Rural town with lower home prices and parks
Thirty-seven miles northwest of Barre, Morristown is a rural town with single-family homes on secluded, spacious lots. Morrisville, a village within the town, is packed with locally owned shops and restaurants. Home prices here are generally lower than those in nearby communities, like Stowe, so the town is popular with commuters. "A lot of people are working from home or in hospitality at the Stowe Mountain Resort," says Zeph Bryant, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate, who has over four years of experience. "There are tons of things to do," Bryant says. "Biking, hiking, swimming — and Stowe is right next door."
Fast-moving market with limited inventory
Single-family homes here are diverse, but most date to the late 20th century; there are also a handful of 19th-century historic homes and 21st-century custom estates. Set along winding country roads, farmhouse and Colonial-style homes on wooded, multi-acre lots offer privacy and occasional additions like detached workshops or barns. Some properties also have pools or private access to streams and ponds. In Morrisville, single-family homes are set close together along village streets lined with narrow sidewalks, small yards and mature trees. The median home price in Morristown is $550,000, compared to $850,000 in Stowe and $320,000 in Barre. "Things are moving quickly," Bryant says. "The price is great and there's not a lot of inventory."
Dual-enrollment opportunities at Vermont public schools
Morristown is part of the Lamoille South Supervisory Union, rated B by Niche. Nearly 200 years old, the historic Peoples Academy is a middle and high school in Morrisville. Juniors and seniors in the Vermont Dual Enrollment program may take two free courses for college credit at any Vermont college.
Swim, fish and explore around Morristown
The 7-acre Owbow Park is bordered by the Lamoille River, where anglers can fish for largemouth bass. The quiet park is a go-to for a playground trip, pick-up basketball or a peaceful picnic. There's also access to the 93-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail — popular for biking and jogging. "It's a pretty great trail system," Bryant says. "In the winter, there's snowshoeing and fat tire biking." At the 220-acre Lake Elmore State Park, there's camping and boating, and birders may spot green-winged teals, yellow-rumped warblers and double-crested cormorants. Nearby, Copley Country Club has a nine-hole course and is open to the public. Stowe Mountain Resort is 13 miles away for skiing and snowboarding, and Bingham Falls is a popular swimming hole under a waterfall, 15 miles away.
Mom-and-pop shopping and dining
Morrisville is a charming, walkable village with mom-and-pop businesses, like Chuck's Bikes, Peck's Flower Shop and Second Chance, a thrift store. There are also several grocery stores, including the Morrisville Food Co-Op, which specializes in organic, locally sourced products.
To start the morning, Thompson's Flour Shop has fresh pastries and sandwiches, and Black Cap Coffee is across the street for a cappuccino. The village's restaurants offer a world of flavors, from Chinese and Nepalese to Italian and Thai. Set in a 19th-century train station, 10 Railroad Street is a highlight with pub classics like beer-battered fish 'n' chips, slow-cooked pulled pork sandwiches and authentic New England clam chowder. On Saturdays, vendors and artisans set up shop at the Morrisville Farmers Market.
Live music and annual traditions
Morristown has community events throughout the year, like Green Up Day in May, which asks residents to pick up litter along the town's roadsides. Morrisville Live is an Oxbow Park summer concert series featuring food and games. In September, Rocktoberfest is filled with music, community and fun traditions like the Adirondack Chair Auction, where festivalgoers bid on one-of-a-kind chairs painted by local artists.
Getting around Morristown
State Route 100 passes through Morristown, leading to Stowe and Barre, 9 and 37 miles away, respectively. Residents generally drive to get around, but Green Mountain Transit buses stop in Morrisville with service to Stowe. Copley Hospital is in Morrisville, and Burlington International Airport is 42 miles away.
Nearly 100 inches of snow each year
Morristown averages about 98 inches of annual snowfall. Frequent snowfall means school delays or travel disruptions are common, especially in the winter.
