Set in a scenic river valley, the commercial town of Brattleboro is not just a good spot for provisioning; it has a funky, slightly dated charm that's part 19th century, part 1960s. The rough brick texture of this compact, hilly city has aged nicely, its flavor enhanced since its adoption by ex-flower children, who moved here, grew up, cut their hair, and settled in, operating many of the best local enterprises.
While Brattleboro is very much part of the 21st century, its heritage runs much deeper. In fact, Brattleboro was Vermont's first permanent settlement. (The 1st actual settlement, which was short-lived, was at Isle La Motte on Lake Champlain in 1666.) Soldiers protecting the Massachusetts town of Northfield built an outpost in 1724 at Fort Dummer, about 1 1/2 miles south of the current downtown. The site of the fort is now a small state park with campground. In later years, Brattleboro became a center of trade and manufacturing, and the home of Estey Organ Co., which once supplied countless home organs carved in ornate Victorian style to families across the nation.
Brattleboro is the commercial hub of southeastern Vermont at the junction of I-91, Routes 5 and 9, and the Connecticut River. It's also the most convenient jumping-off point for those arriving from the south via the interstate. If you're looking for supplies, a strip-mall area with grocery stores is just north of town along Route 5. For more interesting shopping, take the time to explore downtown.
Brattleboro has long seemed immune from vexations of modern life, but one modern inconvenience has made a belated appearance: traffic jams. Lower Main Street (near the bridge from New Hampshire) can back up heading into town, leading to a bit of un-Vermont-like horn-honking and frustration. It's a source of considerable local grousing.
