Free & Cheap Things to Do in Montpelier

History & Culture

One of the most beautiful state capitol buildings in America — a stunning 1859 Greek Revival structure topped with a brilliant gold dome and a statue of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, perched 155 feet above the ground. Free 30-minute guided tours weave through the ornate legislative chambers, the Cedar Creek Room hung with Civil War battle paintings, and the historic Governor's Office. An architectural treasure hiding in one of America's smallest cities.

Address: 115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633

Tip: Free guided tours run Monday–Friday 10am–3:30pm and Saturday 11am–2:30pm (late July through mid-October). Self-guided visits welcome year-round when the legislature is not in session. The grounds and surrounding State Street are beautiful in fall foliage season.

Outdoors

A free 194-acre forested park rising just behind downtown Montpelier with miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails winding through hardwood forest. The crown jewel is a 1930s stone observation tower at the summit — a 1-mile switchback trail climbs through the woods to reach it, rewarding hikers with sweeping 360-degree views over the Winooski Valley and the Green Mountains. Kids love ringing the summit bell and signing the guestbook.

Address: Hubbard Park Dr, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tip: The switchback trail to the tower is well-marked and moderate — suitable for most fitness levels. Fall foliage from the tower is stunning, typically peaking in mid-October. The park is also a popular free cross-country skiing spot in winter.

Markets & Food

A seventh-generation Vermont family farm offering free tours and maple syrup tastings at their working sugarhouse just minutes from downtown Montpelier. Walk through the outdoor museum of antique farm equipment, stroll the nature trail through the sugar maple grove, watch a short film about the sugarmaking process, and sample pure Vermont maple syrup in the country store — all completely free. A quintessential Vermont experience with zero admission cost.

Address: 1168 County Rd, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tip: Open year-round, with the most activity during sugaring season (late February–April) when the sap is actually running. The country store sells maple products, Vermont gifts, and homemade maple creemees — worth a small splurge. Just 3 miles from downtown Montpelier.

Markets & Food

Yankee Magazine's pick for best downtown farmers market in New England — 50+ vendors fill the State Street tax-department parking lot every Saturday May through October, with more than half of them farmers. Heirloom produce, Vermont cheese, maple, breads, prepared food, crafts, and live music most weeks. The winter market continues every other Saturday at Alumni Hall.

Address: 133 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tip: Free admission. Summer market: Saturdays May–October, 9am–1pm at 133 State Street. Winter market: 1st and 3rd Saturdays December–April, 10am–1pm at Alumni Hall (45 College Street). Get there before 10am on summer Saturdays for shortest lines at the prepared-food stands.

Arts & Culture

Vermont's oldest art museum, founded in 1895 by Montpelier-born painter Thomas Waterman Wood and rebranded as the T.W. Wood Museum in 2025. The permanent collection holds 19th-century American genre paintings, WPA-era works, and a strong selection of Vermont artists; rotating exhibitions feature contemporary central Vermont painters and sculptors. A free, intimate museum a five-minute walk from the State House.

Address: 46 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tip: Free admission, donations appreciated. Open Wed–Sat 10am–3pm; closed Sun–Tue and major holidays. Entry is on Monsignor Crosby Avenue, around the corner from the official Barre Street address. Exhibition openings on Montpelier Art Walk First Fridays every other month. Allow 45 minutes.

Parks & Nature

A 30-acre nature center along the North Branch of the Winooski River with free multi-use trails — including a wheelchair-accessible Universal Trail and an interpretive Nature Connection Trail — meadow, riparian habitat, and a teaching garden. The on-site nature center holds programming and small natural history exhibits.

Address: 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tip: Free trail access daily, dawn to dusk. The Universal Trail is the easiest stroller- and wheelchair-friendly loop. Office open weekdays 9am–4pm. Free birding programs and family nature programs run year-round — check the website calendar.

History & Museums

Operated by the Vermont Historical Society in the modern-style Pavilion Building right next to the State House — exhibitions trace Vermont's story from the Abenaki and early European settlement through Civil War service, the Long Trail, the snowboard revolution, and the politics of the 21st century. The 'Freedom and Unity' permanent exhibition is the centerpiece.

Address: 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609

Tip: $9 adults / $7 seniors, students, children / $25 family. Open Tue–Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun–Mon. Free for active military, museum members, and kids under 6. Combine with a free State House tour next door for a full Vermont-government morning.

Shopping & Strolling

Vermont's largest urban historic district fits into about ten walkable blocks along State and Main Streets — independent bookstores (Bear Pond Books), record shops, fine crafts, farm-to-table cafés, and craft beer bars in a New England capital small enough that locals greet each other by name. The weekly Downtown Montpelier Ramble brings free live music in summer evenings.

Address: State Street and Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tip: Free pedestrian walking all year. Free 2-hour street parking; longer free parking in the Heney Memorial Lot off State Street. The Downtown Montpelier Ramble runs Thursday evenings May–September with free live music in shops and the streets. Bear Pond Books is the can't-miss independent bookstore stop.