Sometimes it’s so random how an idea for a trip sneaks up on you. We had just swung by Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, NH on our way home from Maine and I was inspired to find more scenic breweries like that one. I hopped online, found Whetstone Station in Brattleboro, Vermont, saw what a great town Brattleboro is, and voila! A trip to Vermont was created!
The campgrounds in the immediate Brattleboro area were all booked up, so we reserved a site at Traveler’s Woods of New England in Bernardston, about twenty minutes over the border in Massachusetts. We had never heard of Bernardston so we were pleasantly surprised when we explored this super cute small town.
Traveler’s Woods was a little different than our usual campgrounds. The tent sites were all together in a large field instead of separated by trees. It’s also right next to the highway and you can hear the cars zooming by all night long. But the bathrooms were clean, the price amazing and the girls loved the playground.
BERNARDSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
With a population of just over 2,000, Bernardston is classic small town New England. Driving along the main road, you will see beautiful white churches, mom and pop general stores with friendly service, a beloved ice cream stand, and charming neighborhood farm stands.
When I was checking us into the campsite, I noticed a poster for Hitchcock Brewing Company – right in Bernardston! We love breweries so of course we had to go! There was plenty of seating both inside and outside and a BBQ food truck was serving all sorts of deliciousness. We ordered the Pulled Pork Loaded Potato. It was the perfect mix of savory pulled pork, warm, gooey cheese, sour cream, and fluffy potato. They had a nice variety of beers on tap, including IPAs, stouts, lagers, seltzers and more. If you’re planning a visit, check the calendar on their website to see what food truck will be on site and if there are any local musicians performing.
Across the street from Hitchcock Brewing is Kringle Candle Company. Unfortunately, it is due to reopen Labor Day weekend, so we couldn’t go in, but the building was beautiful and the girls loved the Big White Chair! Take a peek at their website for everything they have to offer at this flagship store, including a huge selection of candles, specialty foods and gifts, samples, sweets, and home decor.
Kringle Candle Company’s The Farm Table, a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant and events venue is right next door and also opening Labor Day weekend. The landscaping was gorgeous, with colorful flowers, adirondack chairs on perfectly manicured lawns, and red rooster statues placed throughout.
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
When traveling with the girls, I always try to find at least one spot per day to let them run free and get some energy out. While walking around town, shopping and eating sounds great to us adults, our girls are way too young to appreciate it. So in Brattleboro, our first stop was to Retreat Farm. Located just outside the downtown drag and along the river, Retreat Farm was originally built in the 1830s as a therapy farm for a nearby mental hospital. Now it’s a public farm focused on being a “public-serving and well-imagined source of food and fuel, productive work, nature-inspired reflection, knowledge, recreation, and innovation.” –Retreat Farm website
Some portions of the farm are currently closed due to COVID, but we were able to to view the 8 barns, animals such as pigs, goats and Carlos the enormous Ox, beautiful gardens, and hiking trails. There is also a storybook walk where pages of a book are spread out throughout the trail to read to your kids.
At the entrance of Retreat Farm is the Grafton Village Cheese Company. When you step in, your eyes will be drawn immediately to a huge display case filled with Vermont-made cheeses. Employees are happy to help with any questions and during non-COVID times, they are very liberal with providing samples. Throughout the shop you can find all kinds of wonderful Vermont and New England based products including wines, syrups, gift baskets, cook books and more.
The Connecticut River, the longest river in New England, passes right down Brattleboro and separates Vermont from New Hampshire. Across the street from Retreat Farm is a small clearing used as a public boat launch. We carried our canoe over and off we went! It’s a wide, calm river – great for boating, fishing and swimming. We paddled out to downtown Brattleboro, enjoyed views of town and multiple steel bridges, and found a tiny beach to dock and jump in.
Retreat Farm
Boat Launch
Views of Downtown Brattleboro 
After canoeing, we were starving and couldn’t wait to get over to Whetstone Station – the inspiration for this trip in the first place! They don’t take reservations, so we planned to go at an off-time in hopes of snagging a waterfront table on one of the three decks overlooking the Connecticut River.
The service was a bit wonky because of COVID – you could order food and drinks at the bar or online, and had to pick it up at a counter on the second floor. It was a little confusing, but well worth it because the beer was crisp and refreshing and the food delicious. Chris loved his Reuben sandwich, and the beer cheese with giant pretzel was my favorite – I could have put that cheese on everything!
The views from the decks were stunning. You’re right on the Connecticut River, next to a beautiful green steel bridge, nestled at the base of the green mountains. If you’re looking for a place to relax, have a locally made beer, and enjoy the fresh air, this is the spot for you.
Downtown Brattleboro is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Colorful flowers line streets filled with unique shops and locally owned restaurants. True to Vermont, there were many outdoor stores, artisan shops, and green vendors along the way.
A trip to Vermont isn’t complete if you don’t see at least one covered bridge. In West Brattleboro sits the Creamery Covered Bridge. It’s closed to traffic so we were able to leisurely walk through and enjoy the intricate architecture and beautiful setting.
We had a fantastic weekend getting away and visiting Brattleboro and Bernardston. Is there a town in New England you love and think we should travel to next? Comment below – we love trying somewhere new!