Montpelier, Vermont's Capitol and Washington County shire town is the commercial & political heart of the Green Mountains. A treasure trove of creative expression. Music, theater and dance are popular, especially with the Contemporary Dance Studio located in the heart of the city, the Lost Nation Theater, and twin city Barre Opera House.

Montpelier is by population (8,000 +) the nation’s smallest state capitol and very easy to underestimate, bursting with appeal including the Vermont State House, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Green Mountain Film Festival, Lost Nation Theater, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Vermont History Center and the alternative Savoy movie theater where you can enjoy a glass of wine as you enjoy the latest flix. Multiple public and private schools span the city including a Waldorf School. Believe it or not, there isn't a single McDonalds in the state capitol, even if your french fry craving might take you across the town line into Barre for your fix.

Order the Heartbreaker Crepe at the Skinny Pancake, a croissant at The Bohemian for a buttery breakfast, lunch at Woodbelly Pizza or Mad Taco, a bowl of noodles at Si Aku Ramen or Pasta Carbonara at Sarducci's as the day comes to an end or in Barre at the Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen followed by drinks at the Three Penny Taproom or Blackback Pub. Cook a delicious meal with ingredients bought from the Capitol City Farmer's Market or the organic produce and pure food stocked Hunger Mountain Co-op. And don’t miss the Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works for some amber or dark maple syrup, catch a Lost Nation Theater production,  hike Camel's Hump State Park or a stay at the Capitol Plaza downtown.

Satellite attractions include Barre, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Berlin, Northfield, Plainfield, Marshfield, & Roxbury. Burlington, Stowe, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak and Killington. With St. Johnsbury and the North East Kingdom to the north and Northfield's Norwich University to the south.

Amtrak’s Vermonter runs through Montpelier Junction from Washington DC to St. Albans and the if you're a small engine pilot check out the Edward F. Knapp state airport in Barre. Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is a 30 minute drive.