Vermont's 7 Most Laid-Back Towns For 2025

Majestic Vermont, situated between New York and New Hampshire, is most famous for the city of Burlington and picturesque Lake Champlain. Though Burlington may be one of the more laid-back cities on the East Coast, a population approaching 50,000 residents may discourage people from visiting, especially if they are looking for peace and tranquility. Luckily, there are several much less populated towns in Vermont that have some equally unique attractions. From quaint Grafton, with less than 700 residents, to charming Middlebury, with around 7,000 people, the seven towns below are some of the most laid-back towns in the state of Vermont.

Woodstock (Windsor County)

The town of Woodstock, twenty minutes from the New Hampshire border, is home to some unique attributes that welcome relaxation, like the many covered bridges in the area. Several of these historic bridges span the scenic Ottauquechee River, including the 1877 Lincoln Covered Bridge, the 1969 Middle Covered Bridge, and the 1836 Taftville Covered Bridge.

Other attractions in close proximity to the town of Woodstock include Faulkner Park and Woodstock Country Club. Woodstock Country Club, said to be one of the best golf courses in Vermont, has an 18-hole professional course and an on-site Fairway Grill. Faulkner Park, situated just north of downtown, offers a trail, Faulkner Trail, that has several easy switchbacks leading to a panoramic view from the South Peak of Mount Tom.

Grafton (Windham County)

One of the most relaxing towns in New England, Grafton has some rather unique attributes, like Plummer’s Sugar House and Grafton Inn. Plummer’s Sugar House, situated south of downtown, has been producing quality maple syrup for over forty years. Grafton Inn, established in 1801, offers excellent hometown service, comfy rooms and suites, and even guest houses for larger parties.

Another phenomenal locale in Grafton, especially for outdoor enthusiasts, Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, situated just past McWilliam Covered Bridge, offers awesome activities throughout the year. During the summer, guests can hike or mountain-bike several scenic trails, like Red Trail Loop or Green Trail Loop. During the winter, along with skiing, there are options for snowshoeing and sleigh-rides.

Shelburne (Chittenden County)

Along the eastern bank of Lake Champlain, the town of Shelburne is best known for the Shelburne Museum, the largest art & history museum in northern New England. Offering over 150,000 pieces in 39 different buildings — from art and paintings to architecture and horse-drawn carriages — this remarkable establishment is a wonder for any age. They even have a Round Barn, first built in 1901 in East Passumpsic, Vermont.

The picturesque town of Shelburne has a variety of natural attractions, as well, for those who wish only to breathe the fresh air. Shelburne Bay Park offers several scenic hiking trails, like the LaPlatte River Marsh Trail, which is considered easy hiking. The Shelburne Bay Loop, two-plus miles in length with an elevation gain of 250-feet, might be a bit more difficult, though.

Middlebury (Addison County)

Less than an hour south of Burlington, the town of Middlebury has a wealth of historic attractions. From the Henry Sheldon Museum, which features needlework samplers and other heritage-related articles, to Historic Pulp Mill Covered Bridge, a “double-barreled” covered bridge built in 1820, relaxing through history is possible in the town of Middlebury.

Middlebury has several natural attributes as well, like Morgan Horse Farm and Weybridge Cave. Morgan Horse Farm, first commissioned by Col. Joseph Battell to preserve his Morgan horses, is now home to sixty to eighty Morgan horses, many of them descendants of Battell’s original horses. Weybridge Cave, within Weybridge Cave State Park, is the largest cave in the state and the second largest in New England.

Stowe (Lamoille County)

The town of Stowe is known best for Smuggler’s Notch, a scenic mountain pass connecting Mount Mansfield to Spruce Peak, and Smuggler’s Notch State Park. From hiking two-mile Sterling Pond Trail, to enjoying the 18-mile scenic drive through the notch, beauty is prominent in the town of Stowe. The state park even has rock-climbing, for the more adventurous.

The Sterling Falls Gorge is another exhilarating, yet tranquil aspect of Stowe. With three falls, six cascades, and eight pools, not to mention dropping a total of over a hundred feet, Sterling Falls Gorge is a sight to see, no matter who you are. There is even an adjacent cemetery with Oliver Luce, the founder of Stowe, and sixty-plus veterans from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.

Waterbury (Washington County)

The small town of Waterbury is situated less than twenty miles south of Mount Mansfield, the tallest mountain in the state. An ideal spot for finding peace and tranquility, nearby Camel’s Hump started as a gift from Colonel Joseph Battell in 1911. Along with primitive camping (without electricity), guests have almost seventy miles of scenic trails, including the Monroe Trail.

The town of Waterbury is also home to the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard. This graveyard, a part of the Waterbury factory, has around fifty discontinued flavors interred, including Urban Jumble and Neapolitan Dynamite. Another worthwhile attribute to Waterbury, in case you wish to stay closer to downtown, the Old Stagecoach Inn, a fabulous B&B inn first built in 1826, offers exceptional service and delicious food.

Londonderry (Windham County)

The quaint town of Londonderry, home to some beautiful attractions, is guaranteed to let you forget the hectic schedule you chose to leave back home, whether you are from Maine or California. The most scenic and charming of these would be Lowell Lake State Park. Whether you wish to relax in a non-motorized boat, hike a peaceful nature trail that circles the lake, or just enjoy swimming with friends and family, this is the place to visit.

Londonderry is also home to Magic Mountain, for those who appreciate skiing and snowboarding during the winter and some awesome hiking in the summertime. Upper Pass Lodge is also nearby, offering year-round lodging with great service and delicious food. They even offer a great outdoor pool, if the season is right, and popular dining at the Red Slate Restaurant, which is said to have the juiciest burgers in town.

From natural to historic to cultural attractions, everyone has their own unique way to relax. Whether you opt to visit historic covered bridges in Woodstock, or stay at the 1826 Old Stagecoach Inn in Waterbury, or photograph a diverse collection of horse-drawn carriages at Shelburne Museum, the state of Vermont has several great options. From tiny Grafton to much larger Middlebury, these are seven of the most laid-back towns in Vermont in the United States in the year 2025.