Bennington County offers many different ways to explore: museums tell stories of art and craftsmanship, parks connect trails with lakes, and protected areas draw attention to wetlands. As you plan, you can tailor your focus on culture, wildlife watching, and activities on the water to your own interests—the region has more than one thing to offer.
Art, History, and Craftsmanship
The American Museum of Fly Fishing documents the development of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and industry in the United States and internationally. Exhibitions, gallery programs, lectures, special events, and presentations are among the formats on offer; the program may change. The Southern Vermont Arts Center offers a different focus: its exhibitions feature artists from the region, the United States, and around the world. Workshops and classes are also offered there, both in the studio and outdoors. Which classes are available depends on the program cycle.
Buildings and historic sites also tell the story of different chapters in the region's history. The Bennington Battle Monument commemorates a decisive victory in the American Revolutionary War. At 306 feet, it is Vermont's tallest structure. Hildene was built around the turn of the 20th century as a summer home for the Lincoln family. The Old First Congregational Church dates back to 1762 and is considered Vermont's oldest Protestant church, as well as an architectural and historic landmark. Three covered bridges share the same year of construction: the Burt Henry, Silk Road, and Paper Mill Covered Bridges were each built in 1840. The Robert Frost Stone House Museum at Bennington College in Shaftsbury is a historic residence.
Lakes, Trails, and Outdoor Activities
At Lake Shaftsbury State Park, the easy Healing Springs Nature Trail loops around Lake Shaftsbury. The park also has a sandy beach for swimming and rentals of kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats. Beach and boat offerings can vary seasonally; check what is available during your visit before making plans. Popular activities at Emerald Lake State Park include swimming, fishing, non-motorized water sports, and hiking. Only non-motorized watercraft are permitted on Emerald Lake. The loop trail at Woodford State Park is 2.7 miles long and goes around the lake—a specific trail length for anyone who likes to include a walk by the water in their time outdoors.
The protected areas have their own distinct features, too. Whipstock Hill Wildlife Management Area contains rare natural communities of statewide significance, including Rich Fen and wet and moderately moist clayplain forests. Non-motorized access is possible on existing logging roads for hiking, snowshoeing, and wildlife watching. At South Stream Wildlife Management Area, a 24-acre pond and wetlands with emergent vegetation offer opportunities for waterfowl watching. The area is also open for hiking and wildlife watching; regulated hunting, trapping, and fishing are permitted as well. Kesick Swamp, in turn, is described as a historic beaver pond meadow with wetland and emergent marsh habitat.
At Fisher-Scott Memorial Pines Natural Area, dispersed hiking and wildlife watching are permitted; there are no designated trails. The area has been designated a National Natural Landmark since 1976. For a different kind of nature experience, the Battenkill River offers trout fishing. Dorset Quarry was a marble quarry and is now used as a swimming hole. Check current access and swimming conditions before visiting.
Routes and Views
The Long Trail begins in Pownal. The 272-mile hiking route is described as the nation's oldest long-distance trail. Farther north, the Long Trail passes through the northwestern corner of Hapgood State Forest, where it follows the Appalachian Trail. Bromley Mountain Resort has 47 trails and nine lifts; from the summit, views extend 360 degrees across the Green Mountains. Since trail and lift counts can change, it is a good idea to check these details before making plans.
The Molly Stark Scenic Byway also offers a way to take in the landscape: it is a 48-mile Route 9 corridor anchored at one end by Bennington. The different details about hiking trails, the road corridor, and summit views give you specific points of reference as you weigh the focus of your stay.
Local Traditions and Practical Information
Garlic Town USA traditionally takes place in Bennington every Labor Day weekend and has a history spanning more than 30 years. Offerings include fresh garlic bulbs as well as garlic-infused oils and sauces; the selection may vary from year to year.
Green Mountain Express has provided transportation services in and around Bennington County since 1985. Service details may change, so it is a good idea to check the latest information before traveling. The Bennington Welcome Center offers informational materials, free Wi-Fi, help with directions, and assistance with restaurant and theater reservations. Individual services may also change; ask on site if you rely on any of them.
Explore more destinations: Bennington, East Dorset, Bondville, Pownal, Dorset, Manchester, Winhall, Shaftsbury, Sandgate.
For the main travel overview: Vermont.
