The southwestern corner of Vermont, known as The Shires of Vermont, is defined by the Taconic Mountains on the west and the Green Mountains on the east. This region has the distinction of having two shire towns, or county seats, in Bennington and Manchester.
The Manchester-Bennington region offers a sampling of everything that makes Vermont special - picturesque small towns with village greens, whitewashed steeples, quaint bed & breakfasts, cows at pasture alongside wonderful old hay barns, a multitude of farms providing fresh produce to local restaurants, and picturesque covered bridges. Visit Manchester and choose from historic inns to modern boutique hotels to family-friendly motels. Explore history at Hildene (the Lincoln Family home), shop Manchester Designer Outlets or unique Vermont shops, or enjoy hiking or biking on nearby trails, fishing the Battenkill, or skiing at nearby Stratton or Bromley. For the golfer, choose from a number of different courses offering variety in terrain and challenge.
Or head to Bennington, the other shire town in the region, and take in the panoramic view from the top of the Bennington Battle Monument, the tallest man-made structure in Vermont. Visit the Bennington Museum to see Grandma Moses' fascinating artwork. Home to both Bennington College and Southern Vermont College, Bennington exudes small-town charm with its quaint shops, restaurants, and lodging choices.
Travel through the Shires on the three specially designated scenic byways in the region. You can head north along the Shires of Vermont Byway which begins at Vermont’s southern border and follows Route 7 and 7A to Manchester. Head out of Manchester along Route 30, the Stone Valley Byway, to explore multiple state parks perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor pursuits. Or travel the Molly Start Byway between Brattleboro and Bennington along Vermont Route 9 near the southern border of the state. The Shires of Vermont are easily accessible from New York and New England, making the area a popular, year-round tourist destination. The Shires of Vermont. "So Vermont. So near."
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Vermont Events in October
Acting For Grades 5 & 6 With Michelle Cox
9/24/20 - 10/29/20
For kids in grades 5 & 6. Students will build a solid acting foundation while working with other young actors in a safe, fun and non-competitive atmosphere. We will work to sharpen acting skills and create characters through improvisational games and scenes. This is a great class to gain confidence in actor instincts and choices. Class will be outdoors as much as weather allows and will run according to Department of Health guidelines for COVID-19 risk management. Scholarships available. Please contact Erin Kaufman at 802.367.1306 or ekaufman@svac.org for more information.
Voting in a Time of Uncertainty: What’s at Stake in the 2020 Elections?
10/27/20 - 10/27/20
Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL) is happy to welcome back Middlebury College Professor Matthew Dickinson to talk about what's at stake in the 2020 elections. November’s election will determine control of the presidency, Senate and possibly the House. How will the pandemic affect the results? This talk analyzes how this fall’s elections are similar to previous ones… and how they are likely to differ. Registration for the talk is $15 per person in advance. For more information or to register, please call 802-867-0111 or visit our website at greenmtnacademy.org.
Fallapalooza! 2020
10/30/20 - 10/30/20
Storefront Trick-or-Treating (individual location times may vary) ,
In-Store specials all day!
Crafter and Gift Vendors,
Lots of Children's Activities,
Escape Rooms,
Sand Art,
Food Trucks,
Live Entertainment,
Pig Roast,
Medieval Combat Demonstrations.
Halloween on the Hill at SVAC
10/31/20 - 10/31/20
We are excited to host SVAC’s 2020 Halloween on the Hill. This year’s activities will include:
Costume contest & parade,
Magic show by Tom Joyce,
Performances by Taconic Music,
Carved pumpkin display/contest,
Spooky story time.
More info coming soon!
This year’s event will be by registration only and will follow all current COVID-19 safety guidelines.
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