Middlebury, VT is a quaint New England town, full of stationery and used book stores stores, boutique galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Nearby towns like Vergennes and Bristol also offer delicious treats for traveling students. Middlebury's American Flatbread is one of the most popular restaurants in the area, and the wait for a table on weekends can exceed an hour. There are a few student bar options in town, all of which close early on weekends and even earlier on weekdays. Two Brothers Tavern is an especially popular destination, where college students mix (and sometimes clash) with the locals. Otter Creek Brewery is another great place to grab a “growler” of fresh beer. Despite its lack of nightlife and entertainment options, Middlebury is a great destination for outdoorsy people. Ski dreams come true at the nearby Middlebury Snow Bowl. Hiking, biking, kayaking, running, and mountain climbing are all popular activities both on campus and off. Burlington, VT, is only a short drive away from Middlebury, and offers a little more nightlife, including a couple of concert venues, movie theaters, and malls, as well as shops selling amenities unavailable in Middlebury itself.

Middlebury's 350-acre campus is in the heart of the Champlain Valley, with the Green Mountains to the east and the Adirondacks flanking the campus to the west. Bordering the quaint town of Middlebury, most of the college sits on a hill west of the town’s center. Open spaces and greenery abound on the gorgeous campus, where historic granite and marble architecture melds with more contemporary buildings. “Old Stone Row,” consisting of the Old Chapel, Painter and Starr Halls (dormitories), is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Painter Hall is the oldest college building in the state of Vermont. McCardell Bicentennial Hall, the five-story science building, is one of the largest structures in the state of Vermont. The campus is divided by College Street running through its center, as well as five “Commons,” each operating as its own mini-institution. Each Commons has its own housing, deans, and staff, and students have the option of living within their commons for all four years. A number of new and renovated buildings have cropped up in the past few years, among them the new 130,000-square-foot library, Hillcrest Environmental Studies building, and two enormous dormitories. The Axinn Center will house offices, lecture halls, and a fully operating sound studio for the film and video program.

Freshmen are placed in one of the five "Commons." Each Commons has its own housing plan, starting with freshman dorms and moving on to better campus housing as students move up the ranks. The Commons offer several housing options, and students can quickly establish their preferences. In Ross Commons, for example, it's possible to wander four different hotel-like dorm complexes and eat at the dining hall without ever leaving the building. Some students stay in their commons for all four years and are rewarded with more Commons "points," while others choose to move closer to their friends. The freshman dorms consist mostly of double-occupancy rooms that are single-sex by floor. Many students meet their closest friends in their freshman halls. As students move forward, they can choose from larger singles, two-room doubles, suites, or "Mods," which are basically trailers with kitchens and living spaces shared by five or more students. Senior students often try to secure one of the Middlebury-owned campus houses, and a small percentage move into apartments off-campus or larger houses further off the beaten path.

Middlebury is one of the strongest Division III competitors. They lead the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) in total championships won and compete in 31 varsity sports. The men’s and women's ice hockey teams have won three consecutive NCAA Division III national championships since 2004, a historic feat for a college at any level. Rugby, soccer, and cross country teams have also been successful in recent years. The Alpine and Nordic Ski teams have won a host of championships. Besides the sold-out hockey games, ski meets are some of the most widely attended athletic events in Middlebury. Middlebury's athletic facilities are expansive. With the Middlebury College Snow Bowl, the Olympic-size swimming pool, Youngman Field for football and lacrosse, Ralph Myhre Golf Course, and the Bread Loaf Mountain cross-country skiing area, Middlebury offers something for most athletic pursuits. Intramural sports are very popular, and most students participate in at least one game during their four years.