Orleans, VT

Tucked into Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, the village of Orleans sits right where the Barton and Willoughby rivers come together. It is a compact, scenic community with moving water at its heart, including the Willoughby River Falls where locals gather each spring to watch trout leap upstream. The village layout is easy to walk, surrounded by rolling hills, quiet back roads, and classic northern Vermont views.

ATTRArtaxerxes / CC BY-SA 3.0

Day-to-day living revolves around a handful of familiar local hubs. The historic Jones Memorial Library offers a warm space for reading and community events, while Orleans Elementary serves younger students right in town before they head to Lake Region Union High School just down the road. A collection of small shops, diners, and churches gives the area an unpretentious, close-knit feel, with spectacular hiking and swimming at Lake Willoughby only minutes away.