Southern Vermont

When considering the activities available in southern Vermont, the first place to look is the lush Green Mountains. They are an outdoor fanatic’s dream with enough biking, fishing, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and camping to fill several vacations. And there is the skiing, of course. Vermont is considered New England’s premier ski destination and there are several great choices located all across the state. Inn-to-inn biking vacations have become very popular lately. Tour operators will transport your luggage from one location to the next, while you leisurely bike your way to the next stop. If you like to tour via automobile, driving route 100 straight through the Green Mountains is the way to go.

 

In terms of historical offerings, the southwestern town of Bennington has much to offer. The Bennington Battle Monument commemorates the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Bennington. The monument is a 306-foot obelisk made of blue limestone. Nearby is The Bennington Museum, which features displays on local industry and the arts.

 

Bennington’s Blue Benn Diner is famous for blue-plate dinner classics. Breakfast is served all day, and their pies can’t be beat. They don’t take credit cards, so stop by the ATM on your way.

 

Heading north on route 7 (or route 7A for the more meandering and scenic path), you will soon arrive in Arlington, home of The Norman Rockwell Exhibit. Rockwell lived in Arlington from 1939-1953, and his art was clearly influenced by the wonderful everyday-ness of life in Vermont. The exhibit is housed in a 19^th century church.

 

Manchester is the next main city on your route, and it is not to be missed. Formerly a resort town for the rich and famous, Manchester is home to Hildene, the 24-room Georgian Revival mansion built by Robert Todd Lincoln (son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln). Tours of the home and formal gardens are given daily, in season. Manchester’s sister city, Manchester Center, is slightly to the north and the site of some of New England’s best outlet shopping.

 

Chantecleer is located 3.5 miles north of Manchester Center, and it is considered by many to be Vermont’s finest restaurant. It is known for exquisite dining and service and seasonal game specialties. The Little Rooster Café is located near the outlets; it is a perfect spot for a hearty breakfast before you hit the sale racks.

 

Moving to the southeastern side of the state, Brattleboro is the commercial hub of the area. The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center has exhibits highlighting the town’s history.

 

The Brattleboro Food Co-op is a great spot for deli sandwiches. For dinner, try T.J. Buckley’s, one of Vermont’s finest offerings. It is a tiny spot with a limited menu, but you can count on everything being delicious.

 

Venturing north on the eastern side of the state, you will encounter a string of picturesque Vermont villages, the kind movie sets try to emulate. They are each lovely and worth strolling. The artsy village of Putney is free-spirited and easy-going. Stop by Vermont Shepherd Cheese, where you can tour the caves if you are traveling during the summer or fall. They produce award-winning cheeses, which you will want to purchase while you are there.

 

One of Putney’s best dining offerings is, surprisingly, a barbeque joint. Curtis Bar-B-Q serves up simple southern barbeque in a bare-bones environment. Grab a picnic table and plenty of napkins.

 

The National Historic District in Newfane is a collection of 60 buildings around the town green and down a few of the side streets. The styles vary from Greek Revival to Federal to Colonial Revival. You can pick up a walking-tour brochure at the Moore Free Library or the Historical Society of Windham County (itself a lovely museum to wander through).

 

In this area, Route 30 is home of a couple of dozen antique shops, which are fun to poke around in. Also on Route 30 between Townshend and Jamaica is the Scott Covered Bridge, which dates back to 1870. It is the longest single-span bridge in the state. Townshend State Park is located at the foot of Bald Mountain. There are terrific hiking trails and great views if you make it to the summit.

 

After Putney, Newfane, and Townshend, you cannot leave the area unless you finish your tour with the village of Grafton. You can explore the Grafton Historical Society Museum for interesting information about the town’s history. It is lovingly preserved and feels like a throwback from another era as a result.