Montpelier was first settled in 1787 by settlers from Charlton, MA. It was originally called Montpelier after the French city of Montpellier and is the State Capital of Vermont. Montpelier is located in Washington County and is nestled in the Green Mountains region of Vermont. Montpelier is home to the largest urban historic district in Vermont.
Downtown Montpelier is lively and quaint, with a mix of shops, businesses, and restaurants. There are several historic buildings downtown, including the Montpelier City Hall (opened in 1909) and the Montpelier Train Station (built-in 1849). The downtown area is also home to the Vermont State House, the Vermont Supreme Court, and the Vermont State Library.
Montpelier is a vibrant and thriving community with a lot to offer its residents and visitors alike!
Montpelier has several parks and recreation areas for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Montpelier Recreation Department oversees the city’s parks and recreation facilities, including the Montpelier Dog Park, Montpelier skate park, Montpelier pool, and Montpelier recreation park.
The Dog Park is a great place for dogs and their owners to socialize and exercise, and the skate park is a popular spot for BMX and skateboarders. Montpelier also has several miles of trails for hiking, biking, and walking.
Montpelier is home to a variety of businesses and organizations, including The Montpelier Chamber of Commerce a membership-based organization that promotes and supports local businesses, and the Montpelier Economic Development Corporation works to attract new businesses to the area. The Montpelier Visitors Center is a great resource for visitors, with information about attractions, events, and lodging in the area.
Public schools:
Montpelier High School, Main Street Middle School, Union Elementary School and
Higher Education:
Community College of Vermont- New England Culinary Institute, a for-profit career college, and Union Institute & University Vermont campus, offers a Master of Education program through a low-residency (online) program.
Vermont College of Fine Arts– is a low-residency graduate school offering Master of Fine Arts degrees in visual arts, writing, and writing for children and young adults.
Thing to do, places to see in around Montpelier
Montpelier is a great place to live, work, and play! There are plenty of things to do in the city, and it’s a great place to visit or raise a family. If you’re looking for a vibrant and thriving community, Montpelier is the place for you!
Whether you are looking for a weekend of activities at the parks, hiking or visiting some art and culture venues, you’ll have plenty of choices for family fun. If you’re staying for dinner and night life activities, you will love what Montpelier has to offer. We have a variety of places to visit listed in this blog. Have Fun choosing!
Attraction
Vermont State House- Its House and Senate chambers are the oldest active legislative halls in the United States that have preserved their original interiors. Visitors are welcome: Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM. 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT.
Vermont History Center Museum- Learn about Vermont’s exciting past through the museum, heritage exhibits, and library. Current open hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT.
North Branch Nature Center- From amphibian monitoring to bird research, North Branch Nature Center studies and protects local wildlife with the support of passionate volunteer scientists. Center Open Monday-Friday 9-4 Trails Open 24/7. 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT.
Hubbard Park- The park is over 200 acres. It includes more than 7 miles of hiking and skiing trails, 2 picnic shelters, numerous picnic areas, a soccer and ball field, a small pond, a sledding hill, and a 54-foot stone observation tower. Open from 7am-9pm. 400 Parkway St, Montpelier, VT.
Restaurants
Sarducci’s- Lively, casual Italian trattoria overlooking the Winooski River & serving pasta & wood-fired pizzas. 3 Main St, Montpelier, VT.
The Mad Taco- Mexican & modern Latin eats are served with hot sauces & craft beers in a relaxed, funky setting. 72 Main St, Montpelier, VT.
Wilaiwan’s Kitchen- Small restaurant filled with art & plants, offering a rotating menu of Thai dishes. 34 State St, Montpelier, VT.
J Morgan’s Steakhouse- High-end hotel steakhouse/bar with modern decor, known for prime cuts & Sunday brunch. 100 State St, Montpelier, VT.
Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery- Nostalgic, acclaimed 1918 American mom-and-pop diner known for its baked goods & ice cream. 1873 US-302, Montpelier, VT.
Music and Night Life
Bent Nails Bistro- Live music venue/bar serving bistro style food with a quirky decor open for lunch and dinner. 4 Langdon St, Montpelier, VT.
Three Penny Taproom- Bustling brewhouse specializing in local & regional craft drafts & creative, upscale pub grub. 108 Main St, Montpelier, VT.
Charlie O’s World Famous- Live music, billiards, karaoke. 70 Main Street, Montpelier, VT.
Positive Pie- Live music, extensive pizza & menus, full bar, craft beers. 22 State Street, Montpelier, VT
Three Penny Taproom- Live music, craft beer, pub menu, full bar. 108 Main Street, Montpelier, VT.
Bent Nails Bistro- Bistro food and live music. 4 Langdon St, Montpelier, VT.
Sports Teams
Vermont Mountaineers- The Vermont Mountaineers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Montpelier, Vermont.
If you’re looking to play some ball while in the area, here are a few courts to enjoy for the whole family!
Sports & Courts
Basketball Court- 93 Baseball Dr, Montpelier, VT.
Public Tennis Courts- 16b Memorial Dr, Montpelier, VT.
The Elm Street Recreation- 4 tennis courts, 4 baseball diamonds (2 softball/farm league, 1 babe ruth, and 1 little league), outdoor basketball courts, a skateboard park, and swimming pool. Elm Street Montpelier, VT.
If you’re planning a visit to the area, be sure to check out the fun events held each year in Montpelier. Great community events for every season!
Yearly Events- Montpelier Alive Presents:
Ice on Fire- February- This annual festival is a celebration of winter. Bring family and friends for an afternoon of sledding, hot drinks and songs. Pop-up storytelling, puppets, fun with snow (weather permitting) and other events take place throughout the day. The event closes with a traditional Revels poem and a Christmas tree bonfire. Held at Hubbard Park on a Sunday afternoon from 2-5 pm in early February.
Art Walk- First Fridays in February, April, June, August, October, December. Enjoy the local art! Upwards of 20 art openings on one night in Montpelier.
Parkapalooza- Each summer, Hubbard Park hosts a free summer concert series known as Parkapalooza. These family-friendly, open-air concerts are held at the Tuning Forks Stage, next to the Old Shelter, and feature live music from talented local and regional artists.
Summer Spice Gathering -August- The festival will be celebrated in the summer and featuring outstanding Cajun and Old-Time musicians from Louisiana and Southern Appalachia, together with premier touring folk musicians and regional performers. There are concerts, dances, workshops, family events, jam sessions and free performances in Montpelier, Vermont.
Enchanted Forest-October – Montpelier’s nighttime community celebration of Autumn. Located in historic Hubbard Park, hay wagon rides bring groups of people deep into the park where they are led by guides through candle-lit paths to stages of storytelling, music, fire, and enchantment.
Montpelier is the smallest city capital that’s rich in history and culture. There are many historic buildings to see. Montpelier, Vermont is a historic town that has been able to preserve its buildings and attract new businesses. Sports fans will enjoy the sports facilities and courts, while nature lovers can explore the parks and trails. There are many attractions in Montpelier, including restaurants, music and nightlife. There are also several yearly events worth checking out.
