Cumulative Official Town Count | Unofficial Town Count |
203 | 47 |
Saint Johnsbury is considered the gateway to the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont, and it has a LOT to offer. Plus, the NEK towns nearby are scenic and personify rural Vermont (especially in Fall when I was there). So come visit the towns of ST. JOHNSBURY, WATERFORD, BARNET, PEACHAM, RYEGATE, & GROTON in this VT 251 exploration.
ST. JOHNSBURY
St. Johnsbury, VT is a delightful town of 7,346 (in 2020). This gateway to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is the only town of its name in the world and the self-proclaimed maple capital of the world. But, I'd argue more importantly, it has a lot to see and do. I'd heard about Dog Mountain and its Dog Chapel, but was not prepared for the vistas or emotion which came with it -- I highly recommend it (unless views and dogs aren't your thing). The town itself has great stores (like Moose River where you can find flannel, maple, wine, and pottery), plenty of dining establishments, a brewery (Whirligig, which has very inventive and delicious eats and which is known for its sours and wild ales brewed largely with local grains and hops), a distillery, an amazing library (The Athenaeum) with an art museum, as well as a museum of natural history with its own planetarium. And as for maple, it is home to Maple Grove Farms, a maple museum, and the area has plenty of other maple to be found. I'd happily return and stay here as a home-base to explore the area.
WATERFORD
Waterford, VT is a town steeped in agriculture (with the unmistakable scent to remind visitors of that fact). This small town (pop. 1,268 in 2020) is picturesque, with the buildings on the main street in Lower Waterford having a unified colonial look of white paint, often with green trim. The town offers vistas of fields and mountains, and has Vermont's last remaining "honor system" public library, which is impeccably kept, includes computers available for public use, and has a lovely porch. As in other small towns, the building which houses the library also houses the post office and town clerk. It is next door to a (seemingly de-commissioned) church and across the street from the quaint and upscale-looking Rabbit Hill Inn, which would be a fine home-base from which to explore this part of the state.
BARNET
Barnet, VT was one of the first towns in the area to be chartered (in 1763) and its first residents played active roles in the Republic of Vermont's Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Today, it is a scenic small town (of 1,663 in 2020) best known for its charm and Harvey Lake, where Jacques Cousteau took his first dive (sort of) in the early 1920s while attending a summer camp. Apparently, "he experimented with staying underwater by breathing through hollow reeds found in the lake shallows. Though he could not yet swim well, this allowed him to stay underwater for extended periods." (source) The town is located by interstate 91, where there is a scenic overlook which is well worth the stop. Additionally, one can visit the historic Ben's Mill (from May-October) and see some impressive falls in the center of town. If you find yourself hungry or needing something from a store, there's nothing I found to offer other than the West Barnet Quick Stop, which doesn't look like much, but is serviceable.
PEACHAM
Peacham, VT is one of the most picturesque small towns I've seen in VT (pop. 715 in 2020). Chartered in December of 1763, a group of proprietors who were speculators surveyed the town, laid down some simple roads, and divided the land into lots. More than 10 years later (in 1776) the town was settled by pioneers who came to the town, purchased lots, built homes, and developed the land for agriculture. Part of Peacham's charm is that many of these old buildings have been lovingly maintained. Situated in the southern part of the NEK, it offers charm and vistas to die for (drive along Mack's Mountain Road and you won't be disappointed). There is a cute cafe (Peacham Cafe -- make sure they'll be open when you're there), the requisite library, church, green in front of the cemetery, and for those who like to hike, the Owl's Head trail can be accessed in Peacham, and is beloved for its views.
RYEGATE
Ryegate, VT is another picturesque small town (pop. 1,185 in 2020) which happens to be the southernmost town of the Northeast Kingdom. It has two main areas (S. Ryegate, Ryegate Corner), both of which are quaint and offer views, views, and churches. The historical Bayley Hazen road was built as a supply route during the Revolutionary War and runs through town offering great beauty for a ride in the country (maybe not in winter or mud season, though).
GROTON
Groton, VT (pop. 984 in 2020) is best known for its natural attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities in Groton State Forest and Nature Center. Owl's Head trail is a very popular hike, as is Noyes Pond Loop. The town, itself, is small and compact, without retail other than the Upper Valley Grill & General Store which was sadly closed when we went (but looked promising peering in through the window); you shouldn't judge a store (or eatery) in Vermont by its facade. (A lesson learned many times in this exploration). The town chartered in 1789 and its library is housed in the Alice Goodine Historic House (which has a dollhouse model of the building in its front window).
Stay tuned for more towns!