Where Mountains & Rivers Meet

In 1894 a company published a guidebook for Brattleboro, and in it was a description of what it was like to arrive in our town by train: "His eyes roamed over broad stretches of fertile meadows, with an occasional glimpse of the river, and in full view of the mountains beyond. But for some time the valley had grown narrower, and now as he approached his destination, mountains and rivers seemed to meet."

Passengers can still arrive in our town by train, with Amtrak's Vermonter providing regular service. The view from the window has not changed, and is glorious during any season. But whether you arrive by rail or car, our corner of the state offers you everything that you want in a Vermont experience. If you are just thinking of resting here a little while or you are considering a longer stay, we offer anything that a visitor needs.

Nestled between the West and Connecticut Rivers, Brattleboro offers visitors an exceptional variety of recreational activities, arts, entertainment, shopping and dining. As Polo Magazine points out, Brattleboro's historic downtown "is crammed with bookstores, galleries, and cafes, and a quaintly lingering counterculture image is more than balanced by some very well-laid tables."

The West River Valley begins at what looks like a large pond just North of the town center. Known as the Retreat Meadows, these floodplains provide a great spot to coast in a canoe, fish or look for birds and wildlife. The road heads north and gently up hill to the scenic villages of Newfane and Townshend where some of the most photographed commons in the state are framed by fine shops, galleries, restaurants and inns. Tucked into the surrounding mountains are also some of the best horse riding facilities, snowmobile trails, hiking routes and scenic dirt roads in New England.

No matter which direction you travel in, the area surrounding Brattleboro is culturally rich. Brattleboro, Putney, Guilford and Marlboro all offer a wealth of musical arts. We also provide sanctuary for hundreds of fine artists and craftspeople, whose studios are occasionally open to the public. Nevertheless, our galleries and shops proudly display their work all year.

We invite you to take some time to explore our region. Brattleboro, all of Vermont close to home!