Vermont’s small towns celebrate everything that makes this state so unique: scenic beauty, rich history, and a deep sense of community. From charming villages in the mountains to lakeside gems and historic havens, these towns invite visitors to slow down, soak in their character, and discover hidden treasures. Whether you’re drawn to the rustic landscapes, vibrant arts scenes, or the warmth of local traditions, Vermont’s small towns offer the perfect opportunity to experience the Green Mountain State at its finest.
Stowe
Aerial view of Stowe, Vermont with mountains and colorful fall trees.
Stowe is Vermont’s exemplary small town in the Green Mountains, with stunning views of Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak. Known for its year-round appeal, Stowe is one of the most popular destinations in Vermont, attracting visitors for outdoor adventures like skiing and snowboarding in winter at the renowned Stowe Mountain Resort.
In the warmer months, hiking enthusiasts flock to trails such as the Stowe Pinnacle Trail, a challenging hike with rewarding views at the summit, and the Mount Mansfield Ridge Trail, which takes you along the longest and highest ridge in Vermont. Fall brings another wave of visitors for fall foliage as the town’s dense forests turn into a vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow leaves.
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Popular spots in town include The Green Cup Café, known for its cozy atmosphere and fresh, locally sourced meals, and Stowe Mercantile, a quaint general store selling local goods, handmade Vermont crafts, and specialty foods. For a true taste of the area, head to The Trapp Family Lodge, where visitors can explore the beautiful grounds and enjoy a traditional Austrian meal at the lodge’s restaurant—owned by the von Trapp family of The Sound of Music fame.
Woodstock
Early autumn foliage with houses in the mountains of Woodstock, Vermont.
Woodstock is one of Vermont’s most scenic towns, known for its iconic landmarks like the Middle Covered Bridge and Taftsville Covered Bridge, which add timeless charm to the landscape.
At the heart of Woodstock is the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, a tribute to Vermont’s conservation legacy. Visitors can tour the historic mansion, stroll through gardens, and explore scenic hiking trails. For art lovers, the Gallery on the Green and Collective—The Art of Craft are must-visit spots that showcase works by talented regional artists. Woodstock also hosts annual cultural events, such as the Woodstock Film Series and art shows, which draw visitors year-round.
Woodstock’s culinary scene is equally vibrant. A local favorite is the farm-to-table restaurant The Prince & The Pauper, renowned for its seasonal Vermont-inspired dishes.
Manchester
Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont. Editorial credit: Theresa Lauria / Shutterstock.com
Set against the majestic Green Mountains, Manchester boasts a quaint village center and an appealing blend of history, nature, and refined shopping experiences. A major historical landmark is Hildene, the grand estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son. Visitors to Hildene can tour the elegant mansion, explore its breathtaking formal gardens, and enjoy sweeping views of the Green Mountains from the property.
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For outdoor enthusiasts, The Equinox Preservation Trust has the popular Equinox Mountain Trail, a challenging hike to the summit of Equinox Mountain, where panoramic views of the valleys and peaks await. Manchester’s proximity to the Battenkill River makes it a top destination for fly fishing, while Lye Brook Falls Trail and Prospect Rock Trail include scenic hiking opportunities through Vermont’s lush landscapes.
The village center is an inviting area to explore, with upscale shopping at the Manchester Designer Outlets and local art at Tilting at Windmills Gallery, showcasing works by regional and national artists. Food lovers will find a treat at The Silver Fork, a local restaurant known for its fusion of global flavors and fresh Vermont ingredients, and Mistral’s at Toll Gate, which is a delightful dining experience along the Battenkill River.
Middlebury
Two Adirondack chairs overlooking Vermont foliage at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont.
Middlebury is set in Vermont’s scenic western region and has a mixture of history, culture, and nature, making it a captivating town to visit. Middlebury College enhances the town’s arts and culture scene, drawing visitors to the Mahaney Arts Center. For a touch of local history, the Vermont Folklife Center has exhibits and workshops that celebrate and preserve the region’s cultural traditions. Another historical landmark is the beautiful Middlebury Congregational Church. Visitors can also take in the picturesque Middlebury Falls, Otter Creek, and the Battell Bridge, which overlooks the rushing waters.
Middlebury also serves as a gateway to the scenic shores of Lake Champlain. Button Bay State Park has hiking trails, lakefront walks, and swimming, while the lake itself is popular for kayaking and fishing.
Middlebury’s food scene is deeply rooted in Vermont’s agricultural heritage. The Storm Café, located along the river, and American Flatbread Middlebury Hearth, known for its wood-fired pizzas made with local ingredients, are standout spots for farm-to-table dining. Middlebury also hosts a vibrant farmers’ market that showcases fresh local produce, artisan cheeses, and Vermont specialties.
Montpelier
Skyline of Montpelier, Vermont in autumn.
As the state capital, Montpelier is a small town with a big personality. Despite being the seat of government, Montpelier has managed to retain its small-town feel, with a population of just over 8,000 people. The town is known for its stunning neoclassical Vermont State House, where visitors can take a guided tour and learn about the state’s history and government.
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Capitol Grounds Café serves freshly roasted coffee and baked goods in a welcoming setting for a cozy coffee break, while Three Penny Taproom is a popular spot for sampling Vermont’s famed craft beer. Notable shops include The Drawing Board, a beloved local art supply store that doubles as a gallery for local artwork, and Buch Spieler Records. The town also hosts numerous festivals annually, including the Montpelier Farmers Market, which brings together local farmers, artisans, and food vendors to celebrate Vermont’s agricultural bounty.
For outdoor lovers, the town’s proximity to the Winooski River means opportunities for kayaking, while nearby hiking trails like North Branch River Park Trail and East Montpelier Trail provide stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Waitsfield
Aerial view of Waitsfield, Vermont and the Mad River on Scenic Route 100 in autumn.
Located in the Mad River Valley, Waitsfield is a quintessential Vermont town known for its relaxed pace of life and stunning natural surroundings. The nearby Mad River is perfect for a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, tubing, and fishing, while the surrounding mountains provide excellent hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities, with popular trails like Sunset Ledge Trail.
The nearby Sugarbush Resort has world-class skiing and snowboarding in winter, and its scenic chairlift rides provide incredible views of the valley in the warmer months. Waitsfield is also home to numerous festivals, including the Mad River Valley Bluegrass Festival, which celebrates Vermont’s music and community spirit.
Brattleboro
Spring aerial view of Brattleboro, Vermont. Editorial credit: SEALANDSKYPHOTO / Shutterstock.com
Brattleboro is a dynamic, artsy town that is always buzzing with creativity. Its location along the Connecticut River provides a beautiful setting, and the town’s vibrant arts scene is one of its defining features. Brattleboro has numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues, making it a hub for Vermont’s artistic community. Notable spots include the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, which hosts contemporary art exhibits; Latchis Theatre, an Art Deco-style venue that hosts films and live performances; and Stone Church, a popular music venue housed in a beautifully repurposed historic building.
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The town also hosts events like the Brattleboro Literary Festival, which draws visitors from all over to celebrate the written word, and the Brattleboro Farmers Market, where local vendors showcase Vermont’s finest produce and artisan goods. Brattleboro’s historic district, with its mix of antique shops and eclectic cafes, has plenty to explore. The town also has several beautiful parks and walking trails, including the Retreat Farm and the nearby Putney Mountain for scenic hikes.
Jeffersonville
Grist Mill Covered Bridge surrounded by fall foliage in Cambridge, Vermont.
A small town that packs a big punch, Jeffersonville is a hidden gem in northern Vermont. In the Green Mountains, this picturesque town provides easy access to Smugglers’ Notch State Park, where visitors can enjoy scenic trails like Sterling Pond Trail for hiking, as well as skiing and wildlife spotting. White-tailed deer and red foxes are common, while black bears can sometimes be seen in the park’s more remote areas. Birdwatchers may spot species like the peregrine falcon, pileated woodpecker, and various types of hawks.
Jeffersonville’s downtown brims with small-town appeal, featuring local businesses like The Farm Store, which specializes in Vermont-made goods, and Mootsies Bakery, known for its delicious pastries and fresh bread. Nearby Smugglers’ Notch Resort has family-friendly skiing experiences with fewer crowds than larger resorts, making it ideal for a relaxed getaway.
Hardwick
North Main Street in Hardwick, Vermont. By Vertexn, Wikimedia Commons
Hardwick is a town that exemplifies Vermont’s agricultural heart. It’s known for its thriving local food scene, with farms providing fresh produce, meats, and artisanal goods that are celebrated at the Hardwick Farmers Market. The town is home to the High Mowing Organic Seeds farm, one of the largest organic seed companies in the country, and the neighboring Cellars at Jasper Hill, which produces world-renowned artisanal cheeses.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Hardwick is surrounded by lush, accessible landscapes perfect for all-season adventure. Nearby Lake Elmore is a local favorite. Its pristine waters are ideal for fishing, kayaking, and swimming in the summer months, and trails like the Elmore Mountain Trail lead to the summit for sweeping views of the Vermont countryside. In winter, the area around the Craftsbury Outdoor Center provides opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even ice fishing.
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Hardwick’s strong sense of community is evident in its local events, including the annual Hardwick Fall Festival, which brings together food, music, and crafts to celebrate the region’s agricultural roots.
Shelburne
Beautiful property off Shelburne Road in Shelburne, Vermont. Editorial credit: John Arehart / Shutterstock.com
Shelburne is a beautiful town located on the shores of Lake Champlain and has some of the most scenic views in Vermont. The town is home to the renowned Shelburne Museum, an expansive 45-acre property featuring a collection of over 150,000 pieces of American art and artifacts—including a restored 220-foot steamboat “Ticonderoga.” Just down the road, Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre working farm, and nonprofit environmental education center, sits on a beautiful lakeside property where visitors can explore the grounds via the Farm Trail or Lone Tree Hill Trail, both with peaceful walks through meadows, woodlands, and gardens.
Shelburne’s waterfront is a hub for outdoor activities. Shelburne Bay Park has hiking trails with sweeping lake views and access to kayaking and paddleboarding. Views of the distant Adirondack Mountains add a stunning backdrop for boating and picnicking.
You’ll find a mix of beloved local spots in the town’s quaint village center. Stop by the rustic-farmhouse-style Village Wine and Coffee for a morning espresso, or enjoy brunch at Rustic Roots. The Bearded Frog serves creative New American cuisine for dinner, and Folino’s Wood-Fired Pizza provides casual dining with locally sourced toppings and a brewery next door.
Discover Vermont’s Hidden Gems
Vermont’s small towns are rich in character and charm, each with its own unique appeal. From stunning landscapes to historic landmarks and tight-knit communities, these towns glimpse the heart of Vermont. Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of the mountains, the tranquility of lakesides, or the warmth of local traditions, Vermont’s small towns promise an unforgettable experience for any visitor. So take the time to explore these gems and discover the essence of Vermont at its most captivating.
I was a senior in high school when 9/11 happened. I will never forget where I was or how the day unfolded. I wasn’t yet 18, but my entire adult life would be shaped by that event. Soon after, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, and then Iraq. U.S. involvement in Afghanistan would last 21 years, and at one point Vermont would have the highest per-capita population of servicemembers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq in the nation.
Over the last three years as the Executive Director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, I’ve met countless veterans, former aid workers, lawyers, contractors, and others who worked in Afghanistan. U.S. efforts focused on everything from counterterrorism and the rule of law to education and agriculture.
During the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the U.S. evacuated an estimated 125,000 Afghan allies. That was only a fraction of those who had worked with the U.S. government over two decades. An estimated 145,000 Afghans eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) were left behind, along with countless wives and children. Many men evacuated in 2021 were told to leave their families behind with the promise of reunification within a year, yet separation continues.
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The Vermont Afghan Alliance began in 2022 as a scrappy, GoFundMe-funded, volunteer-led effort to help newly arriving Afghans learn to drive and obtain a license. In Vermont, we all know that without a car, employment options shrink quickly. Today, Afghan allies live in more than a dozen towns—from St. Albans to Bennington and Rutland to Hartford—well beyond traditional resettlement hubs like Burlington.
In 2023, I joined the Alliance as an “interim” executive director to help grow and professionalize the organization. While I never worked in Afghanistan, I spent much of my twenties with the International Committee of the Red Cross, promoting U.S. compliance with the Geneva Conventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and at Guantánamo. My brother served in Iraq, and like so many of my generation, my adult life has been shaped by the so-called “Global War on Terror.”
I felt a deep responsibility to a community that had risked so much in support of U.S. missions abroad. I also felt a strong sense of Vermont’s hospitality—that if you welcome someone into your home, at a minimum you provide food, shelter, and safety. Finally, as someone long concerned about our demographics, the truth is simple: we are not going to birth our way out of our workforce crisis. The solution lies in welcoming people—and their talents—from across the country and the world.
Since 2023, the Alliance, together with community partners, has welcomed and served an estimated 650 Afghan allies statewide with employment, driving lessons, housing assistance, immigration legal services, civic education, health programming, and more. We’ve partnered with dozens of employers across northern Vermont eager to hire Afghan allies and willing to make small workplace adjustments. Through our driving program alone, more than 60 individuals have passed the Vermont road test. From manufacturing to healthcare, education to commercial truck driving, Afghan allies are filling high-demand jobs, strengthening our rural economy, and enriching our communities.
A recent USCRI policy report found that Afghan allies nationwide have contributed an estimated $1.79 billion in local, state, and federal taxes, including contributions to Medicare and Social Security. Contrary to harmful rhetoric, Afghan allies are not a “drain” on the system—their contributions far outweigh the short-term support provided during resettlement.
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A damaging narrative suggesting Afghan allies are “unvetted” or pose a security risk to this country is circulating from Washington. In reality, those fleeing the Taliban are among the most thoroughly vetted individuals in this country—they were screened during employment with the U.S. government, during immigration processing, and again with every status adjustment.
Afghan allies are our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. At the Alliance, the majority of staff and board members are Afghan allies themselves—thoughtful, courageous, emerging leaders raised in an Afghanistan backed by the U.S. They understand, as deeply as we do, the hope and possibility that come with a free and democratic society. I’ve been inspired daily by what these young leaders have achieved for Vermont and the talents they’ve already contributed to our state.
I’ll soon step back from the Alliance to make space for new leadership and a new chapter for the organization. What began as an interim role became far more meaningful than I ever expected. As for what’s next, I hope to bring what I’ve learned back into state government, where I can have a broader impact as we continue to address our demographic crisis and the policies coming from Washington.
To the state and local leaders, community partners, and volunteers I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside over the last few years—thank you. I’m inspired and amazed by what we can accomplish when we pool our resources and talents around a common purpose. I’m excited for the Alliance’s next chapter and for all we can continue to achieve for our newest neighbors and Vermont.
BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Bennington man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced on Monday on aggravated domestic assault charges.
Max Misch, the once self-described white nationalist who has made headlines before for hate crime and gun charges, will spend six months in jail with credit for time served and two years on probation for domestic assault.
He pleaded guilty to the charge last month after authorities said he admitted to hitting a woman he knew.
His conditions of probation include avoiding contact with his victim and not possessing any deadly weapons.
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
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▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
