiing in the new snowfall during the winter or try something new, like dog sledding, sleigh rides, and snowshoeing, is available.
As spring approaches, the Green Mountain Forest draws enthusiastic campers and hikers to the region. This place offers more than scenic views—you can also indulge in locally sourced produce from Vermont. Visit the Green Mountain Coffee Shop or the Cold Hollow Cider Mill for a refreshing beverage. While there, you can taste the locally produced, renowned Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
5. Burke
Burke is well-known for being close to Burke Mountain, a 1,000-meter mountain that offers fantastic summer hiking and excellent winter skiing (due to the Burke Mountain Ski Area).
The volunteer-maintained mountain bike paths are ideal for cross-country skiing in the winter. Swimming in the neighboring Lakes, Willoughby, and Crystal, is excellent in the summer when the weather is nice. Hiking around Mount Hor and Mount Pisgah offers even more outdoor enjoyment.
6. Hartford
Hartford was established in 1971 and comprises the five communities of Hartford, Quechee, West Hartford, White River Junction, and Wilder. The town of Ottauquechee is situated at the meeting point of the White, the Connecticut, and the Ottauquechee. The area’s history revolves around these three rivers.
Today, the daily Amtrak Vermonter train connects Hartford to New York, bringing tourists to experience the area’s unpretentious charm.
The Northern Stage Theater and the Main Street Museum are the town’s many small, independently-owned shops and museums where you may learn more about the local culture.
7. Weston
Visit the Vermont village of Weston in Windsor County if you’re looking for some classic charm. The Clapboard Inn at Weston, dating back to 1848, is a charming little spot for a full breakfast. Alternatively, you may visit the quaint towns in vermont, Weston Priory, which is home to a small community of Benedictine Monks and occasionally hosts public services in the little chapel.
8. Waitsfield
Situated in a valley between the Northfield Mountains and the Green Mountains, Waitsfield is encircled by verdant fields and scattered with historic farmhouses. The town is a welcoming community that was established on agriculture and receives a large number of tourists who come to enjoy the surrounding skiing. As a result, many 19th-century farmhouses have been transformed into enjoyable B&Bs for families where visitors may unwind amidst the splendor of the surroundings.
In addition, Waitsfield has an excellent range of dining options, including vegetarian, Mexican, and even French restaurants. To wash down all of that mouthwatering food, the area includes a terrific IPA brewery.
9. Shelburne
Shelburne is situated on the banks of Lake Champlain, a sizable body of water that covers 514 square miles and borders neighboring Quebec, Canada, across its crystalline surface. This lakefront setting, if nothing else, produces some breathtaking sunsets. Naturally, though, Lake Champlain is ideal for swimming, sailing, and just dipping your toes in the water at the beach—all activities best enjoyed in the summer.
The Shelburne Museum, a sizable facility brimming with everything from impressionist artworks to Americana curios, is notably located in this town. You can also visit a vintage riverboat, one of the two side-paddle-wheel passenger steamers that still exist.
10. Stowe
Nestled amidst the Green Mountains, Stowe is widely recognized as a ski destination because of its proximity to Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. The Stowe Community Church, with its distinctive white tower dating back to 1963, the General Store that has been in business since 1895, and the remarkable Stowe Theater Guild are just a few of the city’s notable features. After all that touring, remember to grab some locally produced beers at Stowe Public House.
11. Grafton
Grafton, one of the most picturesque towns in Vermont, had an unusual origin for its name. The right to rename it—known as Thomlinson—was put up for auction in 1791 for $5 and some rum, with the successful bidder naming it after Grafton, Massachusetts, where he was raised. One of the foundation’s projects was to bury all phone and electricity wires, contributing to Grafton’s need to put them in the right place.
12. Dorset
Dorset, a town founded in the late 17th century, was a key player in the short-lived Vermont Republic. The oldest marble quarry in America is also located there.
Though the Dorset Quarry is no longer in use, it has since closed. This is a well-liked swimming hole in the summer, with many places to jump in. Furthermore, there are numerous hiking trails in the vicinity. For those who want a taste of the great outdoors, Dorset Mountain, which is close by, is another fantastic location.
13. Woodstock
Beyond its ancient structures, Woodstock is home to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, a verdant slice of nature begging to be explored.
The pioneering dairy farm known as The Billings Farm and Museum, which dates back to 1890 and was previously owned by Laurance Rockefeller, is located within the park. Still, the town center has enough historic structures to admire. Indeed, there are numerous structures in the Woodstock Village Historic District that date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, such as the Norman Williams Public Library.
14. Chester
Chester is a great place to visit for those looking for a charming taste of New England. Its main street is lined with lovely old houses and shops, providing an enjoyable day of eating, wandering, and perusing.
It’s a pleasant, intriguing area to visit any time of year, thanks to several annual festivities, such as the Big Buzz Chainsaw Carving Festival, Chester Fall Festival, and Winter Festival.
15. Manchester
Manchester possesses a truly remarkable combination of old buildings and charming steeples. Although the cute towns vermont, town’s structures, such as the Lincoln Family Home in Hildene and the Bennington County Courthouse(the historic summer residence of Abraham Lincoln’s first son), captivate your attention, there’s much more to do than merely take in the stunning architecture.
Although the nearby Bromley Mountain is ideal for skiing in the winter, thrill-seekers should come here in the summer to experience one of the state’s longest ziplines. Only a few hundred thousand acres of pure wilderness await hikers, cyclists, and strollers in the neighboring Green Mountain National Forest.
