And the most indie capital in the U.S.
When people think aboutVermont , minds often go straight toBurlington . And Bernie Sanders . Meanwhile Montpelier pose quietly cool nearby , with its indie bookstores , cafes , penny-pinching shop , boutiques with hand - made soaps and shelf of maple syrup , and restaurants ranging from microbrewery tavern to Nepalese joints . Perhaps overlooked because it ’s the land ’s capital letter , the city and its amber attic - top statehouse are the perfect mix of charming and foetid . You wo n’t find big chain computer storage here . In fact , Montpelier is both the smallest working capital in the US and the only body politic capital without a McDonald ’s .
The city also seems to have been make with esthetic and the palisade scenery in mind . Montpelier ’s brick buildings are rimmed by a small river blab its means through town , surrounded by hills and trees that are making quite the colorful display this time of yr . And since it ’s north enough to almost be part of the Northeast Kingdom ( our favorite of kingdoms ) , peak leaf is a warrant around and throughout the city . Each October , the hills here turn so vibrantly red , the land should really consider temporarily changing its name from Ver - mont to Rouge - mont . We ’ll consider this a postulation to Bernie . Here ’s what to do in the state ’s abundantly cunning uppercase .
Hike to the best view of the most foliage
extract up to any full - parking - lot trailhead in Vermont , you ’re likely to take heed a local chipperly asserting how much it ’s a great twenty-four hour period for a hike , no matter the time of year . hike ( and skiing ) is what Vermonter do . As the cap , Montpelier squeeze this reputation as it sure must . The city has a number of hiking trails and scenic walkways , as well as a issue of idyllic bike paths .
TheSiboinebi Pathruns along the Winooski River and is perfect for rove . The path passess throughPeace Parkabout midway , if you ’re looking for a cinch spot . More toward the marrow of town , you ’ll findHubbard Park , a 200 Akko sweep that is one of the metropolis ’s most pop outdoor locales . There are seven miles of trail here , admit one up to the Hubbard Park Tower , which sit at the high gunpoint in the commons . Climb up to the top for a opinion over all of Montpelier — a vista that ’s even more stunning during the drop .
If you ’re looking for a bighearted hike with all the peaks and foliage views , Montpelier is the perfect epicenter to many options . Just half an hour due east , Groton State Forestoffers many easy pleasure trip up hills take care down on lake , like the popularOwl ’s Head Mountain Trail . In the other direction , you have Mount Mansfield , which is the high-pitched mint in Vermont . TheSunset Ridge Trailwill get you up 2,600 feet over three mi , so design a few minute for some of the most literally breathtaking views in Vermont . If you ’re unforced to get a short further , Willoughby State Foresthas some of the most dramatic drop-off - against - lake view in the state and is commonly the first area to hit select foliage . Whereas to the south , you ’ll find waterfall like Warren and Moss Glen , as well as scads of other immature mountains to surmount .
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
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Stroll the many shops downtown
One of the good things about Montpelier is its walkability . All of downtown seems to point at the Vermont Statehouse , with its gleaming amber attic . Start your walk tour there , and verify to actually go within , because at about 160 years older , it ’s one of the oldest and best preserve capital buildings in the country .
From there , it ’s an sluttish walkway to many cute shops . Bear PondandThe Book Gardenare two cozy bookstores , Buch Spieler Recordsis a small vinyl workshop , or try thrifting atThe Getup VintageorAltheas Attic Boutique . There ’s also a candy shop calledDelishand evena stationary store that ’s been undetermined and booming since 1950 . If you ’ve get kids , make certain to stop atCool Jewels , a astragal and jewelry spot where little ones can dig around in a bin of bargain gems looking for some treasure to take home .
Eat where farms and artisans collide
Though Montpelier is small , its dining scenery is mighty . The Three Penny Taproom has not just an extensive taplist , but also an telling menu featuring locally sourced products . Locals gush about the burger , which you’re able to ordinate “ TPT fashion , ” meaning it comes slather in earthnut butter and blistering peppers .
Other choice includePositive Pie , a pizza joint that promises “ Italian savour … with a Vermont Sensibility ” andThe North Branch coffee shop , a burnt umber and tea shop with a astonishingly robust carte du jour . If you ’re look for something a little more upscale , tryHugo’sorOakes & Evelyn , the latter of which is a modern farm - to - table fleck with a enormously delicious menu .
For something fresh , make certain to stop for a CreeMee , or what ’s essentially the Vermont translation of soft serve . While most workshop offer traditional chocolate and vanilla , many also offer Vermont maple , which is a must - try for anyone new to the area . There are a number of CreeMee spots in Montpelier , includingBragg Farm , Dairy Creme , andMorse Farm Maple Sugarworks .
Green Mountain Drone/Shutterstock
Drink sweet nectar from the bees
decent along the Siboinebi Path , you ’ll findBarr Hill , a cotton gin still with a penchant for honeybees . The company was co - founded by a beekeeper and a distiller , and almost since its inception , Barr Hill ’s emotional state have been winning awards . You ’ll get hold both a restaurant and a barroom where , among other stellar drinks , you may try a Bee ’s Knees . This prohibition - era cocktail combines gin , honey , and Citrus limon , for a brilliant and light sweet drink .
One could spend an intact afternoon at Barr Hill . There are K games aplenty , as well as frequent cocktail classes , gin taste , and behind - the - scenes tours .
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Go pumpkin picking or cider drinking
While Bragg Farm and Morse Farm are known for their CreeMees , they ’re also a great office to shop for maple sirup and seasonal produce , which in the fall includes apples and pumpkins . If you ’re look for a more classic orchard experience , head out of town just a bite toBurtt ’s Apple Orchard . There , you ’ll receive a identification number of pickable varieties , from quondam standards like Gala and Macintosh to more recess cider apples like Cox ’s Orange and Pomme Gris . Burtt ’s also has first-class apple cyder donuts , plus an actual apple slingshot .
Peck Farmis another safe fall period , and has been owned by the same family of farmers for over eight generations . There ’s a clavus tangle on land site , as well as a cyder press , a sugar shack , and a fairly substantial Malus pumila orchard .
If for some reason you ca n’t make it out to an literal farm , Montpelier ’s hebdomadal Fannie Merritt Farmer market is a regular treasure trove of local green groceries and culture . Held every Saturday , the Capital City Farmers Markethosts vendors sell everything from tea and ceramics to Tamale .
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Late nights, alcohol, and hiking shoes required.
Engage with your surroundings
TheVermont Historical Society Museumis far more interesting than its name might intimate . pass some sentence here and you ’ll happen yourself intrigued by goddesses , wigwams , and cracker bonbon . TheT.W. Wood Art Galleryis another fascinating hitch , housing piece from both the Works Progress Administration and Montpelier ’s Thomas Waterman Wood . While many of Wood ’s kit and caboodle give ear in the gallery that bears his name , the space also holds more modern-day exhibitions .
For those who are more interested in getting some guidance on their excursions , theNorth Branch Nature Centeris a 28 - Akko conserve that offers upshot in the park . There are numerous lessons for child at any given prison term , but there are also events for grownup , include picnic , demonstration , and classes about birdwatching , biodiversity , and amphibious preservation . Take a flavour at theircalendarbefore you go to town , and you ’re sure to get a good dinner , drawing class , or owl spot excursion .
Flickr/Bob P. B.
Oakes & Evelyn
Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits
Burtt’s Apple Orchard
North Branch Nature Center
