Montpelier

Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont, the smallest state capital in the United States with a population of 8,074 as of the 2020 census.

Understand
Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the United States. It is also the only state capital that does not have a McDonald's restaurant.

Tourist information

 * Montpelier Alive website

Climate
Downtown flooding has become more common in the last few years. While it is not a danger to people, some shops or roads in the downtown area may be closed for a few days in the early spring.

By car
A common way to get to Montpelier is by auto. It is located along Interstate 89. It is about 3 hours from Boston and Montreal.

By plane
You can also fly into Burlington, Vermont, which is about a 45-minute drive from Montpelier. Or, if it is a weekday, you can take the bus from Burlington to Montpelier.

By train

 * Route stopping at Montepelier:
 * Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.
 * Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.

By bus

 * Greyhound serves downtown Montpelier with buses that connect to Boston, Montreal, and Manchester NH airports. Buses stop in front of city hall at 39 Main St.
 * Megabus connects Montpelier with Boston. Buses stop at the Dog River Park & Ride, off of exit 8 on Interstate 89.

Get around

 * Walking - It is a very small town, so walking is an excellent way to get around from the State House and downtown area. You will find that people park their vehicle downtown and then can walk all of downtown and the State House area. Montpelier is a very compact town. Drivers are very courteous to pedestrians at the frequent cross walks you find in the downtown area.
 * Green Mountain Transit bus service covers Montpelier and other area communities. A Capital Shuttle operates seasonally.

Learn

 * New England Culinary Institute (NECI), +1-877-223-6334 (email:info@neci.edu), has a campus in Montpelier and operates the La Brioche bakery, Main Street Bar & Grill, and the Chef's Table.
 * Center for Arts and Learning, 802-595-5252 (email:info@cal-vt.org), is an arts and education center in downtown Montpelier which is committed to enhancing the cultural life of central Vermont through its founding member organizations, as well as embracing individual artists, musicians, and other non-profits in a collaborative and welcoming community.

Book stores
Enjoy shopping the fine book stores in Montpelier, all within close walking distance.

Connect

 * The local newspaper is the Times-Argus.

Go next
Montpelier is an excellent place to stay and get out to see other area sites.


 * Stowe, Vermont Ski Resort Area, with hiking, shops and restaurants.
 * Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Take a factory tour.
 * Cabot Creamery, in Cabot. See how cheese is made.
 * Church Street in Burlington. Great shopping, food and bars.
 * Rock of Ages Quarry, in Barre. The Quarry is located just a few miles from Montpelier. Take tours of an active granite quarry over 600 feet (182 m) deep.
 * Hope Cemetery in Barre, has tombstones of granite that are works of art and in some cases unique. Examples are a race car, soccer ball, a cube balanced on one corner, a biplane and a husband and wife that are side by side in bed overlooking their tombs.