Located in a picturesque corner of southern Vermont, the Bennington Battle Monument commemorates a Revolutionary War battle, which actually took place across the state line in New York. Soaring 306 feet above the town of Bennington, the monument has the distinction of being the tallest structure in Vermont. Ordinarily I might opine on the historical significance of such a monument, but in this case my interest was more superficial. The monument features an observation deck, where you can take in spectacular views of three states, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, making it a great place to enjoy New England’s fall foliage.
http://www.benningtonbattlemonument.com/index.html
To the East there’s Bald Mountain and Prospect Mountain, two of the highest peaks in the Green Mountain range. Look North and you’ll see Mount Equinox, the highest point of the Taconic Range. Look to the West and you can enjoy views of New York, including the site where the Battle of Bennington was actually fought. Finally fix your gaze to the South, and you’ll spot Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts.
Bennington is definitely off the beaten path, but should you ever find yourself in the area, the views are definitely worth the $5 admission fee. For what its worth, the historical aspects of the monument are pretty cool as well. I’m glossing over the history, but the battle was actually a fairly consequential part of the American Revolution. For anyone interested in such things, there are several informational displays at the base of the monument, which do a nice job of explaining the battle’s importance. If that’s not your thing, no worries. It was pretty clear most people were there exclusively for the views.
For those of you who were intrigued by my previous post on Hildene, the historic home of Robert Todd Lincoln, note that the Bennington Battle Monument is only 20 miles away. I did both in the same day, and a visit to the monument makes for a nice addition to a fall afternoon in Vermont.
Wow! Those views 😍