Montpelier by the Winooski River

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont. The Winooski River flows along the south side of the city past the state house. A tributary of the Winooski, the North Branch River flows through the city. It is a vibrant city with plenty of architecture and art to please the eye and lovely parks.

Downtown Montpelier is a nice area to stroll through. There are art galleries, craft shops, bookstores, and other shops to explore. You can stop at a café or restaurant to relax and enjoy the food.

Hikers who love the challenge will enjoy Camel’s Hump. The trail runs for several miles and goes right through the heart of the city on its way to Duxbury. The two cities are 12 miles apart. There are spectacular views along the way and in the wintertime you can ski along the paths.

Maple sugar fans will enjoy a trip to Bragg Farm Sugar House. This is a family-owned and operated business in a very homey setting. You can learn about the production of maple syrup and get maple candies in the gift shop.

Hubbard Park has miles of trails where you can walk or run. It offers great views of Camel’s Hump. The observation tower and a steep stone edifice have stood here for over one hundred years.

The Vermont State House is an impressive building that resembles the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. It is topped by a golden dome. The manicured lawns are colorful with flowers and greenery and get for strolling.

The Capital City Farmer’s Market is the top farmer’s market in Montpelier. It sets up right in front of the Vermont State House and has fresh produce on sale. Vendors sell different meals to try and you can get souvenirs from the crafts on sale here.

The Vermont History Museum has interactive exhibits and informative displays. There is a lot to learn about the history of Vermont.

The T.W. Wood Art Gallery has an interesting mix of permanent and revolving exhibits. It was founded in 1895. It contains one of the oldest and largest Permanent Collections in the state and has the honor of being the repository of Vermont’s portion of the Federal WPA collection.

The state of Vermont is known for its granite. At the Vermont Granite Museum, you can find out about the history of granite in the state. The museum hosts events throughout the year as well.

Vermont is a state known for its covered bridges. The Coburn Covered Bridge is one of the most picturesque covered bridges in the state. It is beautiful with its dark wood against the surrounding forests. The bridge was built in 1851 and since then has been open to the public, Montpelier has other covered bridges but this is the only one that has survived.

Visit the North Branch Vineyards. This small winery is family-owned and run and opened in 2007. It lies beside the North Branch River. It is located in a lovely spot in Montpelier’s picturesque valley. The winery produces delicious wines using locally and regionally grown grapes. You can tour the vineyards and winery and enjoy some wine tasting. There is a tasting room open to visitors.

The North Branch Nature Center offers visitors the opportunity to get in touch with the wildlife in the capital city. This is a small preserve by the North Branch River, a tributary of the Winooski River. You can enjoy nature walks here. Workshops are offered to learn about warblers, trees, and the weather. You can enjoy relaxing by the river or swimming.

Keep an eye out for otters enjoying the river.