Things to do in Vermont

Killington Mountain & Ski Resort. Killington is the largest Ski and snowboard area in the East, offering the most skiing and most variety of terrain served by the East's highest capacity lift system. Seven interconnected mountains provide unparalleled diversity of skiing and the greatest vertical drop in New England. Snowboarders are challenged with the longest terrain park in the East. High elevation vistas, mountain-to-mountain exploration on more than 87 miles of trails and the charm of Vermont are just the beginning of a Killington vacation.

The Killington Resort posts the longest season in the eastern United States (October to June) and offers a tremendous variety of terrain on 7 mountains. The ski area is huge by the standards of eastern North America, covering 1,200 acres. Along the Killington access road you can choose from more than 100 restaurants, nightclubs with live music and dancing, along with quiet bistros and charming inns. The region, including historic Woodstock and Manchester, offers cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, snow shoeing, ice skating and a variety of shopping, including factory outlets, antique shops, artisan workshops, craft fairs and rustic country stores.  [Top]

Pico Mountain. Pico is one of Vermont’s largest mountains, as rich in history as it is in ski and snowboard terrain. One of Vermont's first mountain resorts, Pico opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1937. The slope was the 2.5-mile-long Sunset Schuss trail, New England`s widest ski trail at an average of 65 feet. Pico's first ski race was held in January 1938, and over the following decades the mountain has produced many downhilling legends. Continuing the tradition to develop strong racers, Pico is home to the Killington Mountain School, and a renewed attention to racing this year with a timed course. Today's big mountain, with high-speed lifts and a terrain park, has lost none of its classic Vermont charm. It has more vertical drop than 80% of the downhill ski areas in New England - 1,967 feet spread over 48 trails and 208 skiable acres, with lots of choices for all abilities.

One of Pico's most enjoyable attributes is that it is a big mountain with a small ski area’s personal touch. There are mogul trails, glades, and groomed steeps, but all the trails lead back to the same base area. The Pike, Pico's longest trail, begins at the summit and terminates right outside the base lodge. From the summit, skiers and riders can also try the (intermediate) 49er or the winding and narrow black diamonds Summit Glades, Upper KA, and Sunset 71. Take a shot at the mountain's steepest, most difficult trail, Giant Killer. Racers often train on Bronco, at the Outpost area, and on B-Slope, which descends in a wide arc from the top of Little Pico. Bumps usually form on the black diamond A-Slope which is also on Little Pico mountain. First-time skiers and snowboarders can board a chairlift and two gentle learning trails at the Bonanza area. Cruisers enjoy the groomed green circle and blue square trails off the Golden Express Quad. Powder hounds delight in fresh tracks after a snowstorm if they can find their way into the Birch Glades or Summit Glades. Pico has a new and improved mini-terrain park with tabletops and a railslide that’s open to snowboarders and skiers. The park is located on upper Triple Slope off the Knomes Knoll chairlift, designed and maintained by Killington's snowboard staff.  [Top]

Okemo Mountain. Okemo Mountain Resort is conveniently located in South/Central Vermont in the Village of Ludlow. One of the most outstanding vacation spots in the country, Okemo’s new Jackson Gore Base Area, Jackson Gore Inn, Coleman Brook Express Quad and new trail network is open and already receiving rave reviews. Okemo’s 601 acres of terrain offers 113 slopes, trails and glades, family programs, terrain parks and the highest vertical drop in Southern Vermont, 2,200 feet. In 2003, Ski Magazine ranked Okemo #1 in grooming and the Okemo Superpipe 5th in North America.

Appalachian Long Trail. The Appalachian Long Trail is a 265-mile hiking path traveling north and south the entire length of Vermont. If you are considering hiking on this or any backcountry trail, do not go without a USGS map, compass, guide book and knowledge of current weather and trail conditions. The entire Appalachian Trail is the premier recreational hiking trail in the US, a continental-scale wilderness pathway set aside by Congress and the National Park Service for foot travel only. The route of the A.T. closely follows the ridge line of eastern America's Appalachian mountain chain for 2174.1 unbroken miles, beginning on the summit of Springer Mountain in northern Georgia and ending on the summit of Mount Katahdin in north central Maine. As it winds its way through the mountains, it passes through 14 states, eight national forests, six national parks, and numerous state and local parks. The entire route is marked with white blazes (2-inch wide by 6-inch high rectangles painted on trees, rocks, etc.), and a series of three-sided lean-tos or shelters, each spaced about a day's journey apart, and available to trail users on a first-come basis. Water is available from numerous springs and streams, and the trail route passes through or near towns and hamlets. More than four million people hike the A.T. annually, most for short hikes. In any given year, thousands hike the entire trail in sections over a period of years, and about 2,500 extreme individuals backpack the entire Appalachian Trail in one continuous journey each year. Complete topographic maps, photos and brief descriptions of the trail are available. Vermont State Fair Grounds – The Vermont State Fair Grounds, located in Rutland, is home of the famous Vermont State Fair, held annually since 1846. This year, the Fair will be held September 2 – September 12, 2008. Entertainment will include live bands, family rides, food, beverages, Blazak’s Tigers and Rosaire’s Racing Pigs.  [Top]

Green Mountain National Forest. The Green Mountain National Forest is located in southwestern and west-central Vermont. Providing abundant recreation and a wealth of natural resources, the Green Mountains are a perfect place to relax and enjoy our National Forests. The Forest's diverse landscapes range from the rugged, exposed heights of the Green Mountains to quiet, secluded hollows in the Wilderness. Generations of visitors have experienced the tranquil beauty that exists in the forest. The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are undergoing Forest Plan Revision. The plans will be revised to reflect resource and social changes on both Forests as well as new scientific information.

Wilson Castle. This 19th century architectural masterpiece is brimming with antique furnishings and museum pieces. Various artists use the Art Gallery to exhibit sculpture, paintings, and photographs. The castle began in 1867 by Doctor and Lady Johnson. He was a Vermonter who went to England to study medicine. While there he met and married a wealthy lady of the aristocracy. After 7 1/2 years of planning and construction, the castle was completed at the sum of $1,300,000. The Johnson’s remained in the castle for only a brief time. From the 1880’s until 1939, the castle was bought and sold 4 times. In 1939, a radio engineer named Herbert Lee Wilson came to Vermont. A pioneer in the AM radio field and builder of radio stations all over the world, he was looking for a new location to build another station and a summer home for his family. He bought the castle and installed radio station WEWE in the old stable, which remains in operation. After serving in the Army Signal Corp in WWII, he retired to the castle and in 1962 opened it for tours. His daughter, Blossom Wilson Davine Ladabouche, owns the property and makes her summer home in the old servants’ quarters, which have been redone for her. Guided tours are given daily from late May until late October, seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 866-229-6188.  [Top]

Chittenden Dam. Chittenden is a 721-acre reservoir with an elevation of about 1495 feet with some spots up to 25-30 feet deep. The water elevation fluctuates depending on the season and power generation needs. On the southern end of Chittenden Reservoir is Lefferts Pond, which is a 49-acre impoundment with a large wetland area. Lefferts Pond is a shallow pond of only 10-12 feet. Fly-fishing, spinners and bait fishing are allowed on Chittenden Reservoir. Chittenden Reservoir and Lefferts Pond do have some special length restrictions on Walleyes and creel limits. Primary catches are Yellow perch, Smallmouth bass, Walleye and Brown trout.

 Vermont State Parks. The beautiful and geographically diverse state of Vermont has many state parks for an abundance of outdoor activities, such as fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, entertainment and education. If you're interested in historical exploration, try the "ghost town" at Little River State Park or the slate mill ruins at Bomoseen State Park (the fishing is also great at both parks). You can view fossils if you visit Button Bay State Park or hang glide at Ascutney State Park. Whitewater canoeists travel to Jamaica State Park in the spring and fall to take advantage of events featuring the water release from dams on the West River. If your idea of a great park experience includes entertainment, check out the annual arts and entertainment schedule. Many parks have nature trails, and some, including Brighton and Groton State Forest, have nature centers with naturalist programs all summer. If you like to hike, consider a base camp at Gifford Woods State Park or Underhill State Park, which are close to some of Vermont's premier hiking trails. If you like to camp on an island, there's Burton Island State Park, and if you like primitive islands, Woods Island State Park. If you like being outdoors, but not in a tent, try sheltered camping at Lake Carmi, Camp Plymouth, Half Moon, Ricker Pond or dorm-style accommodations at Seyon Ranch.   [Top]

Quechee Gorge. Quechee Recreation Area is a large park spread out over a vast area, unique in that 611 acres of the park are leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The tract of land contains the campground, picnic area, and utility building. The park contains 47 tent/trailer sites and 7 lean-to sites which are located in the camping area. Two bathrooms with showers ($) serve the campground. Most sites are large enough to accommodate large RVs. There is a sanitary dump station, but no hookups. A large field and play area are also in the campground. Located next to Quechee Gorge is a picnic area with a pit toilet and a hiking trail along the gorge. Area attractions include: Quechee Gorge, Glass Blowing Mill and Pottery Shop; Quechee; Billings Farm Museum, Woodstock; King Arthur Flour Factory & Museum, Norwich; and St. Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, NH.

Green Mountain Rock Climbing. Vermont's highest quality climbing experience, Green Mountain Rock Climbing provides indoor and outdoor rock climbing, adventure team building, hiking, biking and orienteering courses in Rutland and Killington Vermont. Climbing is a fun and rewarding sport, and believe it or not, it's as easy as climbing a ladder! They specialize in beginners and have a staff that knows how to instruct and support new climbers in a non-intimidating environment. Whether you're looking for something exciting for the kids or perhaps something new for yourself, GMRCC has it all. Visit their website at www.vermontclimbing.com for more information.

 Vermont Back Road Tours.  Tour Vermont's beautiful backroads like you never have before.  Discover hidden farms, lakes, and roads in this 11-passenger Rutland region group tour bus.  Choose from a variety of tours including monthly sunset and moonlight tours, "Top of the Ridge" tour, and the "Road less Traveled Tour".  Visit their website at www.vermontbackroadtours.com  [Top]

Vermont Marble Exhibit. Located in central Vermont, the Vermont Marble Exhibit is the largest marble exhibit in the world with exciting and educational exhibits and a unique gift shop. In the main entry hall are polished panels of Vermont marble, from Verde Antique - a stunning green stone - to Champlain Black - a black marble that still contains fossils - to Imperial Danby - the bright white marble that Vermont is famous for. The exhibit features over 100 exciting displays, including the Gallery of Modern Sculpture and the Hall of Presidents. The museum theater shows a new film on how marble deposits formed over 400 million years ago and resulted in one of Vermont's unique treasures. 866-229-6188.

Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. The Vermont-based manufacturer of ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet was founded in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, with a $12,000 investment ($4,000 of which was borrowed). They soon became popular for their innovative flavors, made from fresh Vermont milk and cream. The company currently distributes ice cream, low fat ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and novelty products nationwide as well as in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops, restaurants and other venues.  [Top]

Museums/Exhibits/Galleries. There has continuously been a deep-seated love of the arts and the finer things in life here in the Green Mountains. This is possibly an extension of the Vermonters' love and appreciation of the scenic beauty of the Vermont outdoors and the calming sounds of country life.

Roaming the crossroads of Vermont, the visitor may enjoy fine art, history, and memorabilia at many museums and galleries throughout the region, including

Museums

• Norman Rockwell Museum of Vermont. This nationally recognized collection of Norman Rockwell's art, established in 1976, commemorates his Vermont years and the entire span and diversity of his career (1911-1978). The Museum features a chronological display of more than 2,500 magazine covers, advertisements, calendars, and other published works that illustrate Rockwell's development as an illustrator and links his work to the political, economic, and cultural history of the United States. Gift shop. Daily 9am-6pm. www.normanrockwellvt.com.
  
• New England Maple Museum. Located in Rutland, the New England Maple Museum tells the history of maple sugaring through an exciting and educational series of exhibits. There is a large collection of antique sugaring equipment, as well as a display using modern equipment. Demonstrations on evaporators, maple candy making, and wooden sap bucket making are held during the summer and fall. Sugar on Snow parties are held March - May. For more information, call 866-229-6188.

• Rock of Ages. Quarry, Factory & Sandblast Activity Center, located in Graniteville (Barretown) Vermont.  Their "Cut in Stone" activity is a blast.  Create your own souvenir, tour a quarry nearly 600 feet deep, observe artisans sculpt, see a video, explore exhibits, browse the gift shop, and bowl in their outdoor granite lane. For more information call 802-476-3119, or visit the Rock of Ages website at tours.rockofages.com.
  

• Billings Farm and Museum. Rte. 12, Woodstock. Historic working farm with extensive exhibits and programs. Restored manager's house furnished in style of last century. 866-229-6188
  
• Castleton Historical Society Museum. Main St.. 19th and 20th century furnishings, paintings, costumes, documents, photographs, and military memorabilia. 866-229-6188
  
• East Poultney Museums. Three museums documenting early New England settlements. Melodeon Factory, Union Academy and The Old School House. Open Sundays 1-4:30 pm or by appointment. For info. call Ruth Czar 866-229-6188.
  
• Middletown Springs Museum. Middletown Springs, VT. Open Sunday 2-4pm. For information, call Jim Geddes at 866-229-6188
  
• Montshire Museum of Science. Norwich,. Natural, physical sciences, ecology, technology. Walking trails. Admission: 10am-5pm daily. 866-229-6188.
  
• Mount Independence State Historic Site. Orwell, VT. Visitor Center and museum open Wed. - Sun. Revolutionary War fortification, new Interpretation Center, historic hiking and walking trails. 866-229-6188.
  
• The D.A.R. House and Museum. 22 The Green, Woodstock. Interesting collection of early furniture and memorabilia, especially of Woodstock Railroad, including a most unusual eight-foot long 1820 primitive painting.
  
• Vermont Ski Museum. Rt. 4, Mendon. Many interesting displays showing the history of skiing in Vermont. 866-229-6188.
  
• Wallingford Historical Society Museum. Town Hall, School St., Wallingford. 866-229-6188. Permanent collection of costumes, photographs, and memorabilia.   [Top]

Exhibits

• Pittsford Historical Society Exhibit. Eaton Hall, Rt. 7, Pittsford. Tues. 9-4. 866-229-6188.
  
• President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. Plymouth Notch, 672-3773. 10am-4pm. Free.
  
• Rutland Historical Society. 1 Nickwackett St., 866-229-6188.
  
• Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). Church Hill Rd., Woodstock. Seventy-seven acre nature preserve with self-guided trails. Frequent programs; bird and fern recognition walks; excellent library. VINS has a rare herbarium collection and a raptor center. 866-229-6188.
  
• Wallingford Historical Society Museum. Town Hall, School St., Wallingford. Permanent collection of costumes, photographs, and memorabilia. 866-229-6188.   [Top]

Galleries

• Carving Studio. Historic Marble St., West Rutland. 866-229-6188. Studio and sculpture center. Stone and wood carving, sculpture, clay, and more. Workshops and classes in stone, wood, and granite carving, mold making, bronze casting, figure modeling, and more are offered during the summer months. Call 866-229-6188 for information, course dates, and a current class and events schedule.
  
• Caulfield Gallery. Rte. 5, Woodstock. Gallery devoted to oil and watercolor works by Robert O. Caulfield. 866-229-6188.
  
• Chaffee Center for the Visual Arts. 16 South Main St., Rutland. 866-229-6188. Lively and diverse exhibits that change often throughout the year. Engaging exhibitions (over 10 annually). Workshops, lectures, cultural events, and tours. Chaffee 2000 events include
  • February 18 - March 26 - Annual Student Exhibition (Mid-VT Schools Grades K-12)
  • April 30-31 - Spring members Exhibit.
  • May 5- June 11 - Chaffee Annual Community Show.
  • June 16-July 23 - Featured Artist Exhibit.
  • June TBA - 5th Annual Art in the Garden. Chaffee Center Parking Lot, Main St.
  • July 28-August 27 - Featured Artist's Exhibition - To be announced.
  • August 12 & 13 - 39th Annual Art in the Park Summer Festival. Main St. Park, Rutland. Saturday,10 AM - 6 PM; Sunday 10AM-5PM. Call 866-229-6188 for information.
  • September 1 - October 11 - Featured Artist's Exhibition.
  • October 7 & 8 - 39th Annual Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival. Main St. Park, Rutland. Saturday,10 AM - 5:30 PM; Sunday 10AM-4:30PM. Call 866-229-6188 for information.
• Christine Price Gallery. Castleton State College, Castleton. Changing anthropology and art exhibits. 866-229-6188, ext. 323.
  
• Cortina Inn. Rte. 4, Killington. (Afternoon tea is served in the unusual two-story lobby that has a round hearth in the center and exhibit space for local sculpture and art in the gallery. 866-229-6188.
  
• Crossroads Arts Council. 39 E. Center St., Rutland. 866-229-6188.
  
• Farrow Gallery and Studios. Main St., Castleton, (www.vermontel.com/farogal/) Historic renovated church on historic Main St. in Castleton. Open daily 10-5, closed Tuesdays. January-April open most days and by appointment. 866-229-6188.
  
• MoonBrook Cooperative Art Gallery. 24 Wales St., Rutland, 05701, call for hours. Discover new artists each month. 866-229-6188
  
• Proctor Free Library. Rte. 3, Proctor. 866-229-6188. Occasional exhibits of sculpture and history.
  
• The Print Mint, Bridgewater Mill. 866-229-6188. Posters, old and new reproductions.
  
• Shattuck Studio & Gallery. 36 Patricia Lane, Rutland, VT, 866-229-6188.
  
• Sugar House Gallery at Moonridge Farm. Middletown Springs. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday 866-229-6188.
  
• West Rutland Artists Guild. 50 Marble St., West Rutland, VT 05777. Vermont artists, all media. Worth the journey. 866-229-6188.
  
• America's Favorite Folk Artist. Warren Kimble Gallery and Studio, Country Club Rd., Brandon, VT. June - October hours, Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM; Saturday and Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM. 866-229-6188.

Warren Kimble: American Artist. Warren Kimble is as American as apple pie! His highly stylized animals and rural Vermont scenes have become familiar around the world as they are seen on framed prints, wood decorative accessories, wall and floor coverings, stationery, calendars, textiles and most recently, home furnishings. His style, evolved over time, is reminiscent of America's more tranquil past.

For most of his life, Warren earned his living as an art teacher and in the antiques business, continuously painting and exhibiting throughout these years. The antique wooden boards he uses as his canvas are carefully chosen to lend an enduring quality and richness to his timeless images.

The universal appeal of Warren Kimble's art is due to a combination of many factors. His style is straightforward and simple, his colors warm and soothing, his images of landscapes and animals, whimsical and nostalgic. He creates a mood of simplicity reminiscent of a life rooted in the past.

Warren and his wife, Lorraine, live in an old farmstead in a beautifully restored 1810 Federal Vermont home. Warren's knowledge and appreciation of American antiques and folk art is apparent throughout the house, gallery, store and studio. He paints the Vermont countryside as he sees it, with gently rolling hills, cows and barns.  [Top]