Vermont in Summer
Jan 15th, 2009, 06:13 PM
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Vermont in Summer
My wife and I love to travel in the Northeast and thought we'd spend 5 or 6 days there this summer with our kids for a break from the summer heat/humidity in the South. We've been to New Hampshire 3 times in winter but never to Vermont. Any advice on things to do with kids (girls 6 and 10). I've read about the Teddy Bear factory and the water park at Smuggler's Notch. Any pretty areas we could canoe, 2-3 mile hikes or horseback riding? I would ask about biking but our 6 year old hasn't mastered her bike yet. We were thinking about the Burlington area but we're open to suggestions.
Jan 16th, 2009, 01:38 AM
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The Vermont Corn Maze opens Aug 1
http://www.vermontcornmaze.com/
It's in Danville VT which is on the NH of the state in the north. Last summer we camped in the Brandon area. Both Brandon and nearby Bristol have great 4th of July parades and children's activities before and during the 4th. While driving aimlessly around we discovered that river swimming is very popular. Just outside Bristol there is a very popular area where it is so shallow you can walk across the river but just upstream there is a waterfall and a deep pool. Kids were jumping off the ledges, maybe not something you want a 6yo to do but it's fun to watch. The rivers are very rocky so I wish we had brought water shoes. Some people wore flip flops but a something more secure would be better. You can google Vermont swimming holes for locations of other spots. On Chowhound recommendations we also searched out Pie in the Sky pizza which is on a farm. The pizza is only served a couple of nights a week. I won't say it's the best pizza in VT but definitely an unusual and bucolic setting showing the resourcefulness of VT farmers. It's sort of a mini adventure and good experience for kids who might be used to pizza from chain restaurants. This might be do-able from Burlington as it was a 45 minute drive north from where we were staying.
The Church St area of Burlington sometimes has fun events for kids. A ferry ride across Champlain will take you to Ausable Chasm which is an expensive hike thru a gorge ending in a short float ride. We have not been to the Montshire Museum since our son was young and it was located in NH. It is now in Norwich VT. We have yet to see Circus Smirkus which a friend raved about. It is a circus summer camp located in VT but they go on tour. If you have never seen The Big Apple Circus, it is fantastic. It is usually in the Hanover NH area in July. The 2009 dates aren't shown on their website. Hanover is near Norwich VT which might be about 2 hours from Burlington.
http://www.vermontcornmaze.com/
It's in Danville VT which is on the NH of the state in the north. Last summer we camped in the Brandon area. Both Brandon and nearby Bristol have great 4th of July parades and children's activities before and during the 4th. While driving aimlessly around we discovered that river swimming is very popular. Just outside Bristol there is a very popular area where it is so shallow you can walk across the river but just upstream there is a waterfall and a deep pool. Kids were jumping off the ledges, maybe not something you want a 6yo to do but it's fun to watch. The rivers are very rocky so I wish we had brought water shoes. Some people wore flip flops but a something more secure would be better. You can google Vermont swimming holes for locations of other spots. On Chowhound recommendations we also searched out Pie in the Sky pizza which is on a farm. The pizza is only served a couple of nights a week. I won't say it's the best pizza in VT but definitely an unusual and bucolic setting showing the resourcefulness of VT farmers. It's sort of a mini adventure and good experience for kids who might be used to pizza from chain restaurants. This might be do-able from Burlington as it was a 45 minute drive north from where we were staying.
The Church St area of Burlington sometimes has fun events for kids. A ferry ride across Champlain will take you to Ausable Chasm which is an expensive hike thru a gorge ending in a short float ride. We have not been to the Montshire Museum since our son was young and it was located in NH. It is now in Norwich VT. We have yet to see Circus Smirkus which a friend raved about. It is a circus summer camp located in VT but they go on tour. If you have never seen The Big Apple Circus, it is fantastic. It is usually in the Hanover NH area in July. The 2009 dates aren't shown on their website. Hanover is near Norwich VT which might be about 2 hours from Burlington.
Jan 16th, 2009, 06:41 AM
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Vermont is an excellent choice for a summer visit. You can't go wrong with the Burlington area, as there are LOTS of things to do!
dfrostnh has some great ideas. In addition, there is the Echo Lake Museum and the waterfront park in Burlington. Have lunch (if the weather is good) at Splash, an outdoor restaurant on the docks at the Boat House. There are kayak and sail boat rentals available here as well. The Boat House is also where you can board the Spirit of Ethan Allen for a lunch or dinner cruise on Lake Champlain. North Beach is nearby and a fun place for the family. The 4th of July waterworks display over the harbor is incredible.
Two helpful sites to check out are www.vermont.org and www.enjoyburlington.com.
South of Burlington you have the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms and the Teddy Bear Factory. The Middlebury area has a lot to offer, including the UVM Morgan Horse Farm which is open to the public. Depending when you plan to be in the area, The Festival on the Green is held in Middlebury every year for a week in early July. It features "Brown Bag Special" concerts and shows for the kids at noon, and other shows for everyone in the evening.
Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore has a nice beach for kids, and there are several good places to hike in the area. Another pleasant and easy hike is the Robert Frost Trail in Ripton.
If you are interested in a family oriented resort, Basin Harbor Club (www.basinharbor.com), on Lake Champlain, is very nice and offers many activities, including organized kids' programs. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (www.lccmm.org) is also located there.
The Addison County Chamber of Commerce (www.midvermont.com) should give you plenty of ideas.
The Stowe area is also great, with lots to do, including Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury. Check out www.gostowe.com.
I guess I could ramble on all day.... Let me know if you need additional suggestions and enjoy Vemont this summer!
dfrostnh has some great ideas. In addition, there is the Echo Lake Museum and the waterfront park in Burlington. Have lunch (if the weather is good) at Splash, an outdoor restaurant on the docks at the Boat House. There are kayak and sail boat rentals available here as well. The Boat House is also where you can board the Spirit of Ethan Allen for a lunch or dinner cruise on Lake Champlain. North Beach is nearby and a fun place for the family. The 4th of July waterworks display over the harbor is incredible.
Two helpful sites to check out are www.vermont.org and www.enjoyburlington.com.
South of Burlington you have the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms and the Teddy Bear Factory. The Middlebury area has a lot to offer, including the UVM Morgan Horse Farm which is open to the public. Depending when you plan to be in the area, The Festival on the Green is held in Middlebury every year for a week in early July. It features "Brown Bag Special" concerts and shows for the kids at noon, and other shows for everyone in the evening.
Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore has a nice beach for kids, and there are several good places to hike in the area. Another pleasant and easy hike is the Robert Frost Trail in Ripton.
If you are interested in a family oriented resort, Basin Harbor Club (www.basinharbor.com), on Lake Champlain, is very nice and offers many activities, including organized kids' programs. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (www.lccmm.org) is also located there.
The Addison County Chamber of Commerce (www.midvermont.com) should give you plenty of ideas.
The Stowe area is also great, with lots to do, including Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury. Check out www.gostowe.com.
I guess I could ramble on all day.... Let me know if you need additional suggestions and enjoy Vemont this summer!
Jan 16th, 2009, 06:49 AM
#4
Just chiming in to say Vermont in summer is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
I used to live there and sorry can't really help with tourist itinerary, but wanted to wish you a happy trip. You'll love it!
I used to live there and sorry can't really help with tourist itinerary, but wanted to wish you a happy trip. You'll love it!
Jan 16th, 2009, 06:53 AM
#5
oops, did think of one thing!
www.vermontmarina.com
Is a fun casual restaurant right on the CT river in Brattleboro, VT that also rents boats and offers some other activities.
Brattleboro has a great classic main street & might make a nice 1 night stop at the start of your trip (it's southern-most).
www.vermontmarina.com
Is a fun casual restaurant right on the CT river in Brattleboro, VT that also rents boats and offers some other activities.
Brattleboro has a great classic main street & might make a nice 1 night stop at the start of your trip (it's southern-most).
Jan 16th, 2009, 07:43 AM
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LOVE Burlington VT.
Go on a Lake Champlain Cruise and try and find champ.
Ben and Jerry's tour.
Cabot Cheese tour.
There are a few wineries around...wine isn't very good but it's always fun for the adults.
Lake Champlain Chocolates tour....free samples...yummy.
There are some great hikes...DH and I enjoyed Camel's Hump.
Go on a Lake Champlain Cruise and try and find champ.
Ben and Jerry's tour.
Cabot Cheese tour.
There are a few wineries around...wine isn't very good but it's always fun for the adults.
Lake Champlain Chocolates tour....free samples...yummy.
There are some great hikes...DH and I enjoyed Camel's Hump.
Jan 16th, 2009, 08:29 AM
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I agree with dfrostnh. Ausible Chasm is a great idea for families if you plan to stay in the Burlington area. Fun ferry ride getting over there too.
Lot of great biking, too, when your 6-yr-old finally masters it. Ben and Jerry's also a good take-in.
It's a beautiful state - have fun!
Lot of great biking, too, when your 6-yr-old finally masters it. Ben and Jerry's also a good take-in.
It's a beautiful state - have fun!
Jan 16th, 2009, 09:30 AM
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You can also drive around the southern tip of Lake Champlain to Fort Ticonderoga. Believe there's also a car ferry crossing on Lake Champlain - maybe a local can tell you.
This was one of the more interesting forts that I've visited.
Hiking: try googling for "hiking Green Mountains" for something suitable for your family.
Here's one hike that I really enjoyed:
http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Snake_Mountain_0000.asp
This was one of the more interesting forts that I've visited.
Hiking: try googling for "hiking Green Mountains" for something suitable for your family.
Here's one hike that I really enjoyed:
http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Snake_Mountain_0000.asp
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