Summer Local Events and Things to See and Do
Okemo Valley Golf Club 18 Hole Golf Course and Facility
Okemo Valley Golf Club is Vermont’s first Heathland-style course and is unlike any other course in New England. “Play and Stay Golf Packages” offer the ultimate in convenience and affordability and include 18-holes of golf each day (including cart). For tee-times and information on Okemo Valley Golf Club, call the Pro Shop at (802) 228-1396.
Tater Hill Golf Club
Tater Hill Golf Club, the newest member of the Okemo Golf Division, features a newly designed 18-hole course with six new greens and an enhanced course maintenance program. Along with 18-holes of golf, Tater Hill Golf Club features a fully stocked Pro Shop, driving range area, practice putting green, PGA golf instructional programs and the Clubhouse Restaurant, which serves lunch daily and a special Sunday Brunch. For more information on Tater Hill Golf Club, or to arrange tee times, call the Pro Shop at (802) 875-2517.
Okemo's Trail Network
Enjoy some great views of the Black River Valley while hiking the trails on Okemo. Easy access from the base of Okemo or the Jackson Gore base. Visitors can hike up the trails or follow the 4 and 1/2-mile road to the summit. Guests can pick up a complimentary map at the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Office, located at the bottom of the Okemo access road, or call them at (802) 228-5830.
Hike the Healdville Trail
The Healdville Trail climbs Okemo Mountain's 3,340-foot summit. The trail is 5.9 miles round trip offering a hefty half-day hike. Finding the Trail Head: From Ludlow Vermont, take VT Route 103 North toward Rutland. Approximately five miles from Ludlow, turn left on Station Road (by Wright Construction Company). Follow Station Road and cross over the railroad tracks. Turn left and there is a large parking area immediately at the end of a short drive. The trail, blazed with blue paint leaves the parking area and crosses two small brooks before ascending gradually along the second brook through a scenic hardwood forest. It runs gradually uphill and passes a vista point at 2.5 miles where a fine view of Mt Holly and the main Green Mountain chain can be seen on good viewing days.
Biking
There are plenty of places to ride in the Okemo Valley region. The Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce has a listing of bike tours from 19 to 40 miles in length. Visit the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce website at for a complete listing of bike tours, complete with directions!
Fishing
The scenic drive along Route 100 in Ludlow has plenty of pristine lakes. Experience the "Zen" of "catch and release" or bring home dinner. Lake Pauline, Lake Rescue, Echo Lake, and Amherst are home to rainbow, brook, and lake trout, perch, bass, and pickerel.
Rivers and streams in the Okemo region such as Black, Williams, and Ottauquechee are local favorites. The Black River along Route 131 offers some of the Green Mountains' best rainbow and brown trout fishing. In fact, six miles of the river are designated as a "Trophy Trout Stream". Visitors can pick up a map of the area from the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Office. They also track where the fish are "biting".
Fishing season begins on the 2nd Saturday in April and ends on the last Sunday in October. Any person under the age of 15 may take fish without a license. Resident and Non Resident licenses can be purchased at Sporting Goods Stores, General Stores, and Town Clerks offices.
Head to the Beach
Camp Plymouth State Park is located just outside of Ludlow on the east shore of Echo Lake. The total acreage is 295 acres of which 46 acres comprise the developed portion of the park. There are also 249 acres with hiking trails, fishing, hunting, gold panning, and primitive camping, but is largely forestry oriented. The season runs from mid-May to September (Labor Day). (802) 228-2025
Jackson Gore Inn Music Series
Come to Jackson Gore Inn for a variety of live music on the courtyard starting around 6:00pm lasting til 9:00 with admission being free to all ages! Performed by Twiddle, Dr. Burma, The Pete Kilpatrick Band, Crunchy Western Boys and more! (802) 228-1425 for schedule
Saddle up at Cavendish Trail Horse Rides
Guided trail rides through picturesque meadows and woodland are available at Cavendish Trail Horse Rides, on Twenty Mile Stream Road in Cavendish at Brook Farm, the site of Bates Mansion, just six miles from Okemo Mountain. Available daily from mid-May, starting at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting. For the less adventurous, wagon rides are available by reservation. (802) 226-7821.
The Ludlow Parks & Recreation Department
The Ludlow Parks and Recreation Department offers a host of summer recreational programs for residents and visiting guests. Activities include summer camps for kids, swimming lessons for all ability levels, soccer, basketball, junior tennis, archery, horseback riding, karate, water skiing, yoga, aerobics classes and much more. Director Howie Paul (802) 228-2655
Spring House – Fitness and Aquatic Center
Offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment and classes from Hatha Yoga to Salsa Dancing Every Week. Call (802) 228-1419 for times and schedules.
Dorsey Park - Located on Pond Street
Dorsey Park is conveniently located just off the main street. Nestled in the trees, the facility features a lighted field for soccer, softball, a tennis facility with two courts, Skate Park, playground with swings, rest rooms and a concessions building.
Veteran's Memorial Park - Across from the Library on Route 103
Veteran's Memorial Park is one of the most photographed sites in Ludlow. The park features a performing arts gazebo for music concerts, art shows, chicken BBQ's, tag sales and craft fairs. It's also home to the Vermont State Zucchini Festival in August. Summer Lawn Concerts are offered on selected Sunday evenings throughout the summer, starting at 7 pm. Bring your own chair, relax and enjoy the music.
West Hill Recreation Area - Located on West Hill
The facility features a lakefront beach for swimming, two basketball courts, in-line hockey rink, fishing area, sheltered picnic area, rest rooms, pool house, playground, barbecue grills, hiking trails, campground, horseshoes pits and playing fields. The Annual July 4th Celebration is always held at the West Hill Recreation Center.
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site
The homes of Coolidge's family and neighbors are carefully preserved, as are the village church, general store, cheese factory (still making cheese using the original 1890 recipe), and community dance hall that served as the 1924 Summer White House office. Plymouth Notch is located 6 miles south of U.S. 4 on VT 100A, about midway across the state. Nearby is the Coolidge State Forest. For further information, call (802) 672-3773.
Weston Playhouse
The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, a non-profit regional theatre dedicated to excellence in a unique Vermont setting, serves a community of artists and audiences through a broad spectrum of dramatic works and educational programs.. Located in the heart of lovely Weston, Vermont. For ticket information or show schedules, call (802) 824-5288 or http://www.westonplayhouse.org/
Billings Farm and Museum
The Billings Farm & Museum is a working dairy farm and a living museum of Vermont's rural past. The farm dates back to 1871, when owner Frederick Billings, a lawyer, railroad entrepreneur, and philanthropist began importing cows from the Isle of Jersey. Located in Woodstock on Route 12 & River Road, call (802) 457-2355 for more information.
Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts
Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts is a 13,000 sq. ft. professional multi-arts facility owned and operated by the Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen, Inc. a non-profit located in Ludlow, Vermont. For more information about the arts education program at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, please call Laurie Marechaux, Executive Director at (802) 228-8770.
Ludlow Farmer’s Market
Beginning in June and running to October, the Ludlow Farmer's Market is held every Friday from 4:00-7:00pm at the Okemo Mountain School on 53 Main St (RT 103). (802) 228-5830
Norman Rockwell Museum Of Art
Nationally recognized collection of Rockwell’s art, and commemoration of his Vermont years and diverse career. Located at Route 4 East in Rutland Town, call (877) 773-6095.
VINS Nature Center
Located just west of Quechee Gorge on Route 4. The VINS Nature Center features over 30 live birds of prey native to Vermont, and is considered to be one of the most impressive collections of live raptors in North America.
Outlet Shopping
Manchester Designer Outlets signifies the newest trend in today's shopping experience: boutique-like specialty stores with everything from designer label fashions to luxury home furnishings, distinct gifts and stylish accessories. Shopping here is a whirlpool of culture, style and sophistication. Extended Store Hours begin in June: Monday - Saturday 10-7, Sunday 10-6. Call (800) 955-SHOP for more information.