Quechee is a village located on the Ottauquechee River in Windsor County, Vermont. Its community name is an abbreviated version of the Natick Indian expression for ‘White River’. Quechee started to develop when the Woodstock Railroad constructed a bridge over the village’s famous gorge in 1875. It is also home to the Quechee Lakes planned community and a delight for nature lovers.
Once primarily a mill town, Quechee has been restored to become a dynamic trade center while still keeping alive its historic spirit. It is the location of the jaw-dropping Quechee Gorge on the river, also called ‘Vermont’s Grand Canyon‘, one of the natural wonders in the United States. The village is also listed as a historic Mill Village on the National Register.
Just stone’s throws away from Quechee, there are miles of beautiful hiking and cross-country skiing trails linking with Quechee State Park alongside the Ottaquechee River. The community is host to a famous hot air balloon festival and features a glass blowing mill and pottery facility, the Quechee Polo Grounds and two eighteen-hole golf courses.
Highlights
Quechee Gorge State Park: this vast recreation area features the renowned Quechee Gorge, a glass blowing mill and pottery shop and the Billings Farm Museum; the park contains 47 tent/trailer sites in its camping area.
VINS Nature Center: placed next to the gorge, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center displays one of the best collections of birds of prey in North America.
Balloon Festival: Vermont’s leading hot air balloon festival is held each summer on the Quechee Village Green and, apart from balloons, presents music, crafts and fine art.
Balloons over New England: established in 1983, these first class balloon trips take about three hours and include a continental breakfast and champagne after landing.
Wilderness Trails Touring Center: diverse outdoor adventures are provided by the center such as hiking, biking, skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fly fishing.