7 Main Streets Where Vermont Comes Alive
A prominent member of the New England region of the northeastern U.S., Vermont is a stunning state. Known for its beautiful diversity of landscape, Vermont is characterized by the colossal Green Mountains, verdant forests that become vibrant with fall colors in colder weather, and expansive Lake Champlain. Travelers can also be assured that when they visit, there is no shortage of picturesque small towns in the midst of this beautiful scenery, with lively main streets to explore.
Woodstock
Tucked in the Green Mountains is the charming village of Woodstock, a small town with only around 3,000 residents. It is exactly what you might imagine when you think of a typical New England village, with pretty streets lined with ancient trees and historic Colonial buildings. These streets include the main thoroughfare, Central Street, which even has a quintessential Vermont covered bridge. All of the streets downtown culminate in a composed town square, called the Green, which is surrounded by local shops, cafes, and even trailheads for scenic hikes in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
On Central Avenue, a diverse food scene is represented by the variety of independently owned restaurants serving all three meals of the day. For breakfast, lunch, or coffee, locals would likely recommend Mon Vert Cafe, a women-owned cafe with a modern menu and specially crafted caffeinated beverages. Try something new for dinner at Melaza Bistro, a Caribbean tapas spot with a unique menu. Both of these restaurants, like many in Woodstock, rely on farm-fresh local ingredients, giving you plenty of fuel for exploration.
Manchester
Between the southeastern part of the Green Mountains and another mountain range, the Taconic Range, is the tiny village of Manchester, with a population of only 600. Tucked into a valley between massive peaks, this town is in a gorgeous location which is truly ideal for viewing the fall foliage that Vermont is so famous for, but Main Street is lively all year round.
For being such a small town, it is amazing how many things there are to see on Main Street Manchester. The downtown area is a hub for arts, with several shops and galleries, including the highly rated 3 Pears Gallery, which showcases pieces by local creators. There are also a ton of places to purchase finely crafted and unique gifts, many of which are clustered around the Main Street roundabout. These include favorites like Northshire Bookstore and The Mountain Goat, an outdoor supplies and apparel store. Plus, if you are in the area early enough, you can make it to Up For Breakfast, a beloved morning staple in the neighborhood, before you go shopping.
Waterbury
In central Vermont, nestled into the heart of the Green Mountains, is the small town of Waterbury, with only 2,000 residents who call it home. Main Street, which is very walkable and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, is the area where most of the entertainment is located. Waterbury is a popular spot for food lovers, home to a great mix of big-name brands and independently owned restaurants and breweries.
One such brand you might recognize is Ben and Jerry's, whose original factory is in Waterbury. The factory is open to the public for tours and of course ice cream indulgence. Another massively popular and widely producing factory, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, cranks out a ton of Vermont apple cider and related goods, which the state is famous for. Some well-known and locally beloved stops on Main Street are Prohibition Pig, a dinner spot that brews its own beer, and Hen of the Wood, a highly rated fine dining establishment.
Shelburne
The scenic and historic village of Shelburne has a beautiful downtown, surrounded by rolling hills, tons of ancient trees and the shore of Lake Champlain. The town's main street is called Shelburne Road, and the cluster of attractions at the intersection of Harbor Road and Shelburne Road is the heart of this quaint lakeside village.
A unique learning experience can be held just off Shelburne Road at the Shelburne Museum, which consists of several different buildings, all with varying exhibits displaying American folk art and colonial history of Vermont. Also on Shelburne Road is the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, a long-standing family friendly attraction in Shelburne where you and your children can tour the factory and make your own bears.
Shelburne is also a great place for outdoor activities. You could go to one of the town's curated parks, like lakefront Shelburne Bay Park, which has gorgeous walking trails with lake views, or visit Shelburne Farms, a working farm on 1,400 stunning acres that also offers educational courses and a petting zoo.
Winooski
Near Vermont's largest city, Burlington, located on the Winooski River, is the waterway's namesake city, Winooski. This small city, with around 8000 residents, is known for being a historic mill town due to its riverfront location, and many of the historic mill buildings still stand today, some along Winooski's charming Main Street.
Inside the historic Champlain Mill, which was a thriving textile mill for decades before it was converted into a shopping mall, is Waterworks Food + Drink, one of many businesses that now reside there. Waterworks is a popular restaurant that offers river views and upscale American fare.
Another beloved restaurant outside of the mill is Sneakers Bistro, located on Main Street. It is an all-day brunch cafe serving an eclectic and highly rated menu. Just a couple of blocks down, Four Quarters Brewing serves a variety of beers crafted in-house and a creative cocktail menu.
Middlebury
A peaceful college town home to around 9000 people, Middlebury is in the middle of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, in a breathtaking area known as Champlain Valley. Due to its picturesque natural surroundings, it has many outdoor attractions, but its quaint New England-style Main Street cannot be missed.
Main Street Middlebury is unique for its amazing water feature, which is right in the middle of town. The town is home to the Middlebury Falls, a 20-foot-tall waterfall formed by its namesake Otter Creek descending over a dam. The rest of Main Street is also visually pleasing, with historic architecture and a village green. One such old building, the Town Hall Theater, was originally constructed in the 1880s and is now a performance arts venue.
The shopping is great in Middlebury, too. On Main Street, you can find Vermont's Own Gifts & Goods, an independently owned gift shop that focuses on keeping local goods in stock, such as Vermont staples maple syrup. Right down the block is Sweet Cecily, another store with a similar vibe, selling Vermont-crafted goods and unique gifts.
Stowe
A tiny village with fewer than 1,000 residents, Stowe lies near the base of Vermont's geographical icon, Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the state. Since Mount Mansfield and the rest of the Green Mountain range are in close proximity to Stowe, it makes perfect sense that the town is a huge skiing destination, with its own ski resort, Stowe Mountain Resort. The resort has lodging, over 100 trails, and countless lifts and slopes of all difficulty levels.
Downtown Stowe is beautiful too, with the town's trademark Stowe Recreation Path, a five-mile-long paved trail, leading from the scenic mountain countryside right onto Main Street. There, you can visit cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and popular watering holes like The Alchemist Brewery.
On the Main Streets of Vermont...
You will experience historic architecture, diverse food and art scenes, and opportunities to purchase local goods, all while your feet crunch on colorful fall leaves. Whether you want to go skiing in Stowe, boating on the lake in Shelburne, or buy some art in Manchester, Vermont's downtowns have something for everyone.
