Skiing

The houses are centrally located between several ski areas including Bromley, Stratton, Okemo, Pico, Killington and others. The approximate travel times to the ski areas are as follows:

Bromley 25 minutes
Stratton 40 minutes
Pico 45 minutes
Killington 45 minutes
Okemo 40 minutes.

Hiking

Big branch wilderness area

Five minutes from the house, you can drive to the Big Branch Wilderness Area. The Silver Bridge crosses the Big Branch River, a wild, crystal clear torrent in the Spring, and a wonderful, wild creek in the summer full of swimming holes. The bridge is often closed in the winter. You will see that there has been significant road repair and rebuilding that took place here - Hurricane Irene took out the road below the bridge and flooded the Town of Mt. Tabor.  Hike up along the south side of the creek just before the bridge where a pull off exists for parking your car. The trail is not well maintained, and has some steep banks down to the river. Hikers of all ages can handle a short ½ mile hike or longer up along either side of the river while exploring this incredible, wild river.

Crossing the Silver Bridge, and about five minutes up the side of the mountains,  you come to a designated pull off area on the right. There are picnic tables, barbecue grills, and spectacular lookout points on the south end of the picnic area overlooking the valley leading to Manchester. No significant walking required. If you like, there is a steep trail down to the River from this point called Big Branch Trail; the sign states .1 mile, but it is more like .3 (and feels like 1.5 miles!!) especially on the walk back to the parking lot. The river is in a gorge, which falls into a series of pools, making the hike more than worth the effort.

Another two minutes up the road is the trail head to to the Appalachian Trail, which is called the Long Trail in Vermont.  From here you can hike to Georgia or Mount Katadhin in Maine!  There are an abundance of shorter hikes, of course. We frequent the Little Rock Pond hike which takes you on a loop around the Pond via the Long trail. This is an easy 4 mile hike, but be prepared for mud!

WHITE ROCKS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Fifteen minutes from the house, you can drive to the White Rocks National Recreation Area, where there is public access to multiple hiking opportunities. There are two lookout points; the first overlooks a rockfall into a valley, the second has nice views of Dorset Mountain and the valley to the south. Hiking approximately 3/4 miles, you will come upon the “ice beds”, a geological formation, which is at the bottom of a rockfall. This trail is 3 miles out and back. In the early spring you will likely find it mostly snow covered. The ice-melt from the rockfall area keeps the stream running out from the bottom cold all summer. Don’t forget, you have to hike back the way you came. This can be a difficult hike for young children.

There is a good variety of birds to watch right at the house, ranging from chickadees, nut hatch, gold finch, phoebes, fly catchers and blue jays to hummingbirds, owls, hawks and blue birds. We are active birdwatchers and try to attract birds to the property with bird-friendly landscaping, watering holes and feeders. If this is an interest of yours, you can spend many hours lounging on the decks watching all of the varied bird life swirl around you.
Other birding locations nearby: Merck Forest, Emerald State Park, Hildene (scheduled bird walks) 

GO FOR A SWIM IN THE POOL (METTAWEE HOUSE ONLY)

Turn on the stereo in the pool room and enjoy! Stereo is located in the walk in closet/child’s bedroom off of the master bedroom There are CDs located in the family room bookshelves.
Turn the volume up!

GO SLEDDING IN THE BACKYARD (WINTER ONLY, OF COURSE)

There are sleds of various shapes and sizes in the small red shed between the houses – grab a few and give it a go. Especially great for kids!

nature

There is a wide variety of wildlife,gardens and trees surrounding both properties. Take a look at the gardens surrounding the house, the old growth maples on the property, the milkweeds in the fields, the Monarch butterflies, sphinx moths, and dragonflies that inhabit the area.

Located only a few minutes from the house, you have a perfect opportunity to go horseback riding at the Mountain View Ranch, whether you are experienced or a beginner! Riding lessons are available during all seasons.
Website

merck forest & Farmland center

A great family day trip or extended overnight backpacking hike, this privately owned, preserve has as its mission statement “to teach and demonstrate the benefits of innovative, sustainable management of forest and farmland.” You can visit the largest sugarhouse you have ever seen, see a windmill up close, visit with the egg-laying chickens, pet the sheep, and see how a photovoltaic system powers their facility. There are year-round programs and activities at the Merck Forest & Farmland Center. The center is a twenty minute drive from your Danby location. There is extensive cross country skiing and snow shoeing available here, and a small shop where their farm products are sold.
Website

RILEY RINK (802-362-0150)

Fifteen minutes from the house, Rt. 7a
Large indoor ice-skating facility, featuring an olympic-sized rink, with a full skate rental center, open to the public.
Website

20 minutes from the house, south on Route 7, south through Manchester Center, and then just south of Manchester Village.
The Lincoln family homestead, tours daily of the house, gift shops, films, and much more. This is a great place to visit for an afternoon, involves limited walking between the buildings and around the grounds.
Website

SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER (802-362-4519)

A 407 acre visual and performing arts center, with multiple galleries, sculpture garden, trails, café and more. Great for day visits even if no special events are taking place. Check the website for activities and events.
Wildwood Farm (Mad Tom Road, ten minutes from house, south off of Rt. 7) Pick your own blueberries, Mid July to Mid August. They freeze very well, and are a snap to pick.
Website

VERMONT SUMMER FESTIVAL (July - Mid-August)

Held at the Beebe Farm, 10 minutes south from the house, you will enjoy the spectacle of some of the finest horse competitors in the country perform in Grand Prix show jumping, hunter- rider events and more. The horse show has been recognized as a “Top Ten Summer Event” by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Website

EMERALD LAKE STATE PARK (TEN MINUTES SOUTH OF HOUSE)

For a low admission price, spend the day at Emerald Lake on the beach, using the peddle boats, canoes and kayaks, swimming, fishing and more. You can bring your picnic or buy lunch and snacks at the concession stand. Site of the country’s first marble quarry, opened in 1785 by Isaac Underhill, the Park is steeped in history, including old train stations, mountain trams, water powered lumber mills and more.
Website

ELFIN LAKE (WALLINGFORD)

Enjoy the small beach, swimming dock and canoe and kayak rentals in the summertime. There are also several interesting walking trails all around the lake with points of interest.

SOUTHERN VERMONT ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL (EARLY AUGUST)

Usually held in the Hildene Meadow, this arts and crafts fair is fun to visit, not just for the arts and crafts, but the food, and spectacle.