BRATTLEBORO VERMONT

If you’re looking for a place to admire the fall foliage, then you should definitely consider Brattleboro, Vermont. Fall is my favorite season and I love capturing the fall foliage. I often travel to the Catskills during this time of the year. However, Vermont has always been on top of my bucket-list. For one thing, I’ve never been there. And secondly, the photos of the destination make it seem like a fall dream come true. Below you will find a list of what to do and see during the fall foliage. *Thank you Visit Brattleboro VT for hosting me and organizing all the mentioned partners. 

WHERE TO STAY

THE BRATTLEBORO INN

Arriving at The Brattleboro, you’re immediately transported to a place of peace and serenity, surrounded by the calming nature of Vermont. The Brattleboro allows you to take a breath, and unwind. We are a warm, welcoming environment with an air of inclusivity and tranquility. An Inn where you will enjoy a pure luxury experience and a respite from the hustle and bustle of life.”

When I arrived at The Brattleboro Inn, a new luxury inn that opened in September of this year, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality from the inn keepers, Chad and Ross and their fabulous frenchie, Dior. The property is nestled on 32 acres of Vermont land. Chad and Ross actually decorated the place all by themselves! I was mesmerized by the decor, the beautiful countryside ambiance, and the home away from home vibe that they successfully created.

Considering that this is a place that Chad and Ross bought and renovated themselves, they kept the cozy home aspect in tact. As a guest, I was appreciative of that. Upon entering my room, the bed had welcome packages from Love Brattleboro. There was even a special gift for my baby boy as I am expecting. And that gesture meant a huge deal to me. The fact that they did their research and also went out of their way to welcome me and my future baby warmed my heart. I knew from that moment on what kind of people Chad and Ross were and I was in for a special stay.

BREAKFAST HEAVEN

Whenever I travel, I look forward to dining and there’s nothing more satisfying than having home cooked meals. The Brattleboro Inn offers daily breakfast to their guests. I was blown away by the delicious spread and how beautifully everything was presented. It was truly like a scene from a romantic movie. The plating was stunning, the food was delicious and the views from the window were breathtaking. My friend and I loved that morning moment so much that we changed our schedule the last day just to savor that experience one more time before heading back to the city.

Not only does The Brattleboro Inn serve breakfast, but they also have a wine and cheese happy hour at 4 pm. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the inn keepers and other guests. I also experienced a S’mores night, which consisted of the most unique dessert charcuterie board you can think of. I mean have you ever tried a s’mores with chips and hot sauce!? Me either, but I will say it surprisingly went well together. I concluded that the combination helped to balance out the sweetness of the chocolate.

FALL FOLIAGE

I wanted my Vermont trip to be focused on the fall foliage. Little did I know, The Brattleboro Inn gave me that and so much more. The drive from the city was only 3 hours and a half and it was great to see the leaves slowly changing colors the closer I got to Vermont. However, all of my fall foliage cravings came true once I stayed at The Brattleboro Inn. Considering the window outlooks to all the acres of land, it felt like I wasn’t just admiring the fall foliage, but I was part of it.

As a city girl, it was nice to experience a getaway that felt like home. Staying at The Brattleboro Inn will give you an experience that can’t be compared to a hotel or an airbnb. I experienced an intimate stay at the inn and I felt 100% comfortable. There is nothing, but kind words and memories when I think of The Brattleboro Inn. Chad and Ross are people that you wish are more in your life! (They even bought my book and asked me to sign it, so they can keep it at the inn. Every time I think they’ve outdone themselves, they do even one step further than I thought was possible!). 

WHAT TO DO

Depending on where I go, I like to have a relaxing itinerary. Below are activities that Love Brattleboro either organized or suggested to me.

VISIT TOWN/ SHOPS

• BEADNIKS! – An entire store (and museum) dedicated to beads. There are lots of one-of-a-kind shops in Brattleboro, this one offers a curated shopping experience where visitors discover the beauty of beads and beyond (think retro toys, artisan made jewelry, and textiles). A must-stop is the bead museum downstairs!
  Location: 115 Main Street, Brattleboro, 802.257.5114

• Twice Upon a Time – A trove of treasures can be found at this antiques and collectibles multi-dealer and consignment shop – you will be amazed as you go through this labyrinth of antique and contemporary furniture and one of a kind collectibles, vintage clothing, jewelry, lamps, mirrors, china, glass, primitives, pottery, musical instruments, and everything unique and unusual!
  Location: 63 Main St, Brattleboro, VT

SPECIAL ACTIVTIES

• Scott Farm: Historic Scott Farm has over 130 varieties of heirloom apples as well as an array of pears, plums, peaches, cherries, berries, and other fruits. This is the place to be for apple picking, delicious hard cider and Grafton cheese tastings, and other fruitful experiences.
  Location: 707 Kipling Rd Dummerston, VT 05301

  Visiting a farm was a priority for me because it is a package deal that comes with admiring the fall foliage. Even though most of trees were empty, I was still able to snag a full bag of apples home. I enjoyed touring the farm with Simon Renault and learning all about the history of Scott Farm as well as the variety of apples. It was fascinating to come across apples that tasted like pineapples, pears and grapefruit! We even witnessed fresh apple cider being made and were lucky enough to taste it right on the spot. In addition, there is a market farm and I highly recommend supporting them because there’s nothing like bringing home Vermont goodies. I personally bought the maple syrup and grape jam, and whenever I have it for breakfast, I think about my special visit to Scott Farm.
• Art Meets Food – Epsilon Spires – Epsilon Spires Inc. is a center of communication, illuminating the relationships between creative arts, natural sciences and sustainability using multimedia platforms.
  Location: 190 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301

  On the week I visited, Epsilon Spires had a harvest feast collaboration with an organization called the Art Lords. There was a harvest feast, which featured a four-course feast of regional, sustainably produced ingredients by Forage & Flourish, followed by a showing of the 2020 documentary Kiss the Ground. This was a unique experience and it opened my eyes to the arts and cultural aspect of Brattleboro Vermont. If you’re into arts, I would recommend checking out their calendar of events as they are trying to plan more for the future.
• Saxtons River Distillery Tasting – Sample the tradition of crafting fine liqueurs passed down from generation to generation. Saxtons River Distillery Vermont spirits combine old-world heritage with the flavor of Vermont’s quality maple syrup.
  Location: 155 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301
  I didn’t participate in this event since I am pregnant, but it’s definitely a must do if you’re in Brattleboro. Saxtons River Distillery was actually just named 2022 Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery by USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards! My friend could attest that the pairing and experience was awesome. There were interesting flavors and as an observer, it was fun to see her rank her favorite liquor. As for me, I can confirm that the charcuterie board associated with the tasting was delicious! I love cheese and their charcuterie board did not disappoint! This is a great experience to add to your itinerary because you can relax and meet some locals and enjoy the sampling. *It was a rainy day when I visited, but if the weather is in your favor, definitely relax outside because the outdoor space is beautiful.
• Fire Arts Vermont – Glass blowing experience: Watch famed contemporary glass artist Randi Solin at work. Solin welcomes the public to watch live glow-blowing as she opens the studio every Monday, Thursday and Friday. Randi’s work has been collected, shown, and exhibited throughout the world, including a permanent collection at the White House, nine U.S. Embassies, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
  Location: The Fire Arts Vermont, 485 West River Road (Route 30), Brattleboro

  This was the last activity that was on the itinerary before heading home. And I must say, I had no idea what to expect. We had front row seats to watch Randi work her magic and that’s an experience that you don’t get everyday. I am not familiar with glass blowing and I had no idea what an incredible art form it is. Seeing Randi complete a vase from start to finish was remarkable. I now have a stronger appreciation and admiration for glass blowing artists. Make sure you also stop by Fine Arts Cafe next door as they serve delicious pastries and everything there is organic!

WHERE TO EAT

• Whetstone Beer Co.- Nestled in the heart of Downtown Brattleboro, on the banks of the Connecticut River, Whetstone Beer Co. has been serving up delicious food and beers since 2012. This riverside eatery offers craft drafts, creative pub grub and year-round Insta-worthy deck seating from their outdoor patio that overlooks the Connecticut River and Wantastiquet Mountain. Stop in and enjoy the view.
  Location: 36 Bridge Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301

  Every now and then, I like to indulge in bar food and Whetstone Beer did not disappoint! For the table, we ordered wings, midnight poutine, chicken sandman and a personalized burger. Everything tasted amazing. But the best part about dining at Whetstone Beer is the view. I would recommend coming here on the earlier side to snag a table outside. You can sit right by the river and admire the fall foliage and take in the crisp air.

• Grab and Go Lunch – The Works: Enjoy a locally-sourced and healthy lunch – anything from delicious paninis to gourmet mac & vermont cheddar; The Works also serves breakfast all day!
  Location: 118 Main Street Brattleboro, VT 05301
• Grab N Go Lunch – The Porch – Serving simple comfort food “switched up a bit,” this cozy spot is recognized for the special care and attention the owners place on every dish they serve. Their most popular menu item? The Porch egg and cheese sandwich: A flavorful crusty whole grain bread made in Brattleboro, topped with caramelized onions, melted sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon.
  Location: 648 Putney Rd, Brattleboro, VT
• Tine – Enjoy the relaxed farm-to-table dining experience at this fine dining restaurant with their menu of inspired and freshly prepared bites and entrees. *Note: Tine was recently included among USA Today’s 10 Best Farm to Table restaurants!

  We dined at Tine as our last dinner and it was a great way to wrap up my Brattleboro experience. I had the seared faroe salmon and my friend ordered the flat iron steak and fries. We also ordered the fried Brussels sprouts to share as an appetizer. It was truly a farm to table dining experience and all the ingredients were fresh. The ambiance is also great for a date night or a girl’s night out. Tine is a restaurant I highly recommend visiting!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I had the best time at Brattleboro and it was the perfect way to experience Vermont for the first time. The people there were extremely friendly and I am grateful for Love Brattleboro for hosting me! The itinerary was perfect as it had a great combination of nature, culture and dining, all of which went hand in hand. For those living in NYC, it is also a quick drive and the drive is worth it especially if you plan it around the all fall foliage!