The Vermont time forgot
Orange County has no ski resort, no lake city and no interstate exit crowds — and that is exactly why people love it. This is deep-country Vermont: dirt roads climbing between hill farms, white-steepled greens, covered bridges and a fair that has run since before the Civil War.
The towns
Small, historic and full of character.
Randolph — the largest town, with an arts center.
Chelsea — the county seat with twin greens.
Tunbridge — home of the famous World’s Fair.
Strafford — the Justin Morrill Homestead.
Brookfield — the floating bridge village.
Fairs, greens & bridges
The Tunbridge World’s Fair, held every September since 1867, is the county’s signature event; Chelsea is one of the few American villages built around two commons; and Brookfield crosses Sunset Lake on the only floating bridge in New England. It is a county of small wonders.
A president-making homestead
In tiny Strafford stands the Gothic Revival home of Senator Justin Morrill, whose 1862 Morrill Act created America’s land-grant universities — a quiet state historic site that shaped higher education across the nation.
Getting here & staying
I-89 clips the county at Randolph, about an hour from Burlington, with Route 14 and back roads leading everywhere else. Lodging is simple and rural — village inns, farm stays and B&Bs — so book ahead in fair and foliage season and compare live prices in the search.
Good to know
What is Orange County known for?+
Deep rural character — the Tunbridge World’s Fair, Chelsea’s twin greens, Brookfield’s floating bridge and the Justin Morrill Homestead in Strafford.
Is there skiing or a lake city?+
No — it’s quiet hill-farm country, best for back-road touring, fairs and history rather than resorts.
How do I get there?+
I-89 reaches Randolph, about an hour south of Burlington; the rest is explored by Route 14 and dirt town roads.