Whether it’s your first visit to Grafton or your fiftieth, one thing remains the same: you’ll feel so at home, you’ll start to wonder if you were actually born and raised here. It’s easy to see why — with an event calendar that always seems to be full, mingling with the community is as simple as pulling up a seat at Burger & Brew nights. Around here, it’s less about big attractions and more about sharing a lifestyle. There are tons of great things to do in southern Vermont. Whether you’re exploring our nature trails, sharing farm-to-table meals and Vermont craft beers, or admiring the handiwork of local artisans, the Grafton way of life is woven into everything you do.
Swimming
Grafton Swimming Pond
Behind our Homestead building, Grafton’s swimming pond — fed by the Saxtons River — is a perfect way for kids and families to cool off on a hot Vermont summer day! A shallow beach area is perfect for wading and splashing, and the deep end’s rocky wall is a launch pad for cannonballs. Lounge chairs line an open and spacious poolside patio.
Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center
Just steps from the inn, you can enjoy a large swimming pond with picnic and bathroom facilities onsite at our neighboring outdoor recreation center, Grafton Trails.
Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center
Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center
As part of our resort fee, all Grafton Inn guests have access to trail passes and equipment rentals at Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, a network of hiking, biking and ski trails right in the town of Grafton. Delight in skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, fat biking, and sleigh rides in the winter, or visit in the summer for mountain biking, swimming, hiking, and disc golf. Visit the Grafton Trail Facebook page for recent updates.
Ski & Snowboard
In addition to the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center, where you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there are several other spots to enjoy the snow sports:
- Okemo Mountain
Ludlow, VT – 30 minutes - Bromley Mountain
Peru, VT – 35 minutes - Magic
Londonderry, VT – 25 minutes - Stratton
Stratton, VT – 40 minutes - Viking Nordic
Londonderry, VT – 25 minutes - Ascutney Outdoor Association
Brownsville, VT – 45 minutes
Golfing
- Bellows Falls Country Club
9-hole course with restaurant, bar and clubhouse. - Crown Point Country Club
18-hole championship course with pub in Springfield, VT. - Brattleboro Country Club
18-hole championship course, driving range and restaurant.
Driving Tours
Covered Bridge Driving Tour
You’ll see a dozen covered bridges on this 100 mile loop, and there are many other sites to see and great places for lunch, snacks or Vermont products along the way. Snap lots of pictures and share them with us on Facebook!
Vermont Cheese Trail
Savor some of the best bites from Vermont’s top cheesemakers! Plan a driving tour of Vermont’s renowned Cheese Trail to fill your getaway with beautiful scenery and delicious destinations.
Games & Fitness
Game Room
Looking for some fun on a rainy afternoon? Want to perfect your pool skills or challenge the family to a game of ping pong? Our Game Room is located right across the street and available for guests to use as one of many included amenities.
Fitness Center
A good workout is just a few steps away. Our recently renovated Fitness Center is located in the Robinson House right next door to the Main Inn. We’ve added two new treadmills, an elliptical, and a recumbent bicycle to our collection!
Yoga
On-site yoga classes are available through Mountain Mind and Movement. They’re located on the ground floor of The Windham Cottage annex of our Grafton, Vermont hotel.
Shopping
Shops in the Village
Find that special treasure in these unique shops just steps from the Inn.
MKT Grafton
Visit this fresh take on the classic Vermont country store. Stop in for a cold drink, browse the bright interior for a variety of sundries and snacks, or request a freshly made sandwich from the deli counter.
Grafton Village Cheese Retail Store
Cheese Shop Retail Store. Brattleboro, VT – 35 minutes. Stock your kitchen cabinets with goodies from the new Grafton Village Cheese Shop, located across from the Inn’s parking lot. Inside you’ll find jams and preserves, candy, souvenirs, and of course, blocks and wheels of delicious Grafton cheese.
Mercantile
Looking for the perfect Grafton souvenir? Head to Mercantile for a decorative new addition to your home. This gift and home store features prominent, high-quality brands such as Simon Pearce and Dash & Alvert Rugs.
Surrounding Area Shops & Farms
Explore these other local shops and farms just a short drive from the Village of Grafton.
- DaVallia-Art & Accents
Chester, VT – 15 minutes - Simon Pearce
Quechee, VT – 1 hour - Retreat Farm
Brattleboro, VT – 35 minutes
- The Vermont Country Store
Weston & Rockingham, VT – 20-30 minutes - Manchester Designer Outlets
Manchester, VT – 50 minutes - Plummer’s Sugar House
Grafton, VT – 5 minutes
Biking
There are plenty of perks to visiting a rural village like Grafton, Vermont, but it’s an exceptionally good location to vacation for the adventure-seekers and cyclists among us. Bring your favorite two wheels and push pedals along one of the following dirt or road cycling routes while you’re here. In addition to the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center, where you can enjoy mountain biking in the summer and fat tire biking in the winter, there are several other places to pedal:
Dirt Roads to Ride Around Grafton
Hinkley Brook/Houghtonville Loop: 9mi/15km, 2hr., moderate terrain
A good climb to start but a great 7 mile downhill on the way home. Recommended direction is to turn left on Main Street and follow Hinkley Brook Road to the top of the hill, turn right on to Cabell Rd. leading into Houghtonville. Turn right on to Rt 121 East and return to Grafton.
Middletown Road Loop: 6mi/10km, 1.25 hr, light to moderate terrain
The inner loop of Hinkley Brook Road; turn left on Main Street and follow Middletown Road around to Rt 121. Turn right on Rt 121 and return to Grafton.
Popple Dungeon Loop: 12mi/20km, 3 hr., moderate to challenging terrain
Turn left on Main Street, follow Rt 121 west 5 miles to Houghtonville, then turn right on to Stage Coach Road. Continue to Popple Dungeon Road, turn left and ride to Windham (7mi). Turn left on to Rt 121 and return to Houghtonville and continue back to Grafton. (Alternate route: Turn Right on Popple Dungeon Road to Rt 35, then turn right on Rt 35 and return to Grafton. Rt 35 is paved.)
Putnam Forrest Overlook Ride: 7mi/12km, challenging climbs
Beautiful vistas await at the top of this loop. Follow Rt 121 west, turn right over the bridge just past Middletown Road and follow Putnam Forrest Road to the top of the hill. This turns to a jeep path ~2 miles out.
Paved Roads to Bike Near Grafton
Chester – Saxtons River Ride: 28 mi/45km, easy to moderate terrain
There is a short distance on a major road but most riding is on paved country roads. Head north on Rt 35 to Chester, turn right on to Rt 103 to Rockingham, right on to Pleasant Valley Road to Saxtons River, right on Rt 121 and continue on 121 west into Grafton.
Saxtons River Out & Back Ride: 18 mi/29 km, overall easy terrain that follows the Saxtons River
East on Rt 121 to Cambridgeport, left across the bridge, continuing on Rt 121 into Saxtons River. A good turn around point is the Saxtons River store.
Athens – Townshend Hill Loop: 18 mi/20km, 2 hr, overall moderate terrain, short unpaved section of road
Head east on Rt 121 to Cambridgeport, continue straight on Rt 35 south towards Athens. A short section of Rt 35 is unpaved, continue on to Townshend Road (look for the sign and sharp reverse Y). Turn right on Townshend Road and return to Grafton.
Tennis & Pickleball
The Grafton Inn features one private tennis court for those craving a good game. Just beyond Barrett House, you’ll find a large hardcourt tennis court, open to all guests of the inn.
The Grafton Inn also features two private pickleball courts at the tennis court location.
Breweries & Distilleries
Discover something deliciously new on this list of local libations open for outdoor dining, takeout, or curbside pickup. Stock your beer cellar or liquor shelf on this tour of Southern Vermont breweries and distilleries.
- Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery | Brattleboro, VT
Open for outdoor dining with advanced registration - Harpoon Riverbend Taps & Beer Garden | Windsor, VT
Outdoor dining available with advanced reservation - Hermit Thrush Brewery| Brattleboro, VT
- Saxtons River Distillery | Brattleboro, VT
- Vermont Distillers | Marlboro, VT
- Beer Naked Brewery | Marlboro, VT
Cans and pizza to go - Trout River Brewing Co. | Springfield, VT
- SILO Distillery | Windsor, VT
Curbside pickup and cocktails to-go (located conveniently next to Harpoon’s Beer Garden – order food for takeout and have a picnic in the park!) - Outer Limits Brewing | Proctorsville, VT
Curbside pickup for cans and food-to-go - Long Trail Brewing Co. | Bridgewater Corners, VT
Worked up an appetite curating your collection of bottles and cans? Our Phelps Barn Pub proudly serves a selection of Vermont craft beers and signature cocktails using Vermont spirits, alongside a delicious menu for takeout or outdoor dining with a reservation.
Historical Sites
Turner Homestead
An important piece of Grafton’s rich history is the story of Alexander “Alec” Turner and his family who settled here as hill farmers in 1872. Alec was an escaped slave who fought for the union army. His daughter Daisy remained in Grafton until her death in 1988, at the age of 103. The epic history of the Turner family was told by Daisy to historian Jane Beck and has been preserved by the Vermont Folklife Center, and the Turner Homestead is the first site on Vermont’s African American Heritage Trail. The Windham Foundation is the steward of this important site and story.
Grafton Historical Society
History Museum in Grafton. Organized in 1962, the Grafton Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the knowledge, stories, and heritage of Grafton Village for generations to come.
Galleries, Museums & Theater
- Weston Playhouse: Weston, VT – 30 minutes
- DaVallia-Art & Accents: Chester, VT – 15 minutes
- Brattleboro Museum and Art Center: Brattleboro, VT – 40 minutes
- Vermont Institute of Natural Science: Quechee, VT – 1 hour
- Nature Museum: Right here in town, this museum features hands-on exhibits (indoors and outdoors) and dioramas, focusing on the region’s plants, animals, and geology. Visit the Nature Museum website to view the full event calendar and to register for Museum programs.