8 Undiscovered Small Towns In Vermont
As we fall deeper into autumn, Vermont鈥檚 identity as the "Green" Mountain State continues to transform with the colors of the season. And while millions continue to visit from across the country to behold Vermont鈥檚 famous fall foliage, this northeastern state also has its fair share of undiscovered towns providing a tranquil escape from the leaf-peeping crowds.
Paired with fascinating historic attractions, spirited autumn festivals, and charming downtowns, these underrated villages may not make the most mainstream travel lists, but this just means their undisturbed sights and attractions can be enjoyed in peace. So, if you are on the hunt for laid-back Vermont towns with tons to see and do this fall, consider adding any of these eight undiscovered towns to your travel itinerary in 2024.
Bristol
Tucked away in Vermont鈥檚 Green Mountain National Forest, Bristol is a charming river town hidden in the trees. At this time of year, the forest is already beginning to shed its vibrant green, making Bristol one of the best locations to experience Vermont鈥檚 signature sugar maples. For the ultimate foliage hike, you will want to take the New Haven River path near downtown Bristol. Along with views of the forest, the hike rewards you with views of Bristol Falls, a stunning 14-foot cascade.
Making your way back to Main Street, downtown Bristol (affectionately called 鈥淏ristol Village鈥�) is known for having that quintessential New England charm. Between the Victorian-era buildings and cozy independent shops and restaurants like Vermont HoneyLights and The Bobcat Cafe and Brewery, there is no better place to stroll with a coffee in hand. If you time your visit right, you can also experience the town鈥檚 25th Annual Bristol Harvest Festival at Town Green park, for delicious food, live music, and over 70 craft vendors.
Warren
Just 30 minutes from Bristol, Warren is another underrated Green Mountain town known for its natural beauty. With less than 2,000 locals, this rural refuge is easy to miss if you do not know what you are looking for. But for vacationers in-the-know, Warren is home to must-see fall hiking trails like the Warren Falls Trail and the Sugarbush Resort. This 4-season getaway spot offers everything from a 71-hole golf course in the summer to a 2-mountain, 4-terrain ski slope in the winter.
For those looking to enjoy the scenery of the mountain sooner, this central Vermont town is already reporting gorgeous fall foliage and estimating its peak for the second week of October. Along with free scenic hiking trails like the Lollipop Loop and Gatehouse Woods Loop, the resort鈥檚 Scenic Foliage Lift Rides are a fabulous way to see the park鈥檚 kaleidoscope colors. As for fun fall activities, Sugarbush鈥檚 first-ever Oktoberfest will take place on October 12 and 13. Promising beer tastings, ax throwing, and live music, people of all ages can enjoy this German-themed celebration.
Shelburne
Along the shores of Lake Champlain, just 7 miles from bustling Burlington, Shelburne is a quaint and serene escape. While often overshadowed by the city, this lakeside town offers its own allure, primarily in its slower pace, small town feel, and cozy attractions. As the town鈥檚 anchor, Lake Champlain is gorgeous in every season and Shelburne Bay Park has some really stunning waterfront hiking trails like the Shelburne Bay Loop.
Back in town, the Shelburne Village Historic District features a ton of cute activities like visits to the Shelburne Museum, apple picking at Shelburne Orchards, and shopping at the Shelburne Country Store, an original Vermont Country Store built in 1859. Suffice to say, this rural town is the perfect escape for those craving simpler pleasures this fall.
Weston
Making our way to Windsor County, Weston is another whimsical Vermont village known for its nostalgic shopping experiences. While not as old as Shelburne鈥檚 landmark shop, Weston鈥檚 Vermont Country Store on Main Street has been a town staple since 1946. Selling an eclectic range of antiques, old-fashioned goods, and modern necessities, this nostalgic general store is beloved by tourists and townspeople alike.
To step even further back in time, the Weston Village Store has been open since 1891. Like the previous store, this Main Street village shop blends the past and present, selling everything from vintage weathervanes to pure Vermont maple syrup. Right next door, the Weston Village Christmas Shop is the perfect follow-up for those looking to get ahead of their holiday shopping. Located in a 19th-century barn, this fun and festive store is open from Memorial Day weekend through December.
Brandon
Sometimes called the 鈥淎rt & Soul鈥� of Vermont, Brandon is an underrated community with a treasure trove of day-trip activities. With just over 4,000 locals, the town is described as 鈥淯nhurried, Unspoiled, [and] Unforgettable,鈥� providing that pleasant small-town feel so many of us yearn for in the fall. Kick off your visit with a cozy coffee and breakfast at charming spots like Mae's Place, and make sure to don a pair of comfy shoes to explore the charms of this walkable town.
Keeping with the unhurried pace, 鈥疊randon鈥檚 historic downtown is the perfect next stop. Featuring 243 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a self-guided walking tour will take you past war monuments, 19th-century churches, and homes dating back to the Post-Colonial Period. As for Brandon鈥檚 art scene, the town is ripe with galleries, like the Brandon Artists Guild, Judith Reilly Gallery, and the Vermont Folk Art Gallery. To finish your day, the town also has a wide range of breweries like Red Clover Ale Co., Foley Brothers Brewing, and the Ripton Mountain Distillery.
Waterbury
For those who love quaint downtowns, Waterbury is another overlooked gem worth exploring. Similar to Brandon, the majority of Waterbury鈥檚 village center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so your stroll downtown will feel like a visit to Old Vermont. Independent businesses enhance this trip back in time that much further, transporting you to a time when big-box stores were nowhere to be found. Whether grabbing cider donuts from Cafe at Cold Hollow, browsing for a new read at Bridgeside Books, or shopping for gifts at the Tiny Acorn, your time in this cozy Vermont village will feel like a breath of fresh air.
If you are looking for a literal breath of fresh air, Waterbury is also home to 2 stunning state parks. The first of the 2, Little River State Park, is part of Mt. Mansfield State Forest, so the autumn hikes are truly breathtaking. The 4-mile Dalley Loop Trail is one of the park鈥檚 best paths to see the foliage, taking hikers through the forest past bubbling brooks and countless homestead ruins. Waterbury鈥檚 second outdoor space, Waterbury Center State Park, is also found in the Mount Mansfield State Forest along the Waterbury Reservoir, offering beautiful fall scenes.
Waitsfield
With the Mad River Valley鈥檚 pastoral beauty reaching an all-time high in the fall, cozy Waitsfield is the perfect gateway to its sights and scenes. As the area鈥檚 trees transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, leaf peeping is one of the Valley鈥檚 trademark attractions. And since Waitsfield tends to fly below the radar, it is one of the best places to experience a quieter Vermont retreat, with serene hiking paths like the Enchanted Forest Trail.
For the lucky few that already know about this hidden treasure town, overnight stays at the beautiful Round Barn Farm Bed and Breakfast are heavenly this time of year. Home to one of the last surviving round barns in Vermont, a rustic-chic 19th-century farmhouse, several ponds, and pristine gardens, this historic accommodation is as romantic and cozy as they come.
Keeping with its rural small-town feel, Westfield is also known for its locally sourced food. The Waitsfield Farmers Market is a great place to support local growers every Saturday from May 18th to October 12th, 2024, or you can shop for fresh produce, flowers, maple syrup, and more at Hartshorn's Organic Farm Stand & Maple Sugar House.
Chester
About 2 hours south of Waitsfield, the Windsor County town of Chester boasts one of the most unique downtowns in the state. The Chester Stone Village Historic District, nicknamed 鈥淭he Stone Village,鈥� is a half-a-mile-long historic hub featuring the largest concentrations of stone buildings in Vermont. One of the last of its kind, this impressive collection came about when skilled masons from Scotland moved to Chester in the 1830s. The distinctive architectural style can only be found in about 50 other surviving buildings in Vermont, making the district a true bucket list-worthy attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts.
The town鈥檚 Scottish heritage also remains intact with hot spots like the MacLaomainn's Scottish Pub. Its historic atmosphere, on the other hand, goes hand-in-hand with the town鈥檚 range of antique shops, like the Stone House Antique Center and Vermont Picker Antiques. As for outdoor attractions, The Lost Mine Trail in Chester鈥檚 Town Forest blends nature and history. Delightful in all seasons (but especially in the fall), this scenic trail guides hikers past a historic mine that once operated in from the late 1800s to early 1900s, and is where the rare mineral chesterite was discovered in 1977.
While many of the towns on this list remain undiscovered and underrated, their natural beauty, historic attractions, and exciting festivals might not keep things quiet for much longer. So if you are the type of traveler that loves finding those off-the-beaten-path attractions鈥攆rom Bristol鈥檚 prized waterfall to Chester鈥檚 rare Stone Village鈥攜ou may just want to take advantage of these crowdless towns while you can.
