What to do in Ludlow, VT
Local guide to our favorite attractions for every season
Whether you’re relaxing in a luxury cabin at Sugar Maple Mountain Retreat, stretching out on Pleasant Street, or staying steps from the town center at The Mill Place, the Okemo Valley is ready to welcome you. We’ve curated our favorite local sights, activities, and seasonal highlights below to help you make the most of your Vermont getaway—no matter when you visit!
❄️Winter
🍭 = Family+kid friendly
🌂= For rainy days (Indoor)
Worked up an appetite? Be sure to check our Local Dining & Restaurant Guide for our personal recommendations!
Hiking, Trails & Waterfalls
- Okemo Mountain Trails: Hike to the fire tower for breathtaking 360-degree views, or explore the various trailheads throughout Cavendish.
- Buttermilk Falls: 5-minute drive from Ludlow, and a local favorite for an easy hike and a refreshing dip in swimming holes and waterfalls. 🍭
- Camp Plymouth State Park: Great for gold panning, swimming, and boat rentals on Echo Lake. 🍭
- Clarendon Gorge - Iconic suspension bridge trail off of VT 103 with stunningly dramatic views.
- Quechee Gorge A gentle 1.3 mi hike through Vermont’s deepest gorge, stretching 165 feet down to the Ottauquechee River.
- Healdville Trail - a moderately challenging uphill climb, but the gorgeous views are worth it.
- Mt. Ascutney Weathersfield Trail - a more difficult trek, up to the observation tower with stunning panoramic views from the top.
Fishing
- Get a 1-day or multi-day license at Singleton’s General Store or online at VT Fish and Wildlife. Fish in the Black River on Hwy 131 in Cavendish or at Knapp Ponds, our two lakes next to Sugar Maple Mountain Retreat cabins.
Off-Road & Biking
- Four-wheelers and mountain bikes are available to rent locally.
Outdoor Concerts
- Summer Concert Series at Jackson Gore in Ludlow on Fridays. Grab a lawn chair and a beverage, and bring the family to enjoy some live music. 🍭
Adventure Zone
- Grab an Okemo Day Pass to enjoy ziplining, obstacle challenge course, mini golf, and the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster. 🍭
Autumn 🍁
Foliage and festivals
Foliage and festivals
Ludlow is especially picturesque during fall. The mountains surrounding our charming town are full of the classic autumn colors of gold, orange, and red.
Fresh Harvests
- Hathaway Farm - a family-owned historic farm, featuring a 13-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo - voted one of the best in the nation! 🍭
- Hand-select your own fresh crisp apples at Mendon Orchards and visit their pie bakery and store.
- Wellwood Orchards - Pick Your Own (PYO) farm berries, apples, plums, pears, and pumpkins! Check out the petting zoo, and visit the country store for fresh apple cider and donuts made daily. Open June - Oct 🍭
Outdoor Excursions
- Okemo Mountain Trails: Hike to the fire tower for breathtaking 360-degree views, or explore the various trailheads throughout Ludlow and Cavendish.
- Four-wheelers and mountain bikes are available to rent locally to explore the rugged terrain.
- The scenic 30-minute drive to Woodstock, VT is highly recommended during leaf-peeping season. 🍭
- Take a scenic drive up Okemo Mountain, up the paved road that is a ski trail in winter. There are several parking spots near the top to take in the fabulously stunning views below.
Winter ❄️
Snow and ski season
Ludlow during the winter season is simply spectacular. Okemo Mountain offers 121 ski runs, plus one of the country’s top rated lifts, the heated orange bubble chair. If the slopes aren’t for you, there are plenty of other winter activities to choose from during this most magical time of year in Ludlow:
Skiing & Snowboarding
- Okemo Mountain Resort offers world-class terrain for all skill levels. 🍭
- Visit Nordic Center for cross country skiing at Fox Run golf course
Snow Tubing
- Ascutney Outdoors: A great local spot for family-friendly tubing. 🍭
- Snow Tubing at Jackson Gore: Convenient and high-energy tubing
Family Fun
- The Timber Ripper: When this year-round alpine coaster runs through the snow — it’s an absolute blast for kids! 🍭
- Book a family sleigh ride at Taylor Farm 🍭
Adventure in the Snow
- Rent snowshoes at Tygart Mountain Sports and trek a wooded trail
- Rent a snowmobile, or even take a snowmobile tour!
Year-Round 🗓️
History, culture, and entertainment
Historic Sites & Landmarks
- President Calvin Coolidge Site: A perfectly preserved historic village in Plymouth Notch. 🍭
- Don't forget to stock up at the historic Plymouth Cheese Factory 🌂
- Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home: Located in Manchester (approx. 30 mins). Includes the mansion, gardens, and a restored Pullman car. 🍭
- St Gaudens National Historic Park and bronze sculpture gardens 🍭
Science and Education
- Vermont Institute of National Science (VIN) Center, hosting a variety of programs and events, and is open for general admission daily 🍭
- Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock combines a fully-operating dairy farm with educational exhibits and interactive programs 🍭
- Wonderfeet Kids Museum, Rutland VT - interactive playplace, great for smaller children 🍭 🌂
Entertainment
- Weston Theater Company - presenting live stage productions for over 90 seasons, dating back to 1936! 🌂
- Springfield Cinema 3 - This vintage theater has been carefully updated to preserve its historic charm while showing the latest new releases. 🌂
- Springhouse Pool and Fitness Center at Okemo, hosts a wide variety of activities year round, including a luxurious full service spa and fitness facility in the Ice House. 🌂
Shopping & Essentials 🛍️
Grocery and Market
- Shaw’s Supermarket on Main Street in Ludlow for standard groceries.
- Singleton’s General Store Known for their smoked meats, deli sandwiches, and cheeses (in addition to a little bit of everything else!)
- Brownsville Butcher & Pantry
- Springfield Food Co-op (membership not required)
- Brewfest Beverage Co in Ludlow, for 802 Spirits, Beer, and Liquor
Local Cheese Factories
- Crowley Cheese Factory - oldest operating factory in the nation!
- Plymouth Artisan Cheese
- Sugarbush Cheese and Maple Syrup Farm
- Grafton Village Cheese Okemo Valley Retail Store
- Wine and Cheese Depot in Ludlow
Shop Vintage and Antiques
- Stone House Antiques in Chester; with nearly 20,000 sqft of dealer booths showcasing fine furniture, folk art, ephemera and vintage collectibles.
- Vermont Antique Mall in Queechee for eclectic vintage finds
- Visit Woodstock for prime antique shopping, including the discerning Wigren-Barlow Antiques, or the design galleria of B.F. Southgate & Company (formerly Antiques Collaborative).
- Visit the cozy Pleasant Street Books for rare and vintage print titles
Shop Retail & Souvenirs
- Simon Pearce Glass, Quechee. The flagship retail store features their exquisite handmade glass and pottery.
- Manchester Designer Outlets shopping destination of leading retail brands
- The Vermont Country Store: Located in Weston; a massive collection of nostalgic goods, vintage finds, and Vermont souvenir gifts and candies.
Worked up an appetite? Be sure to check our Local Dining & Restaurant Guide for our personal recommendations!