Ludlow, Vermont, can be a great base for exploring the state. Here, you’ll find a variety of outdoor adventures, local shops, restaurants, artisan food makers, and history.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do in Ludlow, Vermont during your next visit.
Where is Ludlow, Vermont?
Ludlow, Vermont, is located in southern Vermont at the intersection of Routes 103 and 100, which run from the north and south.
Ludlow is also home to Okemo Mountain Resort.
Visit Okemo Mountain Resort
77 Okemo Ridge Rd., Ludlow, Vermont
Okemo Mountain Resort is a popular ski resort for families that’s also part of the resorts on the Epic Pass.
We visited Okemo Mountain Resort in the fall in time for a scenic chair lift ride.
Scenic chair lifts at the resort typically start in the summer in June and go until sometime in October in the fall. Winter operation for the ski resort typically starts around mid-November.
Check their website before you go for exact dates and hours of operation.
You can opt for a round-trip on the Sunburst Six scenic chairlift ride that holds up to six people or a one-way ticket and hike down the mountain instead.
If you choose to hike down the mountain instead of taking the scenic chairlift, double-check how much daylight you have left, so you don’t have to hike in the dark.
If you visit in the fall, be prepared for a lengthy wait time for your chair ride back down to the bottom. We assumed it would be as quick as our ascent to the top of the mountain.
We asked a staff member about the delay and learned that the chair lift was older and that the weight balance wasn’t the same for going back down.
Chairlifts are built to take people up the mountain for skiing. This was why they had to space out passengers who traveled back down on the chairlift.
I’d also recommend dressing in layers because it can be windy at the top.
There is a quick-service restaurant at the top of the mountain where you can purchase food, drinks, and shelter from the elements on a windy day.
Climb to the Top of the Okemo Fire Tower
While on Okemo Mountain, we decided to hike to the Okemo Fire Tower nearby.
I highly recommend hiking to the fire tower if you have the additional time.
The hike gives you other perspectives of the mountain. If you visit during the off-season for skiing, you’ll also see the vantage point from the top of a few other closed chair lifts.
The Okemo Fire Tower is 60 feet tall and I’d recommend checking if anyone is currently at the top of the tower before you climb.
Our climb was rewarded with stunning panoramic 360 views of the area that included the Green Mountains.
While we were at the top of the fire tower, a group of six people came up and we had to shimmy around each other to get back down.
It can be windy at the top of the fire tower so hold on to loose objects.
A kid on the trail warned us that he almost lost his hat at the top of the tower.
Visit Buttermilk Falls
1360 VT-103, Ludlow, VT
Buttermilk Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Okemo State Forest.
There are three areas for viewing different sections of the waterfall.
Buttermilk Falls is a short walk/high-reward waterfall to visit because you don’t need to spend a lot of time to see multiple perspectives of the waterfall in a little time.
You can park and see both the lower and middle falls.
You’ll see the lower falls first and then walk the short trail to the middle falls.
The upper Falls viewing area for Buttermilk Falls is a short drive farther down the same road.
This viewing area is on a closed road steps from where you park.
Try a Maple Creemee at Green Mountain Sugar House
820 Route 100 N, Ludlow, VT
While you’re in Vermont you MUST try a “maple creemee!”
It’s the maple soft-serve experience you didn’t know you needed.
I opted for mine topped with maple sugar-coated nuts for extra crunch.
The store has plenty of maple-themed products and souvenirs if you need to stock up during your visit.
Make sure you take a moment to enjoy the beautiful outdoor area where you can enjoy your ice cream with a view.
Visit Ludlow Farmers Market
South Depot St, Ludlow, VT
(Open seasonally on Sundays from 9 AM-1 PM, late May- mid-October)
The Ludlow Farmers Market is a great opportunity to talk to and purchase products from local artisans and farmers.
We also learned about a local restaurant serving wood-fired pizza that we visited during our stay.
Try New England Cider Donuts
29 Main St, Ludlow, VT
The cinnamon and sugar cider donuts at New England Cider Donuts are incredible!
If you have to wait for a warm donut to be made, it’s worth the wait! Their donuts are the perfect fusion of crunch on the outside and soft on the inside.
Eat Breakfast at The Hatchery
164 Main St, Ludlow, VT
If you’re looking for a breakfast spot in downtown Ludlow, check out The Hatchery. It’s a popular breakfast spot that’s worth the wait.
Start with a “Colossal Cinnamon Roll” to share with the table as an appetizer. They also make homemade pop tarts.
The Cilantro Omelette is their signature omelet. It’s made with avocado, garden fresh pico, and VT cheddar, topped with Hatchery-made cilantro pesto, with home fries & toast.
I recommend upgrading your home fries to “funky spuds” so the sauteed onions and melted cheese are added.
The “Home Fries Poutine” ranks high on my husband’s list of all-time favorite breakfasts.
The dish includes their homemade sausage gravy over delicious “Funky Spuds” (seasoned home fries with melted cheddar & sautéed onion), topped with two eggs any style.
Enjoy a Pizza From Goodman’s American Pie
Goodman’s American Pie is a great option for wood-fired pizza served with fresh ingredients.
We ordered our pizza as a carry-out order to enjoy at the condo, but the ambiance at the restaurant is really cool if you choose to dine in.
The first pizza was “The Diablo” which was my favorite of the two because I love spicy food. It’s also the local’s favorite.
This specialty pizza has red sauce, asiago and mozzarella cheese, wood-fired chicken, and Cabot habanero cheddar cheese!
For the second pizza, we tried the “Triple Bypass” made with Craig’s secret tomato sauce, mozzarella, and asiago cheese, generously topped with pepperoni, sausage, and ham.
This was our friend’s favorite pizza of the two so you’ll have to decide.
Additional Attractions Near Ludlow, Vermont
These attractions are located less than 30 minutes from downtown Ludlow.
We discovered that every road in Vermont makes for a scenic drive. You can’t go wrong with any route you take.
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site
3780 Route 100A, Plymouth, VT (18 minutes from downtown Ludlow)
(Open seasonally late May – mid-October) Check their website for exact dates of operation.
This is the site of the birthplace and childhood home of Calvin Coolidge, who was the 30th president of the United States.
On August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge took the presidential oath of office in the parlor of his family home at this site.
Calvin Coolidge is also buried with seven generations of family members at Plymouth Notch Cemetery nearby.
Permanent exhibits at the site include the Coolidge Birthplace, Coolidge Homestead, Schoolhouse, Plymouth Cemetery, and Union Christian Church, which dates back to 1840.
There are also special exhibits at the site that change seasonally.
Shop at Plymouth Cheese
106 Messer Hill Rd, Plymouth, VT (18 minutes from Ludlow, VT)
(Open year-round)
You can sample and purchase “America’s Oldest Cheddar” which still uses the original 1890 Vermont recipe.
In 1890, Colonel John Coolidge, a dairy farmer, built The Plymouth Cheese Factory as a creative way to extend the shelf life of his milk.
The cheese factory closed in 1934 and President Coolidge’s son John revived the cheese factory in 1960.
The cheese factory has an exhibit on the second floor that shares more about Vermont’s cheese-making history and equipment.
Explore The Vermont Country Store
1292 Rockingham Rd, Bellows Falls, VT (27 minutes from downtown Ludlow)
There is more than one location for The Vermont Country Store and we chose to visit their second location in Rockingham because it has a covered bridge next to it.
The Vermont Country Store is owned by 7th & 8th generation Vermonters and 4th & 5th generation storekeepers. They take pride in offering both practical items and unique hard-to-find items.
There is a lot to see inside the store so allow extra time for your visit. Items include local artisan food, apparel, gifts, toys, candy, specialty soaps, and more!
We used our visit as an excuse to stock up on more cheese for our day trip.
They also have an online store if you don’t make it to their retail store during your visit.
The Kissing Bridge
1292 Rockingham Rd, Bellows Falls, VT (27 minutes from downtown Ludlow)
The parking lot for the Vermont Country Store is next to a covered bridge known as “The Kissing Bridge.”
The Kissing Bridge used to be an opportunity for couples to sneak in a quick kiss at the halfway point of the bridge in private back in the horse and buggy days.
Dine with a View at Maebelline’s
12 Clinton St, Springfield, VT
The stunning views of the Black River from Maebelline’s restaurant are hard to beat!
We first visited this downtown on a different day because we noticed the dam/falls on the opposite side of the Black River.
We decided that we couldn’t leave Vermont without enjoying pancakes at a local restaurant topped with real Vermont maple syrup.
Maebelline’s was the perfect spot for our last meal in Vermont.
It was nice to look out the large window at the scenic views of the Black River during our breakfast.
We also tried their biscuits and gravy with home fries.
Their sausage benedict was a more unique breakfast option.
This dish is served with hot, sweet, or wild game sausage, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce on an English muffin.
Cider Stop at Wellwood Orchards
529 Wellwood Orchards Rd. Springfield, VT (24 minutes from Ludlow, VT)
Can you really ever have too much apple cider? We replenished our stock of cider at Wellman Orchards.
After a long day in the cold, it was nice to heat up our cider in our vacation rental with a touch of Bourbon.
The orchard has a seasonal petting zoo and “u-pick” opportunities. They also sell apples and local products from other nearby farms.
Where We Stayed in Ludlow, Vermont
We stayed in a 3-bedroom condo vacation rental in downtown Ludlow. The location was very convenient with many restaurants within walking distance.
This Ludlow vacation rental is also a great base for exploring multiple areas of Vermont. You can read more about our experience staying at the Ludlow vacation rental here.
You can find more information about booking this vacation rental in Ludlow, Vermont here.
What Are the Closest Airports to Ludlow, Vermont?
The closest airport to Ludlow, Vermont is Rutland Airport. Several additional airport options are 70+ to a little over 100+ miles away.
- Rutland (RUT) Airport – 15.6 miles
- Manchester (MHT) – 71.8 miles
- Albany (ALB) – 72.2 miles
- Burlington (BTV) – 78 miles
- Hartford (BDL) -101.9 miles
My husband and I flew into Albany, New York on Southwest Airlines and joined our friends who drove to Albany, NY to meet us from Michigan.
I would recommend comparing flight costs from multiple airports and exploring two one-way flight options for comparison.
You can compare flight costs here.
We stayed one night in Queensbury near Lake George, NY because we wanted more time to fully experience our time in Vermont.
If you’re flying to/near Vermont, you’ll want a rental car because public transportation in Vermont is limited and Vermont is best discovered via road trip.
After our time in Vermont, we spent 1 night in Boston and flew home from there.
Looking for Additional Adventures in Vermont?
- Vermont Road Trip Ideas – Things to Do Around Woodstock, VT (40 minutes from Ludlow)
- Vermont Day Trip Ideas – Things to Do Around Stowe Vermont (1hr 49 minutes from Ludlow)
- 5 Short Easy Hikes to Beautiful Waterfalls in Vermont
