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With travelers planning their safe return to vacationing this summer, Brattleboro’s all-welcoming small-town charm and range of diverse and eclectic experiences is truly unmatched, making for a memorable summer escape.Located in Southern Vermont on the bank of the Connecticut River, Brattleboro is the perfect choice for a drive-to vacation or weekend getaway from all points Northeast and beyond.  With its hip, boho-chic downtown district and bucolic, open-air surroundings, Brattleboro heralded as “one of the best small towns in America” (population: 12,000), offers a range of offerings unlike anywhere else.

Visitors can choose from accommodations that include historic inns, farmsteads, and stately French provincial-style bed and breakfasts to an art deco hotel – The Latchis – located in Downtown Brattleboro. Travelers will also delight in the variety of shopping, dining, arts, culture, outdoor, and culinary experiences, along with activities and attractions that Brattleboro is proud to call its own.

Meanwhile, with landscapes and sidewalks overflowing with flowers in bloom, pedestrian-friendly arts and crafts exhibits, food trucks and more, summertime is one of the best times to visit Brattleboro – summer happenings and highlights include:

Brattleboro’s Arts & Culture Scene
Among its latest series of installations, are five new exhibits kicking off at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) on Saturday, June 19. They include group shows featuring paintings inspired by the idea of “expedition” and artworks reflecting the legacy of famed photographer Minor White, as well as solo exhibitions by Delano Dunn, Charlie Hunter, and Erick Johnson. In addition to the five new exhibits, visitors can view two outdoor installations that opened in May: “Delita Martin: Between Worlds” and “Scott Boyd: Endangered Alphabets.” Other arts and culture happenings throughout Brattleboro include:

  • Vermont African American Heritage Trail – teachers, activists and storytellers take visitors to Vermont museums and cultural sites to experience exhibits, films, tours and personal explorations illuminating the lives of African Americans from the Green Mountain State.
  • Brattleboro’s signature Gallery Walks return starting in May and running through October, giving visitors a chance to explore some of the city’s artists and artisans and their creative and engaging works on display, with live music and more – the first Friday of each month.
  • If experiencing circus life sounds tempting, the New England Center for Circus Arts hosts circus training summer camps for children and adults. Aspiring circus artists learn to master trapeze, hoop and acrobatics from the pros.
  • Private screenings of summer blockbusters past and present are in store at The Latchis Hotel, which is also home to The Latchis Theatre – its own beautifully restored neo-classical movie theater that guests can rent for private, big-screen showings of their favorite box office hit or independent film. Gamers can also rent out the space for the ultimate larger-than-life video game experience.

Nature on Display – Time to Hit the Great Outdoors
An undeniable draw is the natural beauty found everywhere throughout Brattleboro. Miles of hiking trails, mountains, and pristine rivers are ideal for those looking to set out on a kayaking adventure on the West or Connecticut Rivers. Brattleboro’s many outdoor adventures also include:

  • A visit to the Retreat Farm takes travelers on a journey to discover a new, interpretive sign pathway celebrating the history of this iconic Vermont farmstead. Mindful walks among the vegetables, herbs, and flower beds in the Hope Garden’s labyrinth paths are among the high points not to miss. The farm is home to goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, and even Carlos the Ox.
  • A not-to-be-missed experience are Brattleboro’s Retreat Trails. With old jeep roads and winding single tracks, the Retreat Trails offer paths for all hiking levels, from easy, beginner trails to more challenging single tracks, with some trails leading up to the top of the town’s Harris Hill ski jump, which boasts spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
  • Brattleboro’s outdoor summer concert series at Next Stage Arts returns! Beginning in May, the Bandwagon Summer Series kicks off with its outdoor, socially-distanced events.
  • Travelers who want to cool off and skip the sand and chlorine this summer will love Brattleboro’s classic swimming holes, pristine natural streams that offer a refreshingly plunge-worthy escape. Local favorites include the secret swimming hole and waterfall on Broad Brook Road, the Williams River swimming hole and the The Ledges for a more secluded experience.

Rich Culinary Experiences Visitors & Locals Love
Foodies have lots to savor thanks to Brattleboro’s rich and dynamic culinary scene which includes artisans, cheese-makers, distilleries, creators of homegrown wares, nourishing food, international cuisine, and one-of-a-kind food finds at the ever-popular Brattleboro Area Farmers Market, which marks its return this summer (open Saturdays from May through October). Other Brattleboro not-to-be-missed culinary favorites include:

  • Starting July 1, the Retreat Farm’s popular Food Truck Round-Up returns – a must-do when visiting Brattleboro, the weekly Thursday event series features live music, entertainment, craft beer, lawn games and more, including the Vermont-made “maple creemees,” coveted hard-to-find craft brews from the Alchemist, and Mach’s Wood-Fired pizza with ingredients straight from the field. And kids will enjoy looking onto the square as the goats play on the goat playground — complete with their very own teeter-totter.
  • Outdoor, patio dining in town and all around – from the snug bistro setting at Peter Havens to the Top of the Hill Grill, these restaurants and many more are serving up incredible cuisine and awe-inspiring views
  • A flair for the international – from South Indian specialties (Dosa Kitchen), to authentic Mexican food prepared in the centuries-old tradition of fire and stone (Three Stones Mexican Mayan Cocina), to Poke Bowl, Thai Hut, and Yalla’s – visitors will enjoy the addictively-delicious, authentic food favorites prepared with the freshest local ingredients and Brattleboro’s farm-to-table ethos.
  • Ever dine inside a train caboose? Train-lovers will enjoy the intimate and experiential dining experience found only at T.J. Buckley’s.
  • Before embarking on a nature hike or park picnic, stop by Grafton Village Cheese Company to stock up on sundries and basket-full of cheeses and local wines.
  • Whetstone Station is a local brewery serving small batch craft beers, inspired pub fare and swoon-worthy photo-ops from its rooftop Bier Garten overlooking the Connecticut River.

Proud of its “come one, come all” spirit and culturally rich offerings, #LoveBrattleboroVT is a small-town escape with unmistakable authenticity and charm, and a range of quality experiences that rival any major destination. Brattleboro is home to the Vermont Jazz Center, New England Center for Circus Arts, Asian Cultural Center, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Stone Church concert venue, hiking and nature trails, artisan experiences, maple syrup farms, cheese factories, distilleries, and farm-to-table dining options that span just about every cuisine. Accommodations range from at Sētu Vermont: An All-Inclusive Getaway that offers a yoga experience; K&M’s HeartStorm FarmStead with its very own farm, and Downtown Brattleboro’s historic deco hotel (and restored movie theater) The Latchis.

With 1,000+ events annually including the Harris Hill Ski Jump, Brattleboro Literary Festival, Brattleboro Brewers Festival, Retreat Farm Food Truck Round-Up, monthly Gallery Walks, and many art, film, music and dance events – the town is always humming with energy.