Brattleboro is the perfect destination for a getaway any time of year. If you are looking for a unique place to spend an afternoon, make sure your itinerary includes time at Retreat Farm. It is one of our favorite things to do in Brattleboro! The trails are open from dawn to dusk, while the Retreat Farm Market is open from 10 am until 5 pm. Shop for locally crafted items, taste award-winning Vermont cheese, or buy some maple syrup produced on a local farm. A visit to the Retreat Farm is one of the most popular things to do in Brattleboro, according to TripAdvisor.
While The Retreat Farm may be one of the top things to do in Brattleboro, there’s so much more to this quirky Vermont town! Whether you are here to connect with the outdoors or shop in our unique, locally owned boutiques, everything is within easy reach from our Inn. As one of the top ten small arts towns in the nation, downtown Brattleboro is home to numerous galleries, museums, and other cultural attractions. The monthly gallery walk is one of our favorite things to do in Brattleboro.
Our Brattleboro Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay during your Vermont getaway. Located near downtown Brattleboro, The Inn on Putney Road is a small and luxurious establishment, offering the ideal setting for a quiet escape. Surrounded by award-winning gardens, our property connects to the Retreat Trail network behind our Inn. Book your room today.
Don't Miss a Visit to Retreat Farm
A visit to the Retreat Farm is one of the most unique things to do in Brattleboro. Once a part of the Brattleboro Retreat, the Farm combines nature, history, and community engagement. The Brattleboro Retreat was founded in 1834 through a bequest to establish humane and moral treatment for people with mental disorders. Treatments emphasized fresh air, physical activity, and therapeutic farm work. Retreat Farm once provided food for the hospital and offered outdoor experiences for patients.
Now a hub for the community, Retreat Farm’s mission is to connect people to the land and one another. Retreat Farm is situated on 500 acres of conserved land, encompassing forests, farmlands, the Retreat Trails, and waterways at the confluence of the West and Connecticut Rivers. One of the top things to do in Brattleboro, visitors to Retreat Farm can visit animals, taste Vermont wine and cheese, or take a hike on the gorgeous Retreat Trails.
Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy a day at Brattleboro’s Retreat Farm:
- Retreat Farm is free. The Public Common and Retreat Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Follow one of the trails up into the tree-covered hills for a spectacular view of the property and the surrounding area.
- The Retreat Farm market features over 100 hand-selected producers and artisans from Southern Vermont. Do not miss Travernier Chocolates, handmade chocolates using locally foraged and sourced ingredients. Sample some cheese from Parish Hill Creamery, which makes award-winning natural cheese using traditional methods. Stock up on Bunker Farm Maple Syrup.
- Sign up for a wine tasting to learn about and sample various wines from Vermont Wine Merchants in the Retreat Farm Market, taking place on many weekends.
- Reserve a time to visit the animals in the Calf Barn at Retreat Farm. You’ll love cuddling with the baby goats, visiting the donkey duo, and hanging out with the baby calves. A staff member will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the animals.
- Gather at the Farmhouse Square for the weekly Food Truck Roundup. Enjoy live music, locally-made food from the best Vermont food trucks, and a Vermont craft beer. This signature event celebrates producers from Brattleboro and beyond.
- Sign up for an arts and culture class. Animal Drawing will allow you to spend time with some of the favorite residents of Retreat Farm while receiving hands-on instruction from a local artist, who happens to be the farm manager.
- Walk the labyrinth path in the Hope Garden. This is a comforting and contemplative space filled with beautiful flowers, as well as veggies and herbs to snack on.
Retreat Trails: One of the Best Things to do in Brattleboro
While these experiences at the Retreat Farm promise a fantastic day in Southern Vermont’s countryside, don’t miss the chance to walk along the connected Retreat Trails. This 10-mile trail network offers a variety of hiking options, all of which are open to the public. Many of these trails are over 100 years old, created as part of the Brattleboro Retreat Property. The Retreat trails connect our Inn to the Retreat Farm, the Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary, and numerous other attractions in Brattleboro.
Our Favorite Highlights on the Retreat Trails:
- The Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary Trail runs through the backyard of our Inn and along the Meadow. It connects with the Retreat Trail network. The Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary is a 3.5-acre bird sanctuary. Watching for red-tailed hawks, Northern Cardinals, Bullock’s Oriole, and many other types of birds is one of our favorite things to do in Brattleboro.
- Hiking the retreat trails is a Hike to the Retreat Tower, constructed by patients at the Brattleboro Retreat between 1887 and 1894 with the belief that physical activity would help their treatment. The tower rises out of the forest above the trees and was once a beautiful place to take in the scenery. Now locked and closed for safety, many people still hike here to visit the impressive structure. Many believe the tower is home to paranormal activity.
- Take a more challenging hike to the top of the Harris Hill Ski Jump for a stunning view of Brattleboro, then follow the trail back down to the parking area. Every February, the Harris Ski Jump hosts an exciting ski jump event. The 100+ year-old event is often an Olympic qualifier, drawing thousands of spectators.
- The Ice Pond Loop will lead you to the historic Ice Pond, where thousands of pounds of ice were once harvested to preserve food.
- The Pollinator Path and Meadow Loops are a boardwalk stroll along the water’s edge. From the Retreat Farm Market parking lot, follow the arches and fruit trees to the Cow Tunnel through to the boardwalk.
- The Woodlands Interpretive Trail, created by a local naturalist, is a moderate one-mile loop. Watch for placards along the trail that point out spots of interest. This trail can be accessed from the Solar Hill trailhead.
Once the home of Dr Ripley, Superintendent of the Brattleboro Retreat, our Inn is now an award-winning Bed and Breakfast in Brattleboro. The Inn on Putney Road offers several getaway packages. Why not add on the Take a Hike! Picnic Package to make your hike on the Retreat Trails extra special? This add-on comes in a lovely picnic backpack with a bottle of wine, two delicious catered lunches, and more. Reserve your room now.
