If you’re looking for a break in a place with a small-town feel and a mountain environment that’s beautiful and refreshing no matter when you plan a visit, you’ll find what you desire in Killington. The town and surrounding area offer a variety of things to do and see on your trip full of the ultimate relaxation that will free you from all your worries and stresses. Pack your summer and fall with the many activities and experiences of Killington and the surrounding area for a trip that will keep you busy and having fun all throughout your stay. Make sure to ask about bringing along your furry family members so no one is left out of the fun!
Killington Wine Festival
If you’re in the area on July 16, make sure the Killington Wine Festival is a part of your itinerary. The festival includes a month-long celebration of wine. Select wine retailers will offer sale prices on wines from Farrell Distributors, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Killington Pico Area Association (KPAA). There will be wine tasting options at participating restaurants, as well as a fully comprehensive “Wine Trail” sponsored by Farrell and Baker Distributors. Golfers can join in the Wine & Nine golf tournament hosted at the Killington Golf Course on July 18. There’s also a planned silent auction of gifts and donations from participating members, and 350 gift bags from Killington Road wine retailers with purchase of a supporting wine. This year’s theme for the event is Vineyard, Vintners, & Vintage, and guests are encouraged to wear their best vintage outfit.
Rock Climbing
While hiking the many winding trails is fun and potentially easy for most of the members of your group, those looking for a thrill may want to strap in and go vertical. Rock climbing is one of the many Killington activities, and this town is one of the most areas in all of Vermont for this activity. There are private, guided experiences that take you through the mountains whether you’re a beginner or expert. If you take a guided experience, safety gear including climbing shoes, harness, ropes, helmet, and other technical equipment are often provided.
Hiking
Lace up your hiking shoes and head out to enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery that surrounds you. Killington has several winding hiking trails that take you through its natural beauty to destinations like Killington Peak and more. There are hiking trails that start and loop around to the adventure center, and others for the more adventurous that will take you through the surrounding area and offer opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. Don’t forget a camera, as well as plenty of water and sun protection. For a wheelchair-accessible trail, try the 0.4-mile boardwalk of Thundering Falls Trail, which leads to the sixth-tallest waterfall in Vermont.
Golf
The golfers of the group will want to pack their clubs. Killington and the surrounding area have some great golf courses. There are two that are right in Killington, the Killington Golf Course and Green Mountain National Course, rated the best course near Killington. Choose from any one of the eight public, one municipal, or three private courses. Courses range from as short as nine holes and 1,107 yards (par 27) to as long as 18 holes and 6,765 yards (par 72). Make tee times in advance.
Kayaking
Snowshed Pond is a great place to get out on the water and enjoy a day on the water in the sun. Float or paddle along the pond and take in the stunning view of Killington Peak. Boats are single-rider, and you must be 14 or older to paddle.
Ben & Jerry’s
The ice cream company is headquartered in Waterbury, just an hour from Killington. The factory offers 30-minute guided tours where you can have a glimpse of the manufacturing process, as well as learn about the company’s history and enjoy free samples of many delicious flavors. Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and more adventurous flavors like Berry Sweet Mascarpone and Pumpkin Cheesecake and others, as well as light ice cream, frozen yogurt, and dairy-free options are available for sample.
ATV Adventure
Take a scenic ride where your rental car can’t take you. Guided ATV and UTV experiences take you to areas of Killington and the surrounding area that aren’t accessible by mountain bike, hiking, or car. Bring your camera for capturing the breathtaking scenery and local wildlife in their natural habitat. Tours are available in one-hour and two-hour blocks seven days a week from ATV Vermont. The season lasts until the end of October.
The Spa at the Woods
For the ultimate day of rest and relaxation during your mountain vacation, make sure to add some time at The Spa of the Woods. Pamper yourself with a variety of treatments including massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, and whole-day packages. There are even treatments especially for men, as well as maternity massage and more. There’s a fitness center where you can swim in the lap pool, use the workout equipment, or relax in the hot tub.
Rockefeller National Park
If you have a national park bucket list, you can cross one off on your trip to Killington. Just 30 minutes from town is Rockefeller National Park. The breathtaking landscape is filled with sugar maples, ancient hemlocks, and more for an enchanted forest feel. There are hiking trails that wind along woodland carriage roads, and more. Benefit from the wealth of information provided by park rangers during a tour, which includes information about conservation and other efforts to protect the park and its natural glory. Seasonally special programs are offered and include information about locations associated with the Underground Railroad, abolition meetings, and the town’s free African American community. Hiking trails are open dawn to dusk year-round.
President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site
Take just a 30-minute drive from Killington and you can experience history. In nearby Plymouth, Vermont you can visit the birthplace and childhood home of 30th U.S. president Calvin Coolidge. The state historic site in Plymouth Notch is where Coolidge was born, raised, and took the presidential oath of office there on August 3, 1923, in the parlor of the home. You’ll want to plan for a morning or afternoon at the site, as it encompasses many acres. Points of interest include the homes of Coolidge’s family, their friends and relatives, as well as an 1840 church, 1890 school house and cheese factory, pre-1835 combination store/post office/dance hall, and agricultural structures. Enter the 1924 Summer White House and the nearby tourists’ cabins constructed in 1927 for those who came to explore the area around the president’s home. There’s a museum and education center where you can see the archives of the president’s private and public lives. Wander walking trails or spend time in the museum stores. If your stomach rumbles, there’s a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily, as well as a sheltered picnic area. Finish the trip with a somber visit to the hillside cemetery where Coolidge rests with seven generations of family.
Killington Brewfest
If you like craft beer made from local ingredients, you’ll love Killington Brewfest in the fall. Every September 30th, Killington kicks off the fall with this special event. You might find brews from Killington Beer Company, Long Trail Brewing Company, Foley Brothers Brewing, and River Roost Brewing, all breweries located in or near Killington. There’s also VIP and general tasting sessions on September 28. Designated drivers are available for $10.
Bike Park
For visitors who get their adrenaline rush on two wheels, there’s the Killington Bike Park. In its 30th season, the park is considered New England’s fasted-growing downhill mountain bike park. It features three high-speed lifts that serve over 30 miles of trails rated beginner to expert, and New England to Gravity Logic’s signature flow trails. The park is divided into three unique areas. Beginner and intermediate riders will want to negotiate Snowshed, an area with plenty of trails designed for them to build confidence. Intermediate and advanced riders should check out Ramshead, full of signature freeride trails with terrain designed for “graduates” of Snowshed. Those at the head of the pack will negotiate Killington Peak, which features trails with plenty of rock, roots, and other obstacles. Hours vary depending on the season, which starts May 29 and ends October 31. Make sure you follow equipment guidelines and be aware the park may be closed for construction or special events.
Adventure Center
Enjoy thrills and adventure without leaving Killington. The adventure center has many activities to keep you busy and your adrenaline up. Negotiate your way through “Woodward Wrecktangle,” a course with ten unique, challenging obstacles, you’ll enjoy challenging your friends and family to see who can complete it in the shortest time. Hop on the Beast Mountain Coaster, a thrilling 4,800-foot-long alpine coaster track that twists and turns and banks through the woods of Killington and even includes some 360-degree corkscrews!
If flying high is how you get your thrills, check out the dual zip lines spanning across Snowshed Slope and Snowshed Pond, or ride The Soaring Eagle – a 600-foot-long, 100-foot-high ride that glides along at 30-miles-per-hour. The ride seats two for a breathtaking view. Strap in and try your hand at the Skye Ropes Course. It takes you as high as four stories into the air as you negotiate 42 separate obstacles, or strap in a little lower to the ground at the Trampoline Jump. The trampoline and bungee system give you the airtime you crave while staying closer to the ground. Bounce sessions are five minutes each, and the harness fits riders 30-240 pounds safely. Park hours vary depending on the season, which runs July 1 to October 11. There are day and single-attraction tickets as well as season passes.
Wellness Walking Path & Mountain Gym
Get some exercise that includes a hike as well as an outdoor gym. Start from the adventure center around Snowshed Pond for a 0.7-mile, moderately easy hiking loop most can negotiate. While the distance may be short, you’ll want to stop and try the outdoor mountain gym, which includes ten wooden features stationed between the Killington Grand Hotel and Snowshed Base Lodge. The gondola operates from July 1 to October 11 with a spectator-only (no hiking or biking of your own) period of September 10-12 for the Spartan Race.
Scenic Gondola Ride
Head up the 1.25-mile track on the K-1 Express Gondola. It takes you to the top of the 4,241-foot-tall Killington Peak, which is Vermont’s second tallest and highest lift-serviced peak. Enjoy breathtaking views and access to 15 miles of designated hiking trails, as well as the Appalachian and Long Trails. Stop in for some local eats at Peak Lodge before heading back down. The gondola operates from July 1 to October 11, with a ban on hiking and biking during the Spartan Race September 10-12.
Unforgettable Summer and Fall in Killington
When you stay in a vacation home provided by GetAway Vacations, you’ll have easy access to many Killington activities along with amazing shops, dining, and other attractions throughout the summer and fall. From single-family homes to condos and townhomes, you’ll find something that fits the vacation style and needs of your group. Prepare a delicious home-cooked meal in your rental’s fully equipped kitchen, then relax in an open living area, private bedroom, or private outdoor space. We also have rentals that bring you close to the mountains and welcome your pet for some R&R too. Pamper yourself with a premium unit for perks like stainless steel appliances, flat screen TVs, a private hot tub, game area, and more. We honor the health and safety of our guests and provide professional cleaning staff who wear masks and gloves while they clean, disinfect, and sanitize each rental property between guests so you can relax and be at ease knowing everything is safe and clean for your arrival and throughout your stay.
Contact us today to plan your getaway and breathe the fresh mountain air of Vermont while you make unforgettable memories this summer or fall!
