History and an outdoor lifestyle in Windsor, Vermont
Located in the shadow of Mount Ascutney and on the banks of the Connecticut River, which separates Vermont from New Hampshire, Windsor is a township of about 3,500 residents as of the 2020 census. Known as the “birthplace of Vermont,” it's where the Constitution of the Vermont Republic was signed in 1777; Vermont would become a U.S. state in 1791. Windsor remained the state capital until 1805. Now, the area is known for for a mix of outdoor recreation opportunities, shops and restaurants in its small downtown area — and for a unique fall festival. Starting in 2020, Windsor and surrounding townships saw an influx of younger residents who moved to the area during the COVID-19 pandemic to work remotely. “It’s a very doable lifestyle for a lot of people,” says Danny Kogut, an associate broker with Williamson Group Sotheby’s International Realty who has 15 years of local real estate experience. “That’s what we’re seeing lately, in the years since COVID.”
Varied styles, older builds and expansive country lots
Homes in and around the small downtown can cost between $110,000 and $430,000, depending on size, age and level of restoration needed. Some homes in this central area date from the late 1700s or mid-1800s, while others were built in the 1930s through the 1950s. Cape Cods and ranch-style homes are tucked along Ascutney Street as it heads south out of town. Half-stories line small streets near the Connecticut River. Ranch-style homes on well-kept lawns sit amid tall trees on Huntington and Channing drives, just north of the downtown area. Many homes have outbuildings, and some offer attached garages. Out in the country, where lots can include dozens of acres of land, homes lurk among dense woods or sprawl near open farmland, and prices can range from around $820,000 to $1.3 million. Windsor holds a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, lower than the national average of 4.
Paradise Park, Mount Ascutney, many trails and river access
Outdoor recreation is a vital component of Windsor’s character. Paradise Park, in Windsor Town Forest, offers several trails around Lake Runnemede and through forests and wetlands. South of town, Mount Ascutney has undergone a volunteer-based revival. “Now there’s a J-Bar lift, a rope tow and a tubing run,” Kogut says. “All your neighbors are there volunteering.” Southeast Vermont offers a large network of trails, some of which cut through private land. “As long as you recreate responsibly, you can walk the trails through private land,” Kogut says. “It’s pretty nice to have right outside your door.” Great River Outfitters offers canoe and kayak tours and rentals on the banks of the Connecticut. The outfitter is also home to the Path of Life Sculpture Garden.
Downtown shops and eateries, Artisans Park and Brownsville Butcher & Pantry
While small, Windsor’s downtown area has more to it than many other nearby townships. Artisans Park, just north of the downtown and near Great River Outfitters, is home to Harpoon Brewery’s second location outside Boston, Silo Distillery, as well as Blake Hill Preserves and the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company Market. Windsor Station Restaurant and Barroom serves pasta and craft cocktails in an old train depot. “The train comes right by the window every hour," Kogut says. "They left everything intact, so you really feel like you’re in a train station.” Price Chopper has groceries along U.S. Route 5. In the next town over, Brownsville Butcher & Pantry in West Windsor is a destination for its market, menu and community space in a former general store. “It’s all just community,” Kogut says. “You know everybody there.”
Autumn Moon Festival and an all-season farmers market
Windsor’s Autumn Moon Festival, formerly known as Moon Dance, has been an annual event for over two decades. It fills downtown with live music, magic, educational activities, a pumpkin carving contest, kids' activities, vendors and a beer garden. The Windsor Farmers Market runs year-round, moving indoors during colder months.
Windsor School serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
Students in Windsor can attend Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union, of which Mount Ascutney School District is a part. Windsor School serves grades from pre-kindergarten through 12th and earns a C-plus grade from Niche. Students from other townships join Windsor School from grades nine through 12. High school seniors participate in the capstone program, in which students complete a self-directed research project and publicly exhibit their work.
Interstate 91 and Amtrak connect Windsor to surrounding areas
Interstate 91 runs near the downtown area’s western edge. U.S. Route 5 follows the river and cuts through downtown, becoming Main Street. Vermont Routes 12 and 44 are other significant roads. Claremont, New Hampshire, is about 10 miles away. Burlington International Airport is about 100 miles away. Windsor has daily Amtrak service, with the Vermonter stopping at Windsor-Mt. Ascutney Station. Mt. Ascutney Hospital is about a mile from the downtown area near I-91.
