9 Underrated Small Towns To Explore In Vermont

The ski resorts and the big names pull most of the traffic in Vermont. The towns worth slowing for are usually the ones nobody tells you about. Grafton turns out award-winning cheddar and boils its own maple syrup in a sugarhouse open to visitors. Monkton built the state's first amphibian tunnels because the town decided its salamanders were worth saving. Each of these nine towns keeps something like that going quietly. That is exactly what makes them worth the detour.

Grafton

Vermont is known for maple syrup, and Grafton indulges its visitors with Plummer's Sugar House. Plummer's is a long-time institution that produces original Vermont maple syrup and products, including this syrup. Visitors can tour the sugarhouse to see sap boiling and the sugaring process. Those who prefer savory over sweet will have a ball at the Grafton Village Cheese Company, where they can taste award-winning cheeses, pair them with wine, and explore other gourmet food products. There is more to Grafton than food, however, so nature lovers need not despair. The Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center offers around 2,000 acres of land, including nature trails and opportunities for cross-country skiing and sleigh riding in winter. In the summer, visitors can bike and swim, or hike the extensive trails.

Chester

Visitors can take a 'two-for-one' special trip to both Grafton and Chester. Chester is just 7 miles away and an underrated haven for history buffs. Its Stone Village Historic District is chock-full of historic buildings and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. These buildings feature the 'snecked ashlar' style of architecture that originated in Scotland and Ireland. On the opposite side of Chester, more historic buildings can be found, including some of the oldest buildings in town that are still standing. One of the must-see structures is the Jeffrey House, built in the Georgian style on North Street in 1797. Visitors interested in antiques can head to the Stone House Antique Center, where nearly 100 vendors sell a variety of collectibles and antiques, including furniture and jewelry. Those who want to see what the outdoors has to offer can take a short drive to Chester Town Forest, which features two hiking loops. Twelve miles from town lies Lowell Lake State Park for visitors who want to add fishing to their outdoor adventures.

Weston

For most visitors, experiencing one or two Vermont towns only makes them want to visit even more underrated places. Twenty minutes from Chester is yet another overlooked town, Weston. This beautiful town sits along Route 100, considered by many to be the state's most scenic drive, especially during the fall. In the town itself, visitors can see the Old Mill Museum and Farrar-Mansur House. The complex was built during the 1780s and 1790s and features a still-functioning gristmill and a traditional American tavern house filled with historical tools and folk art. Another must-see is the original Vermont Country Store, which opened in 1946 and remains a family-owned business selling dry goods, clothing, and excellent Vermont cheese. Those who love stage plays and productions can watch a show at the Weston Theater Company, the state's oldest professional theater, on the town green. And visitors who just want to take in the historic atmosphere can visit the Benedictine monastery, the Weston Priory, which borders the Green Mountain National Forest. There are quiet paths to explore here while listening to the monks' liturgical music.

Quechee

Quechee is an hour from Chester and surprisingly underrated, considering how much it offers. For one, there is the Quechee Gorge, the deepest in the state at 165 feet. It is believed that the gorge was carved by glacial meltwater around 13,000 years ago. Today, the gorge trail makes for a dramatic walk that descends to the Ottauquechee River below. Those who want to hang out at the river for a while can cast their fishing lines and cross their fingers in the hopes that brown and rainbow trout bite. Anglers need a Vermont fishing license to fish in this river and can get a one-day license online. Other than fishing, the river is also great for kayaking and canoeing in the waters just above the gorge. During June, there is a lot to do for those who want to experience the Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft & Music Festival. There are tethered rides and mass launches at dawn to look forward to, along with live music and great food. Wildlife enthusiasts can use their festival trip to visit the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, which is just ten minutes away. There are more than forty raptors to see here, live flight demonstrations, and interactive exhibits.

Monkton

Monkton lies deeper into the heart of Vermont and is the location of the state's first amphibian crossing tunnels. These tunnels allow blue-spotted salamanders and frogs to travel safely to and from their breeding pools every year. Those who want to see more of what nature has to offer in Monkton can stop by Monkton Pond (Cedar Lake), an incredibly clear body of water surrounded by protected wetlands. Visitors can kayak or canoe here, or just sit quietly and watch the water birds. There are also several walking trails in the Monkton Town Forest, which snake through 15 forest types. When it is time for a snack, visitors can head to the Last Resort Farm for berry picking or go apple picking at the Stine Orchard. Visitors can also explore some of Monkton's history at the 1859 Monkton Town Hall, a classic example of rural architecture popular before the Civil War.

Milton

Milton lies an hour north of Monkton on the shores of Lake Champlain. This often-overlooked town is also home to a section of the beautiful Lamoille River, which flows right through it. There are more artisanal cheeses to enjoy here at the Willow Hill Farm. The farm is also open every year for visitors who want to pick their own fruit, including blackberries, gooseberries, and strawberries. Those interested in Milton's history will find historic photographs and records at the Milton Historical Museum, located in a restored, 19th-century church building. The Lamoille River offers more opportunities to explore Milton, including Arrowhead Mountain Lake, a 760-acre reservoir on the river. The lake was created by the Arrowhead Mountain Dam and is a pretty fishing spot. Milton also boasts the Eagle Mountain Natural Area, where visitors can explore 2.5 miles of trails and enjoy incredible views of Lake Champlain.

Jeffersonville

Twenty-five minutes east of Milton lies another underrated Vermont town. Those who bypass Jeffersonville on their way to more famous destinations miss out on the gorgeous schist cliffs and fallen boulders of Smugglers' Notch State Park, which lies just twenty minutes away from the town. The park features the Smugglers' Notch mountain pass that winds through the Green Mountains. Along this road, there are tall cliffs that rise nearly 1,000 feet in the air. There are several hiking trails to enjoy, including the Hellbrook Trail and the Sterling Pond Trail. Visitors can also camp at one of the walk-in campsites, explore the caves, or go ice climbing in winter. Right along the edge of Jeffersonville lies the sheer-walled Brewster River Gorge. There is a trailhead that passes waterfalls and covered bridges, and picnic tables are available. In the town itself, visitors can explore the Bryan Memorial Gallery, established in 1984. The gallery showcases some of New England's best landscape artists. There is also the Smugglers' Notch Distillery, a must-experience, where local spring water and maple syrup are used to flavor and finish award-winning spirits.

Glover

Glover is a crowd-free Vermont town just an hour from Jeffersonville. It is the place where visitors will find the Museum of Everyday Life. This museum is more of an experiment than a traditional museum, and celebrates the mundane routine of everyday life. As such, some of the objects on display include mirrors, toothbrushes, scissors, and pencils. There is another wacky museum in Glover, namely the Bread & Puppet Theater. The theater was established in New York in 1963 and moved to Glover in 1974. Today, visitors can see old and new productions, not only in Glover but also around the country. Another institution is Parker Pie, where visitors can order delicious pizza before exploring the outdoors. In Glover, the main (quirky) natural attraction is the Runaway Pond Historical Site. The 'pond' was formed in 1810 when a farmer cut a mill channel and so collapsed a natural dam. Long Pond drained north, and the drained lake became the aptly named Runaway Pond. Those who want to see actual water can make their way to Shadow Lake. This 210-acre lake is ideal for boating and fishing and includes a town public swim beach.

Newport

The underrated Vermont town tour ends in Newport, a lakefront town on Lake Memphremagog. Locals and visitors love boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on this lake, and it becomes the center of magnificent fall foliage. The lake also features cruises courtesy of the Northern Star. These water outings range from brunch and dinner tours to themed cruises. Apart from the water activities, there is the Vermont Route 100 Byway to drive and enjoy, as it winds through the Green Mountains. In the downtown area, there are several historic buildings to see, including the 1868 Goodrich Memorial Library. The library is also something of a museum with glass cases filled with stuffed animals. The St Mary Star of the Sea church is located on Prospect Street. This gorgeous granite church was built in 1903 and features local granite and two 105-foot-high towers. Other things to do in this lakeside town include biking the Newport-Beebe bike path, which runs 7.5 miles from downtown along the lake shore all the way to the Canadian border. During the winter, there are three ice rinks to skate on at Gardner Memorial Park, while sipping on hot chocolate.

Experience The Unexplored Side Of Vermont

The big ski resorts may get all the attention in Vermont, but the most memorable experiences are found off the beaten path. There are cool historic buildings to see, quirky museums to wander, and exceptional nature to explore. Every underrated town has its own personality and character, and the locals are very proud of their little slice of Vermont. So whether you want to see a play in Weston or watch the wildlife in Monkton, getting off the busy highways will take you to the real heart of the state.