Looking for exciting things to do in Brattleboro, VT? This artsy, charming town in southern Vermont is so much fun to explore. Its stunning backdrop of the Green Mountains, picturesque covered bridges, vibrant arts scene, and lively culinary offerings make it the perfect Vermont destination for a fun-filled adventure.
Where to Stay in Brattleboro
I had a great time staying at the Latchis Hotel (attached to the Latchis Theatre, which I’ll tell you about in a bit). The location downtown is spot-on, and bonus: registered guests get free parking!
Oh, and here’s a cool perk: every room has a record player and some records. It’s a fun little touch that adds to the experience!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Take a Scenic Drive to See Vermont’s Covered Bridges
While visiting Brattleboro, I drove to three covered bridges within about 20 miles. From nearest to farthest, I saw Creamery Covered Bridge, West Dummerston Covered Bridge, and Scott Covered Bridge. The Creamery Bridge is visible from Route 9, and the latter two are along Route 30.
Go Mural Hunting
I’m drawn to murals like a magnet, and Brattleboro doesn’t disappoint! One incredibly captivating mural along High Street spans a whopping 2,280 square feet. It’s a vibrant celebration of Vermont’s four seasons, and it’s something to see!
I also loved the murals (and purple door) at Harmony Collective (more on that below).
Go On a Church Crawl on Main Street
I’m not talking about attending religious services (although you could if you wanted to). Instead, I suggest a leisurely walk down Main Street to appreciate the fascinating architecture of the stunning churches along the roadside. My favorite is the Stone Church, a vibrant live music and event venue.
Also repurposed, the magnificent red-brick First Baptist Church has transformed into an arts and cultural hub. Meanwhile, with its iconic steeple and town clock, the Centre Congregational Church continues to serve as a thriving center for worship and community activities.
Watch a Ski Jump Competition
The 90-meter Harris Hill Ski Jump has been the epicenter of thrilling ski jumping competitions and national championships for over a century. If you find yourself in Brattleboro during the winter events, it’s a must-see! You can catch all the action from the bottom or hike up to the take-off for a unique view. Although I missed the event by a few weeks, I couldn’t pass up the chance to check out this iconic Brattleboro landmark.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Explore the Brattleboro Words Trail
Brattleboro is rich in culture and history, and you can take an audio tour using the Brattleboro Words Trail app or listen on your computer. The tour includes fascinating stories about Abenaki petroglyphs, iconic spots, and interesting folks. It’s a cool way to soak up local history.
You can see the Brattleboro Words Trail murals right now at 118 Elliot. But they’ll have a permanent home on the outside of the new Amtrak station in Brattleboro, set to open in Fall 2024
Peep Where The Jungle Book Was Written
Naulakha, constructed in 1892 for Rudyard Kipling, is nestled within a wooded estate just a 10-minute drive from downtown Brattleboro. Within these walls, Kipling crafted his timeless masterpiece, The Jungle Book. Remarkably, much of the original furniture, including his writing desk, still resides within. While it’s private property, available for rent, I contented myself with a roadside glimpse, which was exhilarating nonetheless.
For those fortunate enough to visit in early June, the Naulakha Estate & Rhododendron Tour offers a chance for a closer encounter.
See a Movie in a Historic Theater
The Latchis Theatre is exquisitely designed, so be sure to put it on your must-see list of things to do in Brattleboro, VT.
The Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro has a cool backstory. It was built in the 1930s by a Greek immigrant named Demetrius Latchis. He wanted to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to Vermont, so he designed the theater in a mix of Art Deco and Greek revival styles.
A night sky mural depicting the zodiac is on the main theater’s ceiling. But that’s not all; the zodiac theme continues in the concession lobby with the symbols embedded into the terrazzo floor design.
BRATTLEBORO’S ARTSY SIDE
Hit the Art Museum
Explore contemporary art at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC). Housed in the historic Union Station, the non-collecting museum has six rotating galleries, so there’s always something new.
When I walked in, the first gallery featured Daniel Callahan’s approach to ritual face painting, and it was mesmerizing!
Another gallery featured Keith Haring’s iconic subway drawings from the 1980s, and I was completely captivated! Haring’s art bursts with bold lines, vibrant colors, and whimsical characters, all while addressing important issues. It’s visually striking and thought-provoking.
Do Some Gallery Hopping and Local Shopping
Downtown Brattleboro is full of galleries just waiting to be explored. I swung by Gallery In The Woods, and found a treasure trove of fine art, jewelry, crafts, and folk art. They had some super kooky shoe art I absolutely loved.
We also popped into Harmony Collective, a co-op space with 25-30 artists at various skill levels.
Other galleries you may want to see include Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts and Vermont Artisan Designs.
If you’re into shopping locally (and who isn’t?), downtown Brattleboro (and beyond) has a goldmine of cute boutiques and gift shops waiting to be explored. Two of my personal downtown faves? Altiplano and Penelope Wurr. Seriously, they’ve got all the goodies you never knew you needed!
A stone’s throw away from downtown, cheese enthusiasts will discover a slice of paradise at Grafton Village Cheese. Trust me, their aged cheddar is out of this world! Swing by their expansive retail shop to sample their offerings and snag your favorites. Plus, don’t miss the chance to peek through the large viewing window and watch cheese being crafted right before your eyes!
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
Run Away to the Circus!
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at NECCA (New England Center for Circus Arts). Renowned as one of the top circus schools in the US, NECCA attracts students from around the globe eager to hone their skills.
From trapeze dreams to acrobatic adventures, they have workshops and classes for everyone, regardless of age or skill level. And if you’re not quite ready to take flight, don’t worry—you can still catch one of their awesome live performances. Check the schedule when you’re in Brattleboro, and get ready for some serious fun!
Make Your Own Art
River Gallery Art School offers a variety of workshops, classes, and experiences suitable for all ages. Check out the schedule to see what’s happening while you’re in Brattleboro!
We swung by for a quick sequencing demo and got hands-on with our own creations. I’m no Picasso, but thankfully abstract art doesn’t require any special talent! Still, I had an absolute blast unleashing my inner artist.
If you’re into hot glass adventures like I am, don’t miss the chance to join a hot glass or ceramics workshop or see a demo at Fire Arts Vermont. Even if you can’t snag a spot, you can always catch a demo or pop into the artist studios for a behind-the-scenes look at their latest creations.
Unfortunately, the gallery was closed when I stopped by, but I made the most of it by grabbing a tasty breakfast at the Fire Arts Cafe next door.
Go on a Putney Craft Tour
Get off the beaten path and visit the working studios of some artists and craft makers participating in the annual artisan trail. The official Putney Craft Tour takes place over Thanksgiving weekend, and craftspeople include blacksmiths, glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers—and even artisan cheesemakers.
However, you can schedule appointments for in-studio visits and hands-on experiences all year long. We visited three makers from the tour: a glass blower, a potter, and a winemaker.
Our first stop was at Robert Burch Glass where he makes some of the most beautiful glass art I’ve ever seen. Look at his moon paperweights!
We watched Robert demo his hot glass skills, and he showed us a 1600s-style alembic he created for a Jamestown distillery.
Next, we visited Ken Pick’s ceramics studio in an old tobacco barn. Ken’s all about crafting functional and sculptural pottery, with some of his pieces proudly displayed outside the studio.
Much of his high-fire stoneware is inspired by rock formations and nature. I love the sense of movement in his pieces and the contrast between the bold glaze colors and the earthy unglazed areas.
Our last destination of the day was Putney Mountain Winery, which specializes in crafting small-batch wines and liqueurs using fresh regional produce instead of grapes. From rhubarb to ginger, apples to blueberries, and black currants, their flavors are as diverse as they are delicious.
Tastings are offered year-round, and of course, I couldn’t resist trying a variety of their fruit-forward wines. While they leaned a bit on the sweet side for my taste, the vibrant fruitiness was undeniably refreshing and flavorful.
WHERE TO EAT (AND DRINK)
Whetstone Station Brewery
This waterfront brewery and burger bar was one of my favorite Brattleboro, VT restaurants. It has an amazing view of the Connecticut River and the bridge connecting Vermont and New Hampshire.
Step inside, and you’ll find the walls adorned with playful national park-inspired posters showcasing Whetstone beers—a sight!
But here’s the real kicker, aside from the amazing food (we’ll get to that in a sec): the building straddles the border between Vermont and New Hampshire. That means you can enjoy your beer while standing in two states simultaneously. Talk about a unique experience!
Now, let’s talk about the best part: the food! We kicked things off with some mouthwatering potato pierogies to split among the group. As for my main course, I couldn’t resist the temptation of the Smokeshow Burger paired with Parmesan Station Fries and a bowl of Cheddar Ale Soup. It’s hard to pick a favorite because everything was simply delicious!
Superfresh! Organic Cafe
For those craving delicious food crafted from fresh, organic ingredients, look no further than Superfresh. This cozy café prides itself on homemade fare and boasts an entirely organic, vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free menu.
I opted for the Gratitude Bowl for lunch, loaded with wholesome grains, legumes, greens, seasonal produce, and micro-greens. To my delight, it satisfied my hunger and exceeded my expectations in flavor.
Now, let’s talk dessert—trust me, you won’t want to miss this. Despite not being a dessert person, I couldn’t resist diving into the Golden Goddess cheesecake. I
t’s a kashi-based cheesecake crafted from cashews, coconut oil, Vermont maple syrup, mango, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. And that’s not all—it sits atop a walnut date crust sprinkled with Himalayan salt and is beautifully adorned with calendula petals. It’s a heavenly combination of flavors that you won’t soon forget!
Saxton’s River Distillery
If you’re looking for a cool happy hour spot, stop into Saxton’s River Distillery for some charcuterie and a bourbon and cheese tasting. The Sapling line really caught my attention! It’s made with maple syrup from local farms and raw honey from a local apiary.
Pairing Grafton Village Cheese with spirits was such a blast! I especially enjoyed the maple bourbon and the maple rye—they were absolute winners. We also tasted plain maple syrup samples from Robb Family Farm—delicious!
On our way out, we drove behind the building to see the “retired” hobbit house that used to sit outside Grafton Village Cheese.
Fire Arts Cafe
I’m not usually big on breakfast, but one morning I decided to try a savory pastry from Fire Arts Cafe—and boy, am I glad I did! This bakery, run by a former glass blower and metal sculptor, prides itself on using all organic ingredients. Plus, it doubles as an art gallery and event venue, adding to its charm.
I opted for the spinach and cheese croissant, and let me tell you, it was pure perfection—light, flaky, and absolutely delicious!
Chesterfield Inn
For our final dinner, we crossed the bridge into New Hampshire and landed at the charming Chesterfield Inn, a cozy bed and breakfast.
Before diving into dinner, we glanced into one of the guest rooms—absolutely gorgeous!
Then, we found a table by the crackling fireplace, ready to savor our scrumptious meal.
As for my entrée, I couldn’t resist the tempting “Marry Me Chicken” featuring shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, paired perfectly with a hearty crock of mac and cheese.
The Works
Need a great breakfast on the go? Before heading back to North Carolina, I swung by The Works for a breakfast bagel and tea. It was the ideal fuel for the road trip and absolutely delicious!
Final Thoughts
Brattleboro is bursting at the seams with exciting activities that left me wanting more. I absolutely loved soaking in the creative energy and witnessing artists in action. I can’t wait to return and explore even more of what Brattleboro, VT, has to offer!
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