8 Off-The-Grid Vermont Towns To Visit In 2025
The Green Mountain State of Vermont seamlessly blends the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains with a uniquely New England type of down-home charm. Over the years, select Vermont towns like Stowe and Woodstock have drawn visitors with their daring ski slopes, idyllic farms, and swanky resorts. But when you venture off the most beaten paths, a whole new world of exciting possibilities emerges.
The Vermont towns we’re about to explore may have some phenomenal hiking trails to lose the crowds, but they are also wonderful places to find some of the state’s most delectable sweet treats, and they’re places to discover several historic treasures, astounding art, and much more. Whether you seek to climb to new heights in the mountains or settle down for a relaxing day in town, these eight off-the-grid Vermont towns are lovely towns worth visiting in 2025.
Averill
Tucked in the northern reaches of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Averill is a tiny town with ample wide open spaces. Head down to Little Averill Lake to check out this wetland area that provides critical habitat for native animals like rare common loons, peregrine falcons, and moose. For another amazing wilderness experience, go to Averill Mountain Wildlife Management Area to hike the trails, take in the incredible mountain views, and spot some more wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, great-horned owls, and downy woodpeckers. And from August to March, the Brousseau Mountain Trail guides you through winding woods and thick forest to the scenic peak.
Just to the south, there’s more to explore at (the Nulhegan Basin Division of) Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, a roughly 26,600-acre preserve where the Appalachian Mountains meet boreal forests and important riparian habitat. Meanwhile, back in Averill, check into the Quimby Country Lodge & Cottage for a warm, welcoming, and family-friendly retreat with plenty of opportunities on site and nearby to swim, paddle, hike, bike, or simply kick back and relax.
St. Albans
Nested near the shores of Lake Champlain, about 30 miles north of Burlington, St. Albans is a charming lakeside town that lets you set sail to a uniquely Vermont kind of good life. For a picture-perfect day at the lake, head down to Kill Kare State Park for a boat launch, swimming beaches, the historic Rocky Point House Museum, where you can explore the region’s history, and even a ferry to Burton Island. Then, on Burton Island, you will find campsites, a marina with 15 boat moorings, multiple hiking trails, and its own designated swimming beach.
For even more adventures at the lake, set sail (on your own, or on a water taxi from St. Albans Marina) to Knight Island, a remote-feeling park completely surrounded by the lake where you can wash your troubles away while spending the day fishing, paddling, swimming, hiking, and simply reconnecting with simple, unspoiled nature. Whenever you return to town, there’s much more to see and do at Hard'ack Recreation Area, a year-round local park with mountain bike trails open during the warmer months and ski-snowboard trails available during winter.
Cambridge
Usually, when travelers talk about Smugglers Notch, they’re discussing Vermont’s most famous ski town of Stowe, but there’s another side of the notch awaiting your discovery in Cambridge. Of course, no trip here feels complete without a drive to (and through) Smugglers Notch, and you can hike the Sterling Pond Trail to explore more of the wilderness and make your way to the gorgeous Sterling Pond. Around here, you can also catch the Long Trail that traverses the entire north-south length (272 miles) of Vermont from the United States-Canada border to the Massachusetts state line.
If you prefer a more refined and tasteful kind of exploration, head into town with a designated driver and visit Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits to sample their selection of local wines, their signature maple bourbon, and their award-winning creme liqueurs. Or, for some rustic charm, stop at Rusty’s for their delicious Vermont-style pizzas, a wider eclectic menu of quiches and sandwiches, and a rotating selection of local beers and wines.
Bristol
Often called the “Gateway to the Green Mountains,” Bristol really does make an ideal “base camp” for New England-style mountain adventures. Close to town, you will find Bristol Falls (also known as Bartlett Falls), a ruggedly beautiful corner of the New Haven River with a 14-foot waterfall and a deep swimming hole that draws locals and every swimmer. A little farther east lies Green Mountain National Forest, a nearly 400,000-acre preserve with many of the state’s best hiking and biking trails. Near Bristol, you can take the Mount Abraham Trail to reach its 4,006-foot peak.
If you crave even more mountainside excursions, head over to Sugarbush Resort for its own network of hiking trails, mountain bike paths, an 18-hole disc golf course, and the 18-hole Sugarbush Golf Club. Then, check into the Tillerman Inn to enjoy all sorts of local hospitality, including creative pizzas at their on-site restaurant, live music at the barn, and lovely rooms housed inside a restored 1790s farmhouse.
Waterbury
Folks in the know may know Waterbury as that town with Vermont's most iconic graveyard, yet there are many more flavors to savor around town. Yes, of course, it’s always a good idea to stop at the Ben & Jerry’s factory to pay your respects at the flavor graveyard where retired ice cream flavors are “buried,” and to load up on their current lineup of icy sweet treats inside. But when exploring the local culinary scene, make sure to stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for their tasty array of apple ciders, maple syrups, and artisan breads and pastries. For some more adult refreshments, check out The Reservoir, which has one of Vermont’s largest selections of craft beers on tap.
If you need a break from all the hearty food and drinks, head out to Waterbury Center State Park to access the tranquil shores of Waterbury Reservoir and enjoy this prime spot for fishing, swimming, paddling, and boating. Finally, cap off your perfect day with a pleasant stay at the Old Stagecoach Inn, a historic yet cozy and comfy bed-and-breakfast in the heart of town.
Rochester
Perched in a quiet corner of the Green Mountains, Rochester is a great town to “get away from it all” and escape into the unspoiled beauty of Mother Nature. At this end of the national forest, you can do some incredibly scenic hikes at Texas Falls Recreation Area and the Sap Boiler and Old Gents Loop. Also, try Rochester Mountain for a long and challenging journey up this mountain to the east of town.
Whenever you need to refuel, return to town and stop at the Rochester Cafe & Country Store for hearty and fulfilling brunch and lunch fare, along with plenty of locally made artisan goods available at the country store. Also, check into The Pumpkin Patch Bed & Breakfast, housed in a historic 1835 Greek Revival manor and now offering a selection of cozy rooms along with a hearty, home-cooked breakfast every morning.
Poultney
Nestled in the Stone Valley of southwestern Vermont, and right by the New York state line, Poultney is a lovely, laid-back lake town where you can wash your troubles away. Lake St. Catherine is the crown jewel of this region, and Lake St. Catherine State Park is the ideal launchpad for swimming, paddling, boating, and fishing excursions. It also has tent and RV sites for camping. But if you prefer to explore on dry land, try some of the 60 miles of hike and bike paths that form the Slate Valley Trails, or stay near the lake and play golf at the 18-hole Lake St. Catherine Country Club.
Heading back to town, go with a designated driver to Whaleback Vineyard to try their fun and fascinating variety of varietals, as well as their estate-made fruit wines made with apples, pears, and even Vermont-grown peaches. From there, head over to Bentley House Bed & Breakfast for a stately, Victorian bed-and-breakfast with all the creature comforts you need to make yourself at home in Poultney.
Brattleboro
Sitting just across the Connecticut River from New Hampshire, artistic creativity and natural beauty flow freely in the Vermont village of Brattleboro. To get to know Brattleboro’s backstory, stop at the Estey Organ Museum to see some of the reed organs, pump organs, melodeons, and pipe organs that were made by this company in this town. For more up-to-date perspectives on the local arts scene, check out the ever-changing lineup of artist exhibitions, lectures, and workshops at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Also, it’s worth seeing who’s playing at Stone Church, a former Victorian Gothic church that’s been fully renovated and transformed into Southern Vermont’s premier concert venue.
If you crave a more delectable kind of art, head over to Retreat Farm to tour the community vegetable garden, explore its ten miles of natural forest trails, and pick up plenty of locally made cheeses, craft beers, wines, and other artisan goods. Then, check into The Inn on Putney Road to stay in a historic 1929 French-inspired estate located right by the West River, multiple hiking trails, and Brattleboro’s charming downtown.
Go Off the Grid to Get Onto Something Very Special
Vermont may be a small state in the northern reaches of New England, but this small state offers plenty of great adventures and immense natural beauty, and it’s especially noticeable once you get off the grid. Go to Averill to escape into a uniquely tranquil oasis in the Northeast Kingdom, and sail away to the pleasant lakeside hamlet of St. Albans and its nearby island parks. Savor the many tasty treats of the foodie hub that is Waterbury, and feast your eyes on the artistic masterpieces of Brattleboro. With so many amazing places to explore and experience, it’s always worth going off the grid and charting a new path to discover more of Vermont’s special treasures.
