dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Now that is thinking! Find something close enough to the shopping so the wife still has you close.
They like that. Wives. They like having you close. But not too close. Just enough to feel in control. You being in control was never an issue. You signed away control at the wedding ceremony.
But control is highly overrated. It is sort of like this obsession wives have with being "right". As though being wrong is a bad thing! Seriously, as a guy, make a list of the ten times you had the most fun. In how many of them were you doing something "wrong"? Hmmmmmm?
OK. You have to keep her happy, so put the wedding, the first date and the birth of children in the top three. But the other seven???? Come on, you were doing SOMETHING wrong.

Right?

One of those can be perving on young women walking on a hiking path while she shops.

There is nothing wrong with that. As long as you do not take their pictures, print them and hang them on the wall! DO NOT DO THAT!!!! That would actually be WRONG! And not in a fun way.

goofybruce

You can take US Route 7 north out of Bennington, which goes all the way to Burlington OR, the better bet, is keep going east on State Route 9 to the intersection of Vermont Route 100 in Wilmington then follow Route 100 north. It goes through the heart of the Green Mountains, through lots of picturesque villages were there are good places to shop and for you to wander around. In some of those villages there are covered bridges which usually are at or near dams/waterfalls. At the intersection of 100 and US Route 4, turn east and you will go through Woodstock and a little further east come to Quechee Gorge, which is rather deep, with a marked trail down to the bottom. There is also a small shopping center near there.
There are websites for "waterfalls of Vermont" as well as "covered bridges of Vermont".
At the intersection of Route 100 and Interstate 89, head west to Burlington. As mentioned by another responder, Shelburne is a great place to visit because that also home of Vermont Teddy Bear which has guided tours. Shelburne is just south of Burlington on US 7. Cap off the trip with a ferry ride from Burlington to Port Kent, NY, which just a short ways from the Northway (Interstate 87) which heads south to Albany.
My only advise is that three days is not enough. I grew up overlooking the Connecticut River from the New Hampshire side and go back home to visit as often as possible. Believe me, you both will want to go back often to explore, which is the best way to see Vermont/New Hampshire. Just be sure you have a good GPS and take as many back roads as possible.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

You might want to try Googling “best places to photograph in Vermont.” You’ll see tons of images and recommendations.

OhioJoe Loc: Columbia Station

When in Bennington there is a small classic car museum next to the Hemmings printing press office.No charge to get in the last time we were there.

k2edm Loc: FN32AD

go up 7,climb Skyline Drive to top of Mt Equinox, then north pickup rt 30, photo quarry in Paulett, then break right on Thrall Rd to East Poultney, lovely river (metowee) to photo just b4 East Poulney, then back on 30 north... take ferry west and then back down to Ft Ti, then back home to Albany

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Moss Glen waterfall of Vermont is one of my favorite waterfalls of all time. And it is on a main highway. This is from 10 years ago.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You know, in Vermont, just make a random wrong turn. You will find something awesome.

RichinSeattle

Montpelier is the smallest state capitol in the country and is charming. Tour the capitol building itself, if COVID allows. Lovely.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

If you're going to be in Southern VT, be sure to spend time in the Woodstock/Queechie area: Beautiful villages, barns, farmsteads, streams and waterfalls. (Lot's of nice shopping too.)

LEE337 Loc: New Hampshire

I don't know if you will be near Woodstock but it is your typical Vermont village. There is even a covered bridge you can photograph.

repleo Loc: Boston

Lots of interesting things to photograph in downtown Bennington. Cool sculptures along the streets and several covered bridges just outside the town.
Woodstock is sort of the quintessential Vermont village, but nearby Quechee is my favorite spot. Make sure to visit the Simon Pearse Workshop and Restaurant in Quechee. Beautiful housewares, superb restaurant with view of the falls and covered bridge and of course the hand glass blowing demonstrations. Check ahead for opening during Covit and make reservations. The Quechee Gorge is a couple of miles down the road also.
https://www.simonpearce.com/our-restaurant