Historic Downtown

Winooski

/ Places to Visit / Downtowns / Winooski

People walk along a sidewalk on a sunny day.

A wide and shallow river passes by an old smokestack that rises above the trees on the opposite bank.

The Onion City

Winooski, Vermont

The beauty of a historic mill city characterizes Winooski, which packs a lot of shopping, local and culturally diverse dining options, and adventure into just 1.5 square miles in Vermont’s Greater Burlington region. A rotary park is a hub where public paths connect the town with trails nearby, and historic architecture frames the downtown district. The Winooski River, flowing through the downtown’s heart, is also known as the Onion River, named after the Abenaki word for the wild onions that grew alongside its banks.

Featured Attractions

Explore this small city’s mill history, get outside on public paths near the rushing river, and sample local beers and dining options downtown.

Heritage Winooski Mill Museum

This museum chronicles the history of the Winooski Falls mill era from 1839-1954 through accounts from mill workers, photographs, and demonstrations.

Winooski River Walk

A concrete path showcasing Champlain Mill and Woolen Mill, offering beautiful views of Winooski within a half-mile walk.

Rotary Park

Rotary Park hosts live music and offers public green space, connecting Winooski to larger trail networks and community gardens.

Waterworks

The Champlain Mill was built in 1912. Today, it hosts a restaurant, bar, and events space in downtown Winooski.

Four Quarters Brewery

A brewery located right in the heart of Winooski known for funky sours, IPAs, and stouts hand-crafted with local ingredients.

People tour outside of an old mill with a guide.

A group of people show a weaved blanked in a museum.

Attraction Spotlight

Heritage Winooski Mill Museum

The Champlain Mill was a textile mill built in 1912, producing woolen fabric using water power. This museum stewards the Winooski River’s mill heritage and its impact on the city’s development.

Learn More