Get Your Vermont On! 5 Things to Do in Rutland

Photo of shopfront with I Love Rutland VT Banner — Traveleidoscope: Get Your Vermont oN! 5 Things to Do in Rutland!

So, what’s there to do in Rutland? On a Saturday? In the summer? A lot, as it turns out!

You might only think of Vermont as a ski destination in the winter or as a place to go leaf peeping in the fall. We took a spur of the moment road trip to Rutland in the summer and there were plenty of activities to keep us busy! Here are just a few!

But first, a bit about Rutland, Vermont...

Location: Rutland County, southern Vermont
Population: 15,440 (2017)
It’s the 3rd largest city in Vermont , behind Burlington and South Burlington
It covers 7.68 square miles
Not to be confused: There’s a Rutland city and a Rutland town. Rutland town has a population of around 4,000. Although Rutland town completely surrounds Rutland city, they’re distinctly and separately incorporated. Who knew?

What's There To Do?

1. Go to a farmers market

Pedestrians and vendors at Vermont Farmers Market, Rutland — Traveleidoscope: Vermont Farmers Market, Rutland

The Vermont Farmers Market is really fantastic. It has a summer market in two locations - one in Rutland and one in Fair Haven. There’s even a winter farmers market in Rutland!

photo of pedestrians and vendors at Vermont Farmers Market, Rutland — Traveleidoscope: Vermont Farmers Market, Rutland

2. Check out the street art!

Turns out, there’s a lot of street art in downtown Rutland!

Murals on Center Street Alley, Rutland Vermont — Traveleidoscope: Center Street Alley, Rutland

Traveleidoscope: Downtown Rutland street art and architecture

3. Do some mountain biking

View of Killington Mountain Vermont i the summer — Traveleidoscope: View of Killington Mountain Vermont

Okay, so not strictly in Rutland, but Killington is nearby. Although we weren’t in the Rutland/Killington area to mountain bike, we did take a ride past the Killington Bike Park. At 10 am it was buzzing with activity! Bring your bike or rent one at the Snowshed Lodge at Killington. Ride the gondola with your bike and ride down one of the many trails. Passes can be steep (pun intended) even if you buy online ($51 for an advance purchase 1-day weekend pass), but it looks like the fun you’ll have may be well worth the price!

4. Don’t forget lunch!

Traveleidoscope: Grilled Veggie Wrap, Sandwich Shoppe, Rutland

Named as the best sandwich place in Vermont by Travel & Leisure, the Sandwich Shoppe doesn’t disappoint! And the owners couldn’t be nicer!

Garbage Burger, Sandwich Shoppe, Rutland, Vermont — Traveleidoscope: Garbage Burger, Sandwich Shoppe, Rutland

Blackboard with a lot of sandwich menu items available at the Sandwich Shoppe, Rutland, Vermont — Traveleidoscope: Just a few of the sandwiches available at the Sandwich Shoppe, Rutland

Remember, there are all sorts of great farms in Vermont that grow incredible food and make cheese (hint Vermont Cheddar)!

And if you’re thirsty...the Rutland area has breweries! Long Trail Brewing Company and Hop n’ Moose Brewing, to name two! I haven’t visited, but I’ve sampled... just sayin’...

5. And if you’re around...

Vermont State Fair is in Rutland.

Looking for more things to do in downtown Rutland? Check out the Downtown Rutland website!

Bonus: Want to learn some Vermont lingo? The website Only in Your State has a list of 23 words you’ll only understand if you're from Vermont!