About this series Our three-part Sunday capitals project compares the capital cities of northern New England. Augusta, Maine's capital, is trying to reinvent itself. Two other New England capitals offer lessons.

APRIL 6: The Capitol and downtown are inseparable in Montpelier, Vt., a key reason the city remains vibrant. APRIL 13: Concord, N.H. invested in infrastructure 10 years ago. The payoff has been lower taxes and a healthier downtown. APRIL 20: Augusta's downtown merchants are committed to staying, and yearn for development along the Kennebec River. Capital slideshows

Montpelier, Vermont Montpelier, Vermont's beautiful state capital, is our nation's smallest state capital city and it may be the only capital without a McDonald's or a Wal-Mart. Watch the audio slideshow.

Concord, N.H. Concord, the Granite State's seat of government, boasts the third-largest legislature in the English-speaking world, and maybe one of the world's largest election button collections too. Watch the audio slideshow.

Augusta, Maine Augusta's copper-domed statehouse is about a half mile from the downtown area and sits atop a small hill above the Kennebec River. Watch the audio slideshow.