The Vermonter stops at the Brattleboro Train Station placing you steps away from food, drinks, arts and culture. Whether it’s brick oven pizza, local flair or delectable Mayan cuisine, there’s something for your tastes within walking distance of the train and our inn. (Want to drop off the bags or freshen up before dinner? Call us, we’ll pick you up from the train at no charge.) There’s always action in downtown Brattleboro, but for you city folks who want to reconnect with nature (or the slopes), taking the Vermonter in the winter is still a great option.

From when the snow begins to fall until spring, Burrows Sports in downtown Brattleboro rents snow shoes and cross country skis. The Retreat Grounds and Solar Hill are minutes away from downtown with entry to intermediate level trails. Ever been ice fishing before? The retreat meadows are prime fishing grounds once the ice is thick enough, or your brave enough. Even better, you can see it from our backyard! Want to take the Vermonter and still hit the big slopes? The Moover (a bus painted like a cow) takes free daily trips to Mount Snow from Brattleboro.

If you’re like me, you might just stay where it’s warm and watch the ice fishing from our sun porch with a good book or enjoy a great local beer at our pub. Either way, taking the Vermonter to Brattleboro is an easy and dependable way to take a winter trip. Call us for reservations and more info about taking the train to Brattleboro.  And remember, as always, we are happy to pick you up and drop you off at the station for no charge.  Hope to see you in Brattleboro this winter!

The Marina Restaurant sits near the intersection of the West and Connecticut Rivers just north of downtown Brattleboro. With Mt. Wantastiquet on one side and the Green Mountains on the other, the Marina’s view overlooking the Retreat Meadow is always great, but unbeatable during fall foliage. Dock space allows boats, kayaks and canoes to stop in during the warmer months for a delicious Vermont Beer or one of the seafood favorites. tubing down the West River? What better way to end a day on the water than at a beachy waterfront restaurant in Brattleboro? Although we can’t say there’s a beach, we can mention the waterfront view. Did we mention that already?

Not only is the Marina one of our favorite restaurants with outside dining, the newly designed space brings the outdoors in with lively colors and a friendly, laid-back vibe. The huge windows bring in the breeze and outside dining allows guests to bask in the sun. Hawaiian shirts, fish jumping, the cool Vermont breeze, a refreshing McNeill\’s brew and the sun setting over the Retreat Meadow … does it get any better? Whether it’s a casual dining in southern Vermont with the family, or girls night on the town, the Marina appeals the casual crowd looking for fun, food and, of course, a view. Visit Brattleboro and the Marina Restaurant for the day or stay overnight at our inn in southern Vermont!

Cheers!

If the Vermonter helped you escape from the city, get off the train (arrives at around 5:30ish) and head east over the bridge to Mount Wantastiquetfor a beautiful nature walk or sunset hike with views of downtown.  Of course,we are happy to pick up our guests at the train station, or it’s an easy walk to our inn.

If you head west from the Brattleboro train “station” (more like parking area),  you’ll find shopping, dining, theaters and galleries.  You’ll also find Burrows sports, a sporting goods store supplying reasonably priced bike rentals and gear for outdoor activities.  Rent a bike for one of the local easiest ways to travel and open up even more entertainment options beyond downtown.  The Saturday farmers market, located in West Brattleboro, has food, artisan crafts, culture and amazing produce.  Just up Route 30 along the West River sits Grafton Cheese, waterfalls and swimming holes.  If you’re looking to get on the water, you can rent kayaks, canoes, tubes and fishing poles just a few blocks North of the inn.

What better way to  escape than one of the easiest ways to travel – a stress-free train ride that drops you off in heart of downtown Brattleboro?  Our inn is a short walk from the train station or a phone call away if you’d rather have a ride.  (It’s partially uphill, we understand.)  So, leave the car at home and enjoy a train ride on the Vermonter!

Fall foliage and a good corn maze go hand in hand. One of the best corn mazes I have ever navigated is in nearby Guilford, Vermont at Gaines Farm.

The 5.5 acre maze is shaped like a giant cow, every bit what I would expect a Corn Maze in Southern Vermont to be shaped like. This Maze also offered a “Cornundrum” game, where using a map you search out 10 riddles in the maize, write down your answers and are entered to win a grand prize.

Tim had a blast playing with the Corn Cannon (pun intended).  Hit the tire or ring the bell by shooting corn from a compressed air cannon and you win a hat.  We walked away hat-less, but with big smiles instead.  finally, we wrapped up this beautiful fall day with a cup of warm apple cider from the refreshment cart and a quick look at the animals in the barn.

You can enjoy these great events at Gaines Farm on weekends only from Columbus Day weekend through Halloween weekend.   Hope you enjoy this short video.  We look forward to showing you more of Southern Vermont and our great town of Brattleboro when you come stay with us at Forty Putney Road B&B.

When is prime foliage viewing time?

The time of year that is best to see the fall colors in Vermont varies based on the summers weather.  It is a safe bet that from late September through the third week or so of October, you will be able to see some great leaf action.  Check out this interactive foliage map of Vermont for an idea of where and when you will see the best color.

Is Vermont the best state in New England to see foliage?

Vermont is the largest producer of Maple Syrup in the country.  Maple syrup comes from Maple trees, which are the most vibrant tree in the fall, with leaves changing to the most dramatic colors.  With a large number of these trees in an unspoiled mountainous terrain, Vermont is certainly one of the most dramatic places to see the fall foliage.  In addition, the historic charm of covered bridges, the preserved wilderness and the many beautiful back roads make the overall landscape ideal for the fall addition of color.

Where can we go to see the leaves?

Well of course, our beautiful Bed and Breakfast in Southern Vermont is a great place to start!  During the peak times in Brattleboro, our backyard and the Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary on the water behind us becomes a beautiful canvas of color.   Of course when Brattleboro hasn’t peaked yet, we have assembled driving directions for some amazing rides from the inn to put you in the middle of fall splendor regardless of the time that you visit.   Our turn by turn directions will take you through some beautiful back country roads, along winding brooks, past waterfalls and bring you safely back to Forty Putney Road.

Retreat Meadow, our backyard at Forty Putney Road B&B

Where should you stay when checking out the foliage?  Clearly the obvious answer is our great Southern Vermont Inn, Forty Putney Road B&B.  But you don’t have to take our word for it!  Here’s what the folks that have been here before are saying – we would love to add you to our family of guests and share the beautiful fall foliage with you this year.  Reserve your stay now!