Jim McGrath Gallery in Wilmington, Vermont showcases the stunning oil landscape paintings of self-taught artist Jim McGrath, who traded his 30-year carpentry career for full-time painting in 2006 after years of creating art for pleasure at his West Dover home. This Vermont art gallery has been operating for approximately 19 years, with McGrath first sharing gallery space in 2006 and opening his own studio around 2005-2012, where he now works four days per week creating plein air paintings influenced by Dutch masters and comparable to Winslow Homer's style. Visitors to this Wilmington Vermont gallery can watch McGrath paint using palette knives and makeup brushes to create highly textured works that capture Vermont's natural beauty through embellished light and shadows, with paintings priced accessibly from $150 for small 5x7-inch framed originals to $4,800 for large pieces, plus $3.50 greeting cards and affordable prints. Ranked #2 of 9 things to do in Wilmington on TripAdvisor with 14 overwhelmingly positive reviews, the gallery earns praise as a "hidden gem" where McGrath's "extraordinary talent," "true eye for light," and friendly personality create memorable experiences for art collectors and casual browsers alike. The 70-year-old Massachusetts native arrived in Vermont in 1976 and now maintains both his gallery studio and home workspace, producing unnamed landscape paintings of barns, sugarhouses, woodland paths, and scenic vistas using his signature $5-per-square-inch pricing formula. Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at this Route 100 Vermont art destination, the gallery offers an open studio experience where visitors can observe works in progress, discuss techniques with the artist, and purchase original Vermont oil paintings that capture the everyday spirit of southern Vermont's changing seasons and natural highlights.
The West River Railroad Museum in Newfane, Vermont preserves the remarkable history of the "36 Miles of Trouble," the notorious narrow-gauge railroad that operated from 1879 to 1936 between Brattleboro and South Londonderry. Opened in October 2017 after a comprehensive $125,000 restoration, this free Vermont railroad museum occupies the authentic 1880 Newfane Depot Building and the only surviving enclosed water tower from the West River Railroad still in existence. The Historic Society of Windham County purchased the abandoned station for $40,000 in 2014 and transformed it into a family-friendly attraction showcasing original railroad artifacts including a working Fairbanks freight scale, teletype equipment, station master's diary, and a restored handcar that visitors can operate on relaid tracks. Operating eight years since its grand opening, the museum welcomes visitors Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 PM, with year-round appointments available by calling (802) 365-4148. Featured on Vermont Historical Society's video series and praised as a "hidden gem," this historic railroad museum in Vermont sits in National Register-listed Newfane Village and offers interactive exhibits, family scavenger hunts, and educational programs about the steam engine era. The museum has received positive visitor feedback on TripAdvisor, with travelers praising the high-quality exhibits, knowledgeable volunteer guides, and estimated 1-2 hour visit duration perfect for Vermont family attractions along the scenic West River Trail.
The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) has served as southern Vermont's premier contemporary art museum for 53 years since its founding in 1972, when two citizen groups united to save the historic 1915-1916 Union Station from demolition and transform it into a vibrant cultural anchor at 10 Vernon St in downtown Brattleboro. This Vermont art museum now offers Pay As You Wish admission (free courtesy of M&T Bank) and produces 15-20 rotating exhibitions annually featuring renowned artists from Andy Warhol and Chuck Close to Wolf Kahn and Howardena Pindell, alongside 60-70 public programs including artist talks, workshops, and film screenings throughout six to seven gallery spaces within the National Register-listed quartzite train station. Currently exhibiting "Singing in Unison, Part 13: Homage to Meyer Schapiro" with 30 artists including Mark Rothko and Philip Guston, plus solo exhibitions by Erika Ranee, Elliott Katz, and Ray Materson, BMAC maintains its mission as a non-collecting museum focused on "the art of our time" while serving as Vermont's affiliate for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards since 2011. Operating Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with membership levels from $350 to $1,000+, this contemporary art Vermont destination earned TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award placing it in the top 10% of properties worldwide based on 92 reviews praising the "wonderful space in an old railroad station with amazing exhibits," "high quality exhibits for such a small museum," and "friendly and knowledgeable staff." The historic building itself adds architectural charm with original marble floors, marble staircase, the preserved ticket office (now "Ticket Gallery"), and stunning views of the Connecticut River and surrounding mountains, while the ground floor continues serving as an Amtrak waiting room for the daily Vermonter train service. Wheelchair accessible with extensive community partnerships and educational programs, this Brattleboro museum offers ARTravel international programs, First Friday Gallery Walk participation, and serves as a launching pad for emerging artists while hosting alumni who've attended prestigious institutions including Juilliard, NYU Tisch, and Carnegie Mellon.
New England Youth Theatre (NEYT) has transformed young performers ages 6-19 for 27 years since its 1998 founding by Artistic Director Stephen Stearns, operating from its renovated 100 Flat St location in downtown Brattleboro since 2007 to produce 20 plays per season with 10-12 professional-level performances annually. This youth theater Vermont organization offers conservatory-style training through mainstage productions, three-semester acting classes, summer camps including Shakespeare intensives and melodrama programs, and technical training in stage managing, scenic design, lighting, and costuming, all guided by NEYT's mission to foster growth through theater arts in a welcoming, youth-centered community. Operating on an inclusive sliding scale tuition model, families can choose financially comfortable rates for summer camps ($575-$675 for two-week sessions), shorter programs ($150-$200 for five half-day sessions), and fall/winter classes, with completely free programs including Town Schools afterschool programming and Design & Production mentorship thanks to foundation support. Show tickets for this Brattleboro children's theater range from $15-$18 for regular productions to $30-$175 for special Broadway in Brattleboro events, with recent performances including "Little Women" (December 2025) and "Chicago: Teen Edition," staged in a fully accessible, recently renovated theater with flexible staging configurations. NEYT boasts exceptional alumni success with graduates attending Juilliard, NYU Tisch, Carnegie Mellon, and Boston University College of Fine Arts, while parent testimonials and reviews praise the organization for building confidence in shy children, creating lasting friendships, and providing safe, supportive environments with professional standards. With 2,500+ Facebook fans, 1,394 Instagram followers, and community recognition for "stellar children's programming" that transforms "bashful youngsters into performers who can capture an audience's rapt attention," NEYT continues year-round operation supported by sponsors including The Royal Diner, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and numerous local businesses. Contact this Vermont youth theatre and drama classes Vermont provider at (802) 246-6398 or visit www.neyt.org to register for acting classes, summer theater camps, or purchase tickets to experience professional-quality performances created by Vermont's next generation of theatrical talent.
The Latchis Theatre at 50 Main Street in Brattleboro, Vermont is one of only two surviving Art Deco buildings in the entire state, making it a must-see Vermont historic landmark and cultural destination. Built by the four Latchis Brothers as a memorial to their Greek immigrant father Demetrius P. Latchis, this stunning "Greco Deco" atmospheric theater opened on September 22, 1938, and has operated continuously for 87 years. The interior features breathtaking Greek mythology murals by Hungarian-American artist Louis Jámbor, a midnight-blue zodiac ceiling, terrazzo flooring, and original architectural details that earned it membership in the League of Historic American Theatres. Originally seating 1,140 patrons, today's four-screen cinema offers a 750-seat main theater plus three smaller venues showing first-run Hollywood films, independent movies, art films, live performances, concerts, comedy shows, film festivals, and special community events. Admission is remarkably affordable at $10 general/$8 for matinees, students, and seniors, with concessions priced reasonably at $6 for large popcorn with free refills. Rated 4.3/5 stars on TripAdvisor with 76 reviews and designated a Travelers' Choice attraction ranking #1 of 3 entertainment venues in Brattleboro, reviewers consistently praise its historic charm, generous legroom, friendly staff, and diverse programming. The Brattleboro Arts Initiative, a local nonprofit, purchased the theater for $1.3 million in 2003 and completed a major $550,000 restoration in 2013, preserving this irreplaceable piece of Vermont Art Deco architecture and Brattleboro's cultural identity even after weathering Hurricane Irene flooding in 2011. Contact: jon@latchisarts.org.
Tilting at Windmills Gallery at 24 Highland Avenue in Manchester Center is one of New England's largest fine art galleries, celebrating 54+ years of showcasing museum-quality original artwork since its founding in 1971 by Sean Hunt and Tom Simmons. What began as a small poster and framing shop has evolved into a premier Vermont art destination featuring original oil paintings, egg tempera works, stone sculptures from Zimbabwe, semi-precious gem sculptures from Canada, and life-size horse sculptures spanning styles from classical to postmodern and rural Americana to abstract. The gallery represents distinguished artists including A. Hale Johnson (rural Northeast scenes for 40+ years), Nancy Howe (Master with Oil Painters of America), and Stuart Dunkel (whimsical mice paintings), with artwork priced from approximately $150 to $79,000+ and award-winning custom framing designed specifically for each piece. Admission is free to browse this comfortable, spacious showroom in Manchester's Historic Depot, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM, and Wednesday-Thursday by appointment only. Rated an exceptional 4.9/5 stars on TripAdvisor with Travelers' Choice designation ranking #10 of 32 Manchester attractions, reviewers describe it as "like visiting a fantastic art museum" and praise current owner Terry Lindsey (the gallery's third owner since 1990) for his expertise, hospitality, and boutique art-consulting approach that helps visitors design collections. Located at the corner of Routes 11/30 and Highland Avenue—just 3.5 hours from New York City and 2 hours from Boston—this Manchester Vermont art gallery has been a cornerstone of Vermont's cultural scene and a destination for serious art collectors seeking investment-quality pieces with appreciation potential, making it an ideal rainy-day activity or complement to outlet shopping. Contact: tilting@tilting.com.
Helmholz Fine Art at 442 Main St in Manchester, VT opened in 2014 after owner Lisa Helmholz-Adams transformed a four-year vacant raw space into a sophisticated contemporary gallery, bringing her 28-29 years of Vermont fine art industry experience including 20 years running another Manchester gallery to create what became a nationally recognized destination. In 2023, the gallery earned "BEST IN VERMONT" distinction and was selected as one of the Top 20 Best Galleries in the USA by the prestigious American Art Awards based on industry reputation, represented artists, and socially relevant exhibits, operating 10+ years with free admission and an appointment-only satellite location in Tribeca, NYC. Open Friday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, and Wednesday-Thursday by appointment (closed Monday-Tuesday), this Vermont art gallery specializes in dynamic large-scale contemporary art across sculpture, classical realism, abstract expressionism, fine art photography, street art, painting, pottery, and egg tempera realism with works by masters whose pieces reside in permanent museum collections including NASA's Kennedy Space Center alongside Rauschenberg, Warhol, and Rockwell. Featured artists include Elizabeth Torak (large-scale figurative master), Thomas Torak (17th-century classical realism techniques), Stephen Schaub (custom-camera landscapes on rare handmade papers), Cynthia Rosen (award-winning palette knife artist with works around $3,400), Colin Goldberg (augmented reality technopressionist), and Stefania Urist (conceptual glass ceiling sculptures), representing high-end museum-quality fine art for serious collectors. The gallery's modern light-filled space with metropolitan feel and intimate viewing salon receives consistent praise on Facebook (628 likes) with reviewers describing Lisa as "knowledgeable, friendly and professional" with "endless knowledge and passion," calling it a "unique gem in the art gallery world" with "New York City level exhibition" quality. Director Romona Helmholz (Lisa's mother) is classically trained from Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design, while Lisa's background growing up in Dakar, Senegal and working in NYC fashion, arts, and sports informs the gallery's diverse international perspective and unique Global Reach Initiative using proceeds to support Hunger Free Vermont, Ready for Reading in Rwanda, and other humanitarian causes. The gallery hosts interactive "Art in Action" exhibitions, artist demonstrations with live painting and discussions of rare techniques including grinding paint and 17th-century methods, and "Rare & Wild" exhibitions establishing long-term relationships between master artists and collectors at this premier Vermont contemporary art gallery.
The Bennington Museum has welcomed visitors to 75 Main St in Bennington, VT since 1928, with organizational roots tracing back to 1852 when the Bennington Historical Association was founded to commemorate the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington. This premier Vermont museum of art, history, and innovation houses over 40,000 objects across 14 galleries on a 10-acre campus, operating 97 years and earning TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice award (top 10% of properties). Current admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors/military/students 18+, and free for youth 17 and under, with hours from 10am-4pm (closed Wednesdays June-October, Thursday-Monday April-May and November-December, closed January-March). The museum's crown jewel is the world's largest public collection of Grandma Moses paintings, complemented by the defining collection of 19th-century Bennington pottery, Revolutionary War artifacts including the historic Bennington Flag, and a Bennington Modernism gallery featuring avant-garde works by Helen Frankenthaler, Kenneth Noland, and other Bennington College-connected artists. Visitors consistently praise the museum for exceeding expectations, with TripAdvisor reviewers noting "fabulous museum," "beyond impressed," and highlighting collections that span Vermont creativity from the 1700s to present including the rare 1924 Martin-Wasp Touring Car (one of only three surviving), the world-famous Jane Stickle Quilt, and Gilded Age Vermont exhibits. The museum features free parking with EV chargers, full wheelchair accessibility, a research library, wildflower trails, outdoor sculpture installations, and a highly-rated gift shop featuring Vermont crafts and history books. Special programs include summer Concerts in the Courtyard on Friday evenings (extended hours until 7pm June-September), Museum ABCs for preschoolers, genealogy research resources with documents from George Washington and Ethan Allen, and North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) benefits for members.
The Bennington Battle Monument at 15 Monument Circle in Old Bennington stands as Vermont's tallest structure at 306 feet 4½ inches and the second-tallest unreinforced masonry building in the United States (only the Washington Monument beats it). This Vermont State Historic Site commemorates the Battle of Bennington fought on August 16, 1777, a pivotal Revolutionary War victory where Brigadier General John Stark's militia and Colonel Seth Warner's Green Mountain Boys defeated British forces and weakened General Burgoyne before the decisive Battle of Saratoga. Boston architect J. Philipp Rinn designed it, and they built the thing from 19 million pounds of blue-gray Sandy Hill Dolomite limestone. President Benjamin Harrison showed up for the dedication on August 19, 1891, along with 3,500 other guests. Visitors take an elevator to the 200-foot observation deck for panoramic views spanning Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts on clear days. The interior's 417 steps have been closed to the public since around 1960 (probably for the best, honestly). Open seasonally late May through October 31 from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, admission is $8 for adults and $2 for kids ages 6-14, with free entry for veterans, active military families, and Green Mountain Passport holders. Rated 4.4/5 stars on TripAdvisor with over 760 reviews and ranked #3 of 29 Bennington attractions, this Travelers' Choice spot features a 1964 battle diorama, an iron kettle from Burgoyne's camp at Saratoga, bronze and granite statues of Revolutionary War heroes, a gift shop with local-made items, and picnic grounds where the lawn is popular for photos and sunset views. Vermont celebrates August 16th as Bennington Battle Day (a unique state holiday) with special commemorations at this iconic Vermont Revolutionary War site and Bennington landmark. Pairs well with the nearby Bennington Museum for a full day of southern Vermont history. Contact: info@benningtonbattlemonument.com.
The Park-McCullough Historic Mansion at 1 Park Street in North Bennington is one of New England's finest and best-preserved Victorian mansions, with 35 rooms spread across 200 acres of manicured grounds, formal gardens, and woodland trails. Attorney and railroad magnate Trenor W. Park built it in 1864-65 for $75k, hiring Henry Dudley to design this French Second Empire masterpiece (one of the earliest examples of the style in America). The place has 15-foot ceilings, a 75-foot main hall, 14 chimneys, 18 original Italian marble fireplaces, parquet floors, and original gas chandeliers. What really gets me is they've kept roughly 100,000 original family artifacts here instead of filling it with replicas. President Benjamin Harrison visited in August 1891 for the Bennington Battle Monument dedication, and the dining room is still set up the way it was for his visit. Open July 4 through October 12 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Admission runs $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65+, and $8 for students, with kids 12 and under free. Want a docent-led tour? That's an extra $2 and worth it. The grounds stay open dawn to dusk year-round with access to the Mile-Around Woods trail and 9+ miles of connected hiking paths. Rated 4.3/5 stars on TripAdvisor with 76 reviews and 4.8/5 on WeddingWire. This North Bennington historic attraction doubles as a premier Vermont wedding venue and hosts annual events including the beloved Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration, classical music concerts, outdoor theater performances, summer croquet league, and Living Room Theatre productions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972 and operated by the nonprofit Park-McCullough House Association since 1968, this Vermont historic house museum offers an authentic glimpse into Gilded Age Vermont with staff who genuinely care about what they're preserving. Contact: info@parkmccullough.org.
