The Rutland Accommodation Guide

	The Green Mountains of Vermont1

Be it the bright reds, yellows and oranges of the hillsides in the fall, or the striking snow-white tops of the Green Mountains in the winter, Rutland, Vermont, offers vacationers a wide range of recreational activities and ample accommodations year-round. Once a major mining center, Rutland now looks to tourism as its number one industry and as such, visitors to the area can rest assured that their comfort and enjoyment is always at the top of the community's list of priorities. The town is a popular retreat for residents of nearby metropolitan centers such as New York City (259 mi / 415 km), Boston (170 mi / 272 km) and Montreal, Canada (180 mi / 288 km).

The following WorldWeb.com Travel Guide, accommodation article will give prospective travelers looking to experience small-town hospitality and entertainment an idea of where they can stay and what they can expect to experience when visiting Rutland. Those looking to get a head-start on their travel planning can use the helpful links below.

• WorldWeb.com Accommodation Directory - This is a complete accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, bed & breakfasts, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help you find the right place to stay based on your budget, personal preferences and the activities you wish to pursue.

• On-line Accommodation Room Search and Reservations - A convenient online room search and reservation page. This link will allow you to check for room availability and then make a secure online room reservation. Although this is a useful feature anytime of year, the online Secure Room Reservations page is particularly helpful in the peak seasons when finding accommodation in popular properties can be difficult.

• WorldWeb.com Rutland Maps - An interactive map of Rutland and the surrounding area.

ACCESS

Out-of-town visitors can enter Rutland using either Route 7, which runs from north to south, or Route 4 which runs east to west. Other forms of transportation in Rutland include a dedicated AMTRAK route that connects to New York City, as well as a Greyhound bus terminal which provides service to destinations across North America. People looking to arrive by plane use the Rutland State Airport, which is located 6 mi (10 km) from the city center. The airport offers shuttle flights to and from Logan International Airport in Boston. When in Rutland, the city's mass transit system, known to locals as “The Bus,” is an ideal transportation option.

Autumn in Rutland 2

ORIENTATION

With a relatively small urban sprawl of 8 mi sq (13 km sq), people can travel in and around Rutland with ease. As is common with towns of this size, the majority of hotels are situated on the two central corridors entering and leaving Rutland, Main Street (Route 7) and Woodstock Avenue (Route 4). The latter acts as the gateway to the Killington and Pico Mountains, two of Rutland's closest ski hills, which are located approximately 14 mi (23 km) from the city center. Both mountains house several hotels in their own right. When not enjoying any of the area's outdoor endeavors, tourists flock to Merchants Row, an area of the town that features a number of restored historical buildings.

WHEN TO VISIT

Rutland and the entire state of Vermont are almost always in the midst of a tourist season. This is in part due to its popularity as a retreat for people living in the densely populated areas surrounding it such as Massachusetts and Quebec. The region itself experiences cold winters and hot, relatively humid summers, both of which provide ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking and golf.

DISTRICTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

	The Harvest Moon Bed & Breakfast 3

Main Street (Route 7)
The majority of Rutland's accommodation options are found on Main Street. Lodging here includes several internationally-recognized hotel chains, such as Econo Lodge, Ramada Limited, RedRoof Inn, and the Comfort Inn. The Holiday Inn of Rutland, is of particular interest because of the wealth of amenities it offers guests. The hotel features an indoor pool, sauna, fitness center and business facility. For the most part, any one of these lodgings is either a walk or a short drive from Rutland's most popular commercial district, Merchant's Row. The historically significant Vermont buildings located here now house some of the area's top restaurants and boutique shops, as well as trendy bistros and coffeehouses.

Visitors staying on Main Street will find that they are often in the vicinity of any number of special events that take place in the area. Festivals such as Art in the Park, which takes place in August and October, and the Vermont Comedy Works which happens every June, are just a couple of the annual events held in Rutland's downtown core. The Vermont State Fair, Rutland's largest yearly event, takes place at the end of August on Main Street. Potential guests of the Rutland area looking to visit during this time are advised to book their rooms well in advance, as the state fair can make finding a room a challenge.

Skiing in Killington, Vermont 4

Woodstock Avenue (Route 4)
Those who don't stay on Main Street will likely end up finding accommodation along the town's other main conduit, Route 4, otherwise known as Woodstock Avenue. A number of independently operated inns and motels are found on this road, as well as a couple of established names, like the Best Western and the Rodeway Inn.

The appeal of staying on Woodstock is its proximity to Rutland's closest ski hill, Killington. While this hill boasts a number of lodging options, it is not out of the ordinary for guests to stay in Rutland and drive to the hill.

Other Areas
A number of bed and breakfasts' are scattered throughout the town of Rutland and its periphery. In most cases, the bed and breakfasts' are renovated historic homes. A few bed and breakfasts' of note include the Chocolate Truffle Bed and Breakfast, which is a converted Victorian mansion originally built in 1895. The Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast is of interest to vacationers seeking an intimate place to stay while in Rutland, as it is located on a secluded farm on the outskirts of town. Finally, the Dog Paw Inn, is a recent addition to the Rutland area that has gained immense popularity among tourists because it caters to couples with dogs.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. The Green Mountains of Vermont; Rutland, VT, USA
2. Autumn in Vermont; Rutland, VT, USA
3. Susan Lipkin; c/o The Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast; Main Cottage; Rutland, VT, USA
4. Skiing in Killington; Killington, VT, USA