Vermont in Movies and TV: Famous Filming Locations You Can Visit
Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, the village of Woodstock, about 45 minutes south of Burlington, has long captured the charm of small-town New England on screen. This quintessential Vermont town was a primary filming location for the 1987 film “Baby Boom,” starring Diane Keaton, where its idyllic streets and historic architecture provide a perfect backdrop for stories of transformation and ambition. Visitors can stroll the Woodstock Village Green, explore local shops, and enjoy the covered bridges nearby, such as the Middle Covered Bridge. The village’s preserved 19th-century buildings and vibrant fall foliage make autumn the best time to soak in the scenery that captivated filmmakers. Woodstock’s timeless character offers a real-life experience of the classic Vermont atmosphere that movies seek to portray.
Heading to the northeast corner of the state, the town of Stowe, about 40 minutes east of Burlington, is more than a ski destination—it’s also a filming hotspot. Stowe’s iconic Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, featured prominently in the 2009 comedy “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.” Visitors can bike or hike the Sunset Ridge Trail, a moderate 3.7-mile loop offering sweeping views of the mountain’s jagged summit and the surrounding valley. The mix of evergreen forests and panoramic vistas makes it one of the East Coast’s most scenic hikes. Winter transforms Stowe into a snowy wonderland perfect for skiing and snowshoeing, replicating the picturesque snowy scenes often seen in holiday films. The town’s blend of rugged nature and charming village life explains its frequent casting as a storybook Vermont setting.
In southern Vermont, the quaint town of Brattleboro, about 90 minutes southeast of Burlington near the Massachusetts border, offers a vibrant arts scene and a historic downtown that has drawn filmmakers for decades. The classic 1974 film “The Great Gatsby” used the Brattleboro railway station and nearby streets to evoke an early 20th-century small-town feel. Today, visitors can explore the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and the lively Brattleboro Farmer’s Market for a taste of local culture. Walking along the Connecticut River near the West River Trail gives an authentic sense of place that filmmakers prize for its blend of natural beauty and historic charm. Spring and summer are ideal for visiting when the town bursts into festivals and outdoor markets, adding life and color reminiscent of scenes from Vermont’s cinematic past.
Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, located about 45 minutes east of Burlington, is the smallest state capital in the country and a surprisingly popular filming locale. The city’s stately Vermont State House, with its gleaming gold dome, has appeared in documentary and dramatic films alike, symbolizing Vermont’s historic political identity. Visitors can tour the State House and then walk the nearby Hubbard Park Trail, a moderate 2.4-mile loop offering views of the city skyline and the Winooski River. This blend of civic grandeur with intimate natural spaces creates a backdrop unique to Montpelier. Fall, when the golden dome shines against a canvas of autumn leaves, is especially captivating for photographers and film buffs looking to see the iconic state symbol in its full glory.
Just north of Montpelier, the serene village of Middlesex, about 30 minutes from the capital, served as a filming location for the 1995 movie “Jumanji.” The village’s peaceful rural roads and rustic farmland offer a glimpse of the classic Vermont countryside. Nearby, the North Branch Nature Center provides gentle walking trails along forest streams and ponds, ideal for those wanting to experience the quiet backdrops favored by filmmakers. This area’s peacefulness and natural beauty set it apart from more commercialized locations, providing a genuine sense of Vermont’s agricultural heritage. Late spring and early autumn bring vibrant wildflowers and crisp air, perfect for exploring the outdoors much like the scenes captured on film.
Shelburne, situated just 15 minutes south of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain, offers a blend of natural splendor and historic sights that have made it a favorite for television productions. The Shelburne Museum, with its eclectic collection of Americana and historic buildings, has served as a picturesque setting for period dramas. Visitors can wander through the museum’s sprawling grounds, which include a vintage steamboat and a full-size covered bridge. The combination of lake views, rolling gardens, and unique architecture creates a visual feast unlike anywhere else in Vermont. Summer brings the best weather to explore the outdoor exhibits and enjoy the lakefront, mirroring the bright, warm scenes often featured on screen.
Further north in Burlington, Vermont’s largest city and cultural hub on Lake Champlain, the Church Street Marketplace has been featured in several films and TV shows for its lively pedestrian atmosphere. About a 15-minute drive from Shelburne, Church Street offers a pedestrian mall lined with brick buildings, eclectic shops, and bustling cafes. It’s an ideal spot for visitors to soak in the city’s vibrant arts and music scene, often showcased in documentaries about Vermont life. The downtown waterfront park along Lake Champlain adds another cinematic backdrop with stunning sunset views over the Adirondack Mountains in New York. Late spring through early fall is the best time to experience the street performers, farmers markets, and open-air dining that bring the area to life much as it appears in film.
Rounding out the list is the serene Green Mountain National Forest, sprawling over southern Vermont about an hour south of Montpelier. Its vast wilderness has been featured in documentaries and nature-focused films, offering countless trails like the Long Trail, which stretches over 270 miles along the ridge of the Green Mountains. The forest’s dense hardwoods, hidden waterfalls, and wildlife viewing opportunities create a quintessential Vermont wilderness experience that many films strive to capture. Hiking any section of the Long Trail in summer or early fall lets visitors walk through vibrant foliage and crisp mountain air that inspired countless filmmakers to choose Vermont’s natural landscapes as their canvas. The Green Mountain National Forest stands as a living set where the beauty of Vermont’s outdoors shines without artifice.