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Vermont may be one of the smallest U.S. states, but it is a perfect location for family activities in all seasons. You can drive across the state in about three hours, which means you can visit many attractions. It’s beautiful in the snowy winter, with incredible fall colors, wildflowers in the spring, and warm summers. 16 Cheap Family Activities to Do in Vermont
1. Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour and Ice Cream Shop
Take the fantastic 30-minute tour of the Ben and Jerry’s Factory and Ice Cream Shop in Waterbury, near Stowe. The guided tour includes watching a short movie about Ben & Jerry’s history, visiting the manufacturing and production areas, and an ice cream tasting.
2. Winter Weekend in Wassail
The Wassail Christmas festival in the charming town of Woodstock is a winter activity the entire family can enjoy. The festival takes place in the second week of December. It includes festive town decorations, lighting the Yule log, craft fairs, home tours, concerts, and more.
3. Billings Farm and Museum
Billings Farm & Museum is also in Woodstock. The venue has a working Jersey dairy farm, draft horses, and a sunflower house. Visit the 1890s Farm Manager’s House, where the first Billings Farm Manager lived. Children will enjoy the interactive programs and educational exhibits on the farm and museum. Before leaving, take a walk to the cheese and gift shop.
4. Visit Burlington
Burlington is a city in northwest Vermont, east of Lake Champlain. Visit the popular marketplace in the town center and enjoy the many shops, restaurants (some with outdoor dining), and local breweries. Burlington also has a paved bike trail around the lake, a science and nature museum, a historic farmhouse, and the World’s Tallest File Cabinet.
5. Sugarbush Farm
Sugarbush Farm is a 500-acre farm outside Woodstock. Entry is free, and visitors can sample delicious maple syrup and cheese varieties. The farm store has produce such as local meats, mustards, jams, and spreads. If you visit in the spring, you can see how the farm makes maple syrup or watch a video about the process out of season. During the summer, you can meet the farm goats.
6. Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
There are many local tree farms in Vermont where the family can pick and cut the perfect Christmas tree for winter celebrations. They aren’t difficult to find, but you could visit Bennett’s Tree Farm in Bennington, Elysian Hills Tree Farm in Dummerston, or L H Stowell & Son in Brookfield.
7. Vermont Teddy Bear Store
The Vermont Teddy Bear store in Shelburne offers a range of plush teddy bears, which are sold in the store and online. The Bear Hospital takes care of poorly teddy bears, and the bear doctor restores them to health. For a real treat, for an extra cost, the children can make a teddy bear. The store has an on-site Bear Shop.
8. The Shelburne Museum
The Shelburne Museum is a 45-acre site with indoor and outdoor activities and attractions. It opens from May to October and features historic Vermont structures, including an 1871 Lake Champlain lighthouse, a restored 1906 220-foot steamboat, and an 1845 two-lane covered bridge. The miniature, hand-carved Arnold Circus Parade is a popular exhibit in the building. The Shelburne Museum is not the cheapest option, but it is well worth a family visit.
9. The Tyler Place Family Resort
The Tyler Place Family Resort in Swanton is a great spot for families. The accommodation rates include all meals. Activities include water skiing, banana boating on Lake Champlain, and hiking or biking on the trails. Tyler Place Family Resort has award-winning programs for kids, so they will never be bored.
10. Sample Locally Made Chocolates
Vermont has many artisan chocolatiers. It seems there’s a place to visit offering samples on every corner. Lake Champlain Chocolates has stores in Stowe, Burlington, and Waterbury. You can also visit the Chocolate Barn in Shaftsbury or head to Brattleboro for Tavernier Chocolates.
11. Longest Ice Skating Trail in the United States
The Lake Morey Skate Trail at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairless is four miles long and free. You can rent skates from the center if you don’t have a pair. The backdrop of the Vermont mountains will take your breath away. The venue hosts Glow State weekends, where the ice trail lights up with bright colors between 5 PM and 8 PM. Adults can enjoy après skating with cocktails served in the lounge.
12. Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park is dedicated to the evolving nature of U.S. land stewardship and conservation history and is the only national park in Vermont. Book a guided tour with a ranger or plan a self-guided visit. The park overlooks Woodstock Village, and trails lead around the Pogue, a large, beautiful pond. If weather permits, it’s the perfect place for a family picnic.
13. Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home
Robert Lincoln came from humble beginnings. His father was born in a log cabin but was elected the 16th President of the United States. The stunning Hildene in Manchester Centre is beautiful. In addition to the house, the venue has a modern Welcome Center, the Sunbeam Pullman car, and Hildene Farm at the Goat Dairy, where the family can interact with these quirky animals.
14. The Stowe Recreation Path
The Stowe Recreation Path is a paved, family-friendly, 5-mile bike trail from Stowe Village to the Top Notch Resort on the Mountain Road. The trail crosses the Little River, and visitors can enjoy the stunning mountain views. After the bike ride, head to one of the restaurants in Stowe for a well-earned meal and a drink.
15. The Quechee Gorge
Outdoor-loving families shouldn’t leave Vermont without visiting the visually stunning 165-foot-deep Quechee Gorse in Quechee State Park. Visitors can view the gorge on the easy hiking trails from either side of the gorge or the U.S. Route 4 Bridge. A gift shop and the Vermont Toy Museum are near the park entrance.
16. Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park in Burlington, downtown from the Lake Champlain Shoreline, hosts several food and music festivals. It adjoins the Burlington Bike Path to the east. The lake offers boat tours, swing benches, paved walking paths, and nearby parking. Online reviews say the sunsets on the waterfront are not to be missed.
The Purpose of a Budget and 11 Reasons Why You Need One
The primary purpose of a budget is to track your income and expenses. A budget also ensures your bills are paid on time, helps you plan for the future, helps identify any bad spending habits or areas where you could reduce your spending, and ensures that your spending reflects your priorities. By creating a budget and sticking to it, you can ensure your needs are met, your bills are paid on time, you get out of debt, and you meet your financial goals.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
If you’re looking for ways to earn more money to put toward your goals, start by examining your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for.
- Read More: The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
