An eclectic and artsy town in Southern Vermont, Brattleboro is a perfect spot for a local New England getaway.

Brimming with culture and its own distinct bohemian vibe, Brattleboro is very much an arts community with a rich and vibrant art, food and cultural scene. Filled with everything from live music, theater and film to art galleries, a renowned art museum and artisan makers of all types, there is a ton to discover in Brattleboro. It’s also a great culinary hub, with some terrific restaurants and food offerings, along with two breweries, a distillery, one of the best cheese shops in Vermont – and so much more. It’s a great year-round destination, with lots of outdoor activities, but also lots of art and culture indoors for the cooler monthos of the year.

Below I share some of my favorite sights, activities and eateries from my time in Brattleboro, including some suggestions for places to stay and things to do while you’re in town. Enjoy!

For Art Afficionados

If you love live music, a MUST during your time in Brattleboro is the Stone Church, a music venue created within a renovated Victorian Gothic church on Brattleboro’s Main Street. During our visit, we had a chance to check out Tightrope, a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band, and they absolutely rocked the house! The building has incredible acoustics, and it also offers a full bar and house-made pizza – so it’s easy to make a date night out of your visit. You can enjoy a view of the band from the floor, or head up to the balcony where the choir used to sing when the building was still a church. It’s definitely an experience you won’t forget!

Another must is the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brattleboro’s contemporary art museum housed in what was once a historic train station. As a non-collecting museum, BMAC does not own a permanent collection, but rather changes out all galleries on a quarterly basis. Today, BMAC presents 15-20 exhibitions annually, focused on the art of our time. Exhibitions on view during our visit included a mix of regional artists and artists from around the country, and I was enamored by the many though-provoking works on view.

In addition to museums and venues, Brattleboro is also home to many renowned art galleries. One of my favorites was Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, which showcases contemporary fine art from around the world in its modern and bright gallery space. We also enjoyed visiting Vermont Artisan Designs, which showcases Vermont artists, artisans and craftspeople downstairs, as well as more than a dozen fine art gallery spaces upstairs, with a focus on artists from Vermont and New England.

We checked out local glassblowing and ceramics making at Fire Arts Gallery, and watched a lesson on etching and the process of creating fine art prints at First Proof Press. I built my own terrarium at the terrarium bar at Tierra Botanics, the cutest local shop that focuses on making spaces beautiful through the use of plants. And we enjoyed a tour of the Latchis Theater, a historic 1930’s art deco theater painted with Greek murals, which today shows first-run and indie films, and hosts live productions and events.

We also drove up to nearby Putney to visit Next Stage Arts Project, which serves as an art gallery, a music venue and a community gathering space, contributing to the cultural appeal of the area.

For Foodies & Beer Lovers

In addition to arts and culture, Brattleboro has an amazing culinary and beer scene as well, with many awesome cross-cultural offerings that I thought was unexpected for the area.

No trip to the area is complete without a stop at the riverside Whetstone Station. The brewery’s deck offers stunning views of the Connecticut River (seriously insta-worthy!). We loved the “Whet-stoner” session IPA, and the pierogies, steak tips, BBQ wings & soft pretzel were the perfect accompaniments. We also loved the fact that the brewery straddles the Vermont and New Hampshire state line, so you can quite literally drink a beer with one foot in VT and the other in NH. Kinda cool!

If you’re into sour beer, Hermit Thrush Brewery is a must. Serving only sours (yup – you heard that right, ONLY sours), Hermit Thrush uses only wild Brattleboro yeast, along with locally-grown hops & fruits. My favorite was the “Party Jam Peach” – perfect for a warm day, but they offer a wide variety of sours with many different flavor profiles. It’s a place where “people who don’t like sours” will still very likely find something they love to drink!

Since the brewery doesn’t offer food, we opted for lunch from High Thai café next door. Serving a contemporary take on Thai cuisine, the Penang curry was out of this world! The perfect amount of spice with tender chicken and fresh veggies, it hit the spot! They also have an incredible local Vermont beer list, and their coconut ice cream is to die for.

And we had to plan a visit the Dosa Kitchen food truck at the local Retreat Farm. South India’s version of a crepe, dosas are tangy and crispy, with delicious fillings & sauces. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and fermented, dosas are extremely versatile, and so tasty! We tried the Masala Dosa and the chicken curry with sambar and yogurt, and both were delicious. They also offer a cookbook along with Dosa batter to go – both are well worth picking up during your visit.

While at Retreat Farm, you can also stop into Grafton Village Cheese Co., which offers locally-made cheeses, in addition to their handmade, small-batch Vermont cheddar. They sell cheese from many VT and New England cheese makers, including favorites like Jasper Hill, Vermont Creamery, Maplebrook Farm and more. The shop also sells wine, beer and accoutrements, so it’s a one stop shop for all of your charcuterie needs!

If you visit Brattleboro on a Saturday in the warmer months, the Brattleboro Farmers Market is the perfect spot to stop. Filled with stalls of fresh produce, breads, bakery items and cheeses, it’s the perfect spot to shop local and support local brands. I especially loved stopping by True North Granola, a brand founded and produced in Brattleboro. They offer a wide variety of gluten free granola, along with completely grain-free granola, low-sugar granola, and so much more (you can also find their products in select grocers around New England). Their flavors are wonderful, and I brought home several bags with me to enjoy at home. I also had a chance to check out Parish Hill Creamery, a local Brattleboro cheesemaker, and Vermont Vermouth, a maker of craft vermouth – perfect for making yummy cocktails. All of which offer delicious samples, and I was excited about all the locally made goods I found to bring home!

Where to Stay

The elegant Inn on Putney Road B&B is small, but lovely. With only six guestrooms, each space is uniquely designed and decorated with beautiful décor, luxurious linens and wonderful amenities. Breakfast is served each morning of your stay, and we enjoyed cream cheese-stuffed blueberry French toast, local sausage & roasted root vegetables. The breakfast alone is worth the stay at this charming local B&B!

If you prefer more of an Airbnb experience, we had a chance to enjoy a stay with Sharon at The Purple Chef’s House. Located on a beautiful wooded property, our stay at the Purple Chef’s House Airbnb came with breakfast complete with a mini cooking lesson from Sharon, formerly one of the premier caterers in Brattleboro (prior to her retirement several years back). I enjoyed my delectable asparagus & goat cheese omelet on the back deck – so peaceful and relaxing! It is worth noting that Sharon and her adorable pup Marlow do reside in the home, but guests have plenty of privacy and can enjoy the grounds and backyard overlooking the pond to your heart’s content.

If you’re looking for more information about Brattleboro, I highly recommend checking out the #LoveBrattleboroVT website and Instagram page to learn more about the area and region. It’s perfect for a summer and fall getaway (the foliage is amazing in October!) but would also be great for a romantic winter retreat as well, with many art galleries, museum shows and theater performances available during the colder months. I highly recommend a visit next time you’re looking to explore somewhere new in Vermont. Enjoy!