In the 1700s, the Brattleboro area was subject to frequent Indian raids and Fort Dummer was built in 1724 as a scouting post and a trading center.

In 1753, the town was named after its title owner, William Brattle, Jr. He died in Nova Scotia in 1776 during the outbreak of the Revolutionary War and never visited the town named after him.

Today, Brattleboro is a bit of an artists' community. You can find a lot of art galleries and shops filled all sorts of things ranging from art to the somewhat illegal.

You could spend most of the day shopping on Main street in Brattleboro. There is definitely a shop for everyone...

At 181-3 Main Street you'll find an oriental rug and furniture shop which is very interesting to look through. However, getting any kind of service is close to impossible.

Almost right next door is a shop called "Save The Corporations From Themselves". When you first walk in the shop you are hit with the aroma of the soaps and candles. They smelled so good. Everything in this shop is environmentally safe and all natural. There are a lot of hemp products, so stock up if you are into that. My husband and I spent quite a bit of time in the shop looking around and the girl working there was extremely helpful and friendly.

Across the street are interesting shops named Beatniks, The Book Cellar, Underground (they sells bongs and other paraphenalia you may or may not be interested in), and Vermont Artisan Designs. This is all is a little mall-like area. Towards the back of this is a bakery named "The Upper Crust" which is rumored to have the best bread.

Just off Main Street, you can find a candy shop - Tom & Sally's Handmade Chocolates. This is the home of the famous Vermont Cow Pies. If you don't buy anything else in this candy shop, buy a cow pie. They are very yummy and come in different types of chocolate with various types of nuts.

Oh! You don't want your lunch to be of chocolate? OK! Try the Mole's Eye Cafe just off Main Street on High Street. You go down a set of stairs to enter the cafe and the atmosphere is rather darkened - hence the name. Feel free to bring your children - the waitress I chatted with was very friendly. Most Friday and Saturday nights there is live entertainment. Check their website for more information.

I spent most of my time in Brattleboro poking along Main Street. However there is a lot more to do... Here are their guides to recreation, arts, indoor activities, and shopping.