Aside from being the only capital city in the nation without a McDonald’s or a Starbucks, Montpelier is also a vibrant, lively community built on history, blended with modern-day culture.

The first stop to Montpelier should be the Vermont State Capitol with its marble exterior and iconic gold-topped dome.  The lawn surrounding the state house includes picnic tables, walking paths, and flower gardens. Constructed in the 19th-century, the state house remains a popular tourist destination for photographing.

Heading into downtown, Montpelier’s offerings are included but not limited to: The Skinny Pancake for fresh crepes, J. Morgan’s Steakhouse, Capitol Grounds for coffee and treats, and the Vermont Historical Society Museum to get a glimpse into Vermont’s storied past.  Just outside of downtown Montpelier is Hubbard Park, an approximately 200-acre recreation space that consists of hiking trails, a nature center, and the Hubbard Park Tower, which, from the top, offers a scenic vista of the Green Mountains and the state house.

Just a stone’s throw away from Vermont’s capital city are the municipalities of Barre and Waterbury.  In Barre, amble through Hope Cemetery, which hosts an array of granite sculptures and tombstones in a 53-acre green space.  Waterbury’s offerings include Cold Hollow Cider Mill, known for their mouth-watering cider doughnuts, a freshwater reservoir surrounded by two state parks–Waterbury Center State Park and Little River State Park, and the Ben & Jerry’s factory, which offers tours of the ice cream-making process.

Moreover, Montpelier and its surrounding areas are perfect for experiencing both the rural and urban sides of the Green Mountain State.  Whether it is a day spent in Montpelier or a week, Vermont’s Capital Region has something to offer for individuals of all ages.