Attractions for Guests of Stratton and Bromley Vacation Rentals

Stratton, Londonderry, and Manchester Vermont accommodations are perfect for enjoying the year-round attractions of southern Vermont. From picturesque New England villages and fabulous shopping to pristine mountains and top-notch ski resorts, Vermont is a vacationer's paradise.

Wintertime guests of Stratton and Bromley vacation rentals can enjoy skiing and other winter sports at the Stratton Mountain Ski Resort, the Bromley Mountain resort, and the Magic Mountain Ski Area.

The vacation fun in the Green Mountains doesn't stop when the snow melts! Warm weather guests of Bromley and Stratton Mountain lodging can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayaking, canoeing, golfing, tennis, and more in this gorgeous mountain setting. Autumn brings fabulous fall foliage and scenic gondola rides.

The First Fun Ski Shop (802-297-4321) can arrange for kayaking and canoe tours, fly fishing trips, and guided hikes. Kid's activities include paintball, dance camp, and hockey camp.

Vacationers staying in a Stratton Mountain vacation rental can ride the Stratton Gondola up southern Vermont's highest peak for magnificent views. The gondola runs on weekends only from July to mid-September and daily from mid-September to early October. Rates are $10 for adults, $6 for youth ages 13-18 and seniors 65 and older, and free for children under 12.

Summertime guests of Stratton Mountain rentals can enjoy Stratton's highly-rated 27-hole championship golf course. The three separate nine-hole courses each offer a different challenge, but all provide magnificent views, lush fairways, and immaculate greens.

Stratton's Golf and Resort Memberships start at $449 and offer unlimited play, seven days a week, for the season. The Golf Value Pass offers unlimited play from Sunday at Noon through Friday for just $299. Cart fees are $20 for 18 holes and $10 for 9 holes. Call 1-800-STRATTON for more information.

Another great area golf club is the Gleneagles Golf Course (802-362-7870), ranked as one of the top 75 golf courses in the United States by Golf Digest. Gunterman Tennis Schools (802-867-0382) in Manchester Center offers lessons and camps for adults and juniors from mid-May through mid-October.

In summertime, families staying in Bromley Vermont vacation rentals will find plenty of fun at the Bromley Thrill Zone. Attractions include an alpine slide, the Big Splash water slide, PigDogs Fun Park, a 24-foot climbing wall, a zip line, mini-golf, bumper boats, the Condor Coaster, the Trampoline Thing, and more.

Other warm weather activities for guests of accommodations in the Manchester VT area include boating and fishing on area lakes and streams. Sailing Winds Marina (802-287-9411), on lovely Lake St. Catherine, rents motorboats, kayaks, canoes, sunfish, and paddle boats. Green Mountain Fishing Guide Service (802-446-3375) offers professional guide service, equipment, and instruction. For canoe and kayak rentals on the Battenkill, contact Battenkill Canoe at 802-362-2800. Battenkill Hunting and Wingshooting Preserve in Salem (518-854-7700) offers guided big game hunts.

Vacationers staying in lodging in Stratton Vermont can pick up farm-fresh produce, eggs, cheese, Artisan breads, and meat at the Manchester Farmers Market (802-362-5323) and the Dorset Farmers Market (802-325-2461) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday from May through October.

In southern Vermont, vacationers will find fabulous shopping for Vermont specialty products, arts and crafts, antiques, gifts, fashion, and more. Bromley shopping is a delight for bargain hunters with more than two dozen designer outlets at the Manchester Designer Outlets center, including Polo, J. Crew, Armani, Jones of New York, Coach, and Ralph Lauren.

Special events for guests of Manchester VT lodging include the Annual Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show in June (800-362-4144), the Southern Vermont Art & Craft Festival in early August (802-425-3399), the Hildene Fall Foliage Art & Craft Festival in late September (802-425-3399) and the Annual Weston Craft Fair in October (802-824-3576).

Ethan Allen Days (802-362-1788) a festival held in mid-June, commemorates the Revolutionary War with battle reenactments, period music, candlelight camp tours, a period dinner, contra dance, and more. Guests of lodging in Manchester VT can also enjoy summer concerts on the Manchester Town Green each Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. from mid-July to late August.

The Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows (802-496-4878) features Hunter, Jumper, and Grand Prix show classes from mid-July to mid-August. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children.

History buffs will enjoy the fabulous Park McCullough House (802-442-5441) in North Bennington. This 35-room Victorian mansion served as home to two Vermont Governors and still has many of the original furnishings. The Bennington Museum (802-447-1571) boasts an excellent collection of Americana, including furniture, paintings, glass, military history, toys, dolls, and tools.

Home to Abraham Lincoln's descendants until 1975, the Hildene mansion in Manchester (802-362-1788) offers a formal garden, seasonal decorations, concerts, and cross-country skiing on its grounds. The 1885 Victorian Lady of Middletown Springs (802-235-2299) is home to the Women's History Museum, showcasing antique clothing, dolls, toys, needle arts, and miniatures and offering classes and catered events.

At the Museum of Black WW II History in Pownal (802-823-5519), vacationers renting an accommodation in Bromley can learn about the contributions of the 1.2 million African-Americans who served in the U.S. Military during WWII.

Anglers will enjoy the American Museum of Fly Fishing (802-362-3300), which boasts the world's largest collection of fly-fishing artifacts and the fishing tackle of many famous Americans.

Entertainment options for guests of Manchester and Londonderry VT vacation rentals include concerts by the Nordic Harmoni Chorus (802-824-6578), a mixed chorus of 20 voices performing in English & Swedish, and the Manchester Music Festival (802-362-1956), featuring chamber music year-round.

The Dorset Playhouse (802-867-2223) offers professional theatre productions, while the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (802-864-5741) features top-notch performances in nearby Burlington. Ballet Manchester (802-362-0759) brings professional ballet to Southern Vermont and the Weston Playhouse (802-824-5288) presents a variety of entertainment from mid-June to mid-September.

What could be more quintessentially New England than visiting a farm? Guests of Manchester and Jamaica VT vacation rentals can wander through corn mazes, pick the perfect pumpkin, learn how maple syrup and goat cheese are made, purchase fresh produce, take a wagon ride, and buy cider, syrup, jams, and other products right from the source. Farms open to visitors include the Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert (802-394-7836), the Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop in Bennington (802-447-7780), Mad Tom Orchard in East Dorest (802-366-8107), Taylor Farm in Londonderry (802-824-5690), and Consider Bardwell Farm in West Pawlet (802-645-9928).

No matter what time of year you visit southern Vermont, you'll find a wealth of attractions in this scenic spot. Reserve your Stratton or Bromley vacation rental today for a memorable vacation!