Nestled along the Connecticut River, the southeastern region of Vermont includes many small towns as well as the more urban cultural centers of Brattleboro and Bellows Falls. The area is home to Westminister, the oldest town in Vermont, established in 1735, and the town of Putney, home of the Putney school and Basketville, America’s oldest basket company. The nearby historic towns of Chester and Newfane both have lovely town greens.
This region can be easily reached from various exits along Interstate 91. From vacation rentals in this region, it is an easy drive to ski areas such as Mount Snow, Stratton, Okemo and Ascutney. Grafton, a historic village restored by the nonprofit Windham Foundation, is home to the Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, offering trails for both winter and summer use, including Nordic skiing and mountain biking. Hiking can be found at the many state parks in the area. Also available for hiking and observing nature, is the Windmill Ridge Nature Preserve in the Westminser and Brookline areas.
Along with the recreational opportunities, the region offers numerous cultural and historical sites. In Springfield, you can visit the Fort at No. 4, a reconstruction of a fort that existed during the French and Indian War. Also in Springfield is the Eureka Schoolhouse State Historic Site. Art galleries, museums, shops, and musical venues dot the entire area, including the Gallery at the Vault in Springfield, a Vermont State Craft Center.
One prominent event in the region is the Marlboro Music Festival, which occurs every summer on the campus of Marlboro College in Marlboro. A residential summer program where students explore chamber music with professional concert artists, the festival includes five weekend performances that are open to the public. Also in Marlboro, located on the Hogback Mountain scenic overlook, is the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum.
This region is within two hours of the major airports in Boston, Albany, NY, and Hartford, CT.
