WINOOSKI

Winooski packs a full city into 1.5 square miles along the Winooski River, just across the bridge from Burlington. A former textile mill town, it traded looms for restaurants and music rooms without losing its working-class character.

The Monkey House is the draw here, booking indie, punk, and experimental acts in a city that speaks over 30 languages and keeps its bar tabs affordable. The downtown roundabout anchors a walkable core where converted mill buildings house shops and restaurants alongside the 1909 Champlain Mill.

Winooski has the density of a neighborhood and the identity of a city. You can walk five blocks in any direction and hit Burlington or Colchester, but the cultural mix of immigrant and refugee communities gives the place its own pulse entirely.

Tip: Park near the roundabout and walk. The downtown is compact enough that you can grab dinner, catch a show at The Monkey House, and hit a late-night spot without moving your car.

Neighborhoods: Downtown • Winooski Falls • East Allen Street