Vermont

8 Most Charming Vermont Towns for 2024

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

Vermont is the smallest state by population. Its scenic mountains and valleys draw visitors from all over the world to relish its captivating fall foliage. Also, it’s the state that birthed the delicious Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Among the many wonderful towns to visit here, Burlington, Woodstock, and Newport are all standout gems, given their outdoor recreational activities and bustling downtowns. However, they are just one of many charming towns, as we will see. This article will highlight 2024’s eight most charming towns in the Green Mountain State.

Shelburne

The historic steamboat Ticonderoga on display at Shelburne, Vermont. Editorial credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com.

Shelburne offers the perfect fusion of history and outdoor adventures. Begin your journey at the one-of-a-kind Shelburne Museum, where you can explore over 150,000 treasures in 39 buildings. The 45-acre museum displays collections and artifacts from American folk art, impressionist paintings, decorative arts, maritime-related items, and more. Following this, immerse yourself in the scenic Shelburne Bay Park hiking area, which offers a recreation path for brisk walks, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing and provides top-notch views of Lake Champlain. Afterward, head over to Shelburne Farms, where you can experience immersive guided tours, including the Shelburne Farm Tours, House & Garden Tour at the Shelburne Farms Inn, and the Summer Forest Bathing: shinrin-yoku. The latter is ideal for those seeking a tranquil while enjoying a sensory-guided walk under the protection of the forest canopy.

Woodstock

Woodstock is home to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, which is widely recognized as the progenitor and origin of the conservation movement. See the very same sugar maple trees that inspired the movement and trek the 20 miles of hiking trails. What’s more, the park is home to historic scenery, beautiful stone walls, and covered bridges. After your hike, explore the heart of Woodstock in the downtown area, where you can tour through pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and access a wide range of quaint shops and cafes offering an impressive selection of boutique items and hidden gems. Among many locally-owned businesses, The Yankee Bookshop is a notable standout that was awarded the month of August’s featured business of the month; it remains Vermont’s longest-running bookstore, having opened its doors 89 years ago, back in 1935, and offers a wide array of non-fiction and fiction books for readers of all ages. Finally, march up to Mount Tom Peak, where you will be rewarded with a calendar-worthy view of Woodstock from atop.

Middlebury

Middlebury is home to the esteemed Middlebury College, one of America’s oldest liberal arts colleges. The 223-year-old institution has immersed itself as an integral part of the town’s community, as reflected by Middlebury’s remarkably low median age of just 22.8 years. To get a feel of the scene, grab a cup of joe at one of many available cafes, including Little Seed Coffee Roasters located near Otter Creek river. And just a short three-minute walk away lies the Henry Sheldon Museum, where you can delve into their special exhibitions that include the likes of Patent Pending, Model Boats, and more. Finally, uncover the town’s prized gem at Otter View Park, where you can march on a 0.6-mile loop trail with a boardwalk and observe critical habitat areas that house birds and other wildlife. The park is ideal for hikers of all skill levels, including those who prefer leisurely walks amid the lush greenery.

Montpelier

This town holds the title of being the smallest capital state in the US. But don’t let its small size fool you! There are several things to love about Montpelier. For starters, it’s rare to find a chain store here—which helped Montpelier land a spot on USA Today’s 2021 list of best small towns for shopping. Additionally, it’s home to the acclaimed Vermont Historical Society Museum, which dates back to 1838. In addition to the usual exhibition museum feature, this one also has a library that offers access to 50,000+ cataloged books. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, unplug and recharge at the C.C. Putnam State Forest, located just 24.1 miles away from town. With over 13,633 acres to explore, C.C. Putnam offers outdoor lovers all the space they need to hike, cross-country ski, and observe wildlife. Moreover, this park is home to the famous Moss Glen Falls Natural Area, a scenic waterfall with a total plunge exceeding 100 feet—by far making it Vermont’s tallest.

Stowe

Stowe is renowned for its world-class ski resorts and outdoor recreational opportunities. Launch your journey at the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, a 36-year-old exhibit center that boasts a wide range of galleries and collections related to snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and alpine skiing. To get a real feel of the sport, though, head to Stowe Mountain Resort, where you can test your skills on 116 ski trails, with the highest elevation topping 3,625 feet. If you don’t know how to ski, don’t fret—there are beginner and intermediate terrains to practice and develop your skills. Beyond the exhilarating slopes, Stowe Mountain features several amenities to wander, including the cozy Cliff House Restaurant, Ice Skating at Spruce Peak Village, and the awe-inspiring Gondola SkyRide, which provides panoramic mountain views to remember for a lifetime.

Manchester

If you’re curious why Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State, look to Manchester to find the answer. The epic peaks here extend as far as the eye can see. Start your trip by exploring the Manchester Riverwalk, a charming and brief path that follows the stream and millpond, offering a peaceful escape. It’s well-kept and maintained, but more importantly, free of disturbances, providing a pleasant getaway from noises and busy crowds. After that, trek the North Meadow Farm, a small family-owned business where you can witness scenic views of the towering mountains nearby, in addition to meeting all the farm’s friendly animals, including cows, rabbits, goats, and fowls. Furthermore, take advantage of their esteemed store before you leave to feast on the freshest eggs, honey, and cheese curds available anywhere. Afterward, head over to Lye Brook Falls, a prominent trail in the Green Mountain National Forest, where you can experience Vermont’s untamed landscape, laden with lush trees, rivers, ponds, and more. The terrain is rocky, so it’s highly recommended to bring proper gear and hiking boots.

Burlington

Despite being Vermont’s largest city, Burlington boasts a population of just 43,000 residents, giving it a charming small-town vibe. The city sits on the shores of Lake Champlain and offers stunning views laden with waterfront parks, beaches, and relaxing boat cruises. Kickstart your journey on Church Street, a pedestrian-only avenue with over 60+ retail shops and 30+ restaurants, art galleries, street performers, and cart vendors. And just a short 8.1 miles away, Shelburne Museum is home to limited exhibitions and permanent displays, including the All Aboard exhibit from June 22 to October 20 this year, where visitors can learn about America’s fascinating train history amid the era of industrialization era from 1840 to 1955. There are over 100,000 collections in this museum to explore, ranging from fine arts to textiles, folk art, and more.

Newport

Newport sits on the shores of the picturesque Lake Memphremagog, a glacier lake extending into the Canadian province of Quebec. There are numerous ways to enjoy this lake, with swimming, kayaking, sailboating, and ice fishing in colder months topping the list. To stay the night, Prouty Beach offers 36 acres of land to camp out on with outstanding views of the waters. Next, explore the historic Downtown Newport, where you can shop at local stores offering premium outlets that sell attire, art, jewelry, and many other retail stores. And since Vermont flaunts the best outdoor spots, conclude your trip with the famous Newport Bike Path and Beebe Spur to North Derby, an easy path spanning several miles. The route takes around two hours and thirty minutes to complete and is also ideal for birdwatching and a fun way to unwind amid the breathtaking natural landscape.

In summary, these eight charming towns offer a wide range of experiences that cater to visitors of all stripes. The scenic mountain views, historic landmarks, and vibrant downtown areas all make the Green Mountain State the beautiful state so many flock to see. Whether you aim to explore the serene woodlands of Woodstock or the charming small-town vibe of Burlington, each city will leave you with a memorable moment to cherish and reflect on in its own special way.

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Vermont

Vermonters reimagine solar farms with sheep and pollinators

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Vermonters reimagine solar farms with sheep and pollinators

Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, in partnership with Vermont Public

🎧 This story was produced for the ear. We highly recommend listening to the audio. We’ve also provided a print version of the story below.

On solar farms, the ground beneath the solar panels is often planted with turf grass and left alone. But some Vermonters are experimenting with productive ways to use that land: grazing livestock, growing crops, and creating habitat for threatened pollinators and birds.

Solar makes up about 16% of the energy Vermont generates, and that number has been growing for over a decade. As solar grows, so does Vermont’s capacity for agrivoltaics — the dual use of land on solar farms for agriculture.

Lewis Fox is a sheep farmer in Leicester, Vermont. With his wife, Niko Kochendoerfer, he runs a business called Agrivoltaic Solutions. They are hired by solar companies to manage the vegetation on solar farms. “We’re in charge of keeping the vegetation within certain limits, and the sheep are the tools that we use to do it,” Fox said.

Maeve Fairfax

Community News Service

Lewis Fox of Agrivoltaic Solutions herds sheep into his trailer after grazing a solar field in Colchester on Oct. 23, 2025. Fox brings the sheep to solar sites within a two hour radius of Leicester.

Fox said that sheep are ready-made for solar farms. “They’re pretty short stature, so they can really fit into nooks and crannies,” he said. “They’re also not really interested in chewing on wires or jumping on panels.” The panels also provide sheep with protection from the elements and shade, which means that the sheep don’t need to drink as much water on hot days.

Fox and Kochendoerfer work with farmers from Buffalo, New York to Bangor, Maine, helping them learn the ropes of solar grazing. Fox is also a founding member of the American Solar Grazing Association, an organization that promotes solar grazing and provides educational materials for farmers who want to get into it.

In the winter, when there is no grazing to be done, Fox and Kochendoerfer breed the sheep and sell grass-fed lamb. Fox said that the additional revenue they earn from agrivoltaics is a huge help financially. “For us as livestock producers, being able to use the animals in another way is very significant in terms of farm viability,” he said.

Solar grazing has exploded in recent years. There are currently about 130,000 acres of solar arrays in the United States grazed by sheep. “We think it’s got a bright future,” Fox said.

A man unlocks a gate to a grassy field of solar panels. — Mike Kiernan, co-founder of Bee the Change, opens the gate to a solar site in Stowe on Oct. 21, 2025.

Sheep aren’t the only animals that can find food on a solar farm.

The Weybridge-based nonprofit Bee the Change is turning solar fields into habitat for bees and other pollinators. Since 2015, they’ve created habitat on 30 solar sites.

Mike Kiernan is a co-founder of Bee the Change. He said one of the organization’s main goals is to support Vermont’s native bees, many of which are threatened by loss of habitat, disease or pesticides.

Kiernan said that although some invasive plant species can be helpful to pollinators, the team at Bee the Change tries to plant native species at these sites. “Our goal is to get the highest percentage possible of native plants, because they have the longest relationship with these species,” Kiernan said.

And their efforts are working.

Grass and flowers grow in a field of solar panels. — Asters on a solar farm managed by Bee the Change in Stowe on Oct. 21, 2025.

Through careful monitoring, the leaders at Bee the Change have seen pollinator populations on their sites increase dramatically in both number and diversity.

Supporting pollinators also helps support the plants they pollinate, which helps people, too. “We’re all actually connected, and our survival is connected,” said Kiernan. “And when people see a habitat that is enriched with pollinators, they are appreciative.”

Encore Renewable Energy, a Vermont-based B Corp, has hired both Kiernan and Fox to manage the vegetation on its solar sites. The company specializes in community-scale solar projects.

Chad Farrell is the co-CEO of Encore Renewable Energy. He said the company prioritizes using agrivoltaics because it’s good for local economies and good for the environment.

Solar grazing is often cheaper than mowing, and it cuts down on emissions because mowers, which run on fossil fuels, are not needed as often.

Planting native plants to build pollinator habitat can increase the soil’s potential to store carbon by 65%. It’s also good for the soil’s overall health — potentially paving the way for future agriculture on the land. “At the end of the useful life of the project, we’re actually able to return that land in a better condition than what we found,” Farrell said.

Sheep stand in and around of a livestock trailer in a field. — Sheep on a solar farm in Colchester on Oct. 23, 2025.

Some Vermonters don’t like to see agricultural land repurposed for energy production, but agrivoltaics can help alleviate this tension. “Everybody loves driving by one of our projects and seeing a bunch of sheep out there doing their thing,” Farrell said.

Lewis Fox, the sheep farmer, agrees.

“It’s often difficult for people to see solar being built on ag land, for various reasons, and I think you could argue the merits either way,” he said. “But we can help bridge the gap in that. What we’re able to do is have solar production coexist with agriculture. And it’s not just window dressing. It’s real agriculture.”

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Vermont

Tourism Leaders To Gather In Killington For Vermont Tourism Summit

Published

14 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Tourism Leaders To Gather In Killington For Vermont Tourism Summit

Tuesday, April 28-Wednesday, April 29 —KILLINGTON— The Killington Grand Resort Hotel & Conference Center will host the 41st Annual Vermont Tourism Summit, bringing together business owners, operators, and industry professionals from across the state for two days focused on collaboration, strategy, and growth within Vermont’s tourism economy.

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Vermont

Vermont residents remain concerned over potential environmental provisions

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Vermont residents remain concerned over potential environmental provisions

This week, a bill that would make changes to Vermont’s Act 181 is receiving testimony in the House Committee on Environment. Certain provisions in Act 181 could trigger a permitting process through Vermont’s land use protection law, Act 250. A rule related to road building and some lands identified as “critical natural resource areas” by the state’s land use review board are expected to take effect this year. Last month, legislation passed the Senate and is currently in the House to push those deadlines back by a few years. For Corinth resident Neil Ryan, that not enough. “The group of people that was largely left out of the process: Rural Vermonters are having this imposed upon them with no say,” he said. Ryan and his family have built their own farms for generations. He believes if the provisions take effect, it would be very difficult for future generations to accomplish what he has. “The difficulty of the Act 250 process, the costs associated with the Act 250 process, we wouldn’t have started those farms likely,” he said. However, Ryan said he does support the portion of Act 181 that allows towns to opt into being exempt from the permitting process altogether. This is meant to assist housing development. On Tuesday, regional planning commissions told lawmakers that many towns have opted in. Still, Vermont is not on track for its goal of 40,000 + homes by 2030. “We’re not saying rural housing growth should stop or slow,” Executive Director of the Northwest RPC Catherine Dimitruk said. “Were saying those additional units that we need, we should be doing all we can to encourage and incentivize.”The bill will remain in House environment for the foreseeable future.

MONTPELIER, Vt. —

This week, a bill that would make changes to Vermont’s Act 181 is receiving testimony in the House Committee on Environment.

Certain provisions in Act 181 could trigger a permitting process through Vermont’s land use protection law, Act 250.

A rule related to road building and some lands identified as “critical natural resource areas” by the state’s land use review board are expected to take effect this year.

Last month, legislation passed the Senate and is currently in the House to push those deadlines back by a few years. For Corinth resident Neil Ryan, that not enough.

“The group of people that was largely left out of the process: Rural Vermonters are having this imposed upon them with no say,” he said.

Ryan and his family have built their own farms for generations. He believes if the provisions take effect, it would be very difficult for future generations to accomplish what he has.

“The difficulty of the Act 250 process, the costs associated with the Act 250 process, we wouldn’t have started those farms likely,” he said.

However, Ryan said he does support the portion of Act 181 that allows towns to opt into being exempt from the permitting process altogether. This is meant to assist housing development.

On Tuesday, regional planning commissions told lawmakers that many towns have opted in. Still, Vermont is not on track for its goal of 40,000 + homes by 2030.

“We’re not saying rural housing growth should stop or slow,” Executive Director of the Northwest RPC Catherine Dimitruk said. “Were saying those additional units that we need, we should be doing all we can to encourage and incentivize.”

The bill will remain in House environment for the foreseeable future.

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