Historic Farmhouse B&B with Gourmet Regional Cuisine

The Putney Inn is located on some of southern Vermont’s most historically significant land. The area’s first homestead was created here in 1752, when King George III deeded 300 hectares to an English army captain. Later, American settlers would learn how to boil maple syrup here. Today, the estate and its restored colonial farmhouse are home to The Putney Inn, a country-style B&B overlooking the Connecticut River that's within easy driving distance of the Green Mountain ski resorts of Okemo, Mount Snow, and Stratton. The inn honors its historical legacy with a collection of Queen Anne furnishings, but these days it’s more famous for its delicious food.

Using organic products from local farms and wineries, executive chef Chris Babbin prepares gourmet meals such as roast turkey with apple stuffing ($23.95) and pan-seared scallops with vanilla-roasted potatoes ($27.95). The restaurant also features a designated comfort-food menu, or you can sample microbrews and duck wings next door at Sheba’s Tavern. In the morning, guests are treated to a Vermont farmhouse breakfast that includes maple-cured meats and sugar-dusted griddle cakes.

Guest rooms at The Putney Inn are located in a building adjacent to the main farmhouse. Wingback chairs and poster beds reflect the inn’s Queen Anne style, and all rooms have private baths. Thanks to a partnership with Village Arts of Putney, original art decorates the rest of the property. Head to the dining room to check out the latest exhibition, or rent a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes to explore the gorgeous woodland trails that inspired such work.

Putney, Vermont: Scenic Agricultural Village with Art Galleries and Nearby Skiing Venues

Located in the scenic countryside of southeastern Vermont, Putney is a small agricultural village dotted with dairy farms and orchards. It’s known around New England for producing some of the best apples, cheddar cheese, and maple syrup in all of Vermont. A number of writers, artists, and craftsmen have found inspiration in Putney’s rural landscapes over the years, and today the town supports a flourishing arts community. You can explore these long-standing traditions at local studios, spinneries, and woodworking shops or browse international woven wares at Basketville.

Putney’s quaint downtown center is home to bookstores and cafés, and from there, back roads lead to unspoiled terrain ideal for hiking. There are also local streams stocked for year-round fishing. To take in some quintessential Vermont scenery, take a drive along Route 30, a narrow river-valley road dotted with covered bridges and country stores. Three premiere downhill-skiing resorts, Okemo, Mount Snow, and Stratton, are about an hour away from town. And there’s a strong cross-country-skiing culture here—Putney’s ski program is said to have “produced the greatest group of cross-country skiers ever to represent this nation.” Some of the area’s best Nordic and snowshoe trails can be found at Grafton Ponds, located about 20 miles north of Putney.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.