Outdoor Recreation
Hiking trails, nature walks, and swimming holes
GPS: 422 Putney Mountain Rd, Putney
You can catch glimpses of Putney Mountain from spots on our land. Drive a few miles up the mountain's dirt road to the trailhead (~10 mins). The relatively short and easy hike (~20 mins) summits at an epic spot. Bring a picnic. We love to watch the sunset here, but you must bring headlamps/flashlights for hiking back down in the dark. Would be a killer spot to watch a meteor shower!
You can also continue along the ridge trail for a longer out-and-back dayhike.
NOTE: Putney Mountain Rd is a dirt mountain road and may become impassable after heavy rainstorms.
19 locals recommend
Putney Mountain Pinnacle Trailhead
1027 Windmill Hill Rd NGPS: 422 Putney Mountain Rd, Putney
You can catch glimpses of Putney Mountain from spots on our land. Drive a few miles up the mountain's dirt road to the trailhead (~10 mins). The relatively short and easy hike (~20 mins) summits at an epic spot. Bring a picnic. We love to watch the sunset here, but you must bring headlamps/flashlights for hiking back down in the dark. Would be a killer spot to watch a meteor shower!
You can also continue along the ridge trail for a longer out-and-back dayhike.
NOTE: Putney Mountain Rd is a dirt mountain road and may become impassable after heavy rainstorms.
GPS: 1200 Grassy Brook Rd., to access the Radford-Smith Trailhead (see small parking area and kiosk on your right).
A good option if you want to spend a few hours on the trail. Leads to an epic viewpoint worthy of spending some time. You can even catch a glimpse of Tanglebloom Cabin - well, if it weren't for all the trees!
The Pinnacle
GPS: 1200 Grassy Brook Rd., to access the Radford-Smith Trailhead (see small parking area and kiosk on your right).
A good option if you want to spend a few hours on the trail. Leads to an epic viewpoint worthy of spending some time. You can even catch a glimpse of Tanglebloom Cabin - well, if it weren't for all the trees!
Easy, flat trail great for trail running, walking, or biking. Be sure to take the interpretive loop into the RiverStone Preserve about 1 mi north of the Marina Trailhead.
Make a day of it and take the trail all the way into Brattleboro (3.7 mi) and enjoy a drink or appetizer at The Marina restaurant located at trail's end.
West River Trail
West River TrailEasy, flat trail great for trail running, walking, or biking. Be sure to take the interpretive loop into the RiverStone Preserve about 1 mi north of the Marina Trailhead.
Make a day of it and take the trail all the way into Brattleboro (3.7 mi) and enjoy a drink or appetizer at The Marina restaurant located at trail's end.
There's a couple different ways to access this beautiful waterfall. The best version is to make a day of it and hike the 6.8 mi out-and-back at Jamaica State Park (mostly flat and easy, some uphill at the end). It's also possible to arrive via back country roads and scramble down a ravine right to the falls. Parking is very limted with this option & please respect posted signs and private property. Hard copy directions are provided in the guidebook located inside the cabin.
Note: Swim at your own risk. Deaths have occurred at the upper portion of the falls. Never climb up or swim in the pool at the top of the falls.
27 locals recommend
Hamilton Falls
48 Hamilton Falls RdThere's a couple different ways to access this beautiful waterfall. The best version is to make a day of it and hike the 6.8 mi out-and-back at Jamaica State Park (mostly flat and easy, some uphill at the end). It's also possible to arrive via back country roads and scramble down a ravine right to the falls. Parking is very limted with this option & please respect posted signs and private property. Hard copy directions are provided in the guidebook located inside the cabin.
Note: Swim at your own risk. Deaths have occurred at the upper portion of the falls. Never climb up or swim in the pool at the top of the falls.
This wilderness area allows hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. The designated beach area is small and can be busy on hot summer weekends. A must-do for solitude seeking nature-lovers. One of our most favorite places.
Note: Swim at your own risk.
55 locals recommend
Grout Pond
This wilderness area allows hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. The designated beach area is small and can be busy on hot summer weekends. A must-do for solitude seeking nature-lovers. One of our most favorite places.
Note: Swim at your own risk.
GPS: 48 Salmon Hole Lane, Jamaica
We like walking the West River Trail for something mellow, or hiking all the way to Hamilton Falls to make a day of it. The Overlook Trail is also great - brings you to a nice viewpoint where you can enjoy a packed snack. The Salmon Hole is a nice swimming hole near the parking area.
134 locals recommend
Jamaica State Park
48 Salmon Hole LnGPS: 48 Salmon Hole Lane, Jamaica
We like walking the West River Trail for something mellow, or hiking all the way to Hamilton Falls to make a day of it. The Overlook Trail is also great - brings you to a nice viewpoint where you can enjoy a packed snack. The Salmon Hole is a nice swimming hole near the parking area.
A short hike to a beautiful viewpoint. NOTE: Parking is VERY limited (roadside, 4-5 cars) and you should avoid weekends between 9am and 4pm. If the parking spots are full, you’ll need to choose another trail to visit.
7 locals recommend
Black Mountain Trailhead
1933 Black Mountain RdA short hike to a beautiful viewpoint. NOTE: Parking is VERY limited (roadside, 4-5 cars) and you should avoid weekends between 9am and 4pm. If the parking spots are full, you’ll need to choose another trail to visit.
Just over the border in New Hampshire, explore the castle ruins which are just a short jaunt from the parking lot. If you have more time, hike to Indian Pond (2 mi round trip via Anne Stokes Loop Trail) for a swim. Other hikes are also possible. A visit to Madame Sherri Forest is easily combined with an outing in downtown Brattleboro VT.
26 locals recommend
Madame Sherri Forest
Just over the border in New Hampshire, explore the castle ruins which are just a short jaunt from the parking lot. If you have more time, hike to Indian Pond (2 mi round trip via Anne Stokes Loop Trail) for a swim. Other hikes are also possible. A visit to Madame Sherri Forest is easily combined with an outing in downtown Brattleboro VT.
Pond with swimming beach. Can be busy on the weekends, but is a good alternative when the West River is too high/swift for swimming. Be sure to visit JJ Hapgood General Store & Eatery in nearby Peru!
Hapgood Pond
Pond with swimming beach. Can be busy on the weekends, but is a good alternative when the West River is too high/swift for swimming. Be sure to visit JJ Hapgood General Store & Eatery in nearby Peru!
Hike a little less than a mile to reach the pond, then hike around the pond trail. Expect to hike up to 3 miles round-trip - pack food and supplies. Beautiful spot worth a day trip. Note: Swim at your own risk.
6 locals recommend
Kilburn Pond Trailhead Pisgah State Park
Davis Hill TrailHike a little less than a mile to reach the pond, then hike around the pond trail. Expect to hike up to 3 miles round-trip - pack food and supplies. Beautiful spot worth a day trip. Note: Swim at your own risk.
Arts & Culture
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
10 Vernon StLatchis Theatre
50 Main StArt deco movie theatre and occasional live performances
Shopping
Cute boutique offering clothing & accessories, jewelry, stationary, and unique gifts. One of Melissa's favorite shops.
15 locals recommend
Altiplano
42 Elliot StCute boutique offering clothing & accessories, jewelry, stationary, and unique gifts. One of Melissa's favorite shops.
Penelope Wurr
167 Main StUnique artistic gifts, housewares, jewelry, and art.
Turn It Up!
85 Main StIndependently-owned music shop with LPs, CDs, band merch, and more.
Everyone's Books
25 Elliot StLocal, family owned, independent bookstore.
Now known as Wild Book Company, this hidden gem of a bookshop offers both new & used books right in nearby Newfane. The shop is generally open Friday - Monday (confirm hours before visiting).
Olde & New England Books
Now known as Wild Book Company, this hidden gem of a bookshop offers both new & used books right in nearby Newfane. The shop is generally open Friday - Monday (confirm hours before visiting).
A must-visit in Brattleboro, Tavernier Chocolates makes elegant, earthy seasonally-inspired artisan chocolates. Our favorites are the Queen Bee cup and the Pâté Chocolat chocolate spread selections.
Tavernier Chocolates
A must-visit in Brattleboro, Tavernier Chocolates makes elegant, earthy seasonally-inspired artisan chocolates. Our favorites are the Queen Bee cup and the Pâté Chocolat chocolate spread selections.
Essentials
Groceries and gear
Small local grocery store just a few miles away has most anything you could need, including a good beer and wine selection and local/natural/organic products.
32 locals recommend
River Bend Farm Market
625 VT-30Small local grocery store just a few miles away has most anything you could need, including a good beer and wine selection and local/natural/organic products.
Our amazing co-op has everything you need in the way of natural foods. Great selection of Vermont beers!
102 locals recommend
Brattleboro Food Co-Op
2 Main StOur amazing co-op has everything you need in the way of natural foods. Great selection of Vermont beers!
A good grocery store alternative if you don't need much. Less than 10 min. drive from the cabin.
20 locals recommend
Dutton Berry Farm
407 VT-30A good grocery store alternative if you don't need much. Less than 10 min. drive from the cabin.
Great selection of wines & microbrews plus cheeses, cured meats, chocolates, and fresh baguette.
Green Mountain Wine Shop
490 VT-30Great selection of wines & microbrews plus cheeses, cured meats, chocolates, and fresh baguette.
Getting Around
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
801 Putney RdBrattleboro station
10 Vernon StAmtrak stops in Brattleboro
Sightseeing
The heart of the historic village is the village green, where the courthouse is located. The courthouse boasts an incredible courtroom - ask the security personnel if you can take a peek inside if court's not in session (weekdays only).
Newfane Village Historic District
The heart of the historic village is the village green, where the courthouse is located. The courthouse boasts an incredible courtroom - ask the security personnel if you can take a peek inside if court's not in session (weekdays only).
Orchards + Farms
Our favorite local orchard grows an amazing variety of unique heirloom apples, presses the best cider you've ever had. Their farm store has a great selection of local products and gifts. A must-visit in September/October!
13 locals recommend
Scott Farm Orchard
707 Kipling RdOur favorite local orchard grows an amazing variety of unique heirloom apples, presses the best cider you've ever had. Their farm store has a great selection of local products and gifts. A must-visit in September/October!
Pick-your-own blueberries starting in July, and apples in the fall. Nice selection of baked goods using the orchard's fruit too. Beautiful views!
35 locals recommend
Green Mountain Orchards
130 W Hill RdPick-your-own blueberries starting in July, and apples in the fall. Nice selection of baked goods using the orchard's fruit too. Beautiful views!
From our friends at Big Picture Farm:
Come hang with the goats! Our favorite activity is going to spend time with the goats, out in the fields. Join us on farm on one of a select days and get in as many goat cuddles as possible. :)
$12 per person. Includes a taste of caramels. Product sold separately.
Tickets are not refundable if you are unable to use it, but can be transferred to someone else, just let us know.
Note: the farm is not open for unannounced drop-in visits. Be sure to purchase a ticket in advance to schedule your visit.
Big Picture Farm
1600 Peaked Mountain RdFrom our friends at Big Picture Farm:
Come hang with the goats! Our favorite activity is going to spend time with the goats, out in the fields. Join us on farm on one of a select days and get in as many goat cuddles as possible. :)
$12 per person. Includes a taste of caramels. Product sold separately.
Tickets are not refundable if you are unable to use it, but can be transferred to someone else, just let us know.
Note: the farm is not open for unannounced drop-in visits. Be sure to purchase a ticket in advance to schedule your visit.