Best Events Green Mountain Film Festival (Not Sundance, but the Savoy doesn't disappoint, with 35 films in 10 days), March 21-30.
Locals' Favorite Restaurants Sarducci's (a Montpelier institution serving authentic Italian, 802-223-0229); The Main Street Grill (proving grounds for NECI students, 802-223-3188); Conoscenti (topnotch competition for above, 802-262-3500).
Best Places to Stay The Inn at Montpelier's extravagant wraparound porch hints at the elegance inside ($104-$177, 802-223-2727, innatmontpelier.com); Capitol Plaza, consistent luxury a stone's throw from the Capitol Building ($101-$192, 802-223-5252, capitolplaza.com).
Information 877-887-3678, central-vt.comLocalloreAdmiral George Dewey, hero of the Spanish-American War and son of a National Life founder, is said to have grown up playing on the steps of the State House. Dewey's naval prowess notwithstanding, Montpelier is better training ground for peacenik paddlers than sailors.