Rutland County: Discover Lakes, Trails and Culture

Rutland County combines lake landscapes, extensive trails, historic sites and vibrant culture. The Rutland region extends from farmland, orchards, pastures and meadows to winding roads through small villages and communities. This makes it possible to plan a very diverse trip: with active days on a bike, excursions to the water, historical discoveries or a varied programme for families.

Lakes, forests and trails for active days

Bomoseen State Park covers 3,576 acres in the Taconic Mountains on the shore of Lake Bomoseen. The lake is the largest lake located entirely within Vermont. The park includes a public beach, hiking trails at each campground and a trail connecting the two campgrounds. Activities on the water include boating and fishing.

Lake St. Catherine is home to a 117-acre state park. It has a boat ramp as well as rentals for canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. There is also a loop with mountain biking trails near the northern parking area. An accessible nature trail with viewpoints offers another way to experience the park.

There are also notable destinations for longer bike rides and hikes. Pine Hill Park covers 300 acres and features a 16-mile singletrack trail network. The Carriage Trail is a 5.1-mile one-way route between Pine Hill Park in Rutland and the Proctor Skating Rink in Proctor. From late May to mid-October, Killington Resort offers a year-round summer mountain destination; Killington Bike Park has more than 30 miles of trails for all ability levels. Slate Valley Trails offers more than 60 miles of public hiking and biking trails in Poultney, Castleton and Wells.

History, architecture and art

Those interested in learning about the region’s history will find a range of highlights. Hubbardton Battlefield was the only battle of the American Revolutionary War fought entirely within the territory of what later became the state of Vermont. The site preserves open meadows and expansive views of the Green Mountains, Taconic Mountains and Adirondack Mountains. A permanent exhibition displays contemporary artefacts and objects recovered during earlier investigations of the battlefield.

In Rutland, the Paramount Theatre was built by George T. Chaffee in 1912 and 1913 and opened on January 16, 1914. The theatre plays a leading role in the arts, culture and education. The Chaffee Art Center is located in a Queen Anne Victorian mansion built by George Thrall Chaffee. The historic grounds include more than a dozen gardens, including a 100-foot-long pollinator garden and a sculpture garden. At the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center, stone carving is given particular emphasis through workshops, residency programmes and exhibitions.

Wilson Castle, an architectural landmark from the mid-19th century featuring European styles, and the Brandon Museum provide further historical highlights. The museum is located in the house where Stephen A. Douglas was born in 1813 and presents exhibitions on Brandon’s industrial, social, cultural and architectural history. The Brandon National Historic District comprises around 250 buildings.

Experiences for different types of travel days

For families, the Wonderfeet Kids Museum offers engaging hands-on experiences: children can role-play as electrical engineers or utility line workers, complete electrical circuits and activate a 13-foot-tall robot. Another exhibition focuses on trains and a depot with a steam locomotive, passenger car, train depot and engine house.

The Vermont Farmers Market also adds a culinary and local dimension to trip planning. The summer market begins in early May and takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in spring and summer at Depot Park in downtown Rutland. To get there, the Ethan Allen Express travels from New York City via Albany and Castleton to Rutland. Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport offers daily commercial flights to Boston.

Choose the right holiday rental based on your travel plans

When looking for accommodation, it is worth first deciding on your preferred focus. For days by the water, Bomoseen State Park and Lake St. Catherine State Park are possible excursion destinations. Those who prefer cycling and singletrack experiences can include Pine Hill Park, Killington Bike Park or Slate Valley Trails in their plans. Culture enthusiasts are more likely to focus their itinerary on theatres, museums, historic sites and architecture. This allows you to choose a holiday rental in Rutland County according to your own excursion preferences without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.

For further orientation, you can explore the towns of Rutland, Chittenden, Killington, Mendon, Shrewsbury, Castleton, Brandon and Danby.

For the overarching travel overview: Vermont.