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. 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 Retreat farm is one of the most popular things to do in Brattleboro according to TripAdvisor.
The Retreat Farm is one of the top things to do in Brattleboro, but there is so much more to explore! Whether you are here to connect with the outdoors or shop in our unique locally owned boutiques, everything is walkable from our inn. Brattleboro has a vibrant arts scene and our town is a popular destination for art lovers. As one of the top ten small arts towns in the nation, downtown is filled with galleries, museums, and other cultural activities. The monthly gallery walk is favorite thing 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 an extensive network of trails behind our Inn. Book your room today.
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Retreat Farm is “Not Your Typical Farm”
Retreat Farm is on 500 acres of conserved land including forests, farmlands, trails and waterways at the confluences of the West and Connecticut Rivers. The mission of Retreat Farm is to connect people to the land and each other. They don’t just grow vegetables, they are growing community.
The Retreat Farm is an experience unique to Brattleboro. Once a part of the Brattleboro Retreat, the Farm combines nature, history, and community engagement. Once a working farm providing food for the hospital, it also provided outdoor experiences for patients. Now it’s a community hub for connection and conservation.
- Retreat Farm is free. The commons and trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.
- The Retreat Farm market features over 100 hand selected producers and artisans from Southern Vermont. A few of the amazing producers include: Travernier Chocolates sells handmade chocolates using locally foraged and sourced ingredients; Family-owned Parish Hill Creamery makes award-winning natural cheese using traditional methods; and The Bunker Farm produces maple syrup and pasture-raised meat.
- Join a wine tasting to learn about and sample various wines from Vermont Wine Merchants in the Retreat Farm Market many weekends.
- Reserve a time to visit the animals in the Calf Barn at Retreat Farm. The goats love the attention of visitors!
- 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, such as Animal Drawing led by a local artist and the resident Farm Manager.
- The Hope Garden is a contemplative space; walk the meditative labyrinth.
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Take a Walk on the Retreat Trails
Brattleboro has a large variety of walking trails. The Retreat Trails is a 10-mile trail network offering a variety of hiking options, all open to the public. Many of these trails are over 100 years old, created as part of the Brattleboro Retreat Property. The Retreat was founded in 1834 through a bequest to establish humane and moral treatment for people with mental disorders. Many of the treatments emphasized fresh air, physical activity, and therapeutic farm work. The Retreat trails connect our inn to the Retreat Farm, the Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary, and many other things to do in Brattleboro.
Some of the popular options on the Retreat Trails network:
- The Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary Trail runs through the backyard of our inn. This this trail around the Meadow connects with the remaining Retreat Trails, and is one of our favorite things to do in Brattleboro. The Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary is a 3.5- acre bird sanctuary. Watch for red-tailed hawks, Northern Cardinals, Bullock’s Oriole, and many other types of birds.
- 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 physical activity would help their treatment. Once a beautiful place to take in the scenery, the tower is now closed but many hike here to visit the tower and nearby cemetary.
- Take a more challenging hike climb 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. In February, the Harris Ski Jump is an exciting event and one of the top things to do in Brattleboro.
- 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 stoll 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 a part of the Brattleboro Retreat, our Inn is now an award-winning bed and breakfast in Brattleboro. The Inn on Putney Road offers a number of romance 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.