Things To Do In Montpelier

Four Seasons & Lots To Enjoy

Cultural Heritage | Arts & Theater | Sports | Things To Do

This overview of activities and sights in Montpelier was created by resident Don Lyons for the Montpelier Travel Information Council. Some of the suggestions here duplicate parts of the Central Vermont Points of Interest which should be viewed as a supplement to these activities. Get out your camera and take memorable photos at many prime locations in, around, and overlooking the city.
Cultural Heritage
	Vermont State House The Vermont State House is an architectural treasure and a lively hands-on museum of the state's political and military history. That bright glittering dome is painted with genuine gold-based paint. M-F, 8-4 year-round; summer (July 7-Oct. 18) Sat. 11-2:30. Closed Sun. Call for guided or group tour schedules. (802) 828-2228. Free.
	Visit the Governor! Or at least the long hallway outside the Governor's Office where an exhibit of Vermont artists can always be viewed, in the Pavilion Building, State St., M-F, 8-4:30. Free.
	Vermont Historical Society Colorful Vermont history is on display at the Vermont Historical Society Museum. Lively exhibits, gift shop, photographs, and even Vermont's last catamount. Tu-Sat, 10-4; Sun. (May-Oct), 12-4. (802) 828-2291. Small admission fee.
	Historic Walking Tours Take one of the Historic Walking Tours and explore a cityscape teeming with architectural gems -- churches, private homes, and office buildings; some dating back to the early 1800s.
	City Hall Visit City Hall lobby and the "hall of history" to view old photographs of downtown Montpelier, including photos from the Flood of 1927; a contemporary arts exhibit and collection of curious artifacts. See World War II mementos from battle cruiser USS Montpelier on the second floor. M-F, 8-5. Free.
	Kellogg-Hubbard Library Rest your weary feet and feed your eager mind in a deep leather chair in the Kellogg-Hubbard Library's reading room. Hundreds of magazines and selected newspapers, plus thousands of books to choose from. M-Th 10-8 pm; 10-5:30 F-Sat. (to 1 pm on Sat from June 7th until Labor Day weekend). Closed Sun. & holidays. (802) 223-3338 Free.
	Hubbard Park Tower Ascend the 50-foot stone tower in Hubbard Park for a spectacular and romantic view from the highest point in the city. Daylight hours. Free.
	Green Mount Cemetery Visit the beautifully landscaped Green Mount Cemetery to view the exquisite carvings and statuary in local granite by local artisans. Lower State St., daylight hours.
	Vermont Products The Vermont Agriculture Dept. always has an interesting display of Vermont products in their even more interesting historic red sandstone building. State St., M-F, 8-4:30. Free.
Arts & Theater
	Artisans Hand Visit the Artisans Hand on Main Street to see the work of printmakers, quilters, potters, weavers and many other types of hand crafted items. Open Mon-Sat, 10-6, Sun. 12-4.
	T.W. Wood Art Gallery The T. W. Wood Art Gallery, founded in 1895, features both historic Vermont art and innovative contemporary art in a breathtaking building and setting on the Vermont College campus of Norwich University, College St. Tu-Sun, 12-4. (802) 828-8743. Small admission fee.
	Lost Nation Theater Visit the Lost Nation Theater, Vermont's Capital Theater at City Hall Arts Center. call (802) 229-0492 for a complete listing of performances.
	Savoy Theater See art films and old favorites at the Savoy Theater, Main St. and first-run releases at the multi-screens Capitol Theater, State St.
	Vermont Philharmonic Concert Vermont's own priemer orchestra featuring Louis A. Kosma, conductor. Performs classical programs, youth concerts, an annual outdoor pops concert, a New Year's Eve concert, and other programs in communities throughout Central and Northern Vermont. Phone: 802-244-6828. wil@vermontphilharmonic.org
	Summer Concerts Listen to summer evening concerts on the State House lawn, where toddlers bounce and dance to the beat of the city band. Wed. 7 pm. Free.
	Brown Bag Concert Series Listen to a different band, through the Brown Bag Concert Series, every Thursday (summer only) at the Christ Church Pocket Park. Bands start playing at noon. Sponsored by the Montpelier Downtown Community Association. (802) 223-9604.
Sports
	Montpelier Recreation Field For youngsters and would-be youngsters, shoot some hoops, throw some frisbees, baseballs, or play hacky-sack, volleyball and swim, at Montpelier Recreation Field, Elm St.
	Tennis Play tennis under the sun or stars at public courts at the local high school and Recreation Field, where you can also picnic or stroll nature trails.
	The Vermont Mountaineers Try to catch the Vermont Mountaineers when they have a home game. Elm St. Call (802) 223-5224 for a complete schedule of events.
	Golf If golf is your weakness there's the Montpelier Elks Country Club, a nine-hole course built in 1903. April 15-Nov. 15. Modest greens fee. (802) 223-7457. For warm-up there's a golf driving range across the road from the Rte. 2 entrance to the course.
	Fish Fish the Dog! The Dog River, that is. A scenic and clean trout stream that borders in Montpelier, plus other nearby streams. (Fishing license required)
	Bike Grab your bikes, or rent 'em locally and pedal the flat streets, rolling hills, and nearby back roads and trails.
	Canoe Canoe the Winooski River along its scenic path from the Lower State St. river entry to the first falls in Middlesex, 7 miles downstream.
	Hunt Hunt the nearby hills in autumn (shotgun only in the city limits, required hunting license).
	Winter Fun During winter enjoy sledding, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing all Free in Hubbard Park or take in the ice skating at the local indoor rink.
	Ski or Snowboard Ski internationally renowned Stowe and Sugarbush resorts from Thanksgiving to Easter and longer, then return and relax at our multi-choice accommodations. Both areas within 40 minutes.
	Vermonts Beauty Run, hike, or walk through Hubbard Park's 180 acres of hills on well-groomed trails. Picnic at the many tables and shelters nicely distributed through the park. Free.
	Summer Programs for Kids Let the kids have fun while learning boating safety, swimming, soccer and basketball in summer recreation programs for all. (802) 223-5141.
Things To Do
	North Branch Nature Center Explore the wonders of the North Branch Nature Center's nature walks, exhibits and displays, Rte 12N. Open Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. Nature Trails open anytime. (802) 229-6206. Free.
	The Shuttle Hop on the shuttle bus at any downtown Montpelier stop and ride the circuit. Make sure to make it up to the National Life Insurance Co. building for spectacular views of the city and mountains.
	Vermont State Law Library A rainy day off-the-beaten track treat is the Vermont State Law Library, State St., where budding historians can view microfilm from an extensive collection of Vermont newspapers dating back to 1760. Find out what happened in Vermont on your birth date. M-F, 8-4:30. Free.
	Shop Downtown Browse the many traditional and unique shops in the easy-walking downtown district.
	Watch Student Chefs Watch breads, pastries, and fine foods under student preparation at the New England Culinary Institute's Main Street locations.
	College Campuses Take a tour of Montpelier's four college campuses: New England Culinary Institute, Woodbury College, Norwich University, and Vermont College Union Institute & University.
	Information Booth Need to get your bearing straight? Stop by the new information booth on State St. or the colorful kiosk at City Hall for more information on local activities.
	Great Food If your stomach craves Italian, vegetarian, Mexican, American traditional, Chinese, seafood, continental, fast food, or deli, you can stop the pangs at one or more of our 30-plus restaurants and eateries.
	Vermont Maple Syrup Spring is the sweet season when you can watch the "boiling down" of turning maple sap into delicious maple syrup, usually beginning in mid-February often into April at nearby sugarhouses. Free.
	Deer Watch white-tail deer graze and feed in meadows at the outskirts of the city in early morning hours and at dusk. Spring-autumn.
	Vermont Legislature Farmer's Nights Enjoy varied entertainment at Vermont Legislature Farmers' Nights at the State House. Wed. 7:30 pm, Jan.-Apr. Free.
	Rotten Sneaker Contest Youths compete for prizes and dubious honors at the annual, nationally acclaimed Rotten Sneakers Contest. For youths 18 and under. March. (802) 223-5141. Free.
	Easter Egg Hunt The annual Easter Egg Hunt, held in Hubbard Park on the Saturday before Easter. Free to kids 12 years and under. (802) 223-5141.
	Fly a Kite Come fly a kite. Join us at the annual Kite Flying contest in May, sponsored by the Recreation Department. (802) 223-5141. Free.
	Farmers Market Stop by Montpelier's famous Farmers Market. Sample the produce of numerous organic gardeners and farmers...and plenty of herbs, flowers, and baked goods. Sat. 9-1, May-Oct. (802) 685-4360
	Family Fun Day Take in the big splash at the Recreation Department's Family Fun Day in early July at the local pool. (802) 223-5141. Free
	Circus Smirkus Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more when Circus Smirkus comes to town. August 11-13 at Montpelier High School. For tickets or more information call (802) 533-7443.
	Chicken Pie Meet local folks and interesting visitors and enjoy real home cooking at church-sponsored chicken pie suppers. Sept.-Nov.
	Autumn Foliage Foliage around Montpelier seems extra special. Leaves begin to change in mid-September. Red leaves show first on soft maples, before the gold and orange hues of other hardwood trees. Our peak foliage is between Oct. 3-15, though predicting when it will be best is a very inexact science. The State House with its golden dome set against a backdrop of green softwoods and accented with surrounding colorful foliage, makes it the most photographed scene in all of Vermont.
	Holiday Shopping Find a special gift for that special person in your life at pre-holidays church bazaars. Nov.-Dec.
	Ski-Skate Sale If you're looking for a back-up pair, the annual Recreation Department Ski-Skate sale might be just the answer. Early December. (802) 223-5141.
	First Night Join Montpelier's First Night festivities the afternoon and evening of December 31 where an alcohol-Free celebration salutes the new year, complete with fireworks.
Looking for more? The Montpelier arts, entertainment, and sports scene is prolific. Pick up a copy of the daily Times-Argus or the weekly world newspapers and check out the calendar of events.

Additional Area Information:

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