We always describe the uniquely odd (in a good way) Brattleboro culture, but Twice Upon a Time makes the case more so than any other store. It’s not just merchandise, but keepsakes, antique furniture, jewelry, dishware, decor, clothes and “stuff” with a story, many of which came from the characters living here in southern Vermont. Vendors stalls line the isles with pieces from 1 to 100 years old. I can’t think of a better place to get a Halloween costume or a store that has such an incredible selection, anywhere, much less in downtown Brattleboro. Twice Upon A Time has giant hats for Sunday brunch (feel free to bring yours) and Fiesta Ware to match. The shelves are stocked with books, cowboy boots, kimonos, vintage ashtrays – a tough find even at the flea market.

We moved to Brattleboro to buy our inn, 40 Putney Road, after months of looking for a fun and interesting place to live. Twice Upon a Time says it all. Brattleboro’s eclectic culture can be seen all over downtown in the people, the home goods, the clothes, the shopping, the food, the books and the art and architecture. Twice Upon A Time is one of our favorite consignment shops…. in the lower 48!  Stop by downtown Brattleboro and see for yourself.

Downtown Brattleboro book stores all have their own niche and are still surviving after years of growing competition from larger, bigger budget stores. Thanks to a thriving interest in keeping it local and a large population of book enthusiast and authors, downtown Brattleboro book stores hold their ground. Some hold events, books signings and reading for all ages year round. Although each book store has its own personality, they all have a well read staff. Each store presents an enthusiastic staff, who in many cases (like Mystery on Main), have read almost every book in the store. This is what they do and they love it! These aren’t the people you want to play Trivia with, trust us. But they are the people to recommend the best books for recipes on a dime, DIY home insulating, Joe Gunther’s greatest adventure, social justice or natural birthing in your home. You name it, one of the downtown book stores carry it.

What’s your flavor? Not sure? Check out our book stores just a few blocks from our inn in downtown Brattleboro to find out for yourself.

The Book Cellar
120 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-6810

Everyone’s Books
25 Elliot Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-8160

Brattleboro Books
34-36 Elliot Street, Brattleboro (802) 257-7777

Mystery On Main
119 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 258-2211

Baskets Bookstore/Paperback Palace
48 Harmony Place, Brattleboro (802) 258-4980

If there are other book stores you think we should include, comment! We’d love the feedback.

In addition to the basics, Sam’s Outdoor Store also carries what we like to call “survival gear”.  This isn’t just outdoor gear.  And who doesn’t need gear, right? Sam’s carries everything you need for outdoor adventures to hikingthe Green Mountains (and getting lost for a month) or climb Mount Everest. Thinking of living off the land as many enjoy doing here in Vermont? Sam’s carries fishing poles and Vermont fishinglicenses; anything guns and ammo; -40 degree sleeping bags; the strongest tick and mosquito repellent on the market; tents; anything fire; raincoats; and…. need we say more? Sounds like a manly shopping paradise all in one store.

On one occasion, “John”, a staff member here in the Brattleboro store, spent over 40 minutes seeking out a jacket for a customer to find they didn’t make the specific style they were looking for. The next day John called them directly to say they found an almost identical match. John went above and beyond and for that, we like to keep it local.

Shopping in Brattleboro isn’t just for the girls and even appeals to kids with their free popcorn.  As a side note, Sam’s has some of the best popcorn in Brattleboro (although the Latchis is a close second).  Popcorn and Patagonia fit perfect together at Sam’s. Check out Sam’s Outdoor Store in downtown Brattleboro just a short walk from our inn and check out their website for deals and steals!

While there are a variety of approaches to the summit, we have found our personal favorite to be the White Arrow Trail. Hiking the White Arrow Trail takes about two hours from the parking area up to the summit and about an hour and fifteen minutes down. We would say that this hike is moderately difficult, the park states that there is an average 27% grade. There are some sections that are steep and rocky. We would not suggest hiking this trail in the wet weather as there are sections that become streams in the rain. On an average day most of the trail is dry and clear, with about 3/4 of the hike in the wooded section and about 1/4 above the treeline.

To reach the start of the White Arrow approach, park in the lot off the Old Toll Road – on NH Route 124.   After paying your $4 park admission (can you believe that they maintain these parks for $4?) head up the old toll road trail.  This trail will take you to the intersection of the White Arrow Trail, which is located at the Old Halfway House.   Don’t worry – all of the trails are well marked and your $4 includes a map of the mountain.

The trail makes several turns, with a variety of other trail options splitting off here and there.  White Arrow is the most direct route to the summit however.

For most of the hike you will find yourself under a tree canopy (bring bug spray).  But after about an hour you will be able to see the summit.  While it looks very close, this is where the hiking gets somewhat more challenging, incorporating some large stretches of relatively smooth rock face.  Take your time, be sure to look around and chose the best path up the rocks, sometimes the easiest path is not the most obvious.   This is also a great time to take a gander at the forest below – there are several great points to take a break on the rocks and enjoy the amazing views and cool breezes.

The view at the top is amazing – although it is likely to be “crowded”.  There are several approaches to the summit and so regardless of how busy your trail was (White Arrow tends to be moderately busy – especially on weekends) the summit is guaranteed to be bustling with other hikers.

On the descent – which is markedly easier – you still must be careful of your footing and ease your way down the same rock surfaces carefully.

Mount Monadnock is in Monadnock State Park in New Hampshire.  The White Arrow Trail (Old Toll Road) starts about 30 miles from our Vermont Inn.  Travel Route 9 into Hampshire – to 101 to 124 to a town called Jaffrey.  Its a scenic drive that will take about 40 minutes.

The Park is open 7 days and hiking is popular year round.  Off season hikers should check in at the base (located off of Dublin Road – a bit further down 124).

There is a great (and funny) list of Monadnock FAQ’s on the GCC site that should be able to help with any other questions.

Also, you can check out this step by step guide assembled by one of our guests!

Hiking Mount Monadnock is certain to be an experience you remember.  There is a reason that it is one of the most hiked mountains in the world and if you are in the Brattleboro area, why not explore it for yourself.   Of course, we hope that you will stay with us at our beautiful Vermont Inn which makes a great base camp for this and many other activities in New England.  To read about some of our other favorites, be sure to subscribe to our blog!

1. Great downtown – stroll through our active downtown with all of its big city amenities
2. Live theater – 3 Theaters for live performances downtown (Hooker Dunham Theater, Latchis Theater, New England Youth Theater)
3. Caffeine – 3 Independent Coffee Shops (Mocha Joe’s, Coffee Country & Cafe Lotus)
4. Food – 30+ Restaurants to choose from
5. Pizza – 8 Pizza Shops (what can I say we like pizza around here)
6. Sushi – 3 restaurants to get great Sushi
7. Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
8. Martinis – on the deck at Alici’s Bistro in the summer
9. Vermont Jazz Center
10. Galleries – Gallery in the Woods, Artisan Design, Gallery 215, Artist Loft Gallery…just to name a few
11. Architecture – Beautiful historic architecture
12. Beer – McNeil’s Brewery in the historic fire house
13. More beer – 40 Tap Handles at Flat Street Pub
14. Cheap beer – $2.75 Draft Beer on the Fridays on the roof top deck at the Riverview Cafe in the summer
15. Movies – Check out the Art Deco Latchis Movie Theater
16. Only a 2 hour drive from Boston, MA
17. Only a 3 hour drive from New York City, NY
18. Only a 5 hour drive from Philadelphia, PA
19. The Vermonter - Amtrak service from Washington D.C., Philadelphia and NYC to Brattleboro Vermont!
20. Small town – only 12,000 residents
21. How Tom at Peter Haven\’s Restaurant met me once and remembered my name 2 years later
22. Countless Boutiques – Beadnicks, Altiplano, Blue Moose, Knit or Dye, Distinctive Decor…just to name a few
23. So many books – 5 Book stores downtown (Baskets Paperbacks, Book Cellar, Brattleboro Books, Everyone’s Books, & Mystery on Main)
24. Community Appreciation Day – free lunch served by the Brattleboro Savings and Loan
25. Brattleboro Food Coop – local and fresh food!
26. The Hospital – yes, best experience I ever had at a hospital (kind, courteous and only waited 5 minutes to be seen)
27. Our Local Butcher Shop – North End Butchers
28. Gallery Walk – 1st Friday of every month – over 40 galleries, shops and restaurants displaying local art
29. Local newspaper daily – all the news I need in the Brattleboro Reformer
30. Drive in Movies -  Northfield drive-in theater
31. Wantastiquet – great hike with an odd name
32. Chesterfield Gorge
33. The Retreat Trails – hike them right from our backyard
34. Mount Monadock - sure it’s not in Brattleboro, but it’s close and awesome
35. Picking Berries – love Dutton Farm
36. Road Biking along the West River
37. Strolling of the Heifers (ever seen cows strolling down main street before, well see it here)
38. Spofford Lake
39. Mountain Biking
40. Tubing down the West River
41. Swimming holes on the West River
42. Kayaking on the Connecticut River
43. Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary
44. Canoeing in the Retreat Meadows
45. The Treasured Tree Tour – including our enormous Japanese Maple Tree – you have to see it to believe it!
46. Golfing at the Brattleboro Country Club
47. Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook
48. Fishing
49. Fall Foliage
50. Corn Mazes – including the Gaines Farms’ giant cow
51. It’s haunted… The Spooky Side of Brattleboro (Madame Sharri\’s Castle and the Retreat Tower)
52. Shelburne Falls – Pot Holes and Bridge of Flowers
53. Picking Apples  – love Scott Farm
54. Cider – Donuts & Fresh Apple Cider from Green Mountain Orchards
55. Snow
56. Ski Jumping – Harris Hill Ski Jump
57. Ice Fishing on the Retreat Meadows (I love watching them from our 2nd Floor Sun Porch, like a Norman Rockwell painting)
58. Snow Shoeing
59. Cross Country Skiing at the Brattleboro Country Club
60. Down Hill Skiing at Mount Snow (just a short 20 minute drive)
61. Diversity
62. The Circus is always in town at the Nimble Arts Circus School
63. School for International Training
64. Protests – who doesn’t dig a good peaceful protest
65. The smelly hippies
66. Bartering – check out Boomerang, Turn it Up, and other shops
67. Vermont Fresh Network – restaurants, growers and producers working together
68. Free Wi-Fi – not just at our inn, but throughout downtown!
69. A Bush and Cheney free zone
70. First Home Depot in the US to close – citing local competition-Brown & Roberts Hardware rules!
71. Supporting local businesses
72. Keeping Walmart out
73. Sustainability – Check out the store called Save the Corporations From Themselves
74. Easy to be Gluten Free
75. Easy to be a Vegetarian
76. Easy to be a Vegan
77. Cheese – Grafton Cheese Company (watch them make cheese, visit their country store or pet the animals at the farm)
78. Weddings – in the apple orchards at Scott Farm
79. Sugaring – see them make the Maple Syrup at Harlow’s Sugar House
80. Candy – Tom and Sally\’s Handmade Chocolates (unfortunately they have moved, but check out the Vermont Shop for some great local candy)
81. The Brattleboro area Farmer\’s Market (year round)
82. Thai food – Anon’s Thia food at the Farmer’s Market and Thai Bamboo – both rock
83. The Awesome 80′s hour on WTSA 96.7 FM (while I iron the sheets)
84. Walking our dog and feeding the ducks in the Retreat Meadow (one for them, one for her)
85. 175 years of history at the Brattleboro Retreat
86. Antiquing on Route 30
87. Irish Sessions on Wednesday nights at JD McCliment’s Pub in nearby Putney
88. Live music at the Weathervane
89. Summer Concerts in the Park
90. Brattstock – local music festival in August
91. Renew Building Supply – plenty of reclaimed parts for your (and our) old house
92. Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters  – the biggest little store you have ever seen!
93. Chelsea Royal Diner – try their ice cream
94. Wine – great local shops (Windham Wines) and producers (Honora)
95. Basketville
96. Our Downtown Waterfall – how many towns have one of those!
97. Fish Market
98. Festivals (Keene Pumpkin Festival, Marlboro Music Festival, Yellow Barn Music Festival, Dummerston Apple Festival, Newfane Heritage Festival, Brattleboro Literary Festival…just to name a few)
99. Newfane Flea Market
100. Covered bridges
101. And of course, Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast!

Did we miss anything?  What are your favorite Brattleboro things?  Please share your favorites in the comments!

While I’m sure that the doctors had the best of intentions, some patients chose to use the tower in a different manner.  In the years following its construction, according to the book “Weird New England” a fair number of patients climbed to the top of the tower and hurled themselves off of it onto the rocky cliff below.  While the number of suicides at this site is a closely guarded secret, the tower was sealed off and remains so today.

For those looking for the haunted side of Brattleboro, ghost hunters report sightings of an airborne human-like form at the top of the tower that appears briefly and then disappears into space.

You can find the tower off of the “Tower Climb” trail on the Retreat Trail system.  It’s a fairly easy 10 – 15 minute walk from our Inn.  The tower is visible from the Retreat Meadows and a lot of the north side of Brattleboro as well – particularly in the winter and fall as the trees clear.

The tower opens to the public typically just one or two times per year.  The dates are not consistent, but you can certainly keep an eye on our twitter feed to know when it opens – as we will definitely be there.

Our guests often ask where they can go to go see some live music during their stay.  Luckily a local musician, writer and artist keeps a weekly list of offerings and with his permission we are going to start re-posting that here for our guests.  Look forward to each weeks live music listing on Tuesdays.  You can follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our blog to get the updates automatically!

Guide to Local Live Music: October 6 – October 11, 2009:

Courtesy of Derek Gladding

OF NOTE THIS WEEK: The Wailers, Richard Thompson, The Disco Biscuits, & Yonder Mountain String Band!!!

You should probably call the venues to confirm before you make the drive anywhere!

Tuesday, October 6:

Yellow Barn Music School & Festival presents the Parker Quartet, 8pm, Centre Congregational Church, Brattleboro, VT
Open Mic, PK’s Pub, Bellows Falls, VT, FREE!
Open Mic, Bishop’s Lounge, Northampton, MA, FREE!
Mark Hummel’s Blues Harp Blowout, 7pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
Richard Thompson & Loudon Wainwright, 8pm, Calvin Theater, Northampton, MA
Mumiy Troll, World’s Greatest Dad, 8:30pm, Pearl Street, Northampton, MA

Wednesday, October 7:

Open Mic, 7pm, Brattleboro Bowl, Brattleboro, VT, FREE!
Open Mic/Jam Session, Colonel’s Cabin, Dummerston, VT, FREE!
Irish Music, 8pm, JD McCliment’s Pub, Putney, VT, FREE!
Kurt Rosenwinkel Group, Kami Lyle, 7pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
The Fine and Dandy Trio, 9pm, The Basement, Northampton, MA, FREE!
Beau Sasser Trio, 10pm, Bishops Lounge, Northampton, MA
Mihali from Twiddle, 8:30pm, The Perfect Wife, Manchester, VT, FREE!

Thursday, October 8:

Open Mic, 7:30pm, Adagio’s, Brattleboro, VT, FREE!
Live Jazz, 7pm, Rick’s Tavern, Newfane, VT, FREE!
Open Jam, 8pm, Chase Tavern @ EF Lane Hotel, Keene, NH, FREE!
Ameri-MF-Cana, 8pm, The Rendevous, Turners Falls, MA, FREE!
Open Mic, 9pm, Rt 63 Roadhouse, Millers Falls, MA, FREE!
The Original Wailers, The Big Takeover, 9pm, Northampton, MA
Andrew Parker Renga, 8:30pm, The Perfect Wife, Manchester, VT

Friday, October 9:

TBA, 7pm, Adagios, Brattleboro, VT, FREE!
The Guest Who’s, Colonel’s Cabin, Dummerston, VT
Loose End Theory, 8pm, , Chase Tavern @ EF Lane Hotel, Keene, NH, $3
Double Time, 7pm, Fritz, Keene, NH, FREE!
Manhattan Transfer, 8pm, Colonial Theater, Keene, NH
Blanche Moyse Chorale, 8pm, Walpole Unitarian Church, Walpole, NH
DLB Band, 9:30pm, Rt 63 Roadhouse, Millers Falls, MA
Hi8us, 9:30pm, The Perfect Wife, Manchester, VT
Charlie Apicella & Iron City, 8pm, The Basement, Northamton, MA, FREE!
Roots of Creation, 10pm, Bishops Lounge, Northampton, MA
Holly Near, 7pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
Hadoken, The Baltic Sea, 10pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
The Disco Biscuits, Kraak and Smaak DJ Set, 8pm, Calvin Theater, Northampton, MA
Jah-N-I Roots Band, 9:30pm, Harlows Pub, Peterborough, NH

Saturday, October 10:

AIDS Benefit Concert , 7:30pm, Latchis Theater, Brattleboro, VT
TBA, 7pm, Adagios, Brattleboro, VT, FREE!
Helio Alvez Brazilian Jazz Trio, 8pm, VT Jazz Center, Brattleboro, VT
Jim Flynn & Friends, 7pm, Ricks Tavern, Newfane, VT, FREE!
Boogie Men, 7:30pm, Boccelli’s On the Canal, Bellows Falls, VT
Terrapin Island, 6pm, The Sitzmark, Wilmington, VT, FREE!
Turn It Loose, 9:30pm, Rt 63 Roadhouse, Millers Falls, MA
The Nines, Chase Tavern @ EF Lane Hotel, Keene, NH, $7
Replica, McCues, Keene, NH
The Disco Biscuits, 8pm, Calvin Theater, Northampton, MA
TBA, 10pm, Bishops Lounge, Northampton, MA
Asylum Street Spankers, 7pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Lovely Feathers, 10pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
Unfulfilled Desires, 8pm, The Basement, Northampton, MA, FREE!
Brother Josephus and theLove Revival Revolution Orchestra, Red Fox Inn, Bondville, VT
Rick Redington & the Luv, 9:30pm, The Perfect Wife, Manchester, VT
Mawwal, 9:30pm, Harlows Pub, Peterborough, NH

Sunday, October 11:

Open Mic, 9pm, The Weathervane, Brattleboro, VT, FREE!
Blanche Moyse Chorale, 3pm, Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT
Keene Chamber Orchestra, 4pm, Colonial Theater, Keene, NH
Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, Jonny Burke, 7pm, Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
Yonder Mountain String Band, Danny Barnes, 8pm, Pearl Street, Northampton, MA

Yankee Candle is headquartered in western Massachusetts.  Now, while you cannot tour the actual factory (which is something I would have loved to do) they have built what is best described as a “Hallmark Theme Park” for your candle and nick-nack loving enjoyment.

I visited the Yankee Candle Village with some hesitancy, especially after finding out that I didn’t get to see any massive machinery pumping out candles by the thousands.  However, the village does seem to have something for everyone.  From the obvious enormous selection of every scent of Yankee Candle – to small rooms full of sports memorabilia – to a winter themed space that actually has falling snow.

The space itself is enormous and even has several dining options, including Chandlers, a fine dining restaurant which is illuminated with hundreds of candles.   If you are just in need of a snack, or a place to chill while your partner peruses the candles, there is a central cafe with sandwiches, soups and the like and even an animated bear jamboree – singing tunes about candles…

For the bargain hunters, there is a small room near the center of the building that is filled with discounted candles and odds and ends.

If you are looking for some gifts, there is a huge toy section, complete with Santa’s workshop and full time Santa (off season he chills in the workshop checking his list – probably more than twice).

The whole trip wraps up with a full fledged home store, including designer bags and fashions and a host of small impulse items at the sea of cash registers.

I would say that this is certainly a place worth visiting and will get you brownie points from the lady in your life – particularly if she is a candle fan.   Best part, the Yankee Candle Village is just about a 30 minute ride from our Vermont Inn and part of our larger “heading south” tour of fun and interesting places near Southern Vermont.

Yankee Candle Village is open everyday from 10am to 6pm, with some extended hours during the holidays.

Of course, Dutton Berry Farm still has plenty of berry’s – which of course are where it all started.  The owner Paul grew up in Southern Vermont on a Dairy Farm.  He pursued his education in Agriculture and gained hands-on training in Michigan while working on some berry farms.  In the early 1980′s he moved back to Vermont, married his wife Wendy, and they opened their first farm stand.  In the mid to late 1980′s they purchased their first “Duttton Berry Farm” and stand in Newfane, VT (still open today).    By the early 1990′s they purchased their second location an orchard in West Brattleboro and then yet another farm stand in Manchester, VT.  Just this past year they built a brand (and quite beautiful if I may say) new farm stand at their West Brattleboro location.

Don’t want someone else selecting your berries for you?  Picking your own fruit is a great way to spend a summer day here in Vermont.  Dutton Berry Farm offers Strawberry and Raspberry picking seasonally from 7am – 7pm.  Strawberry season runs from about June 15 – July 15 and Raspberry season runs from mid July through early September.  Berry picking is one of my personal favorite summer time activities.  I love using the fresh picked berries in our scrumptious breakfasts like my Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast.

Dutton Berry Farm stands are located on Route 30 in Newfane, Route 9 in West Brattleboro, and in Manchester, VT.  Hours vary seasonally.   Dutton Berry Farm products can also be found at the Brattleboro Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday from May – October.

The Newfane Country Store is one of my favorite country stores in southern Vermont.  When you walk through the door you are brought back in time.  The experience begins with a welcoming greeting by their friendly staff.  In the front room the walls are covered in floor to ceiling built in shelves with counters in front of them on both sides.  The counters display their homemade fudge and the built in shelves hold a plethora of Vermont made products.  The next room is jam packed with small isles fill with old fashion toys for children and other great trinkets.  The next room offers handmade quilts, candles and other home items.  Finally the last room offers the cutest baby products.  The Newfane Country Store is just the kind of place you want to stop and poke around in.