Family Road Trip Attractions in Vermont

When you think of Vermont, images of vibrant fall foliage, delicious maple syrup, and iconic Ben & Jerry's ice cream likely come to mind—and for good reason. However, this charming state on the western edge of New England has even more to offer. With its abundant outdoor adventures, engaging museums, entertaining factory tours, and thriving agriculture (yes, Vermont truly has the highest number of cows per capita in the nation), it's an ideal destination for a family road trip.

One of the joys of vacationing in my home state is that you can travel from north to south in just four hours or cross it in three. This allows for plenty of enjoyable activities to fit into a brief getaway. While you could visit most of the key attractions in a week, why rush when there are so many delightful spots where your children will have a blast? Plus, if you’re a remote worker considering relocating, the state offers to pay you $10k to move to Vermont.

How to Get to Vermont

If loading the kids into the car for a drive to Vermont is likely to provoke cries of, "Are we there yet?," consider flying into Burlington Airport and renting a vehicle instead. Most major rental companies have desks at the airport, making it convenient to use points for car rental bookings. During busy periods, particularly in October during the fall foliage season, it’s wise to book ahead as rental cars may be scarce due to high demand from out-of-state travelers.

The same goes for lodging, as autumn, known as leaf-peeping season, attracts countless visitors to Vermont. Regardless of the season you choose to visit, think about booking your accommodation with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You'll earn 10x miles for bookings made through Hotels.com (offer ends Jan. 31, 2020), and currently, the card provides a bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

Airlines such as American, Delta, Jet Blue, and United all operate flights to Burlington Airport (BTV). Additionally, Porter Airlines connects 10 Canadian cities, while Frontier Airlines offers a limited number of flights, primarily from western US cities.

The Queen City

Burlington, with a population of around 40,000, is the largest city in the state but still retains a small-town charm. At its center is the pedestrian-friendly Church Street Marketplace, a four-block cobblestone promenade lined with a variety of farm-to-table restaurants and independently owned shops.

During the warmer months, this area is bustling with pushcart vendors, street performers, and al fresco dining. Burlington is the birthplace of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream, so make sure to visit the Church Street scoop shop for a delicious cup or cone. How about some Phish Food or Chunky Monkey?

If you opt to stay in Burlington, you'll find a variety of budget-friendly hotels that are great for earning points. Choices include the Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown and DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont for 50,000+ Hilton points per night, Courtyard Burlington Harbor (starting at 35,000 Marriott Rewards points per night), Holiday Inn Burlington (from 35,000 IHG Rewards Club points), and Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn & Conference Center (10,000 points). If you lack sufficient hotel points, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott or IHG.

Just Add Water

Next, make your way down the hill to Lake Champlain and visit Waterfront Park, which is home to the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. Here, your kids can learn about the ecology, culture, and history of Vermont and its largest lake through engaging exhibits, aquariums, touch tanks, live animal presentations, and science and nature activities. Throughout the day, 3D nature and science films are screened in the theater.

After exploring ECHO, your family will be excited to hit the water, so board the Spirit of Ethan Allen III, which offers scenic cruises during the summer and fall. You can also rent sailboats, paddleboards, canoes, or kayaks at the Community Sailing Center, located just north of the park.

Would you rather enjoy the lake from land? The Burlington Bike Path runs alongside the lakeshore for much of its length, providing easy access to Burlington's North Beach and Leddy Park, both perfect for a picnic or a swim.

Bicycles are available for rent at Local Motion, conveniently located near the King Street Ferry Dock, where seasonal ferries head to Port Kent, New York. Be sure to request a free copy of the Cycle the City map, a 10-mile route that takes you through historic neighborhoods, the University of Vermont campus, and the Intervale, featuring working farms, community gardens, walking trails, and the original 1787 homestead of Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen (open for tours).

A Museum for Everyone

After your kids have explored the Queen City, drive south on US 7 to Shelburne, where you can visit the Shelburne Country Store on the Village Green. It’s a great spot for penny candy, homemade fudge, and locally made Vermont products before heading to the Shelburne Museum.

This museum dedicated to early Americana spans over 45 acres and features more than 30 historic buildings showcasing a variety of exhibits, from quilts and weather vanes to antique tools, carriages, and duck decoys. It’s like stepping into an episode of American Pickers. You can watch blacksmiths and printers at work or take part in a lesson at the one-room schoolhouse. Webby's Art Studio and the Art on the Go Carts provide art activities for all ages, inspired by the exhibits, so don’t miss those.

Your whole family will enjoy stepping back in time aboard the 220-foot Ticonderoga, featuring stunning carved woodwork, gilded ceilings, and an elegant grand staircase that captures the essence of steamboat travel from 1923. This restored steamboat once sailed on Lake Champlain as a tourist vessel and was transported overland in 1955 to the museum grounds for permanent exhibition. While all four decks are available for self-guided tours, you can also join one of the free guided tours offered daily from May through October for a deeper understanding of the ship's mechanics and history.

Another attraction that will delight every family member is the horseshoe-shaped circus building, featuring intricately hand-carved miniature figures, beautifully hand-painted carousel animals, vibrant circus posters, and an antique carousel that is still in operation. Be sure to visit the Toy Shop, which boasts an astonishing collection of vintage dolls, 19th- and 20th-century dollhouses, automata (large mechanical figures), and toy carriages and fire trucks. There's even a functioning American Flyer toy train.

It’s nearly impossible to experience everything in a single day, so don’t worry if you need to take a break. Your admission ticket is valid for two consecutive days.

Of Bears and Boats

Just down the road at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, a Bear Ambassador will give you an entertaining behind-the-scenes tour of how bears are created at the Bear Hospital, where any bear repairs are done free of charge thanks to a lifetime warranty. Your kids will have the chance to design and stuff their own bear. While tours are available daily, if you want to see craftspeople making the bears, it’s best to visit on a weekday. Arriving early is recommended, as tours are first-come, first-served and fill up quickly, especially during the summer and fall foliage seasons.

Further south just off US 7 in Vergennes, you'll find the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, a paradise for boat lovers. The museum features an impressive array of vessels, including vintage wooden boats, canoes, an ice yacht, and a replica of the 1776 gunboat Philadelphia II, which is available for guests to board right at the lakefront. The exhibits highlight Lake Champlain's rich history, from its exploration by French explorer Samuel de Champlain to its steamboats and the more than 300 shipwrecks resting beneath its waters.

You can visit the Conservation Laboratory to converse with nautical archaeologists and discover how they preserve artifacts retrieved from the lake's depths. The museum operates from late May through mid-October, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Who can resist ice cream? Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream on VT 100 in Waterbury offers a delightful tour of their production line, complete with free samples, starting with a video in the Cow Over the Moon Theater. While reservations aren't available, there's plenty to keep you busy while you wait for your tour. Browse Ben & Jerry's merchandise in the gift shop, order your favorite flavor at the scoop shop, or pay your respects at the Flavor Graveyard, where discontinued flavors like Dastardly Mash, Sugar Plum, and Cow Power are laid to rest — or as Ben & Jerry's likes to say, the dearly "de-pinted."

Birds, Butterflies, and Beyond

For an impressive collection of taxidermied animals and birds, make your way to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom in St. Johnsbury, where you’ll find the intriguing Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, established in the late 19th century. Both the museum and its building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Regarded as the premier natural history museum north of Boston, a visit will quickly reveal why. The centerpiece of the museum is Franklin Fairbanks' remarkable "cabinet of curiosities," featuring an extensive array of every imaginable bird and animal, along with geological specimens, wildflowers, and intriguing artifacts from Africa and the South Pacific. Don’t miss the "bug art," a collection of mosaics crafted in the 1800s by a British artist who arranged thousands of butterfly, moth, and beetle parts to create stunning and vibrant pieces of art.

At the Exploration Station, children can delve into science, technology, and the natural world through interactive experiments related to heat, weather, aerodynamics, and electricity. The Butterfly House, open from late May to late September, allows them to witness butterflies at every stage of their life cycle, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. The planetarium shows are definitely worth the price of admission.

A Trio of Museums in Southern Vermont

From St. J, as the locals affectionately refer to it, you have options. Taking I-91 south leads you to the popular Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, but if time allows — and you really should make time — consider a leisurely drive south along VT 5, where you can experience the authentic charm of Vermont through its farms and quaint villages.

The Montshire Museum is a treasure, featuring a network of nature trails and over 150 interactive exhibits focused on technology, ecology, and the physical sciences that both challenge and delight visitors. Highlights include a seasonal outdoor science park with hands-on water exhibits. Older children can engage in investigative sessions at the Science Discovery Lab facilitated by museum staff, while younger kids have their own designated area, complete with an aquarium, a bear's den, and interactive games, puzzles, and experiments that explore light, sound, color, and fundamental science concepts.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science, located in nearby Quechee, offers live programs featuring raptors and reptiles, providing a unique opportunity to observe rescued eagles, owls, and other birds of prey up close. Additionally, there are a couple of songbird aviaries to explore. Visitors can delve into the natural forest and learn about the evolution of birds from dinosaurs through engaging and immersive exhibits and activities.

Let's talk about those cows. The Billings Farm & Museum, a living farm museum and operational dairy farm located just outside Woodstock, offers an ideal opportunity to see a herd of amiable Jersey cows and explore rural life by touring the barns, the 1890s farmhouse, and the creamery. Be sure to check the daily program schedule, which includes activities where your kids can interact with chickens, sheep, or cows; learn the art of butter churning; or observe the milking process firsthand.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, Vermont has an abundance of family-friendly offerings, ranging from its museums and attractions to breathtaking scenic views and outdoor adventures. You may find yourself planning your next visit to the Green Mountain State even before this one concludes.