Top 7 Dog-Friendly Small Towns in Vermont to Visit With Your Pup

Planning a getaway that makes your dog wag nonstop? Vermont’s small towns deliver laid back charm, fresh trails, and plenty of patios where pups get prime treatment. From maple scented main streets to lakeside strolls, each stop offers easy adventures and welcoming locals who actually mean it when they say dogs are family. Grab the leash and discover where your best friend can lead the way next.

1. Stowe

Stowe blends storybook streets with miles of dog friendly mountain paths. You can stroll the Stowe Recreation Path beside bubbling water, then pop onto a patio for maple lattes and a water bowl for your pup. Shops often set treats by the door, and locals happily share trail tips.

Head to Moss Glen Falls for a photogenic waterfall walk, keeping your dog leashed on popular sections. In winter, the snow packed rec path is perfect for a gentle trot. Afterward, grab a craft beer at a brewery patio where dogs snooze under string lights.

2. Middlebury

Middlebury feels like a mellow campus town where dogs fit in everywhere. Start at the Otter Creek falls overlook, then wander to the picturesque stone bridge for a quick photo with your pup. Many cafes set out water bowls, and you will find shady benches along the green.

For a longer walk, explore the Trail Around Middlebury with varied forest segments and open fields. Keep your dog leashed near wildlife and cyclists. Wrap up with a stop at a tasting room pouring local ciders and cheese pairings, where patio staff cheerfully greet four legged guests.

3. Woodstock

Woodstock is postcard perfect, and your dog will love sniffing around the village green. Cross the Middle Covered Bridge for a must have photo, then wander to independent shops that keep biscuits at the counter. The town’s walkable layout makes quick breaks easy when paws need rest.

Nearby Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park offers carriage roads ideal for leashed strolls through sugar maple forests. In summer, pack a picnic and relax riverside while your pup watches the water. End the day at a farm to table spot with outdoor seating, where staff bring water and a smile.

4. Burlington

Burlington is technically a small city, but it delivers small town warmth and serious dog energy. Start on the Waterfront Park path along Lake Champlain, where breezes keep tails wagging. Church Street Marketplace offers dog friendly outdoor dining and plenty of people watching.

For a scenic spin, hop on the Burlington Greenway toward the causeway with panoramic lake views. Keep leashes short near bikes and joggers. After the walk, relax at a brewery patio pouring hazy IPAs and handing out biscuits, then catch a pink gold sunset over the Adirondacks while your pup settles beside you.

5. Waitsfield

Waitsfield sits in the Mad River Valley and feels easygoing from the first tail wag. Meander through the village, then follow riverside paths where dogs love dipping paws in shallow spots. Weekend farmers markets welcome leashed pups and offer maple doughnuts for you.

Hit nearby trailheads like Blueberry Lake for mellow loops with wide sightlines. Keep your dog leashed to protect nesting birds and mountain bikers. After hiking, grab pizza from a wood fired spot with picnic tables and mountain views, where water bowls and shade make lingering with your pup effortless.

6. Manchester

Manchester mixes elegant outlets with rugged mountain access, making it an easy dog trip. Window shop marble lined sidewalks where many storefronts welcome pups on leash. Stop for coffee and sit outside under umbrellas while your dog watches the world go by.

Drive to Equinox Preserve for forested trails that climb to viewpoints without feeling punishing. Leashes help with wildlife and other hikers on narrow sections. Later, unwind at a tavern patio serving hearty fare and local beer, then stroll to a covered bridge at dusk for a quiet, tail thumping finish.

7. Shelburne

Shelburne blends lakeside calm with accessible trails perfect for daily dog joy. Walk Shelburne Bay Park’s shoreline paths with views across the water and plenty of breeze. The Shelburne Museum grounds host seasonal outdoor events where leashed dogs can relax in shaded spots.

Check out the LaPlatte River Nature Park for wooded loops that feel surprisingly wild. Keep your pup close on bridges and near bird habitat. Afterward, grab maple creemees and sit by the bay while sailboats drift past, then finish with a mellow stroll through tidy village streets lined with flowers.