Small-town living along the White River in Royalton
Bucolic country landscapes, towering mountain ranges, weaving waterways and a quaint historic village center characterize Royalton, a small river town in eastern Vermont. This community of nearly 2,800 residents may seem like a hidden gem, but its landscapes have graced millions of screens across the globe during the opening credits of the popular T.V. series “Gilmore Girls.” Historic buildings and pointy white church towers stand in stark contrast against a backdrop of green rolling hills whose colors change with the seasons, while a small, walkable village center exudes New England charm with its historic buildings and community green spaces.
Interstate 89 runs through town, connecting Royalton residents to Woodstock, Lebanon and Dartmouth. The White River School District, which serves students throughout Royalton and the neighboring town of Bethel, is one of the few districts in the state with increasing student enrollment numbers, highlighting the town's continued popularity and growth as a more affordable option than Woodstock and Lebanon. "One of my favorite things about this area is the school district," says Kate Jarvis, Realtor with Williamson Group Sotheby's International Realty and Bethel local. "There's a loving, supportive community and great arts and athletics programs." Although Bethel and Royalton are zoned for the same district, Jarvis notes they are quite different.
Bethel's village center sits along a ridgeline, offering weaving mountain roads and steep drops that lead to the White River. Royalton's village center sits on flat land adjacent to the river, offering a more traditional rectangular, walkable community. Apart from its well-regarded school district and low CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, Royalton is best known as the home of Vermont Law School. "It's all post-graduate students, so it's not like a typical college town," Jarvis says. "But the students greatly contribute to Royalton's thriving small business scene."
A quiet roadside scene in South Royalton showcases the town’s residential charm and greenery.
Royalton Memorial Library offers community programs like summer reading events in its historic brick building.
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Rural and small-town living
South Royalton's architecture ranges from pre-Civil War Gothic and Greek Revival farmhouses to post-war Italianate designs with shallow-pitched roofs and ornate detailing. Federal-style homes, Queen Annes and 20th-century ramblers are scattered in between. Country roads give way to secluded log cabins and custom-built retreats outside the village. Sales prices here usually range from the mid-$200,000s to the upper-$400,000s. A handful of properties can fall outside of that range, depending on acreage, location and condition. Clusters of manufactured homes are priced from the upper-$100,000s to the mid-$200,000s. Plots of land are also available, ranging from $50,000 to nearly $215,000.
South Royalton’s neighborhoods feature a mix of well-kept homes with front porches and spacious lawns.
This gabled farmhouse in Royalton features a metal roof, wraparound porch and tree-lined yard typical of Vermont’s rural homes.
Manufactured homes in Royalton offer affordable living options surrounded by Vermont’s scenic countryside.
Homes in Royalton range from classic two-story designs to single-level residences, set against a backdrop of Vermont’s natural beauty.
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The White River Supervisory Union
The White River Supervisory Union oversees the White River Unified School District, which garners a B-minus rating from Niche. Pre-kindergarteners through fifth graders may attend South Royalton Elementary School, which scores a B-minus. "The cool thing about Vermont is that it offers free preschool," Jarvis says. "So, as soon as your child turns three, you can enroll them in the public school district." White River Valley Middle School earns a C-minus, and White River Valley High School garners a B-minus.
Royalton residents are also about 20 miles from Dartmouth College, a private Ivy League school across the border in New Hampshire. Known for its engineering, business and medical programs, the college oversees the nearby Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the only teaching hospital in New Hampshire.
South Royalton Elementary School scores a B-minus from Niche.
Children in Royalton travel to nearby Bethel to attend White River Valley Middle School.
White River Valley High School is located in the center of the town of Royalton.
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South Royalton's commercial hub and nearby amenities
Three small villages make up the town, including North Royalton, Royalton and South Royalton. Tucked between the White River and the railroad tracks, South Royalton is the principal commercial hub of the town. The South Royalton Historic District, which was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, developed alongside the Vermont Central Railroad depot. Today, a compact village center with several shops and restaurants forms a rectangle around a central green space. Along Chelsea Street, local establishments include a post office, a hair salon, a coffee shop, a delicatessen and a cozy Mexican cantina.
However, some of Royalton's most popular establishments sit just beyond the railroad tracks. Worthy Burger is a well-known hole-in-the-wall hidden within an old freight house. "Everyone talks about Worthy Burger," Jarvis says. "They source their ingredients locally, and you can build your own burger." Next door, Crossroads Bar and Grill is another favorite known for its trivia nights and live music. "Everything is homemade," Jarvis says; the menu includes house-made sauces ranging from gravy to garlic aioli. About 20 miles away, Woodstock brims with fine-dining restaurants and quaint boutiques.
The South Royalton Market Food Cooperative caters to everyday needs. Surrounding rural roads weave past family-owned farms that sell organic eggs, meat and vegetables. Additional restaurants and big-box retailers are about 25 miles away in Lebanon.
South Royalton’s historic church features a tall steeple and red door, reflecting 19th-century design.
First Branch Coffee in South Royalton serves locally roasted brews, pastries and breakfast favorites seven days a week.
Worthy Burger in South Royalton serves up smoked brisket sandwiches, local IPAs and a cozy, laid-back atmosphere.
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Parks, forests, resorts and rivers
The Town Green anchors the village of South Royalton. A lush open lawn features a gazebo, picnic areas and a small, shaded stage that hosts local bands on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Down the road, Carpenter Field and Playground features two baseball fields, a soccer field and a playground. Dirt and gravel trails border the fields, offering direct access to the White River.
Down the road, Paine's Beach welcomes sunbathers, swimmers and picnickers along the White River's banks. Additional public access spots are scattered along the river, attracting kayakers paddleboarders and tubers. RV and traditional campgrounds are spread across town, attracting a mix of locals and summer tourists.
Surrounding woodlands feature hidden walking trails, while the Royalton Town Forest is accessible via a dirt road off Vermont State Route 107. Adventurous hikers can also make their way up to Kent's Ledge, a mountain peak that offers panoramic views of the village and surrounding ranges. However, many of Royalton's trails are unmarked. To reach Kent's Ledge, residents must follow a dirt road near Crossroads Bar and Grill before passing through a tunnel underneath Interstate 89.
Many of Royalton's trails are closed to non-motorized vehicles, but popular winter pastimes still include snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Residents are also 30 miles from Killington Resort. Nicknamed the "Beast of the East," Killington is the largest resort on the East Coast and boasts 22 lifts and 155 downhill trails, along with a lively après ski culture, as well as an assortment of summer activities, including hiking, kayaking and golfing, among others.
The beautiful stone archway greet visitors to the lush Town Green in Roylaton.
Paine’s Beach offers a peaceful spot for swimming and sunbathing along the White River in South Royalton.
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Joseph Smith’s birthplace
Royalton is home to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial. Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), was born in the neighboring town of Sharon. However, the memorial sits within Royalton's town lines. The memorial is down the road from a local LDS church and campgrounds that cater to out-of-town visitors.
Commutes around Royalton
Tri-Valley Transit services the area, stopping in the village and North Royalton. However, many residents still rely on personal vehicles to get around. Randolph is home to both the nearest Amtrak station and Gifford Medical Center, less than 15 miles away. Alternatively, Lebanon's Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital and the highly regarded Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center are about 30 miles away. Local roads include Vermont State routes 14, 107 and 110, and Burlington International Airport is about 70 miles northwest via Interstate 89.
Dartmouth Coach provides Royalton residents with regional bus service connecting to nearby towns and transit hubs.
Cape Air operates regional flights from Lebanon Municipal Airport, offering convenient access to nearby cities and scenic views of the Upper Valley.
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Written By
Lillie Duston
Photography Contributed By
Pasha Chichagov
Video By
Jarrod Bock
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Melissa Robinson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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A classic 1850 cape minutes from S. Royalton, home of VT Law & Graduate School, the well-stocked S. Royalton Market Food Coop, restaurants, and town center. A large ~1 acre lot with White River frontage. A wonderful aspect of this home is it has kept most of its original charm including wide pine plank floors, doors, and hardware. Enjoy spending time on the roomy, screened front porch just
Lorraine ChecchiColdwell Banker Hickok & Boardman / E. Montpelier
A perfect ‘SoRo’ location, minutes from the charm of South Royalton Village and privacy off a dead -end road, make this country property a must see. The 2000+/- sqft of living space includes a large kitchen/family room, functional mudroom, office/study, large bedrooms, and two storage sheds on property. In warmer months, the large front deck provides additional living and entertaining space.
Just 3⁄4 of a mile from the heart of South Royalton and Vermont Law School, this versatile property offers tremendous rental potential with some TLC. With three separate units—each with its own private entrance—this is the perfect opportunity to renovate and generate strong rental income. The main unit in the house has 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths. The second unit in the main house is a 1 bed 1
A classic 1850 cape minutes from S. Royalton, home of VT Law & Graduate School, the well-stocked S. Royalton Market Food Coop, restaurants, and town center. A large ~1 acre lot with White River frontage. A wonderful aspect of this home is it has kept most of its original charm including wide pine plank floors, doors, and hardware. Enjoy spending time on the roomy, screened front porch just
Lorraine ChecchiColdwell Banker Hickok & Boardman / E. Montpelier
A perfect ‘SoRo’ location, minutes from the charm of South Royalton Village and privacy off a dead -end road, make this country property a must see. The 2000+/- sqft of living space includes a large kitchen/family room, functional mudroom, office/study, large bedrooms, and two storage sheds on property. In warmer months, the large front deck provides additional living and entertaining space.
Just 3⁄4 of a mile from the heart of South Royalton and Vermont Law School, this versatile property offers tremendous rental potential with some TLC. With three separate units—each with its own private entrance—this is the perfect opportunity to renovate and generate strong rental income. The main unit in the house has 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths. The second unit in the main house is a 1 bed 1
Property Id: 2002289This freshly painted single-family home is move-in ready and ideally located just 0.5 miles from Vermont Law School. Featuring a split-level layout, it offers a main floor with three handicap-accessible bedrooms, an open kitchen, dining area, and living room—plus direct access to a private deck, perfect for outdoor dining or relaxation.The finished basement
The "Old Office" is a HOUSE located on S. Windsor Street, a few blocks WALK to Vermont Law School.Well, actually it is down the street, there are no blocks... (or street lights.)We're working on getting more photos, if the unit ever becomes vacant!It is not old, actually it is modern and bright.It was our office until a few years ago and the name stuck. It was
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