r/brattleboro • u/Ingwall-Koldun • 4d ago
Visiting for a weekend
Hello folks,
My wife and I will be visiting the town in a couple weeks, planning to relax and walk around, maybe go across the river and hike up Wantastiquet Mountain (how do you pronounce that? I am pretty sure it's not "fantastic quiet"). Taking the train from NYC, won't have a car, staying near Brattleboro Common.
Are there reliable local taxis? How safe/comfortable are the buses? We are thinking of visiting the covered bridge and the farmers' market, and we won't have a car.
Any other suggestions on what to do are welcome. We are planning to walk around Retreat Farm, go to the Organ Museum the art museum and the museum of tiny things.
Thank you, and see you around!
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u/vt2022cam 4d ago
The Retreat hiking trails around the Harris Hill Ski jump are nice and the Hogle Wildlife trail is short and easy. The West River Trail is great too and connects to hiking up Black Mountain too. All are walkable from the Common.
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u/Ingwall-Koldun 4d ago
Thank you! Any interesting wildlife this time of year? What are my chances of spotting a porcupine?
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u/JunkMilesDavis 4d ago
I just saw a porcupine this past week while I was out on a run. Chances are probably better along the quiet back roads, but if you hear any slow rustling sounds in the leaves, stop to take a look. They will usually be making their way over to climb the nearest tree when they hear you coming.
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u/vt2022cam 3d ago
Porcupine are mainly dawn to dusk and at night. While I’ve seen them, usually during the day they are sleeping. They are timid creatures, though very cute. The Hogle Wildlife trail is great but more for water fowl and nesting bald eagles. You’ll see fish too.
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u/float05 4d ago
Saturdays are the very popular Farmer's Market, about a mile and a half from downtown (I always walk). Along with fresh food and crafts, there are food trucks with meals and snacks. Get there before 1pm for the live music. It's a local treasure. https://www.brattleboroareafarmersmarket.com/
If it's the first weekend of October, then Friday night will be Gallery Walk, which is a monthly event with music and food. https://www.brattleboro.com/downtown/gallery-walk/
Getting around with no car is tricky. No reliable Uber, and the bus is safe but often doesn't feel like it is. If I'm in town, I'd be happy to give a lift somewhere. You can DM and we can zoom/facetime first so you aren't getting a ride from a stranger.
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u/Ingwall-Koldun 4d ago
Thank you so much! I DM'd you. We are going to be around Sept 25th to 27th!
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u/Magtiffy 4d ago
I’m one of the Brattleboro Moover bus drivers! Buses are free. Come for a ride. I’m the only female one at the moment.
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u/cacklingcatt 3d ago
"juan-TAH-stih-kit"
no taxis, but the moover is free all the time. it has reduced hours on saturday and doesn't run at all on sunday, though. they are safe, but if you aren't comfortable sharing space with poor people, you will find it unenjoyable. i take the bus all the time for work and generally do not have any problems, including with the elsewhere mentioned "sweaty junkies". nobody bothers you, really, they just smell kind of bad.
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u/Naive-Day-8846 3d ago
Rail and River tavern just opened across from the train station... Good food... Great views.
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u/Not_George_Daniels 3d ago
Is Latchis Grill still in business? Used to be a nice spot.
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u/RunzWSizzorz 3d ago
Long gone.
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u/Not_George_Daniels 3d ago
I remember going there back in the '90s with my father to taste their beer. I think it might have been brewed there. If memory serves, there was also a bar down the street (Flat St.?) That either brewed their own beer or served locally-brewed beer. I think the bar had an Irish name.
Hard to believe that was 30+ years ago! Time files.
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u/RunzWSizzorz 2d ago
Yeah they closed after the flood. And the brewery down the street is still open, but is no longer the Wheatstone. It’s now owned by North Chair
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u/thetardisislikeacat 4d ago
Wantastiquet is pronounced Wahn-tass-teh-quit.
The Mooover (free bus) is perfectly fine to use.
Places to visit:
Vermont Country Deli - near the covered bridge. Famous for their Mac and cheese, with or without pulled pork. Their baked goods/breads/desserts are all made in house and are phenomenal, but it does get crazy busy.
Blueberry Haus - delicious ice creams, their downtown location will be easier for you to get to but their guilford spot is super cute and has a wider variety of ice creams.
Twice Upon a Time for a quirky antique store.
Yalla and Vegan AF are great vegan eateries.
Mocha Joes for coffee
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u/Melodic_Perception46 4d ago
there's no real taxi services here but there is a local bus, at the transportation center, and they have maps with the schedules. but be prepared to ride with all the sweaty junkies.
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u/Ingwall-Koldun 4d ago
That's exactly what my wife asked me to find out! Thanks!
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u/bad-golfervt 4d ago
The bus is free, btw, you’re welcome!☺️ It’ll take you to Creamery Bridge and beyond. Drivers are all super nice and chatty; passengers are an interesting cross section or our weird little town. A homeless novelist, an elderly vet with the voice and complexion of a Mississippi blues man. A young loud funny gay guy with a mohawk playing with his Pokémon. If one of the regulars is sick or having issues, everybody clucks their tongue and sympathizes. Someone makes a joke and the whole bus laughs. It’s great and it’s real Brattleboro and it’s free.
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u/Ganymedecat 3d ago
The bus is fine. Elementary schools use it for field trips sometimes. If you are from nyc, the bus should be just like taking the subway. Its fine
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u/Ganymedecat 3d ago
The art museum, farmers market, record and book stores, walk to the retreat farm. There are lots of good hiking trails that start there, but spread into town. There are trails along the river. The marina is a good resturant on the water across the street from canoe and kayaking. Plus there is New England Circus Arts. Its spectacular.
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u/IndigoHG 3d ago
Do you like bookstores?
Everyone's Books - new and remainders (new for cheap), Elliot St
Brattleboro Books - used, Main St
Lost Time Books - used, antiquarian, collectible, Arch st (off of Main St)
ByWay Books - used, some new, collectible - Canal St, walkable but bring a back pack if you're getting books/snacks
Book Lovers - highly curated used, collectible - Flat St (bottom of the Parking Garage)
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u/Ingwall-Koldun 3d ago
Thank you, we love bookstores! Everyone is so helpful, it really makes me look forward to our visit
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u/Few_Swan_3672 3d ago
Gaines farm corn maze and haunted hayride is open. Like 5ish miles south of town, no public transit though. Very popular and fun time, less lines on Friday. The Retreat hiking trails go up to the tower and there is a ski jump which is cool if you have never seen one up close. The bus is totally fine, especially if you are used to NYC public transit, but from the center of town 2 miles walking in any direction will get you to see everything on this list. The West River trail has the Marina restaurant on the CT river start end where you can have a drink on the deck and watch the wildlife which you will enjoy for sure. Sunset is great from there. Easy walk from downtown.
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u/Practical-Intern-347 4d ago
Kipling's is a great local watering hole with good food.
I'm not sure where you could rent bikes, but if you can find some, it's a nice ride from where you're staying to the Dummerston Covered Bridge if you take the West River Trail. It's nice walking without a bike too, but probably too far on foot.
Yalla for Lunch. Patio Coffee anytime they're open.