Vermont : Safety by City
- Bennington
- Brattleboro
- Champlain Islands
- City of Burlington
- Ludlow
- Middlebury
- Montpelier
- Newport City
- Rutland
- St. Albans
- Stowe
Bennington, Vermont, is a charming town in the southwestern corner of the state, renowned for its rich history, picturesque natural beauty, and welcoming community.
The town was the first in Vermont, founded in 1761.
Bennington played a pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War, hosting the famous Battle of Bennington, a decisive victory for the Continental Army.
An obelisk memorial stands more than 300 feet tall today, commemorating this battle.
Visiting Bennington is like getting three towns in one.
The Old Bennington neighborhood, a designated historic district, boasts beautifully preserved colonial-era buildings.
Then, you have North Bennington and Bennington CDP, featuring individual local village vibes.
Beyond the town center, Bennington is surrounded by the rolling hills and lush forests of the Green Mountains.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore numerous hiking trails, including the renowned Appalachian Trail.
The region inspired Robert Frost so much that he wrote many verses here, including “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
Visitors to Bennington can enjoy a range of activities, including exploring art galleries, attending live theater performances, and savoring the town’s thriving culinary scene, which celebrates locally sourced ingredients and innovative cuisine.
Whether you’re seeking a glimpse into history, an outdoor adventure, or a taste of New England charm, Bennington offers an unforgettable experience.
Warnings & Dangers in Bennington
OVERALL RISK: LOW
The risk is low, but the city is coming off a few years of higher-than-average crime rates. We'll go into that in more detail later on, but you also have plenty of safe options to explore while you're here.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Check the Green Mountain Express shuttle service to see if the routes and times suit your needs. Rideshares and taxis will be available, though not as much as you would find in a larger town. A rental car is your best bet.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
About five pickpockets or purse snatchings happen each year, which is a low risk but definitely higher than in most Vermont cities.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Bennington faces a low risk of natural disasters, with two that stand out. The area is susceptible to floods due to its rivers and streams. Additionally, winter storms can cause significant snow accumulation and ice.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
An average of seven robberies happen each year in Bennington, with about 2-3 of those being highway robberies. The risk is low, but you shouldn't let that allow you to let your guard down.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Bennington has a low risk of terrorism. It is not typically considered a high-profile target for terrorist activities. However, residents and visitors should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The local Better Business Bureau office and the state Attorney General’s office will have common scam tactics and protection advice.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
For women travelers in Bennington, the overall risk is low. Bennington is generally a safe destination with low crime rates. However, it's always advisable to take common-sense precautions, such as avoiding isolated areas at night, keeping valuables secure, and being aware of your surroundings.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2024 report shows full compliance and no violations in Bennington. The risk is low. I would suggest fall and spring visitors check the schedule for hydrant flushing, which can temporarily impact water color, clarity, and pressure.
Safest Places to Visit in Bennington
The tourism website for Bennington is vermontbeginshere.com.
Before we get into the things to do, I want to point out that this website has a section called Necessities.
I applaud them for doing this because it is an easy-to-find list of places like medical services, auto service sites, and other types of functional help for a person new to the area.
Bennington Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of American folk art, including the largest public collection of paintings by Grandma Moses.
The museum also features exhibits on local history, decorative arts, and military artifacts, providing a comprehensive look at Bennington’s past.
Standing 306 feet tall, the impressive Bennington Battle Monument commemorates a pivotal event in the American Revolutionary War.
Visitors can take an elevator to the observation deck for panoramic views.
Old First Church, built in 1805, is the oldest in Vermont and a beautiful example of early New England architecture.
It is also the final resting place of poet Robert Frost, whose grave is located in the adjacent cemetery.
Park-McCullough House is a Victorian mansion built in 1864-65.
Guided tours take you through its lavish interiors and provide insights into the life of a prominent 19th-century family.
The estate also includes beautiful gardens and walking trails.
The trail here is known as the Mile-Around Woods, with more information available on the North Bennington website.
Robert Frost Stone House Museum is just outside of Bennington in South Shaftsbury.
This historic house was the poet’s home from 1920 to 1929.
The museum offers exhibits on Frost’s life and work.
A two-mile trail spans between the house and Lake Paran.
Bennington Potters has been producing high-quality, handcrafted pottery since 1948.
Visitors can tour the workshop, learn about the pottery-making process, and shop for unique pieces.
Bennington Center for the Arts features rotating exhibitions of fine art, including paintings, sculptures, and Native American art.
It also hosts performances and educational programs.
Please note that the Covered Bridge Museum is no longer here.
The Dollhouse and Toy Museum of Vermont features adorable and intricate works of art designed to inspire the imagination of children.
Exhibits rotate throughout the year.
The Vermont Museum of Miniature Art is connected to the dollhouse museum.
Two scenic drives are popular here, and each one will take you through the Shire towns of Bennington County.
One is the Vermont Fall Foliage Drive, and the other is the Shires of Vermont Byway.
Maps for each one are available on the tourism site.
If you want to do more hiking, head to the Bennington Area Trail System (BATS) website at batsvt.org to find the locations and difficulty levels.
The trails are open year-round for hiking, running, skiing, and snowshoeing, as seasonally appropriate.
There’s also a cave and a summit hike.
Places to Avoid in Bennington
There might be a few parts of Bennington that seem somewhat sketchy, but there’s not a place that is too dangerous to visit or considered an awful part of town.
As with any city, you should avoid walking around unlit areas, especially around Maine Street, late at night.
Some of the hotels and motels in town were used for disaster and homeless housing, which could impact the availability and comfort levels of out-of-town guests.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Bennington
- Bennington does have a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook @BenningtonPolice. Call
(802) 442-1030 with any safety questions. - If you have any information about a crime that happened or see suspicious activity, you can email tips@benningtonpolice.com. Every little bit of information helps. There is also an anonymous tip form online if you don’t want them to have your email address.
- To receive emergency alerts, sign up for the Vermont Alert System, which sends notifications via text, email, or phone. Ensure your smartphone is set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) for timely notifications.
- When you are within the border of Vermont, you can dial 511 to get road condition information. This is especially helpful during winter storms. There’s also 511vt and New England 511 websites and apps to help you navigate the roads.
- You can obtain a fishing license online through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website or in person at various license agents throughout the state. Prices vary based on residency and duration (annual or multi-year). Residents aged 15-64 and non-residents aged 17 and older require licenses.
- Around Bennington, there are several popular swimming holes in the woods. As tempting as they might be, please use proper safety steps. The Vermont Department of Health recommends always entering feet first, never jumping into a hole, and avoiding the water for a few days after storms due to unpredictable currents. The department also has a list of the most dangerous swimming holes where deaths have occurred.
- Read about the Chain Up Law in winter if you’re driving toward Wilmington on Route 9. While chains or snow tires aren’t required for passenger vehicles, you should definitely consider getting a four-wheel drive vehicle if you are going over the mountain in snowy conditions.
- If you plan to visit the wilderness during your visit, check the hunting seasons in Vermont. It’s advised that everyone wear the color hunter orange during the hunting season so that hunters can spot you from the animals they are hunting.
- A winter overnight parking ban is in effect for all street parking in Bennington from November 15 through April 15. Avoid leaving your car on the street, or you could risk getting ticketed and towed.
- Looking at the police department’s social media sites, there are a lot of lost dogs in Bennington. If you find one, please take it to the police department or call for help.
So... How Safe Is Bennington Really?
The violent crime rate in Bennington is 53% higher than the national average and 173% higher than the national average.
Less than 10% of crimes over the past five years happened to strangers, which should ease your mind about those rates.
Also, 57% of violent crimes happen in private homes.
Robberies are 13% lower than the national average, and there hasn’t been a year in the past decade that reached 10 robberies.
The theft rate is 102% higher than the national average.
About 37% of all thefts are shoplifting.
One in five are car break-ins or accessory thefts, which can be avoided by locking your car, removing personal items, and parking in a garage if you have access to one.
It is also worth mentioning that the crime spike in late 2021 and through 2022 in Bennington was out of the ordinary.
It involved an influx of violent, drug, and gang crimes.
“There has been a significant reduction of that type of activity in Bennington.
That doesn’t mean our work is done; it does mean that we are heading in the right direction,” Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette said in early 2024.
“In 2023, things changed.
We did not have any homicides.
We had one kidnapping.
Our aggravated assaults were reduced to 12, down from 25.
We had one weapons-related offense, verses the 22 we saw in 2022.”
The state also saw an increase in homicides in October 2023.
The Director of the Vermont State Police, Col. Matthew Birmingham, assures anyone considering visiting Vermont that there isn’t an inherent danger.
“What I’d like to say to the people of Vermont is that these are isolated, targeted incidents.
They are not random.
They are people who are targeting other people on purpose.
The general public is not in any way in any danger any more than they would be if these weren’t happening.
I want to dispel any myth that there’s one person or group of people running around committing murders.
That is not happening.
It is just unfortunate and perplexing as to why they’re all happening at the same time.
I don’t have an answer to that,” Col. Birmingham said emphatically.
How Does Bennington Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bennington | 70 |
| Atlanta | 58 |
| St. Louis | 58 |
| Los Angeles | 56 |
| Oakland | 57 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
Useful Information
Visas
All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.
Currency
Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.
Weather
Bennington, VT, experiences four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, with average lows around 10°F. Spring is mild and wet. Summers are warm, with highs reaching 80°F. Falls are crisp and colorful, with temperatures dropping into the 40s°F. Annual snowfall is 64 inches. Wear comfortable shoes, waterproof outer layers, and waterproof socks. Don't forget the bug spray.
Airports
You can choose from several airports in the region to get to Bennington. The nearest airport to Bennington is Albany, New York (ALB), 32.6 miles away. Hartford, CT (BDL) is 71 miles away, Burlington (BTV) is 110 miles away, and New Haven, CT (HVN) is 113 miles away.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it. Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind.
Bennington Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 1 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 15 | 9 | 3 |
| Low °C | -10 | -9 | -5 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 4 | -1 | -6 |
| High °F | 34 | 36 | 43 | 57 | 68 | 75 | 81 | 79 | 73 | 59 | 48 | 37 |
| Low °F | 14 | 16 | 23 | 34 | 45 | 54 | 57 | 55 | 48 | 39 | 30 | 21 |
Vermont - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bennington | 70 |
| Brattleboro | 72 |
| Champlain Islands | 83 |
| City of Burlington | 75 |
| Ludlow | 81 |
| Middlebury | 83 |
| Montpelier | 78 |
| Newport City | 78 |
| Rutland | 77 |
| St. Albans | 72 |
| Stowe | 78 |
