Family / Social
Bennington Downtown
Summer in the Park Concerts – Main Street, Bennington
Phone:
Age: All Welcome
Dates: July & August Weekends
August 9-15 Bennington Battle Day Events & Parade
Burdett Commons
We offer provide services for seniors such as “SASSIES” coffee socials, activities and trips. We have an adolescent drop-in center and a variety of youth programming. Our services for parents include the Mom-To-Mom Mentoring Program and parenting workshops. We also provide inter-generational activities such as cooking and gardening.
Phone: 802-375-6515
Location: PO box 459
3854 Route 7A
Arlington, VT 05250
Information: Please call
Sports / Outdoors
Arlington Park & Recreation
Public 9 hole course, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, baseball field, and nature trail.
Location: Route 7A, Arlington, VT 05250
Phone: 802-375-9564
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Free (Donations Excepted)
Battenkill Canoe LTD
Offering a variety of canoe trips from daytrip canoe rentals on the Battenkill to fully supported 2-10 day exclusive outdoor vacations with stays in cozy country inns. From quiet water to whitewater, no other outfitter offers our Vermont special combination trips.
Location: 6328 VT Route 7A, Sunderland, VT 05250
Phone: 800-421-5268 or 802-362-2800
Website: www.battenkill.com
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Visit Website or Call for Details
Canoeing Opportunities
Manchester to Arlington (10.5 miles) Batten Kill River (flat water and quick water): Put in at the bridge on Union Street, ¾ mile east of Rt.7A in Manchester. This stretch of the river is passable in spring and in summer, given normal water levels. The river flows through farming country and is mostly easy, flat water paddling with some riffle sections. The Route 7A Bridge at 8 miles provides a good take out spot. After the Roaring Branch enters (left), there is a mile-long stretch of flat water followed by a section of easy rapids (class II). After the Rt. 313 bridge at 10 miles (and some additional rapids), take out (right) after the Rochester Bridge, just west of Arlington.
Arlington to East Greenwich NY (20 miles) Batten Kill River (flat water and quick water): Here the river is wider and generally slower than on the above stretch- it offers good rafting and inner tubing, as well as canoeing. There are a number of deep pools which provide good swimming, and frequent bridges provide ready access. The countryside is mostly rural with some towns. At 7.5 miles, cross under NY Route 313. After Shusan at 14 miles, pass four RR bridges, and at about 18 miles pass under the Route 22 bridge. After passing another RR bridge take out (right) above the dam in East Greenwich.
Bennington to Wallomsac Village (9 miles) Wallomsac River (Class I and II): A pleasant paddle through scenic countryside – there are two portages. Put in from Silk Road in North Bennington. After about a mile, take out just before the iron bridge (after the second covered bridge), crossing Murphy Rd. After another mile, carry to the left of the dam. Fine paddling for the next 6 miles or so until the dam at Columbia Products (smokestack) is reached. Leave the river on the left bank and climb up to the road. Best in spring or early summer.
Somerset Reservoir: Is a 1600 acre, 5 mile long lake offering excellent still water canoeing and an interesting shoreline. There are some islands at the northern end worth exploring; dam is at the southern end. Take Somerset Road north from Route 9 (9 miles) to boat launch and picnic area. See Recreation Areas for more info on lake canoeing.
More Sports/Outdoors Activities
Bennington Bowling Lanes
Men and women’s bowling leagues, as well as, single and family bowling time.
Phone: 802-447-7100
Age: Adult & Children
Time: Call for Details
Fee: Call for Details
Location: Northside Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
Bennington Recreation Center
This facility is for residents and non- residents. This facility has a 25 yard, 6 lane pool that is used for many therapeutic and recreational programs. The facility, has a weight room, sauna, multi-purpose room (which can be used for B-day parties, etc, tennis courts, handball courts, outdoor basketball courts, softball field, and volleyball court. The recreation center has assigned times for swim lessons and other swim programs.There are two outside facilities that are part of the recreation center, which are Stark St. playground and Willow Park Pavilion and the community built park on East Road in Bennington.
Contact: Tracey Knights, Director; Chris Rhodes, Asst. Director; Carrie Fabricius, Aquatics Director
Phone: 802-442-1053
Location: 655 Gage Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Mailing: PO Box 469
Time: Call for Details
Fees: Call for Details
Hoosick Falls Country Club
Scenic 9 holes over 2,788 yards with a par of 34. Public course with golf shop and spacious clubhouse.
Location: Richmond Avenue, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
Phone: 518-686-4210 or 518-686-1969
Website: www.hoosickgolf.com
Fee: Visit Website or Call for Details
Lake Paran Recreation Area
Lake Paran is open during the season until Labor Day with operating hours from 11am until 7pm. Swimming, beach, pavillion, summer programs and concerts.
Location: Lake Paran Rd.
PO box 393
North Bennington, VT 05257
(802) 442 2422
Lake Shaftsbury / Shaftsbury State Park
Beach, swimming, picnic area, hiking, canoe and paddleboats, pavillion, camping
262 Shaftsbury State Park Rd.
Shaftsbury, Vermont 05262
Park Phone: 802-375-9978
Open for day use: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM or Official Sunset
Season: Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend
Website: http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/shaftsbury.htm
Mile Around Woods
Short hiking trail next to Park McCullough House
North Bennington, VT
Mile Around Woods (pdf)
Mt. Anthony Country Club
Open to the public seven days a week – features an 18-hole regulation length course: 6,364 yards of golf from the blue tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 70.5 and it has a slope rating of 127. Newly renovated clubhouse, restaurant, and pro-shop.
Location: 180 Country Club Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-442-1617
Website: www.mtanthonycc.com
Fee: Visit Website or Call for Details
New England Tropical Conservatory
Fostering the conservation, appreciation, and understanding of tropical plants, 96 acres of open meadow, wetland, and woodland just over a mile from Bennington’s main street. Trails are open to the public daily for hiking and recreation.
Location: Route 7 South, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-447-7419
Website : www.netrop.org
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Free (Donations Excepted)
Southern Vermont Storm Football
New England Football League. Courage, Commitment, Community
Location: 107 Rollin Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-688-6651
Website: www.southernvermontstorm.com
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Call for Details
Sunset Playland
Family fun center including miniature golf, go karts, & batting cages.
Location: 1487 Route 7A, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-442-3555
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Call for Details
Fishing Spots
Batten Kill River: The Batten Kill is probably Vermont’s best known trout stream. Despite years of heavy fishing, its reliably cool waters consistently yield excellent quality brown and brook trout. Originating above Dorset, it flows for about 25 miles in Vermont, through Manchester and Arlington, before emptying into the Hudson River in New York State. Access from along Route 313 and various other points. Inquire locally about access points.
Walloomsac River: The cool tributaries of the Walloomsac, the Roaring Branch and Stamford Stream (Woodford), South Stream (Pownall), Furnace Brook and Paran Creek (Shaftsbury/Bennington) have good brook and brown opportunities with some possibilities for rainbow trout.
Swimming Spots
Lake Shaftsbury State Park: 10 miles north of Bennington, just east off Route 7A. Swimming beach, boat/canoe rentals, fishing, self-guiding nature trails. Picnic areas, camping facilities
Woodford State Park: 10 miles east of Bennington on Route 9. Adams Reservoir: swimming, boat/canoe rentals (no motors), fishing, self-guided nature trails and camping facilities.
Grout Pond Recreation Area: Off Kelly Stand Rd., 12 miles east of Arlington. This 79 acre pond is popular with canoers, fisherman and windsurfers. Swimming is unsupervised. The ten miles of hiking trails in easy terrain serve cross-country skiers in winter.
Batten Kill River: The cool waters of the Batten Kill offer fine swimming and inner-tubing. Tubing is especially popular on the 4-mile stretch from Arlington to West Arlington. The covered bridge in West Arlington is a favorite swimming spot. The Route 313 bridge near Arlington and the next bridge (over to River Road) are also popular spots.
Lake Paran, North Bennington: Excellent small lake in North Bennington offering supervised swimming. Grassy areas, picnicking. Off Main Street past the old train depot, turn left then right. Fee charged.
Walloomsac River, Woodford: Some limited swimming and general cooling off is possible in the Walloomsac River as it runs along Route 9. Park near the Bennington-Woodford town line and walk down to the river.
History / Museums / Cultural Activities
Bennington Battle Monument
The Bennington Battle Monument, dedicated to the famous Battle of Bennington that took place during the Revolutionary war in 1777, is a 306′ stone obelisk opened to the public in 1891. Elevator to the top offers fantastic views.
Location: 15 Monument Circle, Old Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-447-0550
Hours: 9am-5pm 7days/wk (mid April – Oct. 31st)
Website: www.historicvermont.org/bennington/
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Adult $2, Children (6-14) $1
Bennington Center for the Arts
The Bennington Center for the Arts brings world-class fine art, history and theatre to the residents and visitors of Southwestern Vermont. The center’s permanent art collection, sales exhibitions, live theatre by Oldcastle Theatre Company and exhibits within the Covered Bridge Museum are available to visitors throughout the year.
Location: Route 9 West Road at Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 442-7158
Website: www.benningtoncenterforthearts.com
Age: Adults & Children
Fee: Adults $9, Senior/Student $8, Family $20, Under( 12) Free
Bennington Museum
The Bennington Museum is known as the trusted caretaker of the largest collection of Grandma Moses art and memorabilia available to the public. Located in the heart of Vermont, our galleries evoke the rich heritage of this state with collections of paintings to pottery to historical objects and fine furniture.
Location: 75 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-447-1571
Website: www.benningtonmuseum.org
Age: All
Fee: Call for Details
Norman Rockwell Exhibition – Arlington Gallery
Meet his models. Exhibits. 15 Minute Film. Gift Shop
Location: 3772 Historic Route 7A, Arlington, VT 05250
Phone: 802-375-6423
Age: All
Fee: Call for Details
Oldcastle Theatre Company
Delivering world-class, professional, live theatre to Southern Vermont. From comedies, to edgy and thought provoking dramas, to your favorite classics. Old Castle gives you Broadway-style live theatre at Vermont prices. Our state-of-the-art theatre is open year-round and is in the Bennington Center for the Arts, where parking is always free.
Location: 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-4470564
Website: www.oldcastletheatreco.org
Age: Teen and Adult
Fee: Call for Details
Park-McCullough House
Make your own history at one of the most glorious country estates in New England. At Historic Park-McCullough, you experience the grandeur of the house often described as “One of Vermont’s jewels”.
Tours, special events, weddings, and Summer Sundays at Four Concert Series are some of the functions held here. Also other programs, Croquet League and youth educational programs.
Location: 1 Park Street, North Bennington , VT 05257
Website: www.parkmccullough.org
Age: All
Fee: Call for Details
Robert Frost Stone House Museum
Built c. 1769, this literary landmark, only minutes away from Frost’s gravesite in Bennington, was opened in 2002 to honor America’s favorite poet. Frost lived in the Stone House in South Shaftsbury, Vermont from 1920 to 1929. The exhibits are educational and literary covering Frost’s life and art.
Location: 121 Historic 7A, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
Phone: 802-447-6200
Website: www.frostfriends.org
Age: All
Fee: Call for Details
Vermont Arts Exchange
Since 1993 the old mill on Sage Street has been the home to the Vermont Arts Exchange whose mission is to strengthen communities and neighborhoods through the arts. To bring art, art education, exhibition and performance opportunities to people of all ages, abilities and income. Basement Music Series.
Location: Sage Street , North Bennington, VT 05257
Phone: 802-442-5549
Website: www.vtartxchange.org
Age: All
Fee: Call for Details
Vermont Covered Bridge Museum
The Covered Bridge Museum at The Bennington Center for the Arts offers exhibits on the history of covered bridges in Vermont. Discover the history and legends of these wonderful structures in the world’s only museum dedicated to their preservation. Explore the exhibits on engineering, construction, tools, and creators.
Location: 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-442-7158
Website: www.benningtoncenterforthearts.org/CBMHome.htm
Age: All
Fee: Call for Details
Covered Bridges to Visit
Bridge at the Green, West Arlington: On the Batten Kill River. An 80’ Towne Lattice span. Located 4.5 miles west of Arlington just off of Route 313. One of the most photographed bridges in the state.
Chiselville Bridge, Sunderland: 117-foot Towne Lattice construction. Built in 1870. Located on Maple Street between East Arlington and Sunderland, east of Route 7A. The narrow, one-lane bridge spans a deep gorge.
Henry Bridge, North Bennington: Located just off Route 67A in North Bennington on Murphy Road. The 125 foot span is rare double truss type. Built in 1840.
Paper Mill Village, North Bennington: On Murphy Road, a short ways upstream from Henry Bridge. 125 foot span, built in 1840.
Silk Road, North Bennington: Third in a series of bridges across the Walloomsac River. Off Route 67A, on Silk Road. 88 foot span, built in 1889.
North Bennington’s covered bridges cross the Wallomsac River and are quite near each other. All five bridges are of Towne Lattice construction.