Vermont’s Historic Downtowns Beckon Travelers Of All Ages

It’s quite possible the Green Mountain State of Vermont is home to more historic downtowns per capita than any other state in the country. All told, Vermont is home to 251 quintessential New England towns. Of these, Vermont has given special recognition to 23 historic downtowns: Barre, Bellows Falls, Bennington, Brandon, Brattleboro, Bristol, Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, Newport, Poultney, Randolph, Rutland, Springfield, St Albans, St Johnsbury, Stowe, Vergennes, Waterbury, White River Junction, Wilmington, Windsor and Winooski. Whether you’re a skier, hiker, water enthusiast, maple syrup lover, antique shopper or simply enjoy home-cooked cuisine, each of these towns will welcome you with open arms.

With its quaint downtown full of warmth and personality, Burlington is bordered by the Adirondack Mountains and picturesque Lake Champlain. Skiers know Burlington as a neighbor to Bolton Valley Ski Resort, along with four other resorts less than an hour from downtown. From March to April this area is known as “Sugaring Season,” and travelers visiting during this time are in for a sweet taste of Vermont. Visitors can get their hands on some of the best Maple Syrup products in the country during its prime season.

Church Street, the famed pedestrian street running through the middle of downtown, features over 70% of locally owned shops and restaurants. From boutiques to national chains, to thrift stores and vintage shopping, shopping centers like the Church Street Marketplace offer a nice combination of both. Burlington is packed with talented makers creating handcrafted pieces from waxed canvas bags to mid-century modern birdhouses.

An assortment of public parks, the community boathouse and the Burlington Bike Path, featuring eight miles of paved path connecting two of Burlington’s beautiful beaches, add to the town’s allure. The waterfront remains an invaluable treasure to the community, a connection between the city and the water that is free and open to the public. Hop on the Green Mountain Dinner Train and enjoy dinner and a ride along Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. Burlington is known for its unique blend of boutique properties and corporate hotels which include The Essex Resort, Hotel Vermont, The Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, and the Hilton Garden Inn Burlington.

An urban arts, local food and shopping oasis, Brattleboro boasts a thriving downtown community of independent merchants along three blocks on the banks of the Connecticut River. Dubbed “one of the best small towns in America,” this special place with a contagious community spirit, has enough love to go around – love of the arts, the great outdoors, true farm-to-table dining, rich history and heritage, and memorable experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center bring notable art and artists to Brattleboro, and to provide a prestigious showcase for the region’s own artistic riches. The Museum contains six galleries with rotating exhibitions in the galleries roughly every few months, resulting in a total of about 15–20 exhibitions per year. Ever wonder what it’s like to play an antique pump organ or to peek inside a pipe organ to see how it works?

Brattleboro Words Trail houses audio stories and maps which guide listeners through a treasure trove of tales told by local artists, writers and students. An array of voices illuminates the rich past of writing, printing, publishing and words embedded in the rivers, mountains, streets and buildings. Visitors to the Estey Organ Museum can experience these and more. The museum celebrates the music and instruments produced by the Estey Organ Company, and highlights the contributions of the Estey Company and its employees to Southern Vermont.

Perhaps best known for its world-class skiing, Stowe is also home to an abundance of attractions, both outdoors and inside. Those looking for recreation will delight in the Stowe Recreation Path, a 5.3-mile paved path winding through downtown and the Mountain Road Village, with shopping and dining for everyone. Stowe’s retail establishments offer quality products for a variety of tastes with nearly 50 unique boutiques, country stores, galleries, specialty markets, sporting goods stores and more.

Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak is accessible via the famous gondola at Stowe Mountain Resort. Cliff House Restaurant is at the top of the gondola on Mount Mansfield and it is distinctively dining with some of the most scenic views. The Tipsy Trout is another popular option located at the Lodge at Spruce Peak. Stowe offers a lot of unique dining options with a wide variety of cuisines. Overseen by Chef Chef Joe Rock, Ranch Camp is unique in that it is an eatery, tap room and full-service mountain bike shop to cater to our recreational crowd.

Covered bridges are a Vermont staple and Stowe features three classic Vermont covered bridges including the famously haunted Emily’s bridge, also known as the Gold Brook Covered Bridge. Built in 1844, Emily’s Bridge is the oldest Howe Truss bridge in Vermont. Trapp Family Lodge, originally built in 1950 and currently run by the family that inspired The Sound of Music, offers sweeping mountain views from its property from which you can get a trail pass to hike, bike, take a tour and more.