Windsor (Vermont)

Founded in 1761, the town of Windsor boasts historical significance in that the Republic of Vermont was written there. The Old Constitution House is preserved as the specific building in which the document was drafted. There are many sites of historical importance within the community.
The industry in the area is rich and varied; Simon Pearce, the renowned producer of blown glass and hand-thrown pottery, is but one of the renowned businesses within the community. There are also many small and locally owned retail shops that offer antiques, books, crafts, wines, gifts, and clothing. The many restaurants offer various cuisine and the recreation is plentiful. Windsor is also just a short drive away from Woodstock.

By car

Interstate 91 passes through Windsor. Windsor is approximately 12 miles south from the Upper Valley tri-towns of Hanover and Lebanon, NH and Hartford, VT.

By train

Windsor is served by Amtrak via its Vermonter train between Washington, D.C. and St. Albans. Southbound trains arrive around noon while northbound arrives just before 6PM. Windsor-Mt. Ascutney station is centrally located at 26 Depot Ave. There are no amenities, but the old station has been converted to a restaurant.

A car is preferable in this rural area, however biking is common in the warmer months.

Windsor is a very historical town with many 18th century buildings that are in various stages of rehabilitation. Windsor was the site of the writing of the Constitution of the Republic of Vermont. Vermont was never a colony of England and was previously claimed land by NH and NY. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys fought these states and formed their own republic on July 7, 1777, by signing a constitution that was the first to allow women rights and ban slavery. Vermont remained a Republic for 14 years when it was recognized by the United States and became the 14th state. The Constitution house, located on Route 5 North heading into town, has been restored and is open to the public. This historic building has moved from its original location to where it sits today. Another historic building in this town is the Toll House; this is where tolls were originally collected after crossing the Covered Bridge over the Connecticut River.
There are two pristine ponds that are public owned. Windsor also is home to the oldest continually operating post office in the same location in America, and one of the longest covered bridges in America.

• Old Constitution House

  phone: +1 802 674-6628
  address: N Main

• American Precision Museum

  phone: +1 802 674-5781
  address: 196 Main St
  Windsor is the home of interchangeable parts.

• Cornish Colony Museum

  phone: +1 802 674-6008
  address: 147 Main St
  Features works of art by resident artists of the Cornish Colony. The Cornish colony brought highly acclaimed artists like Augustus St. Gaudens, Maxfield Parrish, Willard Metcalf, Ethel Barrymore and many more artist, writers and musicians.

• Ascutney State Park

  phone: +1 802 674-2060
  address: 1826 Back Mountain Rd

• Vermont State PrisonThe former was built in 1820 and was closed in 1975. At the time of closure it was the oldest prison in the United States.

Windsor is a town with something to do for everyone to do. Vermont's fall months there are foliage viewing; the spring brings mud season and maple sugaring. In Windsor there are scenes of small town life with plenty of trees, flowers and shrubs and is more rural as you travel further from downtown. In the downtown area there are many small businesses where everyone is friendly and inviting; some examples of small businesses are Tami's Head Lines, Pizza Chef, Mariams, and Boston Dreams. Windsor is also home to Paradise Park, a great local wooded area with plenty of open spaces, streams, and a pond.

• Wilgus State Park

  phone: +1 802 674-5422
  Popular with canoeists or hikers. Has many acres of forest and trails as well as Evarts pond. There is also a cabin/lean-to for larger functions. These areas can be accessed year round.

• John P. Larkin Country Club

  phone: +1 802 674-6491
  address: North Main St
  9 Holes- loretta taft, During the winter a great place to go sledding with the family.

Windsor is home to many shops and convenience stores. The smaller businesses include Friends & Co., Three Seasons Art Gallery, Simon Pearce, Vermont State Craft Center, and Saint Gaudens National Historic Site. Larger convenience stores include Price Chopper, Aubuchon Hardware, Dollar General, and Rite Aid.

• The Vittle Stop BBQ

  phone: +1 8020 674-6776
  address: 19 1/2 Union St
  Home Of The New England Style BBQ .Has mouth watering sandwiches such as pulled pork, brisket, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Also has daily specials. Average sandwich costs 5.99 Platters range from 5.99–24.99

• Pizza Chef

  phone: +1 802 674-6861
  address: 88 Main St
  The Pizza Chef has Pizza,Grinders,Spaghetti,Italian Dinners,Salads,and Side Dinners

• Pizzaroni Restaurant

  phone: +1 802 674-9777
  address: 2781 US Route 5 North

• Harpoon Brewery

  phone: +1 602 674-5491
  address: 336 Ruth Carney Dr
  Beer, Clothing, Food

• Boston Dreams

  phone: +1 802 230-4107
  address: 7 State St
  Sports Art & Memorabilia, Wifi & Comfortable Seating. Food: Coffee, Tea, Espresso, Hot Chocolate, Ice Cream, Smoothies, Shakes, Fresh Baked Goods

• Juniper Hill Inn

  phone: +1 802 674-5273
  address: 153 Pembroke Rd
  Starters, Soups, Salads, Entrees, Desserts

• Mariam's Restaurant

  phone: +1 802 674-2662
  address: 70 Main St

• Snapdragon Inn

  phone: +1 802 227-0008
  address: 2066 Us Route 5 North
  Breakfast

• The Windsor Diner

  phone: +1 802 674-5555
  address: 135 Main St

• Yummy Yummy Chinese Restaurant

  phone: +1 802-674-6888
  address: 74 Main St

• Windsor Station Restaurant & Barroom

  phone: +1 802-674-4180
  address: 26 Depot Ave

• Harpoon Brewery

  phone: +1 802 674-5491
  address: 336 Ruth Carney Dr
  Great bar as well as a family restaurant; Harpoon makes beer on site.

• Juniper Hill Inn

  address: 153 Pembroke Rd
  Charming Vermont bed and breakfast with spectacular views of Ascutney Mountain. They also feature a gourmet romantic restaurant on site and is ideal for weddings.

• Snapdragon Inn

  phone: +1 802 277-0008
  address: 2066 Us Route 5 North
  Fairly new as of 2011, this bed and breakfast is a great stop. Home to many weddings and is owned by the same people that own the Juniper Hill Inn.

Camping

• Ascutney State Park

  phone: +1 802 674-2060
  address: 1826 Back Mountain Rd
  Has 39 wooded tent or trailer sites and 10 lean-to sites inside two camp loops. Each loop has a rest room providing modern plumbing and hot showers (fee). Sanitary dump station for RV's, but no hookups. There is a small picnic area at the foot of the summit, and a shelter/picnic area midway up.

• Wilgus State Park

  phone: +1 802 674-5422
  I-91, Exit #8 Go 1-1/2 mi S on US Rt 5. There are 2 cabins, 19 tent sites and 6 lean-to sites which are located along the Connecticut River bank. Rest room with running water and hot showers (fee). Picnic area with 3 lean-tos in the group area. Canoe and kayak are available. A trailer sanitary station is located by the ranger's quarters.

Windsor is a great place to go outdoors. You can walk virtually anywhere, which include Paradise Park and the mile square around the downtown area. You can also bike down many types of roads from cement to dirt, and flat to hills.