Cumulative Official Town Count | Unofficial town count |
102 | 46 |
This episode of the VT 251 exploration encompasses the natural playground and bucolic wonderland of BRAINTREE, STOCKBRIDGE, PITTSFIELD, KILLINGTON, BRIDGEWATER, POMFRET, BARNARD, & BETHEL. With the possible exception of Braintree, these towns offer expansive views and outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone. It's no wonder, then, that this playground is a visitor and second-home magnet bringing with it plenty of money and therefore upscale general stores where toiletries and a wide range of wines share shelves.
BRAINTREE
Braintree, VT feels much smaller than its population of 1,207 (in 2020) would lead you to believe. Lots of dirt roads must be where folks live. There is no town center to speak of, and town hall is actually in the unofficial town of West Braintree. Bent Hill Brewery is up a dirt road and not much to look at from the entrance, but its location offers amazing views off the back deck. Aside from beer, it offers a (meatless) menu. Check for hours before you go -- we were there in the morning (before it opened) so I can't say how good the beer or food is, but you can assume it will all be locally sourced. There is also a farm "stand" (kind of a stretch as it is actually located in a run-down looking mobile home) called Gizmos Pickled Plus (on a different dirt road), which is open only on Fridays from 10-10:30am -- if you check it out, please report back! Vermonters LOVE to pickle things, so I was curious to see what they were offering. This is farm country, for sure (just ask the muddy soles of my sneakers, lol).
STOCKBRIDGE
Stockbridge, VT (pop. 718 in 2020) was charted in 1761 with most of its land grantees being from Massachusetts. It is a rural town which has preserved its historical roots, as seen in the really lovely town green with its old and well-maintained Meeting House, Common School and cemetery behind the monument to fallen soldiers. As this foray took place during pride month, a visit to the Gaysville part of town seemed especially a propos. In that section of town are an adorable post office (in my top 5 so far!) which we found by accident and the Belcher Library (on a hill with no obvious parking places, which was curious). The town of Stockbridge is easy to miss as it is not on the main road (route 107/100).
PITTSFIELD
Pittsfield, VT (pop. 504 in 2020) is located on route 100, a major (for VT) north-south road which cuts through the Green Mountains and many of its small towns. It is just north of Killington and offers loads of recreational trails (hiking, biking, etc), as well as a classic town green. Interestingly, the town has two general stores, pretty much across the street from eachother -- the "Original" and the "Pitt-Stop." Both offer good food (lunch at the Original was delicious -- get the breakfast burrito and thank me later), but that's where the similarities end. The Original is an upscale store with its own wine cellar! And, it is imperative that I share about a life-changing cinnamon sugar donut made in-house (mostly on weekends) at this "Original" General Store: texture was sublime and I think they add just a hint of salt, which ups the ante on all other donuts of this sort. Across the road is the Pitt-Stop which includes the town post office and gas station. It abuts the town green which has the requisite gazebo and fallen soldiers memorial, but also a totem pole of sorts with the town's values. Also on the green is one building which serves as the town's library, town offices, and historical society, and another building which is town hall. Lots of multi-purposing in Pittsfield!
KILLINGTON
Killington, VT (pop. 1,407) is best known for its massive ski resort of the same name. And while the ski resort really is world class and offers much to do all year round, there is more to the town than just the resort and its various eateries, outfitters, and entertainment. Take, for example, the most-impressive waterfalls I have seen in the state: Thundering Brook Falls (aptly named). The trail there is accessible (board walk), easy, and short, and connects to the Appalachian Trail. For more (real) hiking, boating, swimming, and fishing, you can check out Colton and Kent ponds. The town offices are pretty new, as is the library, and the recreation center is beautiful, with fields, a pool, and tennis courts. The Dream Maker Bakery is supposed to be great, but it closes at 2pm and we pulled in at 2:02pm...; next time we'll pay closer attention to time!
BRIDGEWATER
Bridgewater, VT is spread out along both sides of route 4 and encompasses the villages of Bridgewater Village, West Bridgewater, Bridgewater Corners, and Bridgewater Center for its 903 residents (as of 2020). It is home to Long Trail Brewing Company, which is now under the same ownership as Shed, Harpoon, and Otter Creek Brewing. Should you find yourself peckish or thirsty, or in need or want of beer swag, a stop at Long Trail is recommended. There is a General Store (of course) in Bridgewater Corners with a good selection of sandwich offerings, wine, sundries and creemees. Additionally, and also relevant for the visitor to the area is the Bridgewater Mill complex which may not look like much but holds the town post office, Ramuntos Pizza & Brew (delicious aromas), as well as the very upscale furniture and design store called Shackleton Thomas (think: $95 mugs). If you're interested in watching wood furniture being made, and/ or looking for beautiful wood furniture and furnishings, definitely check them out!
POMFRET
Pomfret, VT (pop.916 in 2020) is arguably one of the most picturesque towns in the state, and is a popular (second-home) destination for wealthy flatlanders looking for a quiet place to get away (this includes celebrities). South Pomfret is where the "action" happens, which is to say where the theater, library, general store and post office are located. The roads and buildings there are in very good shape, and one private home even includes a former public covered bridge (aka South Pomfret Covered Bridge aka Teago covered Bridge aka Barnard Brook Wooden Covered Bridge). Also in South Pomfret is Saskadena Six, a small but decent ski area formerly known as Suicide Six. The town hall and offices are in Pomfret Center, which is up in the mountains surrounded by dirt roads and sweeping vistas. And zero cell coverage... This and the neighboring next town (Barnard) are lovely places to get lost on the dirt roads with a full tank of gas in summer or fall.
BARNARD
Barnard, VT (pop. 1,207 in 2020) is a bucolic town in the Green Mountains with lots of dirt roads and one of the most expensive, exclusive and highly-rated (all-inclusive) resorts in the country: Twin Farms (with an electric gate at its entrance), a Relais & Chateau property (think $3-4k/night -- double during fall foliage!). There is also a fairly well-stocked general store, located just across the road from Silver Lake State Park at what is possibly the only stop sign in town.
BETHEL
Bethel, VT is tiny but, like many tiny VT towns, has a very nice library for is roughly 666 residents. The main street has seen (much) better days, but it is absolutely not dead. There's a town forest and the town is known for its white granite, which is the granite used to build Union Station in Washington, DC.
Come back again next week for another VT 251 episode!
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