Small-town, peaceful living in rural Bennington
Eighteen miles southwest of Batavia, Bennington is a quiet town offering rustic seclusion and single-family home prices below the national median. “People are drawn to the area because it is still very rural,” says Joanne Rosenthal, town clerk. Shopping and dining options are limited, but farm stands are a common sight. “People … put their produce out on the road for sale,” Rosenthal says. “A lot of times, it’s on the honor system. It’s an honest community — friendly.” Residents often travel to Batavia or Alden for errands, and commuting to Buffalo or Rochester is routine. “You can get to Downtown Buffalo in 30 to 45 minutes, same with Rochester,” Rosenthal says.
Secluded farmhouses with spacious lots
Bennington’s single-family homes were built from the mid-19th century through the present day. Their styles are eclectic, but historic farmhouses, late 20th-century ranch-style homes and 21st-century custom builds are common. Many homes are tucked away on spacious, wooded lots, providing privacy and space for outbuildings. Other homes are clustered together in hamlets like Cowlesville, offering a slightly more close-knit feel. Septic and water tanks are typical throughout the town. “A lot of the properties have ponds as their water source,” Rosenthal says. Depending on size and features, prices typically range from $130,000 to $450,000. Smaller homes and fixer-uppers can fall below that range, while larger properties occasionally sell for more.
Picnics and baseball at Pine Tree Park
With pastoral fields, mature trees and meandering creeks, Bennington is primarily defined by its natural beauty. “We’re very wooded,” Rosenthal says, also mentioning the area's rolling hills. “We have a beautiful park.” Pine Tree Park is a peaceful setting for family gatherings, and has a picnic pavilion, playground and Little League diamonds. “We have our local summer concert series at Pine Tree Park,” Rosenthal says.
Seven miles away, Darien Lakes State Park’s miles of dirt-packed hiking and cycling trails set the scene for an outdoor adventure. The 1,800-acre park is home to dozens of bird species, including blue jays and lesser yellowlegs. The Angry Apple Disc Golf Course offers challenging play with its narrow fairways, while Harlow Lake provides sandy shores and a designated swimming area for a relaxing beach day. The lake’s open for boating and fishing, too, with lots of pumpkinseed and largemouth bass to catch.
Fast-casual eats, sports bars and Maple Weekend
Most of Bennington’s businesses are set along Clinton Street, including the Pine Lounge. “That’s kind of our local watering hole,” Rosenthal says. “Cool little restaurant — been there since the early 1900s.” The family-owned bar and restaurant serves a wide range of comfort food, from fried bologna sandwiches to pierogies. On Fridays, there’s a fish fry, and on game days, there’s a crowd of Bills fans. Kadds Mart offers grocery basics, including a modest produce and deli selection. Down the road, the Bennington Bar & Grill is a laid-back spot to bowl or shoot pool. There are also several farms in the area, including Merle Maple. “There is a lot of maple syrup produced around here,” Rosenthal says. “They have Maple Weekend. There are tastings, and their products are sold year-round."
Nine miles away in Alden, Broadway is lined with locally owned shops and eateries. The Alden Bakery & Cafe serves hot coffee and strawberry doughnuts, while John & Mary’s — a staple for more than 50 years — offers pizza and subs with creative twists like the Texas Hot Pizza, topped with hot dogs and mustard. The Pink Cow is another favorite, serving treats like banana splits, slushies and cotton candy. Tops and Save A Lot cover grocery needs.
Clubs and dual enrollment at Alden public schools
Bennington is part of several school districts, including Alden Central School District, which Niche rates a B-plus overall. Kids in kindergarten through second grade start at Alden Primary before moving to Alden Intermediate for third through fifth grade — both are rated B-minus. The B-rated Alden Middle teaches sixth through eighth grade, and offers extracurricular clubs like aerobics, robotics and writing. At the B-plus-rated Alden High, teens may take dual-enrollment courses for credit at SUNY Erie.
Bennington Historical Society and the Cowlesville Flea Market
The Bennington Historical Society sponsors occasional events throughout the year. “On Memorial Day, they read the veterans’ names up at the Cowlesville Cemetery and the Attica Marching Band marches down,” Rosenthal says. In July, the society sponsors the annual Cowlesville Flea Market. A tradition for over 40 years, the flea market brings the community together for a day of antiquing and fresh strawberries with whipped cream. The society also operates a seasonal museum that looks into the town’s past through photos and artifacts, including 200-year-old grist stones.
State Route 77 provides access to Buffalo and Rochester
Some hamlets, like Cowlesville, are sidewalk-lined, but the town is considered car-dependent overall. State Route 77 provides connecting access to Batavia, 18 miles away, Buffalo, 29 miles away, and Rochester, 54 miles away. United Memorial Medical Center is 19 miles away, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a 22-mile drive.
