Combining Arlington’s small-town tourism with rooted Vermont community life
Arlington is one of a string of small, historic towns that line Vermont's state Route 7A as it passes between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges. It shares the region’s propensity for dirt country roads, railroad tracks and scenic valley views, but the town’s other highways offer it a little more connectivity than its immediate neighbors. “Arlington is unique for its connection to New York. Vermont has a lot of north-to-south highways, but state Route 313 is one of the few that goes east-to-west over the mountains,” says Kristin Comeau, a sales associate at TPW Real Estate Sales who specializes in Bennington County. “Most of its density is concentrated around the junction of 313 and 7A. But if you look at a map, you see a lot of green. Farms, quintessential Vermont red covered bridges. Those kinds of things.” While it's a town where out-of-state tourists often check into historic bed and breakfasts, Arlington has also preserved the hallmarks of rural small-town living that permanent residents rely on: well-maintained natural areas, a slate of beloved annual events and highway access to Bennington County’s shire town hubs.
Recreation in nearby mountains, rivers and at the Arlington Common
The Arlington State Forest coats the slopes of the Taconic Mountains over enormous swathes of the town. Massive as it is in scale, the natural area does not have legal access points. For expansive grounds in which to fish, hunt and hike, locals head down 7A to Lake Shaftsbury State Park or farther east into the Green Mountains. Fly fishing is big in Arlington thanks to its stretch of the Battenkill, a river rich with stocked and wild trout. Anglers, tubers and kayakers might find their own access points or head to the easily accessible stretches that border Arlington Recreational Park. The town’s large central park is also a hub for youth sports games, time on the playground or nine-hole golf course and a farmers market on Fridays. Once a Catholic church, the Arlington Common was created by a local nonprofit in 2021 to be a centralized spot for community, wellness and creative resources. Residents might head to the complex’s facilities to do some yoga, play pickleball, craft or practice their fly tying.
A mix of housing styles on rural acreages
Set back on forested lots or flat plots cleared along country roads, Arlington’s single-family homes are a blend of styles found throughout much of rural Vermont. Some cabins and colonials date back to the 1800s. Other newer construction homes mimic those classic, boxy designs, or branch into more ornate Victorian styles popular during the early 1900s. Simpler National and minimal traditional homes from the prewar era are characterized by lower square footage and simpler interiors. Ranch-style homes, bi-levels and New Traditional designs built from the 1970s to the 2000s offer slightly larger floorplans. Most single-family homes set on small acreages or suburban-sized lots sell for $215,000 to $600,000, depending on their size, age and interior updates. Especially grand historic homes, and those built on the water or on more than 5 acres, usually go for around $540,000 to $1.8 million.
Shopping and dining in town
Specialty businesses and locally owned restaurants line Routes 313 and 7A, breaking up rows of single-family homes and inns. The Wayside Country Store has been a fixture since the 19th century, selling limited groceries and prepared foods and sandwiches. Roadside restaurants like the Arlington Dairy Bar cater to locals looking for a quick meal as well as those passing through. Many businesses in the area connect their specialties to the natural area, including Bronwyn on Battenkill, a German restaurant with a classic tavern-style dining room and an outdoor biergarten offering views of the mountains and river. For weekly shopping trips, residents typically make the 20-minute drive to places like Walmart in Bennington.
Events at the Arlington Common
Though it's called the Vermont Fly Fishing Festival, the four-day springtime tradition put on by the Arlington Common manages to jam in a lot more than just fishing. Barbecues, cocktail hours, an art show and live music are key events during the festival, although anglers are naturally most excited about fly tying and casting competitions. The Arlington Common also puts on many other community events throughout the year, including a popular book festival where dozens of authors and hundreds of readers meet for signings and talks.
Arlington’s fully public school district
Many towns in Bennington County operate a hybrid public and school choice system, making Arlington’s system stand out. “Arlington has its own public schools for kindergarten through 12th grade. It’s not like a one-room schoolhouse, but it is one campus for everybody,” Comeau says. Fisher Elementary covers prekindergarten through fifth grade and earns a C-plus from Niche. Across the street, Arlington Memorial Middle/High School earns a B-minus. Older students can choose dual enrollment courses to get credit from Bennington College, the Community College of Vermont and Southern Vermont College.
Taking State Route 7a to the northshire and the southshire
Route 7A offers a direct path from Arlington to Bennington County’s two shire towns, Manchester and Bennington. Manchester’s cultural, retail and hospitality hubs are about 8 miles north, while Bennington College and the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center are about 15 miles south. Although most residents are car-dependent, the Green Mountain Express bus does stop in Arlington while traveling between the two county seats. Albany International Airport is about 55 miles away.
Seasonal challenges in Arlington
The changing of the seasons can bring about different environmental challenges in rural Vermont. Freezing, snowy winters mean residents will keep an eye out for snowplows and install snow tires on their vehicles. Once the long process of snow melting and ground thawing begins, mud season arrives, a springtime stretch where dirt roads and trails may become harder or unsafe to travel until the ground hardens. That same snowmelt, paired with unusually heavy rain, may cause flooding on streams and rivers like the Battenkill. Buyers in low-lying areas can consult maps to understand their risk and potential need for insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
