Vermont is famous for many reasons. Between 19th-century covered bridges steeped in history, gorgeous mountainous backdrops, and being the top maple syrup producer in the US, there are plenty of reasons to fall in love with The Green Mountain State. With their incredible scenery, architectural gems, and mouthwatering delicacies, these towns have extraordinary centers to explore. Whether you start with the historic art spaces of Brattleboro or the tale-ridden landmarks of Stowe, discover the best downtowns in Vermont.
Burlington
Festival of Fool in Burlington, Vermont. Editorial credit: John Zegar / Shutterstock.com.
Not only is Burlington, also referred to as “The Queen City,” a wonderful winter sports destination surrounded by five ski areas—but the beautiful city also has a charming downtown area with pedestrian-only streets and quaint boutiques that will capture your heart.
Church Street Marketplace, a bustling open-air mall known for its historic architecture, has over 100 shops and restaurants. You will also find incredible local breweries, year-round festivals, music performances, and street entertainers here. Sip on a warm latte from a local cafe as you make your way from shop to shop, wandering through the captivating cobblestone streets covered in lights.
From there, head west to Waterfront Park. You can see breathtaking views of Lake Champlain—named after French Explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1609, and New York’s Adirondack Mountains in the back. Pay a visit to ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a nature and science museum with over 100 interactive exhibits and 70 species where you can learn more about the lake.
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Stowe
Downtown Stowe, Vermont, via redtea / iStock.com
Home to the iconic Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe is not only known as the “Ski Capital of the East “ but also has a picturesque, walkable downtown area explorable by foot. With quaint streets surrounding the foot of Mount Mansfield—the tallest mountain in Vermont, sitting at a peak of 1,339 metres, this New England village is particularly charming with its 19th-century buildings.
Capture some captivating photos of the Stowe Community Church, one of the oldest non-denominational churches in the US, founded in 1863. Enjoy a rich cup of gourmet hot chocolate as you indulge in premium truffles and shop for mouthwatering gifts at Lake Champlain Chocolates.
Discover how vibrant flower boxes perfectly line Main Street in the summer, or see how the white lights illuminate the winter path. If you head further east, you can visit the legendary Gold Brook Covered Bridge, constructed in 1844. This landmark is also known as “Emily’s Bridge” and has become famous for its reported supernatural sightings following the tale of a young woman’s ghost.
Brattleboro
Main Street in Brattleboro, Vermont. Editorial credit: Bob Korn / Shutterstock.com.
From Greek Revival to Victorian and Modernist buildings, Brattleboro has a fascinating mix of architectural styles. It is no surprise the Brattleboro Downtown Historic District, located by the Connecticut River, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
This beautiful town features unique landmarks like the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Founded in 1972, the contemporary art museum was opened in the 1915-built Union Station and is the perfect place to see how Brattleboro perfectly combines its preserved history with a thriving arts scene. For a unique sensory experience, book a ticket to a concert in The Stone Church. This 140-year-old Victorian Gothic Church was transformed into a live music venue in 2017, hosting international artists while preserving its original character.
Explore the galleries, cafes, restaurants, and museums as you meander from shop to shop. Choose from a rich collection of books by progressive, original authors in Everyone’s Books. Plus, since Vermont is recognized for its award-winning cheese, stop by the community-owned Brattleboro Food Co-op to taste and pick up some delicious locally-made varieties.
Newport
View of the Newport Marina in the town of Newport, Vermont. Editorial credit: Erika J Mitchell / Shutterstock.com
On the southern shores of Lake Memphremagog lies Newport, the northernmost city in Vermont. This fascinating outdoor adventure destination also has a charming small-town vibe with an activity-packed downtown area.
See the stunning lake from Newport City Dock, the perfect place for a picnic, jog, or stroll. You can also rent a bike and cycle along the lake’s shores, exploring one of the Rail Trails—transportation corridors that connect the state’s towns with landscapes—up to the Quebec-Vermont border.
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Discover the Goodrich Memorial Library, the largest public library in Orleans County and a historic site that opened in 1899. The Haskell Free Library & Opera House is another unique attraction—a library spanning two countries! You can find French and English material across the Canada-US border, separated by a black line made from tape.
Manchester
Street view in Manchester, Vermont.
If you head further southwest, you will find Manchester. Nestled within the Green Mountains, at the foothills of Mount Equinox, this quaint town is not only known for its immense natural beauty, but also for its rich history and famed cultural attractions.
See the extraordinary exhibits at Hildene The Lincoln Family Home, built by Robert (the only son of former US President Abraham Lincoln) and his wife Mary in 1905. Head on a blast into the past as you explore the family home of the Lincolns, with its famous pipe organ, iconic Pullman car, incredible goat farm, and breathtaking gardens.
Dive into the history of pinball at the Pastime Pinball Museum arcade, where you will find 66 machines dating from the 1950s to today. Soak up the beauty of the town as you venture through the Manchester Designer Outlets, an outdoor mall known for its eateries, New England-style buildings, and brand-name items. Enjoy a scenic drive west to the Southern Vermont Arts Center, featuring art from both US and international artists across a diverse range of exhibits.
Montpelier
Farmers Market at State Street and Main in Montpelier, Vermont. Image credit Phill Truckle via Shutterstock
Dubbed the smallest capital city in the US with a population of roughly 8,000 people, Montpelier may be one of the most underrated destinations in America. This gorgeous green city has natural attractions like Hubbard Park, home to seven miles of scenic trails and a 54-foot stone observation tower, in addition to its notable historic buildings.
After nearly 160 years, the Vermont State House is one of America’s oldest state capitols. This Greek Revival site, with its legendary gold dome, is an architectural gem housing significant pieces of state art. Make sure you visit the legislative chambers and see the Governor’s Office here.
The Vermont History Museum holds interactive exhibits to teach visitors about the state’s past. Head on a fascinating journey from the 1600s to present-day Vermont with the Freedom and Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories exhibit, amongst others. From there, head slightly north to visit Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. You can try some of the finest maple products in the US and learn about the heritage of Vermont sugar-making on a family farm.
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Middlebury
Main Street in Middlebury, Vermont. By Alan Levine, Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Every traveler is bound to fall in love with Middlebury. Between the gorgeous backdrops of the Green and Adirondack Mountains, the stunning views of the 18-foot Middlebury Falls from Otter Creek Bridge, and the lovely 18-mile TAM (Trail Around Middlebury) path surrounding the village, nature fanatics will have plenty to see.
Creatives will be happy to hear that the Middlebury College Museum of Art strives to create an inclusive environment with diversity in its collections. Six to eight temporary exhibits are offered per year in addition to their permanent artwork. See a variety of arts in the Edgewater Gallery, where you will find jewelry, photography, sculptures, paintings, and mixed media.
The Henry Sheldon Museum opened in 1884, is also filled with paintings, documents, household objects, furniture, and artifacts to give you a glimpse into Addison County and Vermont’s past. From there, shop until you drop as you venture through Mill Street, passing by Stone Mill Public Market with its gifts, home goods, drinks, snacks, and more.
Explore The Best Downtowns in Vermont
History buffs, nature fanatics, creatives, foodies, and shopaholics are bound to fall in love with The Green Mountain State. Between the interactive exhibits and legendary landmarks of Montpelier, the mountainous backdrops and tranquil trails of Middlebury, and the boutique shops and renowned eateries of Burlington, there is no shortage of adventures. Now is the time to get your journey started and start exploring one of the best downtowns in Vermont.
MONTPELIER — Vermont is the top winter sports destination in the U.S., according to Travel + Leisure.
The article cites the state’s diverse outdoor activities, broad range of ski areas and distinctive cultural attractions, an announcement from Ski Vermont states. The article highlights several Vermont ski areas including Magic Mountain Ski Area in Londonderry, which is described as one of the state’s “timeless mom-and-pop spots.”
“Recognition like this does a great job highlighting why people visit Vermont each season — winter is something to celebrate,” Ski Vermont Director of Communications Bryan Rivard said in the announcement. “Visitors don’t have to be skiers or riders — it’s a great place to snowshoe, ice skate, visit local shops or relax by an outdoor fire. There’s something for everyone.”
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Vermont topped the list ahead of Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire and Minnesota, according to the announcement.
“Online gambling company SpinBlitz set out to determine which U.S. state is the absolute best destination for winter sports enthusiasts,” the Travel + Leisure article states. “Researchers considered each state’s average snowfall, average winter temperatures, and the number of ice rinks and ski slopes per 100,000 people.”
Vermont “took the crown with a score of 9.49 out of a possible 10,” according to the article.
“With an average of 81.2 inches of snowfall annually, Vermont’s precipitation was bested by only two other states in the top ten — Wyoming with 91.4 inches and New York with an impressive 123.8 inches,” the article states. “Temperatures from December through February hover around a frosty 19.4 degrees, perfect for maintaining snow accumulation on trails throughout the season.”
Vermont stood out due to its “availability of winter sports,” according to the article.
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“Thanks to its low population density, 27 ice rinks and 25 ski resorts add up to 4.16 ice rinks for every 100,000 people and 3.86 ski resorts for every 100,000 people,” the article states. “In addition to its 27 rinks, Vermont offers gorgeous outdoor skating spots like Lake Morey’s 4.5-mile groomed skating loop in Fairlee.”
Recommended in the article as “a Southern Vermont getaway filled with roaring fireplaces in a quaint boutique property” is The Hermitage Inn in Wilmington.
The ranking comes as winter travel remains strong and interest in snow sports continues to grow nationwide, according to the announcement.
“From alpine and cross-country ski areas to skating loops like the 4.5-mile groomed trail on Lake Morey, Vermont offers a wide range of accessible winter experiences supported by local businesses, lodging properties, and outdoor recreation partners,” the announcement states. “Ski Vermont partner Vermont Adaptive works with anyone with a disability (of any kind) providing access and instruction to sports and recreational activities—including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports.”
Rivard expressed hope that the ranking will encourage “some new visits to Vermont this season.”
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“It only takes one time to get hooked,” he said.
Though it wasn’t mentioned in the article, last weekend brought thousands of spectators to Brattleboro for the 104th Harris Hill Ski Jump competition.
For the first time in 21 years, the St. Johnsbury Academy gymnastics team is the best in the state. The Hilltoppers scored 145.875 to win their first title since 2005 during the the Vermont high school state championship meet held at the school’s fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The Hilltoppers ended their drought behind their lone senior, Lydia Ruggles, who won the all-around title for the third year in a row. This year, Ruggles posted a 37.850 with the highest scores on bars (9.5) and floor (9.9). She posted the second-highest score on vault (9.4) and placed sixth in beam (9.05).
Ruggles score matches her all-around title-winning score from 2024. Brattleboro’s Lauren Chute finished second in the all-around for the third consecutive year with a 37.375.
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The Hilltoppers posted the highest scores on vault (36.275), bars (35.425) and floor (38.100) events and won comfortably over runners-up Essex (140.100).
St. Johnsbury showcased their skills with five members finishing in the top eight of the all-around competition. Hannah Wood finished third in the all-around (37.20) and took the vault title with a 9.575.
2026 state championship results
At St. Johnsbury Academy (Saturday, Feb. 21)
Team scores: 1. St. Johnsbury 145.875; 2. Essex 140.100; 3. Brattleboro 134.975; 4. Champlain Valley 134.050; 5. Harwood 126.675; 6. Burr and Burton 103.900; 7. Middlebury 101.025.
Dawn Wagner, owner and lead chocolatier at Daily Chocolate, a small batch chocolate shop in Vermont, reacts to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs. (AP Video: Amanda Swinhart)
Dawn Wagner, owner and lead chocolatier at Daily Chocolate, a small batch chocolate shop in Vermont, reacts to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs. (AP Video: Amanda Swinhart)
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