Official Cumulative Town Count | Unofficial Count |
158 | 37 |
The VT 251 towns explored in this post essentially form a ring around Burlington. They are all beautiful and extremely pastoral, even as you get quite close to the Queen City (Burlington). Aside from views and Lake Champlain, you have some great chocolates, some museums, and a few covered bridges. Read on for a glimpse of HINESBURG, STARKSBORO, MONKTON, PANTON, VERGENNES, CHARLOTTE, & SHELBURNE.
HINESBURG
Apparently I didn't take many pictures in Hinesburg, VT (oops, sorry). It is only 12 miles from Burlington, yet with a population of roughly 4,300, it has a lot to offer its residents on beyond its abundant farmland and lovely vistas. While the town is not as charming as many I have visited, it has many of the expected municipal offerings (schools, churches, post office, etc.), as well as bakeries, restaurants -- I hear great things about the Public House (always closed when I'm in the area), and one of our favorite breweries -- Frost Beer Works, producer of Lush (a Vermont hazy, fruity IPA) and other yummy brews (which has also been closed each time we've been to town to visit).
STARKSBORO
Starksboro, VT (pop. 1756 in 220) is just down the road (south) from Hinesburg, and it has the same pastoral feel, with a bit more charm due to its smaller size. Most of the town (ie. library, town offices, post office...) is tightly bound around route 116 and everything else I saw was farmland.
MONKTON
Monkton, VT (accessed from Starksboro via States Prison Hollow Rd which never had a prison, fyi) has a population 2,079 (as of 2020). Like the other towns discussed thus far, it is a very rural community, and has at least one great orchard for apple picking as well as an AMAZING chocolate shop -- Alderman's (they ship if you don't find yourself in the area). Not much of a town center; this is definitely farming country!
PANTON
Panton, VT (pop. 646 in 2020) is a small farming community on the shores of Lake Champlain, "where Benedict Arnold scuttled his fleet to prevent the British from capturing his ships during the War for Independence." (source: town website) Town Hall was the extent of "town" that I saw there; everything else was fertile farmland.
VERGENNES
Vergennes, VT (pop. 2533 in 2020) is located just north of Panton, with its western border also on the shores of Lake Champlain (where you can visit a Maritime Museum with lots of revolutionary relics -- lots of fun for kids and adults, alike!). The actual main part of Vergennes (pronounced Ver-Jenns), though, is a little further east, and it is a really lovely "city" (one of Vermont's smallest), with a walkable downtown, nice library and opera house, as well as some fine dining (Black Sheep Bistro) and Ice Cream (Lulu & Olsen's -- great creemees, fyi). There are also cute shops and small eateries, as well as MacDonough Park on the Otter Creek, where you can see the "falls." Vergennes is a stop on the Amtrak train route from NYC to Burlington; they moved the historic building to its current location and it is being used today (after a hiatus from 1953 until 2022). It is the oldest wooden train station in the state. Interestingly, the station originally had two entrances, leading to segregated waiting rooms: one for women and children, the other for men and smokers.
CHARLOTTE
Charlotte, VT (pop. 3912 in 2020) was named for Queen Charlotte, though unlike other towns named Charlotte, the town in Vermont is pronounced shar-lott, with the emphasis placed on the second syllable. It is located only 10 miles south of Burlington, yet it feels worlds apart. It borders Lake Champlain to the west and offers amazing views, lots of recreation, farmlands, and an upscale community in which to live. It is also home to one of the oldest still-functioning ferries (cars and people) which goes to Essex, NY (across the Lake). One of my favorite farm markets (Sweet Roots Farm and Market) is located in Charlotte, as is Mount Philo State Park, which has a moderate short hike with stupendous views from the top. And, there are three covered bridges, to boot! Charlotte is a gem of a town and if you're looking for nice views, a good hike, some covered bridges, or some farm-fresh produce (in-season), it's well worth a visit!
SHELBURNE
Shelburne, VT (pop. 7,717 in 2020) is a sizeable town just south of Burlington with a lot going on. It has a vibrant yet quaint town center, an amazing Americana Museum, Shelburne Farms (with incredible walking paths, barns, and an Inn to have a meal with incredible views), and spectacular vistas in every direction. The town is also headquarters to the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, which offers wonderful tours. While the museum, farm, and teddy bear company are all wonderful places to bring the kids, they are all equally great for adults, too! There are also Shelburne Falls (meh) and Palmers Sugar House (should you need or want a maple fix) to visit. Located on the shores of the lake, it offers some of the most exclusive housing in the area, as well as great schools. To eat, Le Marche for breakfast and lunch is delectable (French pastries and so much more) and Folinos Pizza (order the Frankenstein with extra cheese and crispy crust!) with Fiddlehead Beer, conveniently located in the same building, makes a great lunch or dinner option. For tourists, Dakin Farm offers all sorts of Vermont treats (cheese, smoked meats, and maple everything) and The Country Store has the quaint feel you are looking for, and serves a very maple-y maple creemee (in season).
Stay tuned for more of my VT 251 adventures!