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Community Life

Community & Amenities

Discover everything Franklin County has to offer. From outdoor recreation and healthcare to shopping, dining, and community events.

Parks & Recreation

Franklin County offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, from state parks on Lake Champlain to scenic trails and sports facilities.

Burton Island State Park

State Park

Memorial Day - Columbus Day
Lake Champlain (accessible by ferry from Kill Kare State Park)

A 253-acre island paradise offering camping, swimming, boating, and hiking. A hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts.

Activities:

CampingSwimmingHikingBoatingFishing

Lake Carmi State Park

State Park

Year-round (camping seasonal)
Franklin, VT

Vermont's 4th largest lake offering excellent fishing, camping, and water recreation in a beautiful natural setting.

Activities:

CampingFishingSwimmingBoatingPicnicking

Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail

Multi-Use Trail

Year-round
Richford to St. Albans (26 miles)

A scenic rail trail perfect for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing through Franklin County's countryside.

Activities:

BikingWalkingRunningCross-Country Skiing

Hard'ack Recreation Area

Recreation Area

Year-round
St. Albans

Multi-use outdoor space with trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and winter activities.

Activities:

HikingMountain BikingDisc GolfSleddingSnowshoeing

Collins Perley Sports Complex

Sports Complex

Spring - Fall
St. Albans

Premier sports facility with multiple fields for baseball, softball, soccer, and lacrosse.

Activities:

BaseballSoftballSoccerLacrosse
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Vermont State Parks Pass

Consider purchasing an annual Vermont State Parks pass for unlimited access to Burton Island, Lake Carmi, and all other Vermont state parks. Great value for outdoor enthusiasts!

Healthcare Services

Franklin County is served by Northwestern Medical Center and a network of healthcare providers offering comprehensive medical services.

Northwestern Medical Center

Hospital

Full-service hospital serving Franklin County with 24/7 emergency care and comprehensive medical services.

133 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-5911
nmc-vt.org

Services:

Emergency CareSurgeryMaternityCardiologyOrthopedicsPediatricsImagingLab Services

Northwestern Medical Center Primary Care

Primary Care

Primary care physicians throughout Franklin County providing comprehensive healthcare for all ages.

Multiple Franklin County locations
(802) 524-8970

Services:

Family MedicineInternal MedicinePediatricsWomen's Health

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services

Mental Health

Community mental health and addiction services for Franklin County residents.

107 Fisher Pond Road, St. Albans
(802) 524-6554

Services:

Mental Health CounselingSubstance Abuse TreatmentCrisis ServicesYouth Services

Northwestern Medical Center Dental

Dental Care

Comprehensive dental services for the community.

St. Albans
(802) 527-7531

Services:

General DentistryPediatric DentistryEmergency Dental Care

Shopping & Retail

From historic downtown boutiques to modern retail centers, Franklin County offers diverse shopping experiences.

Downtown St. Albans

Historic downtown with local boutiques, specialty shops, and professional services.

Highlights:

  • Local Boutiques
  • Antique Shops
  • Gift Stores
  • Professional Services
  • Restaurants & Cafes

St. Albans Retail Corridor (Route 7)

Main shopping area with grocery stores, national retailers, and service businesses.

Highlights:

  • Hannaford Supermarket
  • Walmart
  • Dollar General
  • Hardware Stores
  • Auto Services

Swanton Village

Small-town shopping with local businesses and essential services.

Highlights:

  • Grocery Store
  • Pharmacy
  • Local Shops
  • Banking

Burlington (25 miles)

Major shopping destination with malls, big-box stores, and specialty retailers.

Highlights:

  • University Mall
  • Church Street Marketplace
  • Big-Box Retailers
  • Specialty Boutiques

Dining & Restaurants

Franklin County offers a variety of dining options, from local favorites to national chains and quick bites.

Local Favorites

Jeff's Maine Seafood

Seafood

St. Albans

Fresh seafood, lobster rolls

Mimmo's Pizzeria & Restaurant

Italian

St. Albans

Family-style Italian

The Vault

American

St. Albans

Upscale dining downtown

Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge

Pizza/American

Swanton

Wood-fired pizza

Quick Bites & Cafes

Dunkin'

Coffee/Breakfast

Multiple locations

Subway

Sandwiches

St. Albans, Swanton

Local cafes

Coffee/Bakery

Downtown St. Albans

Family Dining

Friendly's

American

St. Albans

Applebee's

American

St. Albans

McDonald's

Fast Food

St. Albans, Swanton

Fitness & Wellness

Planet Fitness

GymSt. Albans

National gym chain offering cardio, strength training, and group fitness.

CrossFit facilities

CrossFitFranklin County

High-intensity functional fitness training in group settings.

Yoga studios

Yoga/WellnessSt. Albans area

Yoga, meditation, and wellness classes for all levels.

Collins Perley Sports Complex

RecreationSt. Albans

Public sports fields and facilities for community athletics.

Community Events & Organizations

Franklin County has a vibrant community spirit with annual events, festivals, and active civic organizations.

St. Albans Chamber of Commerce

Supporting local businesses and economic development in Franklin County.

(802) 524-2444
stalbanschamber.com

Franklin County Field Days

Annual agricultural fair celebrating Vermont farming and rural life. One of the largest fairs in Vermont.

When: Held annually in August

franklincountyfielddays.com

Maple Festival

Annual spring celebration of Vermont's maple syrup industry with tastings, entertainment, and family activities.

When: Held annually in April

St. Albans

Taylor Park Concerts

Free summer concert series in downtown St. Albans featuring local and regional musicians.

When: Summer evenings

Taylor Park, St. Albans

Farmers Markets & Local Agriculture

St. Albans Farmers Market

Taylor Park, St. Albans

Season: May - October

Hours: Saturdays, 9am - 1pm

Find:

Fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, crafts, prepared foods

Swanton Farmers Market

Village Green, Swanton

Season: Summer months

Hours: Weekly

Find:

Local produce, artisan goods, community gathering

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Vermont Farm-to-Table

Franklin County is rich in agricultural heritage. Many local farms offer direct sales of produce, meats, dairy, and maple products. Look for farm stands along country roads and support your local farmers!

Discover Your Perfect Vermont Community

Let us help you find a home in a Franklin County community that matches your lifestyle and interests.