Johnson, VT

Johnson sits along the Gihon River in northern Vermont, with the Vermont State University campus perched on the hill overlooking the village. Having the college in town brings a steady flow of student energy, performances at the Dibden Center for the Arts, and access to trails around the Babcock Nature Preserve. It lends the small town a lively, welcoming rhythm throughout the year.

ATTRJohn Page / Public domain

That creative streak runs through the rest of the village, thanks to the Vermont Studio Center, an artist residency that brings visiting writers and visual artists to town. Downtown is anchored by the historic Johnson Woolen Mills, a local fixture for classic flannel and winter gear since 1842. For outdoor recreation, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail passes right through town, offering miles of easy walking, cycling, and cross-country skiing with the northern Green Mountains nearby.