Plainfield, Vermont is not the average sleepy little town. Named 'the funkiest town in Vermont' in Vermont Magazine's Summer 2004 issue, Plainfield offers a small goldmine of unusual attractions for those interested in passing the day in the beauty of Vermont with good people and good food.
Once noted as a hotbed of liberalism due to being the home of Goddard College (a school built on the doctrines of alternative education methods), Plainfield now boasts of less controversial attractions.
Home to excellent fine dining, Plainfield offers the weary traveler a 
choice of fare that invigorates the body without harming the wallet. River Run, a celebrated restaurant that specializes in southern cooking, will tantalize you with hearty plates of catfish and homemade gravy over flaky buttermilk bisquits. After renovating a new building, River Run now has a liquor license and expanded hours for visitors to come and enjoy a comfortable homey atmosphere from breakfast to a late evening meal.
Next door to the River Run, the atmosphere is even more homey and welcoming, but the food is an altogether different universe. Positive Pie, Vermont Magazine's number one pick for pizza in Vermont, offers a dizzying array of New York style pizza, from red sauce to pesto to garlic, with scrumptious toppings to satisfy any palate. From the secret recipe of the dough, to the secrets of the sauce, many say Positive Pie makes beyond the best pizza ever.
"We hand toss the 
dough," says Scott Graves, Manager of Positive Pie; "Part of the reason the pizza is so great is because the dough is perfect every time." Positive Pie also offers delicious salads, a large selection of beverages and desserts such as Ben & Jerry's ice cream and fresh cannolis. Positive Pie is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10am to 10pm, (9pm Sunday) with daily
siestas from 2pm to 4pm.
One of the nicest aspects of visiting Plainfield is taking a stroll about town. From the waterfall, where one can sit and enjoy a slice, to the rail trail that offers quiet solitude on the soft path of what used to be a Boston and Maine rail line. The tracks are gone, but the forest and scenery remain.
While walking about town, a visit to the Plainfield Co-Op is an excellent idea, where one can pick up some organic produce, locally made Vermont products; such as soaps, socks, delicious cookies, and hard-to-find refreshing beverages. "We try to do only organic and local produce. 
Our selection is definitely the best in the area," says Nancy Ellen, one of the managers of this community co-op. The Plainfield Co-Op is open daily from 10am to 7pm, except Saturday and Sunday, when closing is at 5pm.
The Country Bookshop is a must-see in Plainfield, not only for the huge selection of unusual and rare books, but also to peruse the extensive collection of antique photos and artifacts that illustrate the beauty of central Vermont's history. Jeff Swift, resident and shopkeeper at The Country Bookstore, loves his job. He states that, "When I first moved to Plainfield I thought this was the coolest place to visit, I'd just walk around for hours looking at books. Now that I work here, I feel like I've arrived at just about the greatest little place on Earth." Find out for yourself, include a visit to Plainfield Vermont during your next New England road trip.
© 2012 
