Exploring Historic Montpelier, Vermont: Self-Guided GPS Driving Tour through the Capital City
Places: 16 POIsDistance: 5.4 miDuration: 48m
Tour #2661
About this English self-guided 48m driving tour in East Montpelier
Welcome to this UCPlaces tour of Montpelier, Vermont — America’s smallest and most charming state capital! Nestled between forested hills and the winding Winooski River, Montpelier might be compact, but it’s full of heart, history, and delicious local flavor. Today, we’re going to explore its best sights — from maple farms and museums to river views, historic architecture, and peaceful parks.
Before we hit the road, though, you might want to grab some lunch to go. Montpelier is known for its local cafés and farm-to-table eateries — the kind of places where the bread is baked fresh, the cheese comes from a nearby creamery, and someone probably tapped the maple syrup this morning. Whether it’s a sandwich, salad, or a Vermont classic like a cheddar-and-apple wrap, you’ll want something tasty to enjoy later at our final stop in beautiful Hubbard Park.
This tour will take you on a loop through the heart of the capital, weaving together stories of early settlers, creative artists, and generations of locals who’ve built a life around Vermont’s values: community, independence, and connection to nature.
So, get comfortable, cue up your curiosity, and let’s roll! From the sweet traditions of Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks to the golden dome of the State House and the forests beyond, we’re about to see why Montpelier is small in size — but big in spirit.
Are you ready to explore? Great! Just follow your navigation to our first place.
Welcome to the first stop on our Montpelier tour: "Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks". If you’ve ever wondered why Vermonters get sentimental about maple syrup, this is the place to find out. The Morse family has been producing syrup here for over 200 years, perfecting their craft long before electricity or paved roads reached these hills.
As we arrive, you’ll see the iconic red sugarhouse, where sap collected from maple trees is boiled down into syrup. During sugaring season—usually late February through April—sap flows only when cold nights are followed by warmer days. It takes roughly 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, so every drop matters. Farmers measure readiness using “sugar density,” often relying on experience as much as science.
Inside the gift shop, you’ll find syrup grades from Golden Delicate to Dark Robust, each with its own flavor. You can sample them all and decide which team you’re on—Vermonters love to debate this. Be sure to try the maple sugar, maple candy, and the beloved maple creemee, the region’s signature soft-serve treat.
Outside, you’ll spot carved wooden statues, friendly farm animals, and displays explaining how tapping works. Morse Farm embodies Vermont heritage: hardworking, hands-on, and just a little quirky. It’s a delicious way to begin our journey through Montpelier.
Distance: 0.68mi
, Attraction : Historical Information
519 County Rd, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA
History
How about a little history as we make our way toward downtown? Montpelier, Vermont may be the smallest state capital in the United States, but its story is anything but small. With roughly eight thousand residents, it feels more like a friendly village than a political center, yet it has shaped Vermont’s identity since the late 1700s.
After the American Revolution, settlers from Massachusetts and Connecticut followed old Native trails along the Winooski River into this fertile valley. In 1787, Colonel Jacob Davis and his partner established a new settlement here and chose the name “Montpelier,” honoring the French city of Montpellier as a gesture of gratitude for France’s support during the Revolution. Thanks to its convenient central location, Montpelier was selected as Vermont’s state capital in 1805.
The Vermont State House you’ll see today is actually the third building on the site. The original structure burned down, and the current Greek Revival–style capitol was completed in the 1850s. With its golden dome shining above the treetops, it remains one of New England’s most iconic landmarks.
Montpelier continued to grow with the arrival of the railroad, developing into a center of government, industry, and community life. Even now, it blends civic pride, artistic energy, and small-town charm into a uniquely Vermont experience.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
Place 2History
Place 3Vermont Mountaineers
Place 4Blanchard Brook
Place 5Montpelier Performing Arts Hub
Place 6Vermont State University
Place 7TW Wood Gallery and Arts Center
Place 8St. Augustine's Catholic Church
Place 9Savoy Theatre and Lost Nation Theatre
Place 10Bethany United Church of Christ/Kellogg-Huggard Library
Place 11Christ Episcopal Church/Washington County Court House/Capitol Theatre
Place 12Vermont Historical Society Museum & Agency of Agriculture — Followed by the Vermont State Capitol
Place 13Auditor of Accounts Building/Capital City Farmers Market
Place 14Winooski River – Crossing the Taylor Street Bridge
Place 15North Branch Winooski River
Place 16Hubbard Park
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A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
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Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).