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!

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.

The main courses are served with a salad which is – or was in my case – almost too pretty to eat. It was a work of art with carved vegetable and a vinaigrette dressing I still remember fondly. We had a choice of beef, fish (I think it was halibut), scallops or rabbit. The food was incredible. I had the scallops which were perfectly done. Not too well done which is what I usually find is the problem with scallops. The reason there is no printed menu is that the menu is new every day.

Something that is different but very appealing is the open kitchen where you can see the meals being created by the chef and sous-chef. The single server is always a few feet away (because of the size of the place but that doesn’t mean that you’re under any pressure or scrutiny. The tiny restaurant is oak paneled and slate-floored and the tables sport silver cutlery, vintage dishes and flower vases.

The meal is not cheap, but it is such an experience that $11 appetizers, $40 entrees, and $5 desserts are definitely not out of line for the overall experience that this turned out to be. And somehow the handwritten bill (with calligraphy none the less) seemed to make the experience complete. Oh – by the way, they only take cash and checks.

There was beer which we didn’t have (I know, shocker!) and the wine list was reasonable with prices in the $30 to $100 range. The open kitchen and the fresh flowers and the intimacy of the small tables, bathed in golden lights gave the sense of being in a dinner theater setting – where you were part of the theater in a cozy, “I-belong-here” kind of manner.

TJ Buckleys is located at 132 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301-3275, You can call them at (802) 257-4922 and be sure to tell them that Tim and Amy from Forty Putney Road B&B sent you!

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 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!!

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!

Originally called the Wantastiquet Golf Club, this Brattleboro golf club was founded in 1889 as a six hole course and today is rated one of America’s Top Golf Courses by Zagat. Rudyard Kipling, Author Conan Doyle, Francis Ouimet and Tom MacNamara were among some of the many golf enthusiasts to frequent the 100 year old golf course. After changing hands from the Brattleboro Retreat in 1914, the grand opening of the official Brattleboro Country Club kicked off its new 9 hole course with a Japanese lawn party and trap shooting. Today, there are 18 holes of golf equipped with a challenging spread of par 3’s to par 5’s.

Today, Brattleboro Country Club offers both members and guests the option to book tee times online. Play 9 holes of golf in the morning, grab lunch at the Fairway Tavern, then venture downtown to explore the shops and Brattleboro culture. If it’s 18 holes of golf in southern Vermont you’re looking for, book in advance and finish your day on the deck with an afternoon snack, such as Brattleboro’s best seafood hor d’oeuvres or a cheese platter paired with a local Vermont beer (of course!).

Even on a rainy day, the Brattleboro Country Club’s Fairway Tavern has a covered porch, easy parking and a view, especially during fall foliage . When fall foliage is over and the snow begins to fall, the green turns into groomed trails for snow shoeingand cross country skiing. For more information about a golfing in southern Vermont or golf lessons, visit the Brattleboro Country Club website or call them directly at the Golf Shop 802-257-7380 or the Clubhouse 802-254-9864.  And if you’re looking for a place to stay, we’d be happy to put a golf package together for you!

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!

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!

With Halloween approaching, check out this quick video we made to showcase some of the spooky side of Brattleboro.  This video takes you on a quick tour of the  Retreat Cemetery and Retreat Tower as well as Madam Cherie’s “Castle”.  Each of these sites has a “haunted” history and several sources mention ghost sightings.   Best of all, each of these places are a short walk from our Brattleboro Vermont Inn.   Check out each of our individual posts for details (some are still coming, so be sure to keep an eye on our site or follow us on Twitter to get the updates) about the locations, and enjoy this quick look at the haunted side of Brattleboro – if you dare…