There's Not A Single McDonald's Or Starbucks In This State's Capital

There are some capital cities where you will see a McDonald's or a Starbucks practically on every corner. Boston, for instance, is home to 54 Starbucks stores, and in 2019, Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, had one McDonald's for every 12,000 people. However, there's one city (the smallest state capital in the U.S.) where you won't find either of those fast-food titans. 

Vermont's capital, Montpelier, is located in the upper center of the state and doesn't have a McDonald's or a Starbucks. Thousands of leaf-peepers flock to the area when the foliage is at its brightest, and skiers visit to swish down the nearby Green Mountains during the snowy months in this quaint city of only 8,000 citizens. You would think the residents would welcome the popular chains to meet the needs of the city's visitors. But to the people of Montpelier, local is where it's at.

The city takes pride in its small businesses, including the independently owned coffee shops and restaurants that line the streets of the downtown area. Montpelier is one of the most picturesque towns in New England and it tops many lists of the best small towns in America. The city's website prides Montpelier for its "historic character and unique sense of place." There's something special about Montpelier.

Montpelier isn't the only place in Vermont protected from the impact of big business. The entire state's historic character and natural beauty are also mindfully preserved. Since 1968, billboards have been banned in the Green Mountain State, preserving the bucolic landscape and lush greenery for which Vermont is known. 

Having neither a Starbucks nor a McDonald's seems insignificant to visitors to Montpelier. A quick search on TripAdvisor shows myriad well-rated restaurants serving everything from pancakes to gelato. You'll want to save room for dessert, though. No trip to Vermont would be complete without sampling maple creemee, a soft-serve ice cream that made our list of ice cream flavors that should be the most popular in every state. 

If you're visiting Montpelier and cannot do without your venti handcrafted beverage from Starbucks, or you're craving a Filet-O-Fish (though you may change your mind after you learn about the unsavory additives inside), you're not entirely out of luck. Twelve miles from Montpelier is the city of Barre, Vermont, where fast food abounds. Or, you can shop local and take a chance at one of the many highly rated coffee shops and restaurants in the charming state capital of Vermont.