Barre
Around Barre
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Town and around · Vermont · 59k people
Barre
Locals say Central Vermont · “Granite Capital of the World”
Where granite meets the Green Mountains, and maple runs deep.
Green Mountain greenBarre granite grayVermont slate blue
Welcome to Central Vermont! Whether you're here for the mountains, the maple, or the granite, you'll find a tight-knit community that loves the outdoors. Grab a creemee and say hi.
Clubs for Barre
No clubs for Barre yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Barre. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Barre. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Vermont State House Gold-domed capitol building in Montpelier.
- Stowe Mountain Resort Major ski area on Mount Mansfield.
- Ben & Jerry's Factory Iconic ice cream factory and tour in Waterbury.
- Rock of Ages Granite Quarry Famous granite quarry with tours in Barre.
- Hope Cemetery Known for intricate granite sculptures.
- Hubbard Park Park with a stone observation tower in Montpelier.
- Outdoors Hike Camel's Hump
- Outdoors Ski or snowboard at Stowe
- With kids Tour the Ben & Jerry's factory
- With kids Visit the Vermont History Museum
- Evenings Après-ski at Stowe
- Evenings Live music at the Barre Opera House
- Locals love Sugarhouses (maple syrup producers)
- Locals love Ski resorts and trails
Through the year
- Stowe Winter Carnival January Ice sculptures, ski races, and family fun in January.
- Stowe Derby February A classic cross-country ski race in late winter.
- Vermont Mountaineers baseball June to August Collegiate summer baseball games in Montpelier.
- Barre Granite Festival August Celebrates the granite industry with events in August.
- Montpelier Art Walk Monthly (first Friday) First Friday gallery strolls in downtown Montpelier.
Central Vermont has four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters; muddy springs; warm, green summers; and brilliant autumns. The best time to be out is fall for the foliage and summer for outdoor activities. Best: Fall is spectacular with crisp air and foliage; summer is mild and green.
Talk like a local
- “Creemee”
- Soft serve ice cream, a Vermont staple.
- “Sugarhouse”
- A maple syrup production facility, especially in spring.
- “Mud season”
- The muddy period in early spring when snow melts.
- “Stick season”
- Late fall when leaves have fallen and trees are bare.
Getaways
- Burlington Lake Champlain waterfront, Church Street Marketplace.
- Lebanon Upper Valley, Dartmouth College, and the Connecticut River.
- Rutland Killington ski resort and the Green Mountains.
- Plattsburgh Lake Champlain beaches and SUNY Plattsburgh.
Local flavour
Rooting for Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins
Eat and drink
- Maple syrup From local sugarhouses
- Vermont cheddar cheese Aged and sharp
- Creemee (soft serve ice cream) A Vermont summer staple
- Ben & Jerry's ice cream Founded in Waterbury, VT
- Vermonter sandwich Turkey, apple, and cheddar on bread
Where people go
- Sugarhouses (maple syrup producers) Where sap is boiled into syrup
- Ski resorts (like Stowe) Alpine and nordic slopes
- Granite quarries Historic stone pits and monuments
- Covered bridges Scenic wooden crossings
- General stores Community hubs with local goods
- Craft breweries Local beer with a sense of place
Heritage and traditions
Central Vermont takes pride in its granite heritage, small-town charm, and the natural beauty of the Green Mountains, with a strong sense of community and a love for outdoor recreation.
This time of year in Barre
- Foliage season Fall Leaf peeping, apple picking, and harvest festivals.
- Vermont International Film Festival October Showcases independent and international films in Montpelier.
- Stowe Foliage Arts Festival October Craft fair and art show during peak fall foliage.
Say it like a local: “Wicked” — Very
Festivals
- Barre Labor Day Parade September A historic parade honoring granite workers and labor unions.
- Vermont International Film Festival October Showcases independent and international films in Montpelier.
- Stowe Foliage Arts Festival October Craft fair and art show during peak fall foliage.
- Montpelier Independence Day Celebration July 4 Parade, fireworks, and community festivities at the state capital.
- First Night Montpelier December 31 Family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration with performances and art.
Landmarks with a story
- Old Labor Hall Built in 1900 by granite workers' union, now a museum and community center.
- Vermont Granite Museum Dedicated to the history of granite industry and carving in Barre.
- Trapp Family Lodge Historic lodge founded by the von Trapp family, offering Austrian-style hospitality.
- Norwich University Oldest private military college in the US, founded in 1819.
- Kellogg-Hubbard Library Historic public library in Montpelier with a beautiful 1895 building.
Food traditions
- Sugar on snow Boiled maple syrup poured on snow, served with pickles and donuts during sugaring season.
- Vermont common crackers A crisp cracker made in Montpelier since the 1870s, often paired with cheddar cheese.
- Apple cider donuts Warm, spiced donuts from local orchards like Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury.
- Maple candy Maple sugar candies, a sweet souvenir and treat.
Music and arts
- Granite carving Barre's granite sculptors are world-renowned for their craftsmanship, seen in Hope Cemetery and public monuments.
- Vermont Symphony Orchestra Based in Montpelier, performing classical and pops concerts statewide.
- Stowe's art galleries Numerous galleries showcasing local and regional artists, especially during foliage season.
- Montpelier's music scene Live music at venues like the Capitol Theatre and local cafes.
A little history
- 1819 Norwich University founded in Northfield
- 1870s Barre's granite industry booms, attracting immigrants from Italy, Scotland, and Spain
- 1900 Old Labor Hall built in Barre, symbolizing labor solidarity
- 1927 Great Vermont Flood devastates Montpelier and Barre
- 1940s Stowe develops as a major ski resort, attracting winter tourists
- Game day High school hockey rivalry
- Game day Ski racing at Stowe
- Outdoors Snowshoeing
- Outdoors Leaf peeping drives
- With kids Explore the Vermont Granite Museum
- With kids Pick apples at a local orchard
Vermonters often drop the 't' in 'Vermont' and use 'ayuh' for yes. 'Wicked' is a common intensifier, and 'creemee' is the local term for soft serve ice cream.
Only here
- Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the US by population.
- Barre is known as the 'Granite Capital of the World'.
- The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe is run by descendants of the von Trapp family.
- The Vermont State House has a gold leaf dome, a symbol of the state's pride.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Barre as 'Barry' (rhymes with 'carry').
- Dress in layers; weather changes quickly.
- Get winter tires; snow is heavy and frequent.
- Try a creemee at a local stand.
- Visit a sugarhouse in March for sugar on snow.
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Part of Burlington area
Nearby
Every areaStoweVermontWhere every season paints its own picture.Northeast KingdomVermontWhere the hills hold the sky and the community holds you.MiddleburyVermontMaple, mountains, and a quiet college‑town heart.BurlingtonVermontWhere the mountains meet the lake — and the maple runs deep.LebanonNew HampshireWhere the Connecticut River runs through every season.RutlandVermontWhere the Green Mountains meet the maple groves.PlattsburghNew YorkWhere the mountains meet the lake.LaconiaNew HampshireThe heart of the Lakes Region
Barre, VT. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.