Don't forget about the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Okemo Mountain on July 6, 2007
www.Okemo.com

Okemo Valley Golf Club 18 Hole Golf Course and Facility

802-228-1396. 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

802-875-2517. 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. Several sets of tee boxes ensure that all players can enjoy the course, while providing a challenge for the accomplished golfer. 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. At 2.8 miles, the trail ascends steeply to a small clearing, which was the site of the fire tower watchman's cabin. The only remaining structure on the site is the chimney. Just after the cabin site the trail merges with a work road, which runs from the end of the Okemo Mountain Road to the fire tower. The fire tower has been reconditioned by the State of Vermont and is open to hikers.

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 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

802-228-2025. 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).

Saddle up at Cavendish Trail Horse Rides

802-226-7821. 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.

Riding experience is not required for this Western saddle-style tour on scenic trails. Reservations are suggested, but walk-ins are accommodated if horses are available. Available daily from mid-May, starting at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting. For the less adventurous, wagon rides are available by reservation.

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. (802) 228-2655

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.

The tennis courts are available on a first come, first serve basis and can be reserved in advance by making a reservation on the Court Reservation form, located at the tennis courts. Court time is limited to one hour for single and one 2 hour for doubles play. Be advised - the tennis courts are closed during all softball games due to foul balls entering the courts.

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.

The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is part of a state-wide system of historic sites owned and operated by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. There are now 10 buildings open to the public at Plymouth. For further information, call 802-672-3773.

Weston Playhouse

This year the Weston Playhouse celebrates its 70th anniversary season. Located in the heart of lovely Weston, Vermont. The Box Office opens May 26. Call 802-824-5288 for ticket information and show schedules.

Billing's 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. His farm prospered, and today, is still one of the finest Jersey farms in America and a working dairy, and a museum dedicated to telling the story of Vermont's rural heritage. 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. The School consists of ten classrooms in a renovated historic Vermont Farm setting, and a Art and Craft Shoppe open during the summer months. For more information about the arts education program at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, please call or email Laurie Marechaux, Executive Director at 802-228-8770.

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. You'll find a beautiful winding nature trail that leads to the Ottauquechee River, featuring a bird blind, a vernal pool and several other natural points of interest. Programs such as Predators of the Sky and Fledgling Corner are both educational and entertaining. Admission is $8 for adults and $6.50 for children (ages 3-16). VINS is open year round, 7 days a week (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day) from 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. from May through October and from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. from November through April.

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. Winter Store Hours: Monday -Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5. These Hours begin in October. Extended Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10-7, Sunday 10-6. These hours begin in June. Call 800-955-SHOP for more information.