Written by Kimberley Rupe

There are so many ways to spend the holiday season and our locals are here to share the best ways to spend the holidays in Rutland County. We all spend the holidays a little differently with old family traditions, creating new traditions, and the wide variety of activities happening throughout the region. In addition to our year-round residents in Rutland County, our region welcomes a steady number of visitors.

The weeks leading up to the holiday season can be some of the busiest times of the year for individuals and families. While that is still certainly the case in Rutland County, it can also be some of our favorite couple of weeks as our communities come alive with amazing holiday spirit and a time of giving.

 

Ski Killington

As one of the best ski resorts in the nation, Killington Resort is a must. For those of us that may decide to not ski their way down the mountain, there is still plenty to do at the resort. Feel free to enjoy some hot chocolate by the fireplace while you watch your loved ones make their way down the mountain.

Take a Sleigh Ride

Whether you are here for a romantic weekend for two or with the entire family, a sleigh ride (weather permitting) at Mountain Top Inn & Resort will be one of those memories that the whole family will cherish forever. Hourly sleigh rides are available as well as an extended tour, which includes a dinner package.

Stroll Downtown RutlandFruition

Every year the Downtown Rutland Partnership hosts a Holiday Window Contest to encourage businesses to decorate for the holidays and bring a little sparkly into downtown. Be sure to do some of your holiday shopping locally, grab a bite to eat, and take a stroll downtown to see the window displays twinkling after dusk.

Light Up Rutland County

In 2020, Social Tinkering kicked off a new holiday tradition, “Light Up Rutland County” that took off in leaps and bounds to bring some extra holiday cheer to families. Local residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate their homes and enter in a contest. Residents and visitors are provided a county-wide map of participating homes. Families pile in their car, bring along some hot chocolate and cookies, and take a drive after dark to take in the holiday spirit and lights.

Explore of Rural Towns

It is always so amazing to see our towns throughout Rutland County embrace the holiday season. Our county is made up of 27 towns and the City of Rutland and even some of our smallest towns are hosting holiday activities for families to participate in. Make sure to check out happenings in our various towns for tree lightings, visits from Santa, ice skating, and more.

Rutland County is filled with holiday cheer this time of year and our residents love visitors to join them in their celebrations. In addition to all the wonderful activities happening throughout the county, our residents are also volunteering at local food shelves, adopting a family to help with their holiday shopping, or simply helping a neighbor with their outside lights. We are a year-round destination, and the holidays are just another quintessential time to visit.

From all of us in Rutland County, Happy Holidays! We hope to see you checking out our slopes, exploring our holiday lights, strolling our downtowns, and spreading some holiday cheer this year.

 

 

*Photos provided by Downtown Rutland Partnership

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