These 6 Towns In Vermont Feel Like Home

What does Vermont remind you of? For some, it is the foresty appeal and storybook towns—words that make you feel all fuzzy, like at home. Whether you're in for the crafts, world-class skiing, or chasing fall colors in one of the nation's best places to see the sugar maples turn yellow (that make Vermont the leader in maple syrup production), it is a sweet life in the Green Mountain State and an even sweeter getaway. But what is Vermont?

With about three-fourths covered by forests, including 55 state parks, its heart beats with small towns, where even Montpelier is home to fewer than 10,000. Though landlocked, the watersheds, like Lake Champlain, offer lakefront amenities and natural beauty in Shelburne, across from New York's bustle. Woodstock is home to the forested Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and is on the doorstep of Green Mountains National Park. And in towns like these, quiet, welcoming, and full of character, it’s easy to see why so many say Vermont just feels like home.

Chester

This artsy village south of Woodstock and southeast of Ludlow is a time-honored New England community, with two large districts on the National Register of Historic Places. Chester feels like home and a place to really get away, both mind and body. Many know of its woodwork, browsing for art and unique home decor through one too many establishments offering locally made crafts. Its homegrown vibe is enhanced by the historic "stone village," a one-of-a-kind district in the region with several substantial pre-Civil War houses.

Check out the native stonework from local quarries along the Williams River, then drop by DaVallia—Art and Interiors next door for inspiration or a piece. Families greatly enjoy Barre Pinske Studio - Pinske’s Vermont Wooden Bear Co., at the heart of town, with charming and funky indoor and outdoor sculptures by a local craftsman. Culinary craft awaits at Southern Pie Cafe, with sweet and savory options, plus breakfast sandwiches and great drinks.

Ludlow

Get the feeling you're no longer in New England? There's something defiantly European about Ludlow, surrounded by wilderness areas. It is minutes to the area's very own Buttermilk Falls or a quick drive north to Camp Plymouth State Park, a beautiful dog-friendly park with trails, large grassy areas, plus a beach and paddleboarding in wild embrace on the lake. For an unmissable hiking experience, take Mountain Road west through Okemo State Forest and then hike from Mount Holly Overlook to Ludlow Overlook.

This historic village is both rustic and new-age. It is home to the iconic Okemo Mountain Ski Resort, which has a decidedly "German town square" look. Visitors can expect top-rated hospitality year-round and a great après-ski scene for alpine enthusiasts to experience its glory in stunning views. Among riverfront galleries, hotels, and homestyle restaurants, many 19th-century buildings, landmarks, and churches are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Manchester

Not far from the New York border, Manchester exudes warm vibes, particularly picturesque in a frame of fall colors. Visitors can expect a healthy dose of history and hospitality in one special place settled in the 1760s. Once part-time home to Lincoln's son, many visit to see the famous Hildene and feel instantly at home. The stately estate from 1905 offers guided tours showcasing its Georgian Revival architecture and gardens, where Robert Lincoln summered, hosted guests, and recreated, essentially during his own small-town escape.

Snug against the Green Mountain National Forest, Manchester captivates with some of Vermont's best scenic wonders via easy and moderate trails, with rentals available. You can merrily bike around the town down to Manchester Village Historic District or wildlife hike along the Long Trail to Bromley Mountain, which is also a ski resort. If all else fails, the 400,000 acres of wilderness, hiking trails, and camping spots in the Green Mountain National Forest are sure to entice all sorts of travelers.

Middlebury

This college town is picture-perfect against both the Green and Adirondack Mountains. There are many trails to explore at leisure, including Abbey Pond Trailhead, two covered bridges, and Battell Woods right in town. The sparkling Otter Creek tumbles over a twenty-foot waterfall at the heart. Check out the stately institution, with a lawn green for a stroll, straight from a novella about a boarding school. The world-renowned Middlebury College exudes youthful energy and creative spirit, with places to experience its thriving arts scene.

Whether you’re here for a few days, schooling, or a lifetime, Middlebury offers countless ways to spend your time. Catch a play at the Town Hall Theater, browse exhibits at the Middlebury College Museum of Art, or enjoy a concert hosted by the Mahaney Arts Center.

Shelburne

This lakeside town on the beautiful Shelburne Bay is purely Vermont. Across Lake Champlain from New York, visitors enjoy easy access for lakefront recreation, chasing fall colors, and farm visits. As the birthplace of the Vermont Teddy Bear, it is fun to see how the stuffed toys are made at Shelburne's Vermont Teddy Bear Factory on an enticing tour. Families enjoy the charming Shelburne Farms, a lakefront retreat with produce, farm-to-table products, and workshops.

Established in 1763, Shelburne is also known for its historic sights, including a century-old carousel and many covered bridges in the area. Its cultural attractions include the epic Ticonderoga Steamboat and the Shelburne Museum's over 100,000-piece collection of American folk and decorative art through many historic buildings. The La Platte River adds a lace of charm to the west with a crossing bridge guarded by a troll in the tree branches.

Woodstock

There are many Woodstocks in the nation, but no other like the truly tiny Woodstock, Vermont, near the border with New Hampshire. Boasting a claim to the picturesque Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, take a tour of the Victorian mansion, then hike through the forested appendix, Billings Park, to an overlook of town. Downtown is abustle with quaint boutiques, delectable restaurants, and charming lodgings lining the Ottauquechee River. Woodstock promises vibrant moments for both adventurers and relaxation-seekers.

With the Green Mountains to the east, many know of its fantastic backcountry hiking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing ops along the alpine terrain. It is just 20 minutes west to the legendary Killington Resort's 3,050-ft vertical drop over 155 trails and 21 lifts across six peaks. After a day of skiing, be sure to have a drink at the circa-1790 Skunk Hollow Tavern.

Finishing Thoughts

Vermont is filled with beautiful mountain water vistas and historic intrigue in each of its small towns, providing an authentic snapshot of the rustic Green Mountain State. From white-steepled churches to red-covered bridges, all this adds a homegrown appeal of long-loved places dating back to the 18th century. Settled by the British, this New England state can make you feel at home overseas, with English countryside in your own backyard, the rolling green hills transitioning to vertigo-inducing heights.