9 Most Peaceful Small Towns In Vermont
Peace and tranquility can be difficult to attain in these hectic days. Fortunately, some of the most peaceful small towns in Vermont are culturally and naturally built to provide a placid ambiance and experience for tourists from all around the globe. As the largest producer of maple syrup in the US, Vermont offers a sweet and savory trip through its dynamic and delightful villages, from the wooded surroundings of Chester and Manchester to the historic appeals of Montpelier and Woodstock. In a state that has no skyscrapers, each of the most peaceful small towns in Vermont harkens back to a time when life was simpler and less hectic for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of most big cities.
Chester
Visitors entering Chester will find this small Vermont town a placid and splendid destination to soak in the laid-back outdoor scenery of Vermont. To the east flows the Connecticut River, which marks the state border separating Vermont from New Hampshire. Within the town’s boundaries, travelers can either go on leisurely strolls through the Chester Town Forest or the Okemo State Forest, both verdant and vibrant woodlands that offer many bucolic experiences in the rural countryside.
Those of you with an affinity for artistry can head over to the WoodLife Carving, which sells and creates beautiful wood carvings like bears and other woodland animals to boast about. In a town that was once the filming set for Moonlight & Mistletoe, newcomers will be dancing beneath sunlight or moonlight as they admire some of the many humble attractions to appreciate in Chester.
Dorset
Dorset is a delightful and amicable small town neighboring the equally peaceful town of Manchester to the south. Here, newcomers can watch amazing and unforgettable horse shows and performances at the Vermont Summer Festival/HITS Vermont in the months of July and August. Close at hand, the Freedley Quarry, once a major quarry for marble and other stones used in the construction of many homes in the area, now invites travelers to venture into its cave-carved hollow for newness and adventure.
Those of you who prefer more lackadaisical recreations can go walking and biking through the Emerald Lake State Park, a wooded landscape perfect for boating, camping, and hiking in general. As a peaceful and quiet location near the border of New York, Dorset sets its sights on providing a lovely and languid experience for visitors from all over.
Grafton
Just south of Chester, the small town of Grafton entices visitors with an array of humble and forested regions as well as a few cultural landmarks to see. Among these cultural landmarks is the Nature Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Grafton’s surrounding ecosystems and habitats as well as the education of individuals eager to explore these bucolic biomes.
Grafton encourages extensive exploration in forested areas like the John Dorand State Forest, which is brimming with mushrooms and mysteries to discover. Meanwhile, the Beaver Deceivers International is a wildlife refuge whose manmade contraptions ensure beavers are protected, while also not hindering human irrigation systems in the region. Finally, further west of Grafton, you can take photographs of the stunning Hamilton Falls for those seeking to memorialize their experiences in Grafton.
Manchester
Manchester is a grand and graceful gateway to the many natural wonders to behold in Vermont’s rural outdoors. From here, you can pack as many supplies and gear as you can get to travel south towards the Green Mountain National Forest, a mesmerizing woodland boasting waterfalls, cliffs, ponds, and trails suitable for hiking, camping, and other recreational pursuits. Within the town itself, you might come across the stately estate of the Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home that was once the former abode for Robert Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son, and his family.
The Southern Vermont Arts Center, meanwhile, showcases pastoral masterpieces catering to modern and chic aesthetics, complete with galleries, a theater, and sculptured gardens to roam about. Most whimsical of all is the American Museum of Fly Fishing, which contains a large collection of rods and reels in addition to angling-related photographs and paintings.
Montpelier
With its small population and small-town atmosphere, Vermont’s capital city of Montpelier thrives more as a peaceful town rather than a big urban metropolis in the countryside. Strolling through the town’s governmental center will lead you face-to-face with the 1859 Vermont State House, a gold-domed Greek Revival masterpiece with a fine arts collection and decorations showcasing the history and culture of Vermont.
For individuals curious to know more about Vermont’s past, you can head over to the Vermont History Museum for its multimedia exhibits and murals. Inside Hubbard Park, travelers can lounge about in the meadows, in the shadows of a birch grove, or beside a stone observation tower to photograph. Best of all, the Lost Nation Theater hosts innumerable events and musical performances that encapsulate the peaceful and vibrant culture one will adore in Vermont.
Stowe
Within the shadow of Mount Mansfield, the tallest mountain in Vermont, thrives the peaceful small town of Stowe, renowned for its access to ski slopes and resorts on the aforementioned mountain. The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum exhibits a vast collection of historic gear and artifacts from the best skiers in the area. One can reach the summit of Mount Mansfield vis-à-vis the Auto Toll Road. Close to the base of the mountain, travelers will be interested in adventuring through the Wiessner Woods, a wooded conservation area with a network of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing spots during the winter.
You might also fancy trips through the CC Putnam State Forest, which may not be as close to Mount Mansfield as Wiessner Woods but nevertheless provides serene and splendid experiences within its bucolic terrain. As a gateway to the highest peak in Vermont, Stowe will steal you away into its venerated and vivifying natural landscapes to tour.
Shelburne
Peacefully resting on the banks of Lake Champlain, the friendly village of Shelburne captivates all thanks to its simplistic yet stunning amenities just a few miles south of Burlington. The Shelburne Farms is a dedicated non-profit organization that charms newcomers with farm-to-table produce and educational workshops to appreciate the agricultural benefits and community in Shelburne. When it comes to preserving and promoting the steamboat history of Shelburne, the renovated Ticonderoga Steamboat offers an in-depth and immersive look into the happenings on Lake Champlain. Those of you with children or who adore the adorable will fall in love with the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, famous for its cute and cuddly creations to purchase.
Waitsfield
Approximately 30 minutes away from Montpelier, the small town of Waitsfield ensures newcomers have a memorable and meaningful experience in its township. From idyllic mountain resorts such as Sugarbush Resort, travelers can participate in fulfilling and fun ski and snowboarding activities down the snowy slopes of Mount Ellen. The much-beloved Alpine Amusement is a popular venue for Las Vegas-style casinos and games, plus themed parties and events to seek out at different times of the year.
To the north, you will find the primitive timber preservations of the Camel's Hump State Park, a mountainous and wooded terrain crisscrossed with trails and treks to follow.
Woodstock
Woodstock will amaze and astound you with its attractive and amenable landmarks. The town square, known as the Green, brims with historic edifices such as the pink sandstone Norman Williams Public Library, which has been around since the 1880s. Close at hand, the Billings Farm & Museum is a fun and immersive dairy farm complete with a 1890 farmhouse and exhibits that perfectly capture the 19th-century agricultural lifestyle that allowed Woodstock to prosper.
Additionally, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park allows newcomers to undertake tours of a Victorian mansion as well as trips through a forested national park with exhibits on conservation history. Being one of the most peaceful small towns in Vermont, Woodstock also encourages everyone to take a stroll along the Ottauquechee River.
Vermont's Small Towns Promise Peace and Prosperity For All
The Green Mountain State of Vermont boasts innumerable communities and hamlets that have little to no skyscrapers to muddle the clear-blue skies. Most importantly, you will find some of the most peaceful small towns in Vermont to visit, whether for a weekend getaway or a long, summer or winter vacation. Shelburne’s proximity to Lake Champlain makes it an endearing launching point to watery wonders. Meanwhile, towns like Manchester and Dorset are gateways to some of the most remarkable parks and forests in Vermont. Finally, there are small towns such as Stowe and Grafton that shelter mysteries and secrets in the outdoors, unique only to Vermont. Seek quietude and tranquility in these peaceful small towns in Vermont.
