Places to Know in Bennington and Beyond
Bennington faculty and staff share their favorite places to explore in the town of Bennington and beyond.
Table of Contents
Specialty Shops
The Bennington Bookshop
109 South Street
Bennington, VT
- First established in 1928, The Bennington Bookshop is the oldest independent bookstore in Vermont.
Hawkins House
262 North Street
Bennington, VT
- Exceptional quality handcrafted jewelry, crafts, and unique gifts.
Jay’s Art Shop and Frame Gallery
Rte. 7, South Street
Bennington, VT
- The largest independently owned art supply store in Vermont.
Northshire Bookstore
4869 Main Street
Manchester Center, VT
- A large family-owned independent community bookstore dedicated to the art of bookselling.
Food & Dining
Kevin’s Sports Pub and Restaurant
27 Main Street
North Bennington, VT
- Local sports pub and restaurant serving wholesome, nutritious, and homemade food for over 40 years.
Pangaea Restaurant & Lounge
1-3 Prospect Street
North Bennington, VT
- The peak of Bennington’s dining scene—flavorful food and plate presentation that makes for a sensational experience. Founded by the late Bill Scully ’94 and co-owned by Lani DePonte Disorda '11
Power’s Market
9 Main Street
North Bennington, VT
- Built in 1840, Powers is the oldest Vermont country store. While serving as a hub in the village, Powers Market has evolved over the years to now offer a cafe and deli inside the store.
Elm Street Market
251 Elm Street
Bennington, VT
- Beloved local deli, also offering catering.
Market Wagon
1896 Harwood Road
Bennington, VT
- A Menonnite-owned shop offering quality sandwiches, homemade breads, jams and relishes, fudges and chocolates, bulk items, and much more.
Blue Benn Diner
318 North Street
Bennington, VT
- Classic 1950s-era diner serving an expansive menu. Recently purchased by John Getchell ’86.
Madison Brewing Company
428 Main Street
Bennington, VT
- Popular spot in Bennington for craft beer and mouth-watering food—the area's first brew pub.
The Miller’s Toll Dinner Club & Lounge
716 Main Street
Bennington, VT
- Locally inspired cocktails paired with small plates and desserts, served in a cozy ambience.
Marigold Kitchen
25 Main Street
North Bennington, VT
- Top-notch vegetarian and vegan pizza and salad offerings.
Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza
519 Main Street #2143
Bennington, VT
- Fresh brick oven cooked New York-style pizza.
Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop
604 US-7
Bennington, VT
- Pick your own berries, eat maple ice cream, and shop Vermont souvenirs and baked good at this can’t-miss farm stand.
Lil’ Britain Fish and Chips
116 North Street
Bennington, VT
- Vermont’s only authentic English fish and chips shop, serving up classic fair and imported grocery items.
Village Chocolate Shoppe
471 Main Street
Bennington, VT
- The home of Vermont’s most mouth watering chocolates, fudges, truffles, and buttercrunch.
Arlington Inn Restaurant
3904 VT-7A
Arlington, VT
- Artfully prepared cuisine reflecting the freshest native agriculture, including authentic Vermont products. On site at the Arlington Inn.
West Mountain Inn Restaurant
144 West Mountain Inn Road
Arlington, VT
- Working directly with local organic farms and food producers, Chef Jeff Scott prepares delicious New England fare with the best seasonal ingredients. On site at the West Mountain Inn.
The Chocolate Barn
5055 Rte 7A
Shaftsbury, VT
- Faculty member Sarah Harris recommends their excellent ice cream, as well as a trip to nearby Clear Brook Farm in Shaftsbury.
Clear Brook Farm
47 Hidden Valley Road
Shaftsbury, VT
- Boasting certified organic produce, pick your own berries, and a winter CSA program.
Activities
John C. McCullough Library
2 Main Street
North Bennington, VT
- Cozy community library nestled in the heart of North Bennington.
Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion
1 Park Street
North Bennington, VT
- One of the finest and best preserved Victorian Mansions in New England, offering house tours and expansive grounds to explore.
Vermont Arts Exchange
48 Main Street
North Bennington, VT
- Offering art education programs and workshops, as well as exhibitions and performances. Oceana Wilson, Acting Dean of the College and Dean of the Library, recommends their Halloween parade as an annual event not to miss.
Bennington Monument
15 Monument Circle
Old Bennington, VT
- Standing over 306 feet, this monument was dedicated in 1891 to commemorate the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777, considered to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Bennington Museum
75 Main Street
Bennington, VT
- Home to the largest collection of Grandma Moses paintings in the world, the Bennington Museum champions Vermont’s art, history, and innovation.
Blueberry House
589 Apple Hill Road
Bennington, VT
- Pick your own blueberries and apples at this seasonal orchard, recommends Sculpture Faculty John Umphlett.
Mount Anthony Country Club
180 Country Club Drive
Bennington, VT
- Established in 1897, Mount Anthony offers a spectacular golfing green, a grill menu of exciting regional and global cuisine, weddings and events, and more.
Robert Frost Stone House Museum
121 Historic Rte 7A
Shaftsbury, VT
- Gifted to Bennington College in 2017, this literary landmark was Robert Frost’s home from 1920-1929, during which time he composed many of the pieces that became part of New Hampshire, his first Pulitzer Prize-winning volume that included “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
North Meadow Farm
726 North Road
Manchester Center, VT
- Meet the animals during a guided farm tour and purchase farm-fresh cheeses, ice cream, and more at the farm store.
Hildene: The Lincoln Family Home
1005 Hildene Road
Manchester, VT
- The summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, is open to visitors. The 412-acre estate includes a Georgian revival mansion; formal garden; observatory; a 1903 Pullman car, Sunbeam; Hildene Farm; and the welcome center and museum store.
Equinox Valley Nursery
1158 Main Street
Manchester, VT
- Plants, garden, gift shop, and seasonal items.
Explore the Outdoors
Ninja Path
Bennington and North Bennington, VT
- This trail system, ideal for biking, connects downtown Bennington to North Bennington via a series of public and private paths.
Lake Paran
North Bennington, VT
- This recreation area features a small lake, swimming, boat rentals, hiking trails, a playground, concession stand, special events, and more. It is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
160 Benmont Avenue
Bennington, VT
- Specializing in performance, custom, and unique bicycles and components.
The Tubbs Water Holes in Pownal
Hemlock Hill Road
Pownal, VT
- These waterfalls and swimming holes are a great place to cool off.
Lye Brook Falls
Lye Brook Access Road
Manchester, VT
- 1.8 mile out-and-back trail leading to the 125-foot high Lye Brook Falls.
Manchester Dog Park
340 Recreation Park Road
Manchester, VT
- Faculty member Sarah Harris also recommends the connecting Rail Trail path, also available inside the Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park.
Battenkill Bicycles
99 Bonnet Street
Manchester Center, VT
- Professional bike shop for parts, service, supplies, and gear.
Arlington Dog Park
Rte 313
Arlington, VT
- Located in Arlington Recreational Park, this dog park is nearby the playground, putting green, nature trail, and more.
In New York
Enjoy Troy
- Just 45 minutes west of Bennington, Troy, NY, boasts a great outdoor farmers' market every Saturday.
- For restaurants, Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics, recommends Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen (Korean) and Nighthawks (farm-to-table).
Benson’s Dairy Bar and Restaurant
175 Rte 67A
Eagle Bridge, NY
- Featuring an extensive menu of hard and soft serve flavors and other ice cream treats.
Moses Farm
128 State Rte 67
Eagle Bridge, NY
- Sculpture Faculty John Umphlett recommends picking tomatoes and peppers at this farmstand’s fields.
Hubbard Hall
25 E. Main Street
Cambridge, NY
- A thriving arts center dedicated to cultivating, sustaining, and promoting the cultural life of the surrounding rural community. Offering classes, music, performances, and more.
Cambridge Food Co-op
1 W Main Street
Cambridge, NY
- Aila West, Assistant Director of CAPA, recommends this shop, serving the Cambridge community and surrounding towns with wholesome, affordable, nutritious foods for over 40 years.
In Massachusetts
MASS MoCA
1040 MASS MoCA Way
North Adams, MA
- One of the largest centers for Contemporary and Performing Arts in the United States. Noelle Murphy, Dean of Studies, suggests grabbing a bite to eat at nearby Public after exploring the gallery.
The Clark Art Institute
225 South Street
Williamstown, MA
- The institute’s dual mission as an art museum and distinguished center for research and higher education dedicates it to advancing and extending the public understanding of art.