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Visitor's Guide

Photo by Jim Sheridan

Check out what Montpelier has to offer before you arrive below and download our pdf Visitor’s Guide here for when you arrive. [visitors_guideFinal.pdf]

Past and Present

If you can see a golden dome when you exit Interstate I-89, then you have found it, the smallest capital city in the United States. The City of Montpelier is located on the shores of the Winooski River, in the Green Mountains, in north central Vermont. Named for Montpellier, France, the capital city was first settled in the 1780’s. Montpelier became the Vermont State Capital in 1805. Montpelier, a small city valued by local businesses and residents alike, has a population around 8,000. Even though tourism generates most of the income in this small state, Montpelier residents thrive on their small community and local products.

After a visit to the unique state capitol, topped by its golden dome, head up behind the building into Hubbard Park, one of the oldest city-owned parks in Vermont. Over 185 acres with a great diversity of plant and tree life, Hubbard park has 7 miles of hiking and skiing trails, numerous picnic areas, a soccer and ball field, small pond, sledding hill, and a 54-foot observation tower built from stone from old local walls. Enjoy the distant views of the area from the top of the tower.

Main Street gives a fresh and lively look to Montpelier. Not only does it serve fresh baked culinary delights, but you will also find unique shopping, including an array of clothing and book stores that thrive on their diverse clientele from around central Vermont and beyond. On State Street you will find a number of small stores, restaurants, the post office, several banks, our state-operated information center and our downtown information booth. Langdon Street bustles with a couple of small, but busy, owner-operated businesses and a great little “Irish” pub.

Local Attractions

Montpelier and its environs are perfect places to wander away from the beaten path to discover the joy of small town rural life. Here are a few options to consider and, unless noted, they are free!

  • Visit the Montpelier City Hall lobby, 39 Main Street, and see rotating art and photo displays. Pick up the key at the City Manager’s office and go up to the second floor to see the USS Montpelier Museum, www.montpelier-vt.org/ussmontpelier.
  • The State Capitol is a magnificent Greek Revival building located on State Street. The gold leaf dome, topped with Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, includes real gold and offers a spectacular contrast with the wooded hillside of Hubbard Park in the background. The interior is adorned with marble floors, spiral staircases and finely carved wood trim. Guided tours are available on the half-hour, free of charge, July – mid-October.
  • Go back in time at the Vermont Historical Society and Museum (museum fee). See and experience the breadth of Vermont history at one site. Sit in a recreated 17th century Abenaki dwelling, walk into a Revolutionary War era tavern, and tap out a message on a late 19th century railroad office telegraph. Get a sense of Vermont’s image and identity over time and the special relationship Vermonters continue to have with the land and their communities. (802) 828-2291, www.vermonthistory.org
  • The recently expanded Kellogg-Hubbard Library is well-worth a visit to see the frieze in the second floor stacks, read a magazine in the reading room, or cuddle with a child on the window seat in the children’s room. 135 Main Street, (802) 223-3338, www.KelloggHubbard.lib.vt.us.
  • The North Branch Nature Center, located north on Elm Street past the recreation fields, has year-round nature programs, a Critter Room, and riverside nature trails that connect to Montpelier’s extensive park system. (802) 223-6206, www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org.
  • Visit the Green Mount Cemetery on Lower State Street, dating back to 1854, to see a memorial for area sculptors and prominent citizens. Many of the gravestones are intricately carved by area granite stone carvers from the area, and there is a unique staircase carved into the hillside. Maps are available for self-guided tours.

Outdoor Activities

There are many opportunities for outdoor activities in and around Montpelier. Check with the Montpelier Recreation Department (223-5141) for particular programs and activities.

Photo by Jim Sheridan

Hiking/Walking – Hubbard Park and North Branch Park have extensive hiking trails (see map LINK). For easy walking and jogging, try the Montpelier Bike Path that follows along the Winooski River for over two miles; easy entry point and parking at the high school or along Stone Cutters Way. There is also a self-guided walk of historic sites in the city. Check the city website, www.montperlier-vt.org, for the guide prepared by the Montpelier Heritage Group.

Running – Try the Montpelier Bike Path, or you can join the local runners club in the summer for informal “fun runs” on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, beginning and ending at the parking lot of the Vermont State Liquor Warehouse at the end of Green Mountain Drive off the access road to I-89. Check their website for special races/events throughout the year, www.cvrunners.org

Biking – Check out the Montpelier Bike Path, as well as the mountain bike path in North Branch Park. For more extensive road and mountain biking, pick up a biking map at Onion River Sports on Langdon Street.

Canoeing/Kayaking – Paddle on the Winooski River from the boat launch at the Gateway Park on Lower State Street across from Green Mount Cemetery, or head up the North Branch from the Mill Pond Park on Elm Street. You can also launch your boats for an easy lake paddle at Wrightsville Reservoir. Follow Route 12 North to the boat launch sign on the right.

Skiing/Snowshoeing – Hubbard Park and North Branch Park have an extensive trail system that is groomed in the winter. Morse Farm (3 miles north of town up Main Street) operates a ski touring center with both open and wooded trails of all abilities (fee). Montpelier is within an hour’s drive of more than half of Vermont’s famed alpine ski resorts and nearly two-thirds of the 45 cross-country ski areas.

Tennis/Skateboarding/Basketball – There are four public tennis courts at the Recreation Field north on Elm Street as well as a skateboard park and outdoor basketball courts. Numerous playing fields are available for pick up games of softball, baseball, soccer and volleyball.

Swimming – In addition to the public swimming pool at the Recreation Field on Elm Street and the beach at Wrightsville Reservoir north of town, there are many swimming holes along the Winooski and North Branch rivers. Explore the area and ask the locals for their favorites.

Accommodations

Attractions Nearby

For More Information

  • State of Vermont Welcome Center – Open daily, 134 State Street, Montpelier, (802) 828-5981. cri.center@state.vt.us.
  • Montpelier Downtown Community Association –39 Main Street, Montpelier, (802) 223-9604,www.mdca.org.
  • City of Montpelier – 39 Main Street, Montpelier,www.montpelier-vt.org.
  • Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce – P. O.Box 336, Barre, VT 05641, (802) 229-4619, www.central-vt.com.
  • Information Booth – Unstaffed, but contains racks of brochures of local attractions, 64 State Street, Montpelier, opposite Washington County Courthouse.