Amenities
Experiences & What To Do
Local guide to our favorite attractions for every season
Cavendish and Okemo Valley offer four seasons of world-class outdoor recreation, picturesque mountain drives, and historic Vermont hamlets. Whether you’re relaxing in a luxury cabin at Sugar Maple Mountain Retreat, stretching out on Pleasant Street, or staying steps from the town center at The Mill Place, the Okemo Valley is ready to welcome you. We’ve curated our favorite local sights, activities, and seasonal highlights below to help you make the most of your Vermont getaway—no matter when you visit!
The great outdoors
Cool mountain waters, secluded forest ponds, rushing waterfalls, and scenic mountain trailheads minutes from your cabin door.
Hike to the fire tower for breathtaking 360-degree views across four states, or explore the various trailheads throughout Cavendish.
A 5-minute drive from Ludlow, and a local favorite for an easy hike and a refreshing dip in natural cascade swimming holes and waterfalls.
Great for gold panning, swimming, and boat rentals on the peaceful shores of Echo Lake.
Iconic Appalachian Trail suspension bridge trail off VT 103 with stunningly dramatic river gorge views.
A gentle 1.3-mile hike through Vermont's deepest gorge, stretching 165 feet down to the Ottauquechee River.
A moderately challenging uphill climb up Okemo State Forest, but the gorgeous summit fire tower views are worth every step.
A more challenging trek leading up to the historic observation tower with stunning panoramic views from the top.
Get a 1-day or multi-day fishing license at Singleton's General Store or online at VT Fish and Wildlife. Fish in the Black River on Hwy 131 in Cavendish or at Knapp Ponds, the two peaceful lakes next to Sugar Maple Mountain Retreat cabins.
Four-wheelers and mountain bikes are available to rent locally to explore the rugged Vermont backcountry terrain.
Held in Ludlow on Friday evenings throughout summer. Grab a lawn chair, your favorite beverage, and bring the whole family to enjoy live music on the lawn.
Grab an Okemo Day Pass to enjoy ziplining, an obstacle challenge course, scenic mini golf, and the thrilling Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster.
Foliage and festivals
Ludlow and Cavendish are especially picturesque during fall. The mountains surrounding our charming town are full of the classic autumn colors of gold, orange, and red.
A family-owned historic farm featuring a 13-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, and livestock petting zoo — voted one of the best in the nation!
Hand-select your own fresh crisp Vermont apples and visit their cozy on-site pie bakery and country store.
Pick-Your-Own (PYO) berries, apples, plums, pears, and pumpkins! Check out the friendly petting zoo and visit the country store for fresh apple cider and hot cider donuts made daily (Open June–Oct).
Hike to the fire tower for breathtaking 360-degree autumn canopy views, or explore the various trailheads throughout Ludlow and Cavendish.
The scenic 30-minute drive to historic Woodstock, VT is highly recommended during peak leaf-peeping season with covered bridges along the way.
Take a leisurely drive up Okemo Mountain along the paved road that becomes a ski trail in winter. There are several scenic parking pull-offs near the top to take in the stunning valley foliage below.
Four-wheelers and mountain bikes are available to rent locally at Tygart Mountain Sports to explore the colorful fall foliage terrain.
Snow and ski season
Ludlow during the winter season is simply spectacular. Okemo Mountain offers 121 ski runs, plus one of the country's top-rated lifts, the heated orange bubble chair. If the slopes aren't for you, there are plenty of other winter activities to choose from during this most magical time of year:
World-class ski terrain across 121 trails and 20 lifts for all skill levels, located just 15 minutes from the cabins.
Visit the Nordic Center for groomed cross country skiing and snowshoeing across the Fox Run golf course.
A great local non-profit mountain spot for family-friendly, high-fun snow tubing.
Convenient and high-energy multi-lane tubing park located right at Okemo's Jackson Gore base.
When this year-round alpine coaster runs through the snow-covered forest — it's an absolute blast for kids and adults alike!
Book a classic family horse-drawn sleigh ride through scenic rolling pastures with wool blankets and warm fires.
Rent snowshoes at Tygart Mountain Sports, or use the complimentary snowshoes provided at Sugar Maple Mountain Retreat to trek our wooded trails directly outside your cabin.
Rent a snowmobile or book an exhilarating guided backcountry snowmobile tour across Vermont's celebrated VAST trail system with Snowmobile Vermont (Killington/Okemo).
History, culture, and entertainment
From America's 30th president's birthplace to historic cheese factories, live professional theatre, and family museums, Vermont heritage shines in every season.
A remarkably preserved historic 19th-century village in nearby Plymouth Notch where America's 30th president was born and sworn into office by kerosene lamp.
Don't forget to stock up on historic raw-milk artisan cheddar at one of the oldest cheese operations in America.
Located in Manchester (approx. 30 mins). Explore Robert Todd Lincoln's summer estate, formal gardens, farm observatory, and a restored 1903 Pullman palace car.
Home and studios of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America's greatest sculptors, featuring historic gardens and over 100 bronze sculptures.
Features interactive raptor enclosures, live bird-of-prey demonstrations, forest canopy walk, and nature programs open daily for general admission.
In Woodstock, combines a fully operating dairy farm with award-winning Jersey cows, historic 1890 farmhouse, and interactive agricultural exhibits.
Located in Rutland, VT. A vibrant, interactive play and discovery museum designed especially for younger children.
Vermont's oldest professional theater company, presenting celebrated live stage productions for over 90 seasons, dating back to 1936!
This charming vintage hometown theater has been carefully updated to preserve its historic character while showing first-run new releases.
Year-round aquatic and fitness center in the Ice House at Okemo, featuring indoor leisure pools, hot tubs, fitness classes, and full-service spa treatments.
Markets, vintage finds, and Vermont provisions
Everything you need during your retreat stay, from local farm co-ops and artisanal cheese makers to antique dealer barns and iconic Vermont general stores.
Located on Main Street in Ludlow for full-service supermarket groceries, fresh produce, bakery, and pharmacy supplies.
Our beloved local landmark famous for in-house smoked meats, deli sandwiches, Vermont maple syrup, cheddar wheels, and outdoor gear.
Celebrated whole-animal butchery, scratch breakfast and lunch, craft pantry goods, and local farm produce (10 minutes away).
Community-owned natural foods grocery offering organic produce, bulk herbs and grains, and local Vermont products (membership not required).
Ludlow's premier state agency store for official 802 spirits, extensive Vermont craft beer selection, fine wines, and hard ciders.
The oldest continuously operating cheese factory in the United States, hand-making artisan raw-milk cheeses since 1824.
Historic cheese operation founded in 1890 by Calvin Coolidge's father, producing distinctive granular curd cheddars.
Family farm nestled in the hills of Woodstock, famous for natural cheeses waxed by hand and pure wood-fired maple syrup.
Award-winning aged raw milk cheddars and specialty flavored cave-aged cheeses.
Charming wine and specialty food shop in Ludlow featuring curated domestic and imported cheeses, charcuterie, and fine wines.
Nearly 20,000 sq ft of multi-dealer booths showcasing fine primitive furniture, folk art, ephemera, and vintage collectibles.
Housed in a massive historic barn with hundreds of booth vendors offering eclectic vintage treasures and retro finds.
Woodstock is a renowned destination for antique connoisseurs, featuring Wigren-Barlow Antiques and the fine design galleria of B.F. Southgate & Co (formerly Antiques Collaborative).
A cozy and charming shop specializing in rare, out-of-print, and collectible vintage books.
The flagship mill and retail store overlooking the Quechee river waterfall, featuring world-famous handblown glass and pottery.
Premier boutique outlet shopping village set among historic mountain architecture with leading designer brand stores.
The legendary purveyors of the practical and hard-to-find. A sprawling destination filled with nostalgic candies, Vermont gifts, woolens, and vintage goods.
Explore our hand-picked restaurants, tavern favorites, craft bakeries, and après-ski spots.
Experience quiet mountain seclusion, private smokeless fire pits, artisan amenities, and complimentary guest gear in the heart of Cavendish.