Middlebury is a classic New England town whose Main Street is filled with well-maintained late 18th and early 19th century buildings. Look a little closer and you'll find a collection of interesting restaurants and shops, as well as many cultural and historical sites.

Two forces of nature, water and fire, shaped the village of Middlebury. Waterpower provided by the scenic Otter Creek Falls in the heart of downtown Middlebury attracted early industry and led to development of the village around the falls. A series of devastating fires in the late 1800s destroyed many original wood buildings and led to redevelopment in a more durable material that dominates downtown – brick.

The Vermont Book Shop has been a downtown fixture for 60 years, but this is no antiquarian shop. You'll find the latest books and the state's best selection of jazz and classical recordings. Stop in at Alpine Shop, Danforth Pewter and Vermont’s Own Products to see why downtown Middlebury is such a fascinating destination.

Vibrant Downtown
Downtown is home to more than 20 restaurants. You can choose from Farmer’s Diner, serving casual fare made from locally-produced ingredients, or sit by the tumbling Otter Creek Falls at The Storm Café. Fire & Ice Restaurant, with its great food and atmosphere, makes a nice spot for dinner or to relax after shopping.

Visitors can enjoy tours and retail outlets at local manufacturers. These include Otter Creek Brewery, fine women’s apparel from Geiger', Vermont Soapworks for fine soap products, Beau Ties for distinctive men's accessories and Maple Landmark's collection of wooden toys, games and other products.

A Wealth of Culture and Entertainment
Middlebury is host to many unique Vermont cultural attractions as well, including the Vermont Folklife Center, Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, and UVM Morgan Horse Farm. All offer special exhibits and programs as well as permanent displays.

The beauty of this classic small town is matched by its cultural richness. Home to Middlebury College, Middlebury has diverse entertainment offerings.

Middlebury College’s Mahaney Center for the Arts offers a full schedule of dance performances, stage productions, and concerts during the academic year.

The Festival on the Green, held every July, provides free entertainment on Middlebury's town green. The After Dark Series provides folk music through the fall and winter. The newly restored Town Hall Theater features year-round music, dance, opera and plays.

Middlebury is host to several other events throughout the year bringing both residents and visitors to the area. The Winter Carnival and Chili Contest is held in February, Vermont’s newest half marathon, the Middlebury Maple Run, is held in April, and Spooktacular is held in October to celebrate Halloween.

Recreation
The Middlebury area offers an extraordinary range of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, golf, kayaking, fly-fishing, bird watching, downhill and cross-country skiing. Middlebury College Snow Bowl and several nearby Nordic and snowshoe centers offer great winter fun. Middlebury College also operates an eighteen-hole golf course.

The Trail Around Middlebury is accessible for gentle hikes from downtown; the Green Mountain National Forest and Moosalamoo National Recreation Area terrain is more challenging. The Otter Creek and Dead Creek Reservoir, just to Middlebury's north, offers high-quality canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching. Otter Creak is a great place to enjoy fly-fishing or spin casting. There are several options for excellent bicycling in the rolling farmlands and foothills of the Green Mountains.