Brattleboro, VT

East Coast Trip (6 of 9):

In our travels to all 50 of the United States, not every state has been given equal and fair treatment. On our previous visit to the East Coast in 2003, we didn't stay overnight in Vermont or New Hampshire, so we're spending a couple of nights in each on this trip.

Nancy suggested we stay in Brattleboro, Vermont and remarkably the Holiday Inn Express is within walking distance of where we stopped for lunch on our drive-through visit in 2003.

Brattleboro is a very nice town. It has a European feel with shops, cafes, churches and art galleries. It even has a railway station and traffic congestion. More importantly, it has lots of charm.

Battleboro is a town of about 12000 people. So it's similar in size to Largs, Scotland where I was born. The Norwegian Flag in the Main Street was a remarkable coincidence as Largs has strong connections with Norway. The Battle of Largs in 1263 resulted in the Vikings leaving Scotland. Time heals and today Largs welcomes folks from Norway to spend their money in the shops and pubs. "Sams" in Brattleboro claims to be "The Biggest Little Store in the World" reminding me that "Hasties" in Largs, claims to be "The Largsest Shop in the World". The 1930s Art Decor Latchi's Hotel and Theatre echoes the Viking Cinema and Nardini's Restaurant in Largs.

You'll see in the photos that the town is mostly brick buildings on the west bank of the Connecticut River. Some of the old industrial buildings have been converted to lofts and places of business. Victorian and 20th Century buildings line both sides of Main Street. There are numerous beautiful churches. The Civic Buildings, including the Library, the Municipal Offices and the Courthouse are commanding buildings which fit well with their neighbours. The Railway Station is now the Museum and has a beautiful view overlooking the River.

The Town has Style and Charm. No fast food joints with brazen, highly colored branding. It's almost possible to forget you're in the United States until you ask for service. That's when you get the Warm Welcome for which the States are rightly famous. Happy, friendly folks and solid value for money.

We spoke to various locals in the Museum, Latchi's Hotel, outside the Station, and even in the street. We received a very warm welcome from all. Everybody said they'd lived here for many years - a great advert for a happy community. The weather was perfect, the views of the river are beautiful and the architecture is very pleasing to the eye. In our travels around all 50 States, this is one of a handful of towns which has retained its Victorian origins and lives in the 21st Century.

We went into a cafe to have a smoothie and got talking to Jerry Goldberg from the Chamber of Commerce. Jerry explained about the challenges facing the town following two recent disasters. Firstly, a devastating fire last year in the "Hotel Brooks" destroyed about 50 apartments and numerous business premises. Work to rebuild is progressing well. Secondly, Tropical Storm Irene inflicted considerable damage in August 2011. Like Joplin, Missouri (which was hit by a Tornado), bad press has discouraged visitors this year.

Jerry asked me to write some words about the town and I am happy to oblige. Jerry, please feel free to reuse/rewrite these words and photos as you think best.

I highly recommend a visit to Brattleboro, Vermont. And if you've never been to Largs, Scotland - put that on your bucket list too!

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