Vermont
7 Best Downtowns In Vermont
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
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.
Stowe
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Middlebury
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Kirk Carapezza
GBH News
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.
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 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
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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