Area info
Things to do:
Bennington
- Swimming at Lake Paran, Shaftsbury Lake, Mt. Anthony Country Club
- Fishing: I recommend Green Mountain Angler, Christian Betit (802) 430-4660.
- Golf at Mt Anthony Country Club. It is open to the public.
- Hiking There are many local trails from easy to challenging.
- Bird watching
- Museums: Bennington Museum, Doll and Toy Museum
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Paddle boats, kayaks and Guieded adventures by GoodieTwo Sues at Emerald Lake in Dorset, VT
- Outlet shopping in Manchester, VT
- Antiquing All around downtown Bennington and at the Covered Bridge Antiques on Harwood Hill Rd.
- Skiing Locally there is good Nordic Skiing at Prospect Mountain (802) 442-2575. Also, at Hildene, Manchester, VT
- Downhill skiing and boarding at Stratton. Bromley,
Check out the Bennington Battle Monument- great fun and fabulous view.
Visit the Old First Church, complete with box pews and a very old cemetery. Services Sunday 11 am. July and August, 10 am. Open Church – days and times vary. If the door is open, go on in!
Bennington Museum- a real find, must do.
North Bennington Park-McCullough House. Includes the Mile Around Walk. There are many events, so check out the website: parkmcullough.org
Things to do:
North on Rte. 7a
Hildene -Robert and Mary Lincoln built Hildene as a summer home at the turn of the 20th century. Robert was the only child of Mary Todd Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln to survive to maturity. The 412 acre estate, with its Georgian revival mansion and 14 historic buildings, includes the home, formal garden and observatory; Welcome Center and The Museum Store in the historic carriage barn; 1903 Pullman car, Sunbeam; and Hildene Farm. The farm includes a solar-powered goat dairy and cheese-making facility and, in the lower portion of the property—the dene–includes a teaching greenhouse, composting facility, animal barn, vegetable gardens, apple orchard, 600 foot floating wetland boardwalk and an 1832 schoolhouse still used for education programs. www.hildene.org
Manchester Outlets- easy to spend a day wandering around.
Equinox Valley Nursey in the fall has the best homemade apple cider donuts.
Sugar Shack has donuts all year long.
Things to do:
South on Rte. 7
Armstrong Farm
Pownal View Barn
In Williamstown, MA about 20 minutes south of Bennington, is the Clark Art Museum- a real gem.
Northeast on Rtes. 7, 30, 11
There are summer water slides, mountain bike activities at the ski resorts of Stratton Mountain and Bromley. And of course, skiing in the winter.
The Vermont Country Store is in Weston, Vermont, a pleasant, forty-five-minute drive from Bennington.
West
King Bakery Donut Cart
108 W Main St, Cambridge, NY
ONLY open Sundays at 8 am. Worth the drive. Order by calling (518) 677-3530
Check out Facebook page for menu that changes weekly. All homemade. DELICIOUS!
Local Eateries
Check out vermontbeginshere.com for up-to-date eateries. Here are a few of our favorites.
North Bennington
The Roasted Bean Espresso Bar – Breakfast, lunch – Excellent sandwiches and salads.
1 Prospect St. North Bennington, VT
Pangeae 1 Prospect St. North Bennington, VT
Bennington
Allegro – fine dining, Italian
Miller’s Toll Supper Club – unique, worth a visit for small plates, and exquisite cocktails Reservations advised
The Publyk House – Great view, great deck, and wonderful salad bar!
The Grille – Mt Anthony Country Club – open to the public. Splendid view on the patio and a cozy fireplace.
Casual dining – nothing is fancy in Bennington, but ….
The Blue Benn Diner- real train car!
Tap House at Catamount Glass – very pleasant and good food!
Madison Brewing Company
The 421 Craft Bar and Kitchen – fun and good food!
Sandwiches and Deli’s
Your Belly’s Deli – Really good1
ESM – Elm Street Market – can order online for pick up. Catering too. Features Boar’s Head meats and cheeses.
Grocers
Chain Store Grocers
Hannaford’s Grocery store fairly close by:
Hannaford Supermarket:
350 North Side Dr
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-1521
Aldi’s
10 Kocher Drive
Walmart Shopping Center.
Wal-Mart
210 Northside Drive
Local Grocers
HENRY’S MARKET
On the east end of town. Excellent meats, cheeses, prepared meals, and local produce in season. Nuns of New Skete Cheesecake.
831 Main Street
MARKET WAGON
Natural foods, fantastic sandwiches, flowers, and so much more!
1896 Harwood Hill
Hospital
Bennington has a wonderful local hospital. We grew up with it as Putnam Memorial Hospital. It is now Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
Albany Medical Center is only an hour away.
Pharmacies
The Pharmacy, Inc. 205 North St. 1 (802) 442-5602
CVS 8 Kocher Dr.1 (802) 442 8369
Walgreens 194 North St. 1 (802)-442-2240
Also, there are pharmacies at Walmart 210 Northside Dr. 1 (802) 442 6822 and Price Chopper 214 Northside Dr. 1 (802)-447-9951