Bennington Potter

The first pottery in Bennington was made by a Revolutionary War veteran in 1793. Since then, the town has become famous for its earthenware, a tradition that is carried on at Bennington Potters (324 County St., 802/447-7531 or 800/205-8033, www.benningtonpotters.com, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.), which is equal parts outlet store and museum. You can browse several rooms of mugs, bowls, and plates made in the company’s distinctive “speckleware” patterns then watch craftsmen at work, spinning clay in the potters’ yard.

Old First Church

Robert Frost once wrote, “One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.” It’s fitting that his final resting place should be under a small grove of birches behind Bennington’s Old First Church (1 Monument Cir., 802/447-1223, www.oldfirstchurchbenn.org, 10 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m. Sat., 1–4 p.m. Sun. late May–Jun.; 10 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m., Mon.–Sat., 1–4 p.m. Sun July–mid-Oct., donations welcomed). In addition to Frost’s grave, the cemetery also contains those of American, British, and Hessian soldiers killed at the Battle of Bennington.

Robert Frost Stone House Museum

Robert Frost’s trail can be followed north of town to the Robert Frost Stone House Museum (121 Rte. 7A, Shaftsbury, 802/447-6200, www.frostfriends.org, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sun. May–Dec., $5 adults, $2.50 students under 18), where the poet lived for several years. Inside are changing exhibits dedicated to exploring Frost’s life, along with a permanent exhibit dedicated to the poem “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” which he wrote at the dining room table here “on a hot June morning in 1922.” On the grounds, you can amble among the stone walls and some of Frost’s original apple trees, along with the woods that inspired the poem.

Covered Bridge Museum

It was only a matter of time before someone decided to dedicate an entire museum to that cult tourist phenom, the covered bridge. Enter, the Covered Bridge Museum (Rte. 9 at Gypsy Lane, 802/442-7158, website, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wed.–Mon., $9 adults, $8 students and seniors, children under 12 free), which includes exhibits on bridge design and tools along with a light-up map showing the locations of all 100-some Vermont examples. No less than five are within a few minutes’ drive of Bennington, including the dramatic Chiselville Bridge (East Arlington Rd., off Rte. 7A, Sunderland), which spans a gorge over the Roaring Branch Brook.

The Covered Bridge Museum is located in the Bennington Center for the Arts (44 Gypsy Lane, 802/442-7158, www.benningtoncenterforthearts.org, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wed.–Mon., $9 adults, $8 students and seniors, children under 12 free), a large complex with mediocre displays of New England paintings and Native American arts.

Park-McCullough House

One of the most impressive Victorians in New England is the Park-McCullough House (1 Park St., 802/442-5441, www.parkmccullough.org, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily mid-May–mid-Oct., tours on the hour, $10 adults, $9 seniors, $7 students, children under 12 free), a Second Empire mansion filled with lavish antiques and period furniture. A separate carriage barn contains carriages, sleighs, and fire-fighting equipment.