In downtown Brattleboro, it all starts with the storefront. Regardless of the season, plants and home furnishings sit playfully on the sidewalk calling my name every time I walk by. (Tim thinks I may have a problem.) Inside sits an eclectic mix of quirky garden supplies, jewelry, fashion accents pieces, books, umbrellas for a rainy day, stationary, home decor and unique gifts for your favorite ladies back at home. Some of my favorites are the showers curtains and scarves, many of which have a bright, springy, vintage feel. And the wall clocks ……. I LOVE the wall clocks! They hang nicely lit on the side wall in orange, yellow, sea green, red and blue and make a great, unique gift for anyone who likes to mix the old and the new. The clocks are must see, but the garden section also has a flavor hard to find at your typical decor store. Not only is the presentation great, the prices are modest and the staff are friendly and helpful.

Verde’s eclectic feel fits right in with the shopping in downtown Brattleboro and the culture in southern Vermont. Whether you’re passing through or staying at our inn, drop by Verde and see for yourself. And don’t forget about the clocks!!

First, of course, if you’re staying at our B&B, a fine gourmet breakfast and a hot cup of Mocha Joes coffee gets you started every day, not just on the rainy ones.  Amy loves to tailor her menu to the weather, preparing the perfect breakfast for the day ahead.

After breakfast, head over to Grafton Cheese,  just 1/2 mile from 40 Putney Road B&B.   Over there you’ll find artisan cheeses, fine wine, local flair, a gift shop and, of course, samples of their award winning cheeses. Next, get your umbrellas (which of course we have available for you to use) and venture downtown. Catch the latest opening at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center and see historical exhibits and a variety of contemporary art. Stop for a cup of tea in downtown Brattleboro and get a crash course on knitting at Knit or Dye (yes, it’s even fun for the guys!) The Latchis Theater sits across the street where shows begin at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Not only does the Latchis Theater have great popcorn, the 1938 historic Art Deco building was deemed a “town within a town” housing a pub, hotel, retail space and 4 theaters.

Looking for your own umbrella? Shopping in Brattleboro starts at Sam’s Outdoor store. Downtown Brattleboro storefronts are filled with unique decor shops, vintage and contemporary clothing and wouldn’t be complete without Mocha Joes coffee shop located at Main and Elliot. If it’s a cold beverage you’re after, McNeill’s and Kipling’s both sit on the edge of the downtown providing libations, specifically for those who enjoy a craft brew or two. Although many places serve lunch in Brattleboro, the dinner choices are abundant for a town of 12,000. Sit down for a brick oven pizza at Fireworks and go for dessert at Peter Haven’s.

Galleries, food and shopping in Brattleboro not your ideal idea on a rainy day? Book stores are scattered throughout downtown, all with their own flavor and unique niche. Whether it’s a coffee shop, under a pavilion overlooking the town or just lounging on the enclosed sun porch at 40 Putney Road B&B, there is a great way to spend a rainy day in Brattleboro for everyone.

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.

Our sample covers a 5 night stay (we could have gone on even longer!) but combines a fun mix of outdoors, arts, entertainment, dining and of course some relaxing too.  You can check out what we have put together on our Inn website under the “Our Area” tab.

If you are from Vermont, or have any suggestions for the itinerary, we would love to hear your thoughts!  Leave us a comment or send us an email.  Let’s make it easy and fun for people to choose Brattleboro as their summer getaway!

Of course, we hope you’ll stay with us at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast when you do take the trip to Vermont!

The Vermont Country Store is a popular attraction in Southern Vermont with stores in Weston, VT and Rockingham, VT, both just a short drive from Forty Putney Road and Brattleboro.  Many of you may already be familiar with the Vermont Country Store through their catalog and Internet sales.  But to fully appreciate this piece of Vermont’s history you really need to go to one of their stores.

The Vermont Country Store was founded in 1945, yes over 60 years ago, by Vrest and Ellen Orton.  Vrest and Ellen created a 12 page catalog with 36 high quality and practical items in it and mail it out to everyone on their Christmas list.  Word began to spread and In just one year they had a booming mail order business.  In 1946 they opened their first store in Weston, VT which is still open today for your shopping needs.  Today both stores are owned by 3rd and 4th generation Orton’s…Lyman, Eliot, Gardner and Cabot.

The Vermont Country Store is still stocked with high quality and practical items.  All of the best Vermont Cheeses, preserves, Vermont Maple Syrup, penny candy, warm cloths, hats, etc.   This new generation of Orton’s have taken things one step further by finding unique and nostalgic products.  Eliot Orton says it best “We still find products that aren’t sold any where else.”

Unique would certainly define the “Attitude Adjuster” or perhaps one of several models of moose hats.  But its the nostalgic toys from my childhood that really brought me back.  They sell real easy bake ovens (that’s right with the 25 watt light bulb to cook your sweets).  Rockem Sockem Robots, Monkey’s in a barrel, the rubix cube just to name a few.  There are also the products that have fallen out of products and the Orton family has purchased the patent and began producing it themselves.  My favorite example is Lifeboy Soap.  You may remember this soap from the popular Christmas movie, A Christmas Story.  This is the brand of soap Ralphy’s mother used to wash out his mouth when she thought she caught him using inappropriate language.   Pick some up and relive the moment (we picked some up for our brother in law, who recently had his first child and loooves the Christmas Story movie!).

During your next visit to our inn be sure to take the 30 minute drive to The Vermont Store in Rockingham, VT or the slightly longer drive to the original store in Weston, VT.  No matter which one you choose you are sure to discover something you have never seen before, and something you haven’t seen in forever…

The Vermont Country Store directions and details can be found on their website.

For the kids and animal lovers of all ages out there you enjoy the Retreat Petting farm which is located just out front.  This is a must stop if you are visiting or driving through Brattleboro.  Conviniently located just around the corner from our Vermont Bed and Breakfast, on Route 30 opposite the Retreat Meadow.