Vermont

10 Of The Most Captivating Small Towns In Vermont

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2024

10 Of The Most Captivating Small Towns In Vermont

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Powerball, Gimme 5 results for May 13, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at May 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing

22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from May 13 drawing

07-09-16-24-30

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 13 drawing

Day: 1-9-6

Evening: 3-5-0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 13 drawing

Day: 1-5-2-5

Evening: 8-6-5-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from May 13 drawing

06-13-24-35-41, Megaball: 01

Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 13 drawing

21-24-29-42-49, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

One Vermont school’s plan to survive? A bachelor’s in emergency services

Published

23 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

One Vermont school’s plan to survive? A bachelor’s in emergency services

Matthew Minich has pulled his fair share of all-nighters at the Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue station, where he’s been a volunteer firefighter for the past couple of years.

“Hopefully you get some time off during your shift where you can work on school work and get that stuff done,” he said, wrapping up a 12-hour shift the week before finals.

On a recent evening, he gave a tour of the station just across the street from the campus in Colchester, Vermont.

“It’s not a traditional classroom, but there is definitely a lot of learning going on here,” he said, pausing for a beat before adding: “Most of the time.”

Asked what’s going on the rest of the time, he laughed. “Shenanigans,” he said.

Between the shenanigans and responding to dozens of local emergency calls each year, the junior from Scituate is studying business administration. But next fall, when Saint Michael’s launches a new emergency services major, he plans to add it as a second field of study.

“I’ve fallen in love with this now,” said Minich, who was recently elected captain of the rescue unit. “I’ve decided that I want to do this for my career.”

The new program reflects the increasingly urgent choices facing small colleges across the country, where enrollment offices are often on fire as the number of traditional college-age students shrinks. It’s a long-predicted demographic cliff driven by falling birthrates after the 2008 recession, and many tuition-dependent schools are scrambling to survive as a result. Saint Michael’s is betting that career-focused programs such as emergency services, finance and nutrition, along with lower tuition and hands-on training, can help extinguish years of enrollment declines while preserving its liberal arts identity.

This all comes as American higher education becomes a winner-take-all market. Selective private colleges and flagship state universities continue to attract students and their tuition dollars while many smaller schools struggle to compete.

Saint Michael’s, founded 122 years ago in 1904, is among them.

Enrollment at the Catholic liberal arts college has fallen nearly 50% over the past decade. Net tuition revenue has dropped from about $70 million to roughly $40 million. More than 80% of applicants are admitted, and few pay full tuition.

So administrators are making sweeping changes. The college recently consolidated 20 academic departments into four interdisciplinary schools.

“We don’t have an English department anymore,” said Saint Michael’s president Richard Plumb matter-of-factly, sitting in his office wearing a flannel shirt.

Saint Michael’s College president Richard Plumb stands on campus in Colchester, Vt., on Friday, May 1. Plumb says artificial intelligence is fueling the decades-old debate over whether a liberal arts college degree is worth it. “What we can’t automate is judgment,” he says. “How do you know what is true? What is just and what really matters?”

Kirk Carapezza

GBH News

Plumb said the college is confronting the same demographic pressures reshaping campuses nationwide. That pressure is keen in Vermont, a state that consistently has one of the nation’s lowest birthrates.

“There will be fewer students going to college,” Plumb said plainly.

To compete for those students still choosing higher education, Saint Michael’s is now matching in-state tuition rates at flagship public universities in students’ home states.

“The vast majority of our students who we admit and don’t matriculate here go to large flagship schools,” Plumb said. “Fine. We’ll charge the same tuition.”

The strategy reflects how dramatically the market has shifted for smaller colleges. Deep tuition discounts, program cuts and department mergers are increasingly common as schools compete for a shrinking pool of students.

And it’s not just small colleges. Syracuse University announced in April that it would close 93 of its 460 academic programs, including 55 with no enrolled majors. The University of North Texas in Denton also plans to cut or consolidate more than 70 programs.

“Cutting programs that are under-enrolled or add little value is mission-critical, frankly,” said Michael Horn, co-founder of the Clayton Christenson Institute, which has long predicted widespread college closures and mergers based on demographic projections. “You basically have these zombie programs – one, two, three students, maybe. And part of the reason a lot of these schools keep it up is they feel like, ‘Oh, every university needs an English program, needs a Spanish program, needs these things that we associate with quote unquote ‘a normal college.’”

Looking ahead, Horn said, more colleges will be forced to confront whether there’s real demand for what they offer – both from students on campus and from the broader job market.

“This is the consolidation phase,” said Gary Stocker, a former administrator at Westminster College in Missouri and founder of College Viability, a company that tracks the financial health of higher education institutions and then makes it available to the public.

“There are way too many colleges, both public and private, and not enough students willing to pay even heavily discounted tuition,” he said.

Stocker is skeptical that adding programs like emergency services will be enough to offset broader financial pressures and enrollment headwinds.

“What are the colleges in the region going to do when they see St. Michael’s has a successful EMT program?” he asked. “They’re going to do one too.”

Federal data show that a decade ago, only about a dozen colleges offered crisis, emergency or disaster management programs. Today, more than 75 do.

Robert Kelchen, who studies higher education policy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, said career-oriented programs can attract students but they can also be expensive to operate.

“Giving people hands-on emergency training is not cheap,” he said. “If it brings in 20 students, is that enough to really make a difference on the budget?”

Saint Michael’s leaders believe it can.

The campus rescue station was created in 1969 after the death of a student exposed gaps in local emergency medical services. The unit has long been student-run and supported by nearby communities. An alumni donor recently provided funding to help launch the new academic program.

Provost Gretchen Galbraith hopes the emergency services major will initially attract 15 to 20 students this fall and eventually generate enough revenue to support other parts of the college.

From her office window, Galbraith looks out onto a campus garden filled with stones engraved with nouns, verbs and adjectives.

She says the school is trying to answer a broader question increasingly posed by students and their tuition-paying parents: What is a liberal arts education worth in the age of artificial intelligence?

“I understand AI can make music and paintings, but they can’t make art,” Galbraith said. “Or word gardens.”

“Yes, you can write a perfectly decent and boring essay with AI,” she added. “But if you can find your own voice, that is so powerful.”

Faculty members worry the growing skepticism toward liberal arts signals a broader cultural shift away from deep and complex thinking.

“I think that’s the most frustrating thing to me,” said history professor Jen Purcell, who will begin teaching a medieval history course this fall after a longtime faculty member retired and was not replaced.

“If I had another life to live,” she said with a laugh, “I’d have been a medievalist.”

Matthew Minich’s fire helmet rests inside his locker at the Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue station in Colchester, Vt., on Thursday April 30, 2026.

For now, Matthew Minich is still writing papers, finding his voice and balancing overnight rescue shifts with his classes. He believes the emergency services major could attract his peers who might otherwise skip college altogether, or else choose a larger university.

“They want to go to football games and they want to have frats and have a good time with 30,000, 100,000 other people,” he said. “I wanted to do that too.”

But Minich says he chose a much smaller school environment in northern Vermont where professors know him personally — and where the fire and rescue station gives him something many colleges now promise prospective students: practical, hand-on experience tied directly to a career.

And, of course, there are the shenanigans, too.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for May 12, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at May 12, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from May 12 drawing

17-32-35-40-47, Mega Ball: 17

Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from May 12 drawing

11-18-32-33-39

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 12 drawing

Day: 3-0-9

Evening: 6-6-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 12 drawing

Day: 8-1-6-1

Evening: 1-4-7-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 12 drawing

19-21-35-38-53, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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