where to stay and eat in Rutland
Dec 2nd, 2002, 05:26 PM
#2
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Sirloin Saloon or South Station, both on South Main St., are quite good. Both have salad bars. The Sirloin Saloon is known for wood-grilled steak and seafood while South Station has a more varied menu. I like Sal's on West Street {small and homey} for italian food. Countryman's Pleasure on Townline Rd. {off rt. 4 as you enter Rutland from the mountain} has good German cuisine.
Sorry, can't help with lodging.
Sorry, can't help with lodging.
Dec 2nd, 2002, 09:39 PM
#3
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Why not drive just east of Rutland to the intersection of Routes 4 and 100. There are a bunch of nice lodges along Route 100, some of which have great x-country skiing right out your door. Check out the Blue Bonnet Lodge, and Beattie's Trailside Lodge.
Dec 3rd, 2002, 05:30 AM
#5
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Mark, if you are unfamiliar with the area, I must let you know that downtown Rutland Vt. is not the best area for a ski vacation. Even though it's in the heart of Vermont, and surrounded by some major ski areas, the city itself is an old mill town, and one of the least intesting cities in Vermont. For X-C skiing, I would strongly suggest staying at a b&b, inn, or even motel more in the countryside. If you do go in to Rutland, Three Tomatoes Trattoria is an excellent Italian Restaurant. The Pico-Killington area, which is 10 minutes east of Rutland has dozens of places to stay and eat, of every description. However, for X-C skiing I would try and get a little off the Killington strip area, which is geared to the downhill ski crowd. There are many beautiful country inns around the Woodstock, Pomfret, Barnard and Queechee area.
Dec 3rd, 2002, 06:51 AM
#7
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The Amtrak station is a short walk from the heart of downtown Rutland.
There are motels {but long walk, mile or so} and many retaurants within walking distance of Amtrak, including Three Tomatoes that Zootsi mentioned.
Whether you wish to consider Rutland a destination rather than a base depends largely upon your interests and expectations. The city has undergone somewhat of a transformation in recent years, from the mill town that Zootsi describes to a more vibrant community. Downtown or within a short walk, there are many interesting shops, retaurants, a coffeehouse, art galleries, and the beautiful Paramount Theatre which hosts excellent plays, dances and musical performances throughout the year.
As a base for cross-country skiing, Rutland would work if you have transportation, but I agree with Zootsi that there are more attractive lodging choices closer to c/c trails outside the city.
There are motels {but long walk, mile or so} and many retaurants within walking distance of Amtrak, including Three Tomatoes that Zootsi mentioned.
Whether you wish to consider Rutland a destination rather than a base depends largely upon your interests and expectations. The city has undergone somewhat of a transformation in recent years, from the mill town that Zootsi describes to a more vibrant community. Downtown or within a short walk, there are many interesting shops, retaurants, a coffeehouse, art galleries, and the beautiful Paramount Theatre which hosts excellent plays, dances and musical performances throughout the year.
As a base for cross-country skiing, Rutland would work if you have transportation, but I agree with Zootsi that there are more attractive lodging choices closer to c/c trails outside the city.
Dec 3rd, 2002, 05:41 PM
#8
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We just returned from a ski vacation to Killington. We stayed in a hotel The Inn at Six Mountains which was adequate in Killington. However, we ate a wonderful Italian restaurant in Rutland called Three Tomatoes Trattoria. The food was delicious, the service gracious. Have fun
Dec 3rd, 2002, 09:56 PM
#9
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As odd as it may seem, I often prefer to stay in the more working class towns near ski areas, than in the areas themselves. When I was in B.C. I stayed in the town of Vernon which was much cheaper than staying up by Silver Star Ski area. I also find the choices of restaurants sometimes better and cheaper. It turns out that another town....Brandon is close to a cross country area that I might visit..Blueberry Hill. So I am looking into that as well. The biggest advantage of these towns is that one can usually find a place to stay even during the most crowded times.
Dec 4th, 2002, 10:43 AM
#10
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Mark, Brandon is a VERY small community, not much in the way of lodging, though there is very good c/c skiing in the Brandon/Middlebury area. There may be some inns/band bs - maybe someone will else will know of one and respond. I've heard good things about Largesses's { I think that's the spelling} Steak House in the Brandon area but haven't tried it yet.
Middlebury is an artsy college town a bit north of Brandon {also near Blueberry Hill, so you might want to check it out}, with some excellent restaurants - my favorites are Fire and Ice, Mister Ups and the Dog Team. They're all a bit difficult to find, so ask for directions.
Middlebury is a larger, and much more attractive and interesting town than Brandon IMO. There are lots of c/c ski trails off route 125E {a winding, scenic country road} just south of Middlebury, though I haven't tried them. Ripton is also on 125 - a tiny town that often schedules some fun and well-attended community events.
Middlebury is an artsy college town a bit north of Brandon {also near Blueberry Hill, so you might want to check it out}, with some excellent restaurants - my favorites are Fire and Ice, Mister Ups and the Dog Team. They're all a bit difficult to find, so ask for directions.
Middlebury is a larger, and much more attractive and interesting town than Brandon IMO. There are lots of c/c ski trails off route 125E {a winding, scenic country road} just south of Middlebury, though I haven't tried them. Ripton is also on 125 - a tiny town that often schedules some fun and well-attended community events.
Dec 5th, 2002, 01:04 AM
#11
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Rutlander:
We will be in Rutland area next week. Group going skiing, I opted to take the misses on a antique/pretty town tour. We will be heading to Queechee for a few hours, any other spots to drive/see in the area? Not afraid to drive north if there are places to see!!
JOHN
We will be in Rutland area next week. Group going skiing, I opted to take the misses on a antique/pretty town tour. We will be heading to Queechee for a few hours, any other spots to drive/see in the area? Not afraid to drive north if there are places to see!!
JOHN
Dec 5th, 2002, 07:16 AM
#12
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Hi John. What are your interests?
A bit cold to hike to the Queechee Gorge, but walk along the bridge for views.
Certainly stop in Woodstock for a stroll on your way to Queechee - it was rated by one woman's magazine as the nicest small town in America - or something like that! There are a number of antique shops between Rutland and Queechee. Bentley's in Woodstock is popular for lunch or dinner. Lots of small shops, Vermont Institute of Natural Science takes rehabilitates birds of prey and is an interesting stop. Town events are posted on a board as you enter and exit Woodstock - there is usually something going on. Good c/c skiing in the area.
As for heading north, Rt. 7 to Middlebury {described above] and on to Burlington is a scenic but lengthy {1 1/2 -2 hours from Rutland} trip. Burlington is a small, pretty university city which is built on a huge lake. It has a downtown marketplace which is closed off to traffic, and trails, restaurants and a small museum along the waterfront.
People enjoy visiting Ben and Jerry's around Waterbury, a little east of Burlington for a tour of their factory and free samples! A long day might be a trip up route 100 {stop at pretty Kent Pond just past the entrence to rt. 100}, lots of tiny, pretty towns} to B and Js, then west on 89 to Burlington and back to Rutland south on 7.
Some ideas - hope it helps. You picked a great year for skiing - Record snowfall!
A bit cold to hike to the Queechee Gorge, but walk along the bridge for views.
Certainly stop in Woodstock for a stroll on your way to Queechee - it was rated by one woman's magazine as the nicest small town in America - or something like that! There are a number of antique shops between Rutland and Queechee. Bentley's in Woodstock is popular for lunch or dinner. Lots of small shops, Vermont Institute of Natural Science takes rehabilitates birds of prey and is an interesting stop. Town events are posted on a board as you enter and exit Woodstock - there is usually something going on. Good c/c skiing in the area.
As for heading north, Rt. 7 to Middlebury {described above] and on to Burlington is a scenic but lengthy {1 1/2 -2 hours from Rutland} trip. Burlington is a small, pretty university city which is built on a huge lake. It has a downtown marketplace which is closed off to traffic, and trails, restaurants and a small museum along the waterfront.
People enjoy visiting Ben and Jerry's around Waterbury, a little east of Burlington for a tour of their factory and free samples! A long day might be a trip up route 100 {stop at pretty Kent Pond just past the entrence to rt. 100}, lots of tiny, pretty towns} to B and Js, then west on 89 to Burlington and back to Rutland south on 7.
Some ideas - hope it helps. You picked a great year for skiing - Record snowfall!
