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Top Things to do in Waterbury Vermont with Kids

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. What to do with kids in Waterbury Vermont
Kids have to tour the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory near Burlington. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

With Vermont’s lush green mountains and outdoor activities galore, a road trip to Waterbury is a must for the summer. Within hours of Boston and  New York City. The foodie stops, like ice cream and donuts will satisfy the snacking. Then maybe take a hike or even kayak on the water.  Here’s the top things to do in Waterbury, Vermont with kids.

Top Things to do in Waterbury Vermont with Kids

Savor a cone at Ben and Jerry’s Factory
Take a Scenic Drive and See a Covered Bridge
Hike at the Waterbury Center State Park
Take the Stowe Gondola
Eat a Cider Donut
Kayak at Little River State Park
Walk through the Trapp Family Lodge

Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour

Ben and Jerry's Factory. The flavor graveyard. What to do with kids in Waterbury Vermont.
If you have kids, a stop at the Ben and Jerry’s Factory is on the itinerary. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Kids will smell the ice cream on the breeze as soon as you get to Vermont. So a stop at Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour is a must. Scooping since 1978, the factory tour is a must for ice cream lovers.

Take a 30 minute guided tour and see the factory floor including the production of Ben and Jerry’s pints. After the tour head to the Scoop Shop for all your favorite flavors along with a ice cream themed gift shop.

The flavor graveyard for the dearly departed flavors of the past is another must for your visit to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory. Stop for a picture in front of the Ben and Jerry’s bus too.

Find a playground and picnic area. Ben and Jerry’s Factory even offers RV parking.

Located at 1281 Waterbury Stowe Road. Open from year-round from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with special hours for July and August. Adult admission is $6 and kids 12 and under are free.

Note: Tours start in late June and reservations are recommended.

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Take the Green Mountains Byway and see the Covered Bridges 

The Hammond Bridge. What to do in Waterbury Vermont
The Hammond Bridge spans 139 feet across Otter Creek. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Entering the Green Mountain Byway at Irasville, head south to Warren for two destinations–Warren Covered Bridge and Warren General Store.

Warren Covered Bridge–Crosses the Mad River and is located at 19 Fuller Hill Rd. in Warren.

After visiting the Warren Covered Bridge and stopping by Warren General Store, head north on Vermont Route.

Waitsfield Covered Bridge–Crosses the Mad River and is located on Bridge St. in Waitsfield.

Pine Brook Covered Bridge–Crosses the Pine Brook and is located at 1283 N. Road in Waitsfield.

If you’re road tripping through the Green Mountains of Vermont then check out the covered bridges near Pittsford. Find four west of the town, east of U.S. Route 7. U.S. Route 7 is a scenic road running north-to-south from Burlington through western Massachusetts to Connecticut.

Hammond Covered Bridge spans 139 feet and crosses Otter Creek. It was built in 1842. It’s a town lattice-covered bridge and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s closed to vehicular traffic and makes an excellent photo backdrop.

Depot Hill Covered Bridge spans 121 feet and also crosses Otter Creek. It’s a town lattice-covered bridge built in 1840. And listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Find it on Depot Hill Road.

Gotham Covered Bridge spans 114 feet and crosses Otter Creek on Old Pittsford-Proctor Road. It was built in 1841 and is a town lattice-covered bridge. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cooley Covered Bridge spans 60 feet andcrosses Furnace Book. It was built in 1849 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The covered bridges protect the timber-trussing from the weather with walls and a roof. Quintessentially quaint and a quick stop before heading on to Waterbury and Stowe.Pittsford is 75 miles south of Waterbury, Vermont.

The Cooley Bridge, Pittsford. what to do with kids in Waterbury Vermont.
The Cooley Covered Bridge offers a quaint Vermont landscape in Pittsford. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

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Warren Store

It’s not a road trip without road trip snacks. The Warren Store packs all of that plus provisions for a picnic with its deli. Find cider, for the kids and the adults, syrup, cheese along with gift items upstairs.

Located at 284 Main St. in Warren. Open daily 7:30 a.m. from to 5 p.m. and closed Wednesday.

Waterbury Center State Park

The Waterbuy Center State Park is a 90-acre day-use park along the shores of the Waterbury Reservoir. Find hiking, like the accessible .5-mile Peninsula Nature Trail.

Located at 177 Reservoir Rd., about a quarter-mile from Waterbury.  Open 10 a.m. to sunset.  Adult admission is $4 and kids (4 – 12) are $2.

Stowe Gondola

Take a scenic ride on the Stowe Gondola for some amazing views of the Green Mountains. In the fall, the mountains are ablaze.

Located at 7416 Mountain Rd. Open from mid-June until mid-October. Adult admission is $35 and kids are $24.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Sample one of the best donuts in the U.S. according to Gourmet magazine. Then see how apple cider is pressed with a original press from the 1920s. Don’t miss grabbing a sample of the apple cider for a true flavor of Vermont. There’s even a hard cider the adults to sample at the sampling room.

Find other apple baked goods in the on-site bakery along with a luncheonette, serving breakfast and lunch. Check out  a honey bee observation hive too.

Located at 3600 Waterbury Stove Road. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free

Top Things to do in Waterbury Vermont with kids
Waterfall near Stowe, Vermont. credit: Pixabay

Little River State Park

If the weather is warm, then get out of the water at Little River State Park. This park offers hiking trails, mountain biking trails as well as kayaks and canoes for rent. This is a popular park for camping, and there are cabins for rent as well.

Located at 3444 Little River Rd. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $4 and kids (4 – 12) are $2.

Cabot Farmers’ Store

Cheese lover’s will need to make a pit stop at the Cabot Farmers’ Store. Sample all the cheese, with lots of cheddar.

Starting in 1919, 94 families formed a co-operative to ensure success. Over the years the co-op grew and now numbers over 800 families. Find Cabot products across the U.S. Though load up flavors only found Cabot Farmers’ Store.

Located at 2657 Waterbury Stowe Road. Open from Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lake Champlain Chocolates

Looking pick-me-up then head to one of the Lake Champlain Chocolates Flagship Store. Find everything from truffles to factory seconds.

For the Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Tour head to 750 Pine Street in Burlington.

Located at 2653 Waterbury Stowe Road. Open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Smuggler’s Notch Distillery

This spot is just for Mom or Dad. Looking for a locally produced distilled spirit, then the Barrel House Tasting Room featuring Smuggler’s Notch spirits is for you. With regionally inspired flavors, find gin, rum, bourbon and vodka.

Located at 2657 Waterbury Stowe Road and open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Danforth Pewter

See a bit of colonial history at Danforth Pewter. Thomas Danforth II opened a pewter shop in colonial Connecticut in 1755. Now find everything from buttons and jewelry to lamps and housewares.

To see the actual pewter production then head to the workshop, head to 52 Seymour Street in Middlebury, south of Burlington, Vermont.

Located at 2653 Waterbury Stowe Road and open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Waterbury Stowe Train Station 

See the restored 1875 train station in the center of Waterbury. Used by Amtrak’s the Vermonter with service from top cities along the East Coast.

Located at U.S. Highway 2 at Park Row. Limited waiting room hours.

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Where to Eat in Waterbury Vermont

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

With a lunchoenette serving breakfast and lunch, this is an ideal spot to stop for something to eat.

Located at 3600 Waterbury Stove Road. Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

von Trapp Bier Hall

Grab a craft brew and enjoy a meal at the Van Trapp Bier Hall, located in the shadow of the Stowe Moutains.

Located at 1333 Luce Hill Road. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations recommended.

Where to Stay near Waterbury Vermont

The Trapp Family Lodge

Von Trapp Lodge. What to do with kids in Waterbury Vermont
Walk through the lobby of the Von Trapp Lodge for “Sound of Music” memorabilia. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Calling all The Sound of Music fans. Did you know that the actual von Trapp family moved to Vermont in 1942 after escaping Austria during World War II. After the death of Baron Georg von Trapp in 1947, his wife, Maria, the Baroness von Trapp opened the property as a Austrian-inspired ski lodge.

The Trapp Family Lodge is a luxury resort on 2,500 acres offering four seasons of activities from mountain biking to hiking and more. Find three restaurants on-site that offer farm-to-table menus.

The lodge features a themed gift shop and displays dedicated to the movie in the lobby.

Located at 700 Trapp Hill Road in Stowe, Vermont, north of Waterbury.

With Vermont's lush green mountains and outdoor activities galore, a road trip to Waterbury is a must for the summer. Within hours of Boston and  New York City. The foodie stops, like ice cream and donuts will satisfy the snacking. Then maybe take a hike or even kayak on the water.  Here's the top things to do in Waterbury, Vermont with kids. #Vermont credit: Pixabay

 

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel and seen all 50 U.S. States. As a former flight attendant with one of the largest airlines, there isn't a North American airport that she hasn't landed in at least once. Since clipping her professional wings after 9/11, she combines her love of the open road with visiting architectural and cultural icons. She is based out of Central Texas dividing her time between writing and restoring a pair of 100-year-old houses. She shares her life with her three kids and her husband.

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