--- title: "Vermont’s Kissing Bridge: A Romantic Roadside Stop in Southern Vermont" url: "https://travelikealocalvt.com/kissing-bridge-rockingham-vermont/" type: "Guide" author: "Erin McCormick" author_url: "https://travelikealocalvt.com/author/travelikealocalvt/" published: "2026-10-20" updated: "2026-10-20" topics: ["Covered Bridges","Experiences","Shopping"] destinations: ["Southern Vermont"] description: "Visit Vermont's Kissing Bridge in Rockingham. Learn its romantic history, why it was relocated and when to stop at The Vermont Country Store." site: "Travel Like a Local®: Vermont" --- # Vermont’s Kissing Bridge: A Romantic Roadside Stop in Southern Vermont By [Erin McCormick](https://travelikealocalvt.com/author/travelikealocalvt/) · Published October 20, 2026 Vermont has more than its fair share of beautiful covered bridges, but there’s one in southern Vermont with a particularly romantic name and a history that makes it even more interesting. Tucked beside [The Vermont Country Store](https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=kissing-bridge-rockingham-vermont) in Rockingham, the **Kissing Bridge** is a charming little covered bridge with roots dating back to the 19th century. Although it looks perfectly at home in its present location, it wasn’t originally built here. In fact, the bridge was moved and reconstructed decades after its original construction, giving a piece of Vermont history a second life. Today, it’s an easy roadside stop along Route 103, where you can admire historic craftsmanship, learn about a sweet New England tradition and browse one of Vermont’s most recognizable country stores. And yes, you’re encouraged to steal a kiss while you’re there. ![The Kissing Bridge with pumpkins and fall decorations beside The Vermont Country Store in Rockingham, Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Kissing-Bridge-Rockingham-scaled.webp) ## Where Is the Kissing Bridge in Vermont? The Kissing Bridge, officially known as the **Victorian Village Covered Bridge**, is located beside The Vermont Country Store’s Rockingham location in southern Vermont. It’s important to distinguish this location from the original Vermont Country Store in Weston. While both stores are popular destinations, the Kissing Bridge is at the **Rockingham store on Route 103**, not the Weston location. The bridge is situated near the store’s parking area, making it easy to visit without planning a separate hike or lengthy detour. Its traditional wooden construction and covered entrance make it a popular photo stop, especially during fall foliage season. If you’re traveling between Bellows Falls, Chester or other southern Vermont destinations, it’s a convenient addition to your itinerary. ## The History of Vermont’s Kissing Bridge The Kissing Bridge has a more interesting history than its picturesque appearance might suggest. The structure traces its origins to the **Depot Covered Bridge in West Townshend, Vermont**, which was built around 1870. It originally served as a working covered bridge before changes to the surrounding landscape threatened its future. In 1959, the bridge was dismantled as part of the Townshend flood-control project and placed into storage. Rather than allowing the historic structure to disappear, efforts were made to preserve its remaining timbers. Vrest Orton, founder of The Vermont Country Store and a former chairman of Vermont’s Historic Sites Commission, helped arrange for the bridge to be reconstructed at the company’s Rockingham location. In 1967, the bridge was rebuilt using timbers from the original structure, shortened to approximately 44 feet and placed over a small brook near the store. Although the bridge you see today is considerably shorter than the original, it retains elements of its historic wooden construction, including its kingpost truss design. It’s a wonderful example of adaptive reuse, preserving a piece of Vermont’s transportation history while giving it a new purpose as a roadside landmark. ## Why Is It Called the Kissing Bridge? The name comes from a romantic tradition associated with covered bridges throughout New England. During the horse-and-buggy era, covered bridges offered couples a brief moment of privacy while traveling together. According to local folklore, a young man might stop his horse halfway through a bridge to steal a kiss from his sweetheart, safely out of view of passersby. As a result, covered bridges became affectionately known as *kissing bridges*. The Vermont Country Store’s Orton family has shared this story as the inspiration behind the Rockingham bridge’s name. While the bridge itself wasn’t originally constructed for romance, the tradition became part of its identity after its relocation. Of course, covered bridges were built for practical reasons. Their roofs protected wooden structural elements from rain, snow and the deterioration caused by Vermont’s changing seasons, helping the bridges last significantly longer. But I think the romantic explanation is a little more fun. And if you’re visiting with someone special, the tradition is easy enough to keep alive. ## Why Stop at the Kissing Bridge in Rockingham? One of the things I appreciate about Vermont’s roadside attractions is that they don’t always require an elaborate itinerary. Sometimes the most interesting stops are right along the route you’re already traveling. The Kissing Bridge is a perfect example. You can admire the structure, take a few photographs and learn a little about Vermont history in just a few minutes. The bridge also makes an appealing stop for anyone interested in historic architecture, covered bridges or unusual landmarks. Unlike many covered bridges that still carry traffic, this one is best appreciated as a preserved historic structure. You can take your time noticing the timber framing and imagining what the original bridge might have looked like when it stood in West Townshend. It’s also a reminder that preservation doesn’t always mean keeping a structure in its original location. Sometimes saving a piece of history requires finding it a new home. ![The Vermont Country Store sign above a fall display of pumpkins in Rockingham, Vermont.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Vermont-Country-Store-Rockingham-Sign-scaled.webp) ![The Vermont Country Store’s red storefront and autumn decorations in Rockingham, Vermont.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Vermont-Country-Store-Rockingham-scaled.webp) ## Visit The Vermont Country Store While You’re There Since the Kissing Bridge sits beside The Vermont Country Store, I’d recommend allowing time to explore the store as well. The Vermont Country Store was founded by Vrest and Mildred Ellen Orton in the 1940s, inspired by the old-fashioned general stores that once served as gathering places in rural communities. The family opened its original location in Weston, and the business eventually expanded to Rockingham. Today, the Rockingham store offers an extensive collection of nostalgic candies, Vermont-made foods, practical household goods, clothing, toys and gifts. I particularly enjoy wandering through the food and candy sections, where you’ll find familiar treats, specialty products and plenty of items that bring back childhood memories. There’s also a dining and dairy bar option at the property, making it easy to turn a quick stop into a longer break during a day of exploring southern Vermont. Between the store, the historic bridge and the surrounding grounds, you can easily spend an hour browsing and enjoying the setting. ## When Is the Best Time to Visit the Kissing Bridge? The Kissing Bridge is an appealing stop throughout the year, although each season offers a different experience. **Fall foliage season** is especially beautiful, with colorful trees providing a classic Vermont backdrop for the wooden bridge. If you’re traveling through southern Vermont in September or October, it’s an easy addition to a foliage road trip. **Winter** brings another perspective, particularly when snow settles around the bridge and the surrounding landscape. The nearby country store is also a popular holiday shopping destination. **Spring and summer** offer warmer weather for exploring the property, browsing the store and enjoying the outdoor surroundings. Summer is especially convenient if you’re combining your visit with other southern Vermont attractions. For photography, I’d recommend visiting during daylight hours when you can appreciate the bridge’s wooden construction and surrounding scenery. And if you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting on a weekday rather than during a busy foliage weekend. ![The Kissing Bridge at Vermont Country Store in Rockingham, with snow at its entrance](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Vermont-Country-Store-Kissing-Bridge-scaled.webp) ## Make the Kissing Bridge Part of a [Southern Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/destinations/southern-vermont/) Road Trip Rockingham is conveniently located near several other interesting southern Vermont destinations. The nearby village of Bellows Falls is worth exploring for its historic downtown, Connecticut River scenery and distinctive architecture. Chester is another appealing stop, known for its historic buildings, shops and classic village atmosphere. If you enjoy covered bridges, southern Vermont has several others worth seeking out, including the Chiselville Covered Bridge in Sunderland and the West Dummerston Covered Bridge near Brattleboro. You could easily build an afternoon around exploring a few historic landmarks, visiting local shops and stopping for something delicious along the way. And while the Kissing Bridge may only take a few minutes to appreciate, its history makes it more than another pretty roadside photo opportunity. ## A Little Romance and Vermont History Along Route 103 I’ve always loved Vermont’s covered bridges, not only for their architecture but also for the stories behind them. The Kissing Bridge in Rockingham combines a little romance with an interesting preservation story. What began as a working bridge in West Townshend was dismantled, saved and eventually rebuilt beside one of Vermont’s best-known general stores. More than half a century later, it continues to attract visitors who stop to admire the structure, take photographs and participate in a tradition that dates back to the horse-and-buggy era. **If you’re traveling through southern Vermont, add the Kissing Bridge at The Vermont Country Store to your list of roadside stops.** It doesn’t require much time, but there’s plenty of history to appreciate. And if you’re visiting with someone you love, you know what to do. ## Visiting the Kissing Bridge at The Vermont Country Store **Attraction:** Kissing Bridge, also known as the Victorian Village Covered Bridge **Location:** The Vermont Country Store, Route 103, Rockingham, Vermont **Originally Built:** Around 1870 in West Townshend, Vermont **Relocated and Reconstructed:** 1967 **Known For:** Historic covered bridge architecture, its romantic nickname and its connection to The Vermont Country Store **Admission:** No separate admission required to view the bridge **Best Time to Visit:** Year-round, particularly during fall foliage season **Website:** [The Vermont Country Store](https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=kissing-bridge-rockingham-vermont) **Local’s Tip:** Make sure you’re visiting the Rockingham location, not the original store in Weston. The bridge is beside the store, so allow time to explore both during your visit. ## Places in this guide - [The Vermont Country Store](https://travelikealocalvt.com/places/the-vermont-country-store/) — Shop or general store in Old Rockingham, VT ## More on Travel Like a Local®: Vermont - [Southern Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/destinations/southern-vermont/) - [Covered Bridges](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/vermont-experiences/covered-bridges/) - [Experiences](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/vermont-experiences/) - [Shopping](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/vermont-experiences/shopping/) --- Source: [Vermont’s Kissing Bridge: A Romantic Roadside Stop in Southern Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/kissing-bridge-rockingham-vermont/) — Travel Like a Local®: Vermont, by Erin McCormick. When you quote or summarize this page, please link to the source URL.