New England in the fall has always been a popular destination for those seeking antique charm. With its vibrant fall foliage, crisp mountain air and rustic scenery, Killington, Vermont offers a variety of outdoor activities that the entire family will enjoy.
CYCLE PAST THE SCENERY
There's no better way to view fall's spectacular colors—and to avoid carloads of leaf peepers—than to bike through Killington, Vermont. The town is surrounded by more than 100 miles of trails, logging roads, and backcountry byways that crisscross through the scenic countryside away from the crowds. Besides the scenery (and if the finicky New England weather cooperates), October visitors can usually enjoy daytime temperatures in the 60s (it's about 50 degrees at night).Base yourselves at Killington's family-friendly Cortina Inn (Call 800-451-6108 for information on their seasonal rates). The inn specializes in catering to cyclists, so first off on Saturday, visit its Mountain Biking and Hiking Center to rent bikes and helmets, pick up trail maps or sign up for a guided half-day tour. (Be sure to call the inn before your visit to reserve bikes.) Bike rentals run $14 for a half day, $25 for a full day.
To make things easier for families, a shuttle bus can carry you and your equipment to a starting point or transport you back to the inn after a bike trip. The inn can also pack lunches (request them in advance). When you're ready to take off, pedal to Wheelerville Waterfall. The easy, 5-mile ride starts at the inn, meanders through the woods and winds across an old iron bridge to the perfect picnic spot— right below the clear, cold, tumbling falls.
When you've worked up an appetite from all that mountain air, take a drive down Killington Road (an access road leading to the Killington Resort—you can't miss it), where you'll have your pick of fast-food chains, pizzerias and cafés. After lunch, you might want to take a break at the inn, then head to Leffert's Pond to search for beavers, moose or deer. (The trailhead is off Leffert Pond Road in Chittenden, a 15- to 20-minute drive from the inn.)
The Vermont Institute Of Natural Science in nearby Woodstock (adults $8; kids ages 3 to 16 $6.50; free for kids under age three; 802-457-2779) is worth a visit. Housed in a dairy barn, the institute sits on a 77-acre nature preserve and features a Raptor Center (included in the VINS admission price), where your kids can get a close look at 25 species of hawks, eagles and owls. (The birds are permanently injured and can't survive in the wild.)
And if you truly want to take it easy, head to the Killington Resort for a 3 1/2-mile gondola ride up Killington Mountain (adults $13; kids ages six to 12 $8; all prices are for round-trip; 802-422-3333). From the top, you can take in a hot-colored panoramic scene. On your way home, stop at a Ben & Jerry's ice-cream shop (there's one 15 miles west of Killington at 170 S. Main Street in Rutland; 802-775-1134) to sample one of Vermont's most famous locally made products. The ritual seems to us a fitting finale to a weekend outdoors.
For more information, contact the Killington Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 114, Route 4 West, Killington, VT 05751; 800-337-1928.
Diane Bair and Pamela Wright write from their office in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.
