Capital Region in the Summer
Top Picks in the Capital Region
Summer is your gateway to the sense of wonder and well-being that comes with slowing down and taking in your surroundings in Vermont. Plunge into a swimming hole, stroll a local festival, or simply find togetherness on the lakeshore or around the campfire. Hand-picked by the editors of Yankee Magazine, these 5 highlights are just some of what the Capital Region offers in the summer.
Montpelier, Vermont
Lost Nation Theater
Founded in 1977 by Vermont native Kim Bent, this professional theater company has made its home at the Auditorium Arts Center, an intimate 150-seat venue at Montpelier’s City Hall, for more than three decades. A vital part of the local arts scene, it presents mainstage shows that bring classic and cutting-edge musicals, comedies, and dramas to the capital, alongside a variety of smaller events such as poetry slams and cabarets. If you’re looking for an evening out in Montpelier, check the schedule to see what’s happening at LNT, named one of the best regional theaters in America. Check website for updated hours.
Middlesex, Vermont
Wrightsville Beach Recreation Area
What Vermont lacks in ocean vistas, it more than makes up for with freshwater gems like Wrightsville Reservoir, a long and tapered manmade lake that borders Middlesex, Montpelier, and East Montpelier. At the lake’s northern end, the nearly 90-acre Wrightsville Beach Recreation Area puts out the welcome mat for everyone from birdwatchers to sunbathers. In addition to a small swimming beach, there’s plenty of grass upon which to lounge, picnic tables and grills, horseshoe pits, an 18-hole disc golf course, and five miles of hiking trails. Getting out on the water is a cinch, too, thanks to a rental shop whose options include paddleboards and a mix of kayaks (fishing, tandem, and even kids’ kayaks).
Montpelier, Vermont
Capital City Farmers Market
What began in the late ’70s as an agricultural co-op has evolved into not just a year-round showcase for local growers and makers, but also one of the best immersions into the neighborhood feel of the nation’s smallest capital. On Saturdays from May through October, more than 50 vendors set up their booths just a stone’s throw from the State House. What’s on offer? Farm-fresh bounty—pasture-raised meats, organic produce, maple syrup, honey, and more—as well as artisan foods like pickles and cheeses. Giftable arts and crafts jostle for space in shopping bags, too, while food and drink vendors provide fuel for browsing. Live music and special events like Youth Vendor Day keep the energy high. (The party moves indoors, to the Caledonia Spirits distillery, for the winter months.) Learn more.
Barre, Vermont
Thunder Road
Local heroes, including a sitting governor, roar around this paved short track while spectators cheer from the grassy hillside or bleachers. Dubbed “The Nation’s Site of Excitement,” track racing at Thunder Road has been a Vermont tradition since 1960. When the track was founded, races were held on Thursday nights and attracted workers from the local granite sheds, who had been paid earlier that day. Today, the tradition of racing at Thunder Road has grown to include three classes of racing – Late Models, Flying Tigers, and Street Stocks – and even hosts races for the junior division, too. Local food and creemees make for a sweet visit during the race season, June into October.
Barre, Vermont
Millstone Trails
Barre’s former quarry lands are now a mountain biker’s rocky playground, with more than 30 miles of trails across 1,500 acres of ever-changing terrain. The network offers large, gentle loops in the Barre Town Forest as well as steeper climbs of Millstone Hill and its “Gnome Man’s Land,” whose trails live up to names like Roller Coaster, Vortex, and Screaming Demon. Fascinating quarry relics and scenic overlooks are sprinkled throughout (don’t miss the dramatic east-facing Sunrise Lookout, which sits atop the plunging rock walls of an abandoned quarry). Those more comfortable on foot can take advantage of several hiking trails and check out the free public disc golf course in the Barre Town Forest. Learn more.
More to See and Do
Places to Visit In the Summer
Yankee Magazine’s editors hand-picked 5 places to visit in each Vermont region. Explore things to do in summer statewide.
