Vermont could easily be considered one of the most beautiful states in America. Known for its European-inspired small-town charm, Vermont has no shortage of stunning historical buildings, adorable bed and breakfasts, and museums perfect for learning something new. Vermont is also famous for its maple syrup, which can be found at the various sugar houses. Make sure to pick up a bottle or try some syrup-based treats like lollypops and chocolate. Driving through Vermont is a treat on its own, full of iconic covered bridges, rolling hills, and breathtaking fall foliage. A fantastic weekend getaway destination, especially if you’re in the neighboring states of New York or New Hampshire or even across the border in Canada, you’ll surely find something the whole family will enjoy.
Montpelier
Aerial view of Montpelier, Vermont.
The capital of Vermont, Montpelier, is located off Interstate 89 and resides on the Winooski River. Come for the historic downtown and stay for the endless trails and sugar farms nearby. Visit the Lost Nation Theater and catch some live poetry, choir, or a play. At the Vermont State House, take a guided tour and dive into the state’s deep history. On the first Friday of alternating months, catch the Montpelier Art Walk, featuring local artists and vendors.
For those who want to embrace nature, walk the trails at the North Brand Nature Center, or explore nearby Hubbard Park with its 54-foot stone tower. Get the true Vermont experience and head to a sugar house. You can choose from either Bragg Farm or Morse Farm, where you can try various maple-based treats. Back in town, dine along the river and get some shopping in at a bookstore, or pick something up at the Barr Hill Distillery. Want to bring home some fresh produce? Anderbell Acres offers fresh fruit as well as a beautiful array of flowers. When it’s time to call it a night, rest comfortably at the Inn at Montpelier, a downtown boutique hotel with 19 rooms, all in a Victorian style.
Burlington
Burlington, Vermont, USA at Church Street Marketplace.
Located on Lake Champlain, which separates it from the state of New York, Burlington is a quaint waterfront town with all the charm. Enjoy a delicious meal and a one-of-a-kind experience on the Champlain Valley Dinner Train, and afterward take a romantic hot air balloon ride. For dessert, indulge in some iconic Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Rest up at the Lang House on Main Street bed and breakfast. A converted 19th-century Victorian home, it also has onsite liquor sales of unique, local beverages. In the morning, grab a coffee at a coffeehouse, and browse the shops, including jewelry stores, glass-blowing studios, pottery boutiques, collectible shops, record stores, and vintage clothing storefronts.
Also make sure to stop in at Tinkering Turtle, an adorable toy shop perfect for younger travelers or those looking for a gift to bring back home. Spend your afternoon at Adam’s Apple Orchard, or at Shelburne Sugar Works, which specializes in maple syrup-based products. In the evening, hit the town and try something new at a brewery, a pub, a nearby vineyard, or even a tiki bar. If you’re visiting in the summer, go sailing on Lake Champlain, or take a trolley tour. You can also explore the trails of Camels Hump State Park, or take in the views at Oakledge Park. Visiting in the winter? There’s no shortage of ski trails. Choose from either the Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, or Smugglers Notch ski hills.
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Stowe
Aerial view of Stowe, Vermont.
A lovely mountain town, Stowe is also right next to the Stowe Mountain Resort, which has over 116 ski trails, a summer gondola, indoor rock climbing, and ice skating in the winter. Nearby is the Arbortrek Canopy Adventure Park, which has ziplines and an obstacle course. Want even more of a rush? Book an Air Stowe helicopter tour. In the fall, get lost in the Percy Farm Corn Maze. In the summer, visit the Stowe Golf Park, a mini golf course perfect for both adults and kids.
For travelers over 21, take a brewery tour or try some local drinks at Stowe Cider. When it comes time for dinner, you have plenty of options, including flatbread pizza joints, steakhouses, delis, creperies, and artisanal bagel cafes. For those who love to shop, check out a bookstore, a natural body care shop, a toy store, or pick up some maple syrup to bring home. There are also plenty of options for outdoor gear if you plan to spend your trip exploring the many trails and parks surrounding the town. When it’s time to get some rest, check in at the Trapp Family Lodge, located right in town. It is home to four restaurants, a spa, as well as amenities like disc golf, tennis, and a swimming pool. You’ll also love the Austrian-inspired decor and architecture.
Woodstock
Brick buildings with shops in Woodstock, Vermont. Image credit Albert Pego via Shutterstock
Right on the Ottauquechee River, Woodstock covers all the Vermont getaway checkboxes. Visit the Billings Farm and Museum, which has farm animals you can snap some pictures with and pet, as well as an onsite garden, and homemade cheese shop. For even more treats, head to Sugarbush Farm, which also makes cheese as well as maple syrup goodies. The area surrounding Woodstock is perfect for many outdoor activities, including mountain biking on forest trails, horseback riding through the trees on guided tours, and fishing on the river or at a nearby pond.
If you’re exploring town, stop in at the Yankee Bookshop, featuring local writers as well as worldwide bestsellers. Grab a latte at a cafe and enjoy the boutiques, fantasy stores, and galleries. In August, attend the Taste of Woodstock festival, which brings together the town’s restaurants. In September, take part in the Woodstock Art Festival and meet local artists, shop the vendors, and watch some live art creation take place. Looking for somewhere to lay your head? Check out the Woodstock Inn and Resort, a New England-style accommodation with four restaurants including a tavern, grill, and pour house. It also has a gift shop, spa, pool, and complimentary rental bikes. You can also take advantage of their falconry display, and observe a real falcon as well as its handler and learn about the magnificent bird.
Newport
Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont.
Just off Interstate 91, Newport is also right near the border into Canada, and a short drive to the province of Quebec and the beautiful French Canadian city of Montreal. It lies on the shores of Lake Memphemagog, which offers fishing, swimming, and plenty of park space for picnics. You can also book a cruise on the Northern Star, which offers shoreline sightseeing cruises as well as Sunday brunch sailings. The town offers both bike and kayak rentals, which make exploring the water as well as the surrounding trails a breeze. You also have the option of staying at the Prouty Beach and Campground, which has disc golf, tennis, basketball courts, and lake access.
In the town of Newport, stop by the farmers market and stock up on some fresh produce as well as sample local vendors. Or browse the shelves at the Newport Natural Market and Cafe. On the streets of downtown, find your next favorite read at Nevermore Bookstore, or pick out a great outfit at Rad Rags Boutique. Catch a movie at City Cinema, and after, try something delicious at Eden Speciality Ciders. Hungry? Newport has a handful of dining options, including Italian, Thai, and classic pub fare.
Brattleboro
Main Street, scenic Brattleboro, Vermont, looking north, via Bob Korn / Shutterstock.com
Next to the New Hampshire border, only separated by the Connecticut River, Brattleboro offers something for everybody. At Retreat Farm, enjoy the trails, as well as the petting zoo, forest playgrounds, and its adorable storybook-themed paths. In the nearby Fort Drummer State Park, take part in some hiking or mountain biking, as well as learn about the park’s revolutionary history. Afterward, make sure to travel through the covered bridges, a Vermont staple. When you make it back into town, park the car and walk the streets of downtown, stopping in at the bead stores, bookshops, thrift stores, and botanical shops.
For dinner, choose from options like Italian bistros and fish and chips restaurants, and for dessert, pick up a delicious pastry from a bakery. Want to keep the night going? Stop in at the Hermit Thrush Brewery, or at the Whetstone Beer Co. You can also catch a show at the Latchis Theater, whether it be a Hollywood recent release, an art film, or a live performance. Depending on when you visit, you can also take part in events such as the Valentine’s Day Bratt Luv Crawl, as well as the Brattleboro Film Festival and the Brattleboro Literacy Festival. Looking for the perfect hotel? Consider the Inn on Putney Road, a French Baronial bed and breakfast right near downtown.
Grafton
Downtown Grafton, Vermont. Image credit Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Located on the Saxtons River, Grafton is an adorable little farm town perfect for a relaxing getaway. Stay at the Grafton Inn, which has a unique Barn Pub, as well as the 1801 Tavern perfect for a late-night drink. It also has a daily breakfast and a seasonal swimming pond. Although small, Grafton has everything you need, including the Grafton Village Store. You can find local goods, a deli, a restaurant, and fantastic to-go picnic baskets here. Once you’ve purchased a basket, head to the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center for some exploring, or to the Hamilton Falls hiking area.
The town also has the Grafton Village Cheese Company, where you can purchase some delicious cheeses and watch how they’re made. Nearby is Mercantile, which sells local handmade goods. Near Grafton is Plummers Sugarhouse, which has a gift shop with dozens of maple-based treats, as well as tours of the facility. For those who love history, stop at the Grafton Historical Society, and learn about the town and the state’s history, or get to know the local plants and other living things at the Nature Museum.
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Chester
The beautiful mountain town of Chester, Vermont.
The town of Chester is near the border between Vermont and New Hampshire and is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and the William’s River. Explore the trails of the Okemo State Forest, and while you’re there, spend the day at the Okemo Mountain Resort, which offers skiing in the winter, and mountain biking opportunities in the summer. The Chester Town Forest is also right next to town, providing even more ways to stretch your legs and perhaps even bring along a picnic. Sites to see around Chester also include Sunshine Acres, a beautiful and colorful nursery, and Leaning Ladder Farm, which offers gluten-free products. Make sure to also stop in at Mitch’s Maples Sugar House and stock up on some maple syrup goodies. If you’re looking to gather some fresh produce, baked goods, and other homemade finds, the Stone Village Farmer’s Market has just what you’re looking for.
In town, spend the afternoon at Pinnacle Park, which has a swimming pool, tennis courts, a disc golf course, and skating in the winter. As for shopping, check out an antique store, a quilting shop, a pottery studio, or a natural foods grocery store. And when you want to rest, sit down to some tea at the tearoom in the Rose Arbour. Chester is also full of history, which can be viewed at one of the historic buildings still standing in tow, including the old firehouse and train station. When it’s time for dinner, choose from options like Country Girl Diner or MacLaomainn’s Scottish Pub, and for dessert, check out the Southern Pie Cafe. For accommodations, the Inn Victoria is a bed and breakfast located right downtown.
Middlebury
Main street in Middlebury, Vermont, By Jd4508, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Situated on Otter Creek, Middlebury is close to the border between Vermont and New York, and not far from Burlington. It is covered in lush greenery, and lined with historic buildings. It also has a series of paths that circle the town, making getting around by foot or bike easy. Stop in at nearby Lake Dunmore for some swimming and fishing, or play a game of golf at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course. Middlebury was also home to the famous poet Robert Frost, and you can explore the interpretive trail dedicated to him, which features his poems throughout. Looking for more ways to explore? Check out the Happy Valley Orchard, which lets you pick your own apples in September and October.
For the adults, the Woodchuck Cider Mill and Golden Rule Mead both offer delicious, local beverages. In town, shop for fruits, veggies, crafts, and pastries at the farmers market. The main streets also have quaint shopping options, including jewelry stores, florists, leatherwork studios, antique stores, candy shops, and stationery stores. When it comes to meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are covered. In the morning, pick something up from a juicery or cafe. In the afternoon, stop by a sandwich shop and grab something to go. In the evening, enjoy some classic pub fare. When the sun starts to set, retire to the Middlebury Inn, located right downtown. It also has an onsite bar, Morgan’s Tavern, for those who want to keep the night going and perhaps meet some other travelers.
Whichever season you decide to venture into Vermont, know that activities and sights are abundant. Whether you’re into skiing and taking in the views, mountain biking in the summer months, or snapping some pics of the leaves as they change color in the fall, Vermont is a charming paradise where anyone can relax. Escape the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, and book that much-needed weekend retreat.
Louis deRosset, currently professor of philosophy at the University of Vermont, will be moving to the University of Notre Dame.
Professor deRosset works in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of logic. He is the author of Fundamental Things: Theory and Applications of Grounding, among other writings, which you can learn more about here.
He will be taking up his new position as professor of philosophy at Notre Dame this fall.
Attending physician Amanda Ratliff examines patient Gary Gale, of Marlboro, with Tara Gomo, house nursing supervisor, in Sept. 2025, in White River Junction. Photo by Jennifer Hauck/Valley News
It’s the “exciting hair-on-fire phase” of implementing the $195 million in rural health transformation grant funds Vermont is promised from the federal government, as Jill Mazza Olson described it to the House Health Care Committee this morning.
There has been a frantic, racing energy around acquiring and spending the federal funds since the applications opened in the fall, giving states just six weeks to build out their five-year plans. That effort paid off when the officials learned in December that Vermont would receive nearly double what they expected.
Now, the Vermont Agency of Human Services is working to obligate all of this year’s money by the end of September and spend it by the feds’ September 2027 deadline.
Olson and Sarah Rosenblum, who have been leading this work for the Agency of Human Services, gave both the House and Senate health care committees an update of where that work stands Thursday morning.
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Right now, Olson and Rosenblum are in the throes of posting opportunities for sub-grants and contracts, for organizations to carry out the many facets of Vermont’s proposed work.
So far, they’ve put out six such notices for work to bolster rural health care. There are notices for $1.45 million to bring dialysis and ventilators to nursing homes and $810,000 to develop licensed nursing assistant training programs.
One project seeks bids for organizations to operate residences for people recovering from substance use disorders while another would invest in mobile clinics for dental, medical, mental health and substance use disorder services. Yet another proposal aims to put money toward pharmacists’ ability to “test-to-treat” and help reduce patient reliance on primary care or the emergency room.
The last active bid seeks contractors who can help AHS build out an even more in-depth strategic plan for how to use these funds to help rural communities.
Olson and Rosenblum said that they are close to posting the final 10 notices soon, which will center on improving technology and payments to support primary care providers. Once the last of those are out, they will shift into a new phase of this massive project.
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When the application windows close, AHS’s transformation team will begin sorting through the proposals and working with the federal government to figure out how to approve and implement the projects before the timeline is up.
With all the rushed excitement to spend this one-time money, Rep. Alyssa Black, D-Essex Town, the chair of the House Health Care Committee, worried about the Agency of Human Service’s ability to do its primary job.
“Do you think that this is so all-consuming that it might be a distraction? What are the essential things that we need our AHS to be doing that we want to make sure they’re still continuing to do and not get distracted by the shiny object?” she asked.
The stability should come soon, Olson responded. The agency has already hired two full-time staffers to implement this plan and have the approvals they need to hire the rest of the team dedicated to working on this project.
Maybe then, Olson can douse the hair-on-fire feeling, and finally get a full night’s sleep.
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In the know
A pop star in the People’s House?
That’s right — sorta. Vermont’s own Noah Kahan offered his endorsement of a bill currently making its way through the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee on Thursday.
The committee watched a brief video Kahan recorded explaining his support for H.512, a bill supporters hope will cut down on online ticket scams and scalpers.
“As an artist I care very deeply about the fan experience,” Kahan said, “This bill is a critical step in eliminating predatory resell behaviors.”
Stick season? More like s-ticket season. Ugh.
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— Ethan Weinstein
Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday appointed former Sen. David Soucy of Barre Town to the House seat recently vacated by longtime Rep. Topper McFaun.
Soucy, a Republican, previously served in the Senate, representing Rutland County during the 2017-18 legislative session. He was elected to the Barre Town Selectboard last year.
Scott, in a press release, said Soucy “has been involved in his community for many years and will be a strong voice for common-sense legislation” in the Statehouse.
Read the full story here.
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— Corey McDonald
The Vermont Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the Scott administration’s effort to uphold its employee return-to-office policy — for now.
Last week, the Vermont Labor Relations Board ordered that the administration rescind its policy requiring employees to work at least three days per week at their worksites.
Gov. Phil Scott and top administration officials said at the time that the state would appeal the decision and request a pause on the order from both the labor board and Vermont’s high court.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the administration “must first seek a stay” from the labor board, denying a request to pause last week’s decision.
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Steve Howard, executive director of the Vermont State Employees’ Association, called the ramifications of last week’s legal proceedings “very confusing” for state employees.
With its decision last week, the Vermont Labor Relations Board has called into question what working life could look like for the approximately 8,000 Vermont state employees.
MONTPELIER — A local filmmaker’s latest movie is headed to Montpelier’s Savoy Theater next week as part of a larger effort to bring more movie-making to the state.
Hosted by the Vermont Production Collective, the April 16 event will feature the latest version of “Leather Clad,” written and directed by Thomas Benton. The movie itself was filmed in Vermont, after Benton and co-producer (and lead actor) Matt Munroe wanted to see what they’d be able to bring to the big screen.
Years later, the film has been shot and edited into this final version, now ready for its larger release.
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“There’s something special about bringing it to Montpelier and exposing the lawmakers to this ground level of debauchery,” Benton said. “There’s something exciting about that.”
Filming in Vermont
Benton is one of many people across Vermont interested in growing the movie industry in the Green Mountains. Because, Hollywood isn’t doing so great. Worldwide box office numbers continue to deteriorate post-pandemic and few movies — outside of James Cameron’s “Avatar” films and endless CGI movies for kids — have been able to bring in the revenue that was common just a decade ago.
Could Vermont fill the gap? Maybe.
Benton and his team have tried to answer that entertainment problem by going niche. Using a low budget and unique approach, the goal was to film something that felt a little more real.
“We’ve gotten to such a corporate, mass media perspective, where we’re at such a point where nothing looks like life as we know it,” he said. “You look at movies in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and it was like, you look at the actors and think, they remind me of someone, or maybe I could be that. You can find that there was a still tangible connection in reality. There’s none of that now.”
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Eventually, he was able to find the talent to do it. After a little searching, it turns out Vermont has an abundance of people with movie-making experience.
“We clearly have a really bizarre amount of film industry expats in the state who are just looking for work and going elsewhere,” Benton said.
In many ways, it’s how his own movie got off the ground. Benton ran into Munroe — who has performed in a handful of roles in movies and television — and found a shared vision about wanting to get a movie together. So they pushed ahead.
The result is “Leather Clad.” Due to budgetary constraints, they stuck to simple locations and cast Munroe to play the main character while bringing on multiple actors — some from New England — to fill out the ensemble.
Benton and his team then took care of much of the production crew work as well as post-production to edit the movie down into its current version. Benton already showed a first cut of the movie, rolling it out at the Welden Theatre at an event this past September, but he said that version has since been updated extensively for the showing at Montpelier’s Savoy.
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“The first cut is – I think it should be this. The second cut is – okay, it’s not that. Maybe it could be this? And then the third cut is – this is what it is. Here’s what we actually shot. Here’s how it works,” he said.
VPC and movies
If “Leather Clad” entertains audiences and gains fans, then Benton is hoping that Vermont’s moviemaking industry might gain some momentum. The Vermont Production Collective is definitely trying to push the needle by featuring the local movie. It’s the second feature to be a part of the new series rolled out by the organization, called VPC Presents, to focus on grassroot perspectives.
Altogether, the group has identified 55 separate movies — some features and some shorts — which have had portions shot in Vermont. Some are well-known, like “Beetlejuice,” but most come from Vermont’s slate of independent filmmakers, many of them organized under the VPC name.
Enosburgh’s own Shayna Sherwood, for example, serves on the group’s advisory board. As an experienced casting director, she too would like to see movie-making take off in Vermont.
“I personally believe we are at a turning point in film, television and media. The way we create and consume content has changed dramatically and is changing daily,” she said in a written statement. “My hope for this (VPC Presents) event is we start to build a bridge between Vermont’s creative community, its policymakers and the out-of-state professionals who have a connection to this beautiful place. Because there is a real opportunity in front of us.”
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Benton agreed, although he sees three obstacles to that goal — funding, branding and bankability. Essentially, much of Vermont’s film industry consists of smaller productions, sometimes self-funded, and there needs to be more financial backers who are comfortable taking the chance to invest in something larger.
Most states offer incentive programs to help, but Vermont has shied away from the approach after the legislature put together a report researching the idea.
There also needs to be a few more advocates for filmmakers, especially on the state level. While Vermont likes to brand itself as being a “remote worker” hub in order to grow its workforce, few lump film professionals into that list. That could be changed to help re-orient people’s ideas of what the state could be if there was a larger industry.
And finally, Benton said the local film industry could use a bigger hit — a movie that gets people talking on a wider regional level — in order to be able to expand and grow. Until that happens, any “grassroots” efforts will likely continue to be overshadowed by Hollywood’s glossy content factory.
“This isn’t a huge industry anyway, so how do you budge the needle? You’ve got to have, honestly, even just a big success splash or something, to get it going,” Benton said.
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“Leather Clad” could be it. The movie starts at Montpelier’s Savoy Theater (located at 26 Main St.) at 7 p.m. on April 16. A pre-film reception is also planned at 5:30 p.m. at Hugo’s Bar & Grill
Following the showing, Benton said there will also be a panel discussion featuring moviemakers and film advocates for those interested.
As for “Leather Clad,” VPC provided the following movie summary: “After a shooting sends them running for cover, a newly released ex-con and a game warden’s daughter realize they’re being hunted—and neither knows why.” From Vermont filmmaker Thomas Benton, starring Vermonter Matt Munroe, Anne Clark, Paul Romero, Jeff Elam and Jamison Jones. Runtime: 82 minutes.
