Putney brings together a variety of reasons to visit: a 60-seat theater, fall hawk watching, studios and craft businesses during the Craft Tour, and hiking opportunities with the Putney Mountain Association and Green Mountain Orchards. For trip planning, it helps to start by distinguishing seasonal cultural events from outdoor activities. The events have different scheduling details, so it’s best to plan your visit around the dates and interests that matter to you.

Theater and Craftsmanship in Putney

Sandglass Theater stages performances and offers classes in its own renovated barn theater in Putney. The venue has 60 seats. This gives a specific sense of the theater’s size, while performances and classes vary by season. If the theater is a key reason for your trip, plan around its current program.

The Putney Craft Tour offers another way to experience culture and craftsmanship. The 48th annual tour takes place November 27–29, 2026; visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all three days. The tour welcomes visitors into studios and businesses. Participating fields include painting, jewelry, pottery, weaving, and glassblowing, as well as cheesemaking, woodworking, aromatherapy, and winemaking. The mix of participating artists and businesses may change from one edition to the next.

For a fall visit, it helps to note the difference between the two events: specific dates and times are listed for the 2026 Craft Tour, while the Putney Mountain Hawk Watch takes place annually in the fall, but its dates may vary. Sandglass Theater performances and classes also change with the seasons. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the relevant dates before making your plans.

Hiking Trails and Nature Experiences

The Putney Mountain Association cares for more than 1,000 acres of protected land and over 15 miles of trails along the Windmill Hill Ridgeline. It also maintains its section of a ridge trail that runs the full length of the preserve, along with access facilities and side trails. For planning hikes, these details give an overview of the area it manages and the different components of its trail network.

Green Mountain Orchards in the hills above Putney village offers another way to enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can hike, snowshoe, and picnic there. The orchard has more than 125 acres of apple trees and just under 18 acres of blueberries. A visit offers both specific activities and a sense of the property’s agricultural character. The options described vary: hiking and snowshoeing are active pursuits, while a picnic offers a different way to spend time outdoors.

The annual Putney Mountain Hawk Watch adds bird migration to these nature experiences. Hosted by the Putney Mountain Association, this fall observation event provides scientific information about raptor migration patterns. It differs from the hiking opportunities: the focus here is on observing raptors and learning about their migration. Since the event takes place annually but its dates may vary, check the dates for your travel year separately.

Explore Putney’s History on Foot

A map for a historical walk through Putney is available from the Putney Historical Society, the Putney General Store, the Putney Co-op, and other locations in town. You can also download the map. Alongside seasonal events and nature activities, it offers a way to include a historical walk in your visit. If you’d like to pick up the map in person, check the current pickup locations, as distribution points may change; downloading it is another option.

For a broader travel overview: Windham County.