Quechee Village

Quechee was founded in the mid 1700’s and soon grew into a healthy and prosperous mill town. The name “Quechee” (pronounced “kwee-chee”) comes from the name of the Ottauquechee River which starts near Killington and winds picturesquely through our town on its way through the famous Quechee Gorge to the Connecticut River. Life in a mill town can be good as long as the mills keep operating, but unfortunately the last of the woolen mills shut down in 1958. By the time the Quechee Lakes project began ten years later, the townspeople were unemployed and their town was in disrepair. It was then that the Quechee Lakes Corporation—in collaboration with the townspeople—began the long process of restoration and development of its 5500 acres..

Faithfully reinstated and carefully rebuilt, the town’s shops, homes, covered bridge and, consequently, its pride, have returned to prominence. The most famous restoration was brought about by Simon Pearce, an internationally known glassblower from Ireland, who opened his glassblowing operation in 1981 in the Downer’s Mill. Today it also houses a restaurant, an international crafts shop, a pottery studio, furniture shops, clothing shops, and a hydro turbine whose power is fed into the Central Vermont Public Service’s main power grid.

Local Amenities

By visiting Quechee, you and your family can participate in the activities of one of the finest Country Clubs in all New England. Truly, the most prominent full-time living and all-encompassing vacation playground in the Northeast. Rental guests have access to all of the Quechee Club facilities with a flexible fee structure to suite each families’ individual needs.

The Quechee Club offers:

•Two eighteen hole championship golf courses designed by the noted course architect, Geoffrey Cornish. The Highland Course is rated in the top one percent of courses in the United States by the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Golf carts, lessons, and equipment sales and rentals are available through the completely stocked pro-shop. Bob Lendzion, a past resident pro, achieved national prominence by winning the 1986 United States Golf Professionals’ Tournament in California.

•A ski area with snowmaking on ten trails ranging from beginner to advanced intermediate. There is a 2700’ quad chair lift, T-bar, rope tow, base lodge, and ski shop. In addition, there are 20 kilometers of beautifully groomed cross-country ski trails.

•Tennis facilities including a mix of all-weather and Har-Tru courts along with a tennis pavilion where members, guests, and renters can comfortably watch tournaments. Our pro staff offers instruction for adults and juniors, arranges social games, Club tournaments, and exhibition tournaments.

•Dewey’s Lake, a 30-acre lake owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and designated as a wildlife refuge. Fishing and non-power boating are encouraged. Lake Pinneo, a 50-acre lake, with its sandy beach and playground is loads of fun. It also provides the water for snowmaking on Quechee’s Ski Hill and offers a myriad of water recreational activities.

•A year-round clubhouse complex with saunas, exercise room, indoor and outdoor heated pools, squash court, cocktail lounge, gracious dining room, and a delightful deck and dining area overlooking the Lakeland Golf course and the Ottaquechee River.

•A terrific recreation program for children. A full-time recreation director plans activities such as hay rides, torchlight skiing, skating parties and dances, kid’s nights out, day camps, tennis and golf clinics, overnight camp outs, swimming lessons, river tubing, and weekly movies.

•For the fishing enthusiast, Wilderness Trails at the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm can provide a license, equipment, and pointers on the fishes’ favorite haunts. In the wintertime, Wilderness Trails maintains a wide variety of cross-country trails.

•The Appalachian Trail, which crosses the north section of Quechee Lakes, is a favorite for serious hikers and daytime walkers.

•The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) provides exhibits, nature trails, live bird programs, raptor enclosures, a pollinator garden, and a variety of other programs where you can explore your natural curiosity and learn from VINS avian residents. Located on Route 4 near the Quechee Gorge.

Surrounding Quechee

•Hanover, New Hampshire is just 12 miles east of Quechee. The home of Dartmouth College, Hanover plays host to exciting football and hockey weekends. Dartmouth’s Hopkins Center offers theatre productions, films, and concerts, while the Hood Museum of Art houses fascinating galleries and exhibits. The Dartmouth College boathouse on the Connecticut River offers a rental of canoes, kayaks, and wind surfers. The newly constructed Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is located in Lebanon, NH and is now the largest medical center between Boston and Montreal. It is known for its outstanding research facilities, cancer center, medical school, and excellent patient care.

•Woodstock, Vermont is six miles west of Quechee. One of New England’s most picturesque villages, and ranked in the top three in America, it is home to fine antique shops, craft studios, art galleries, clothing stores, quaint cafes and restaurants, and the famous Woodstock Inn.

Quechee Shops

In addition to the fine shops in Quechee Village, Woodstock and Hanover, the Powerhouse Arcade in West Lebanon New Hampshire offers clothing, food, jewelry, and much more. The Powerhouse is a truly architectural masterpiece made of restored New Hampshire houses and mill buildings. It features a huge circus scene ceiling sculpture made of copper and brass, gorgeous seasonal decorations, and beautiful stained pine walkways. There are two other large shopping plazas also located in West Lebanon.

Quechee Restaurants

•There is a fantastic selection of restaurants in the Quechee area. Simon Pearce, The Parker House, the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm, Dana’s by the Gorge, Firestones, and Shepherds are all in Quechee. The Quechee Club provides elegant dining in a more private atmosphere while its companion facility, Murphy Farm, overlooking Lake Pinneo, boasts the charming atmosphere of a country inn.

•In Woodstock you’ll find The Woodstock Inn, The Prince and the Pauper, Bentley’s of Woodstock, Mia Cucina, The Village Inn, and the Stone House Tavern.

•In Hanover there is Jesse’s Steakhouse, Molly’s, Café Buon Gustaio, Café LaFraise, Panda House, The Hanover Inn, and, in nearby Lyme, D’Artagnan. In Lebanon, Lui Lui’s, and Sweet Tomatoes Trattoria all welcome families.

•Several restaurants in the area have entertainment ranging from folk singers to DJs to dance bands.

Quechee Ski Areas

Killington is approximately 25 minutes west of Quechee. Stowe, Sugarbush, Okemo, and Stratton are all within one hour. Suicide Six, just north of Woodstock, is only a 15 minute drive.

Quechee Connections

•Quechee is located on Route 4 just six miles west of the interchange of interstate highways 89 and 91 in White River Junction, Vermont.

•The Lebanon Airport is a fifteen-minute drive from Quechee. Cape Cod Air maintains connections to Boston’s Logan Airport, and car rentals and limousine service are available. The Vermont Transit bus station is five miles from Quechee in White River Junction, Vermont. Bus service to Boston, Hartford, New Haven, New York, and Montreal is available several times a day. In addition, from Hanover and Lebanon, NH The Dartmouth Coach provides excellent connections to New York City, Boston, and Boston’s Logan Airport.

Quechee Geography

•The elevations within Quechee Lakes range from 550 to 1400 feet above sea level. These are the rolling foothills of the Green Mountains forming a bowl around the village through which the Ottaquechee River winds its way.

•Vermont boasts beautiful days in all seasons. The ever-popular ski season does not overshadow the fantastic mild summer months or spectacular foliage season. The average total precipitation is approximately 88 inches. The normal average January temperature is 17 degrees and July’s average temperature is 70 degrees.