Historic Arlington, Vermont: Slow-paced but Full of Charm

In southwestern Vermont, between Bennington and Manchester, lies the low-key town of Arlington. Nestled in the valley of the Green Mountains and the Taconic Mountains, in a National Bear Reserve, Arlington reminds visitors of what it's like to live a slower paced life. Everyone seems generally happy here and residents go about their day in a leisurely style.
Here you will not find the large chain stores or restaurants found in other larger cities. Instead, there are Mom and Pop stores, restaurants and lodgings such as The Sugar Shack, The Cheese House, Chauncey's Family Dining, Jonathan's Table, The Arlington Inn and the Candlelight Motel, among so many others.

For recreation there is the Arlington Rec Park where you can play golf, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball. There is also a wood-chipped path through a wooded area behind the park where you can take an enjoyable stroll by the bustling Battenkill River. Or you can stop at the designated stations along the path and try certain workouts and stretches detailed on wooden signs.

A warning to visitors who want to walk this path: During golf season there is high chance of golf balls being hit into the woods on the path you would be walking on. I've had a few close calls so it is best to be on the lookout.
The nearby Battenkill River offers fly fishers the opportunity to fish for trout, however, because of the preservation acts in the area, the fish must be thrown back. Still, the river offers fun for others who love to go canoeing or tubing on its cool, clear water.

There are also plenty of side roads visitors can take to see beautiful views of the Vermont countryside including, cows, horses, and perhaps even deer, fox, moose and bear. Sightings of bear and moose are less frequent than seeing other forms of wildlife.

Notable people who used to live in the area helped to make Arlington a literary and artistic inspiration. Some of these people are artist Rockwell Kent; Ethan Allen a Revolutionary War soldier who lead the Green Mountain Boys; author Dorothy Canfield Fisher whose Aunt, Martha Canfield, worked at a library that is now named after her.

Another notable figure and perhaps known more on a national level was the artist Norman Rockwell. Rockwell painted many covers for The Saturday Evening Post and when he painted he would often times use local people as models. A few of these models are still in Arlington.

On historic Route 7a, right in town, you will find the Norman Rockwell Exhibition and Gift Shop. There you will find many rooms of paintings, magazines and other items of interest all dedicated to the painter.

Rockwell's Arlington home, on River Road, is now The Inn on Covered Bridge Green, a historic bed and breakfast located a few hundred feet away from a covered bridge and surrounded by rolling hills and excellent views of the mountains.

Arlington may not have a whole lot to offer an adventure seeker, or anyone who is looking for a thrill. Yet it has the charms of a welcoming historic town with beautiful mountain and country views, kind people and great food. Arlington is also in close proximity to the higher paced cities of Bennington and Manchester, Vermont and Saratoga, New York.

Whether you're someone who enjoys the slow paced life, or someone who likes a little more adventure like hiking or mountain climbing, Arlington is in the heart of both worlds.