Montpelier Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Driving Tour, Vermont - Capital City Historic Drive
Places: 16 POIs
Distance: 5.4 mi
Duration: 48m
GPS-guided narration through
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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.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Maple Syrup Farm
1168 County Rd, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA
Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
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.
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.
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Place #2
![Map Pin]()
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.
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.
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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
Place 2
History
Place 3
Vermont Mountaineers
Place 4
Blanchard Brook
Place 5
Montpelier Performing Arts Hub
Place 6
Vermont State University
Place 7
TW Wood Gallery and Arts Center
Place 8
St. Augustine's Catholic Church
Place 9
Savoy Theatre and Lost Nation Theatre
Place 10
Bethany United Church of Christ/Kellogg-Huggard Library
Place 11
Christ Episcopal Church/Washington County Court House/Capitol Theatre
Place 12
Vermont Historical Society Museum & Agency of Agriculture — Followed by the Vermont State Capitol
Place 13
Auditor of Accounts Building/Capital City Farmers Market
Place 14
Winooski River – Crossing the Taylor Street Bridge
Place 15
North Branch Winooski River
Place 16
Hubbard Park
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 16 stops, covering top attractions such as Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, History, Vermont Mountaineers, Blanchard Brook, Montpelier Performing Arts Hub.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks (Address: 1168 County Rd, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!