Within a few hours of Boston and New York City, Waterbury, Vermont’s lush green mountains and outdoor activities are a top summer destination. With foodie stops, like ice cream and donuts, this is an easy road trip with the kids. After some snacks, then take a hike or even kayak on the water. Here are the top things to do in Waterbury, Vermont with kids
Top 8 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
Why Visit Waterbury Vermont
Vermont offers an amazing summer landscape during the summer. It’s warm enough to enjoy the entire day outdoors and not be drained like many summertime destinations. The area is rich in unique foodie stops that will appeal to kids, like the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour.
The mountainous scenery is stunning when it is flushed out in its summer green. I found charming towns, some with covered bridges and some with cheese and cider. This is one of the places I would love to return.
Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour
Kids will smell the ice cream on the breeze when you get to Vermont. So, stopping at Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour is a must. Since 1978, the factory tour has been 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 and an ice cream-themed gift shop.
Another must for your visit to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory is the flavor graveyard, where you can visit the dearly departed flavors of the past. You can also stop for a picture in front of the Ben and Jerry’s bus.
Find a playground and picnic area. Ben and Jerry’s Factory even offers RV parking.
Located at 1281 Waterbury Stowe Road. Open 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 $1. Reservations are recommended.
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Take the Green Mountains Byway and see the Covered Bridges
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 at 19 Fuller Hill Rd. in Warren.
After visiting the Warren Covered Bridge and stopping by Warren General Store, head north on the 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, check out the covered bridges near Pittsford. Four are west of the town, east of U.S. Route 7, 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 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 crosses Otter Creek. It’s a town lattice-covered bridge built in 1840 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s located 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.
The Cooley Covered Bridge spans 60 feet and crosses the Furnace Book. It was built in 1849 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The covered bridges, with walls and a roof, protect the timber trussing from the weather. Quintessentially quaint, Pittsford is a quick stop before heading on to Waterbury and Stowe.Pittsford is 75 miles south of Waterbury, Vermont.
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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 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Sunday and Monday (closed Tuesday).
Waterbury Center State Park
The Waterbury 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 $5 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 $40 and kids are $26.
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 an 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 for the adults to sample in the sampling room.
Find other apple baked goods in the on-site bakery and 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
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Little River State Park
If the weather is warm, get out of the water at Little River State Park. This park offers hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as kayaks and canoes for rent. It is also a popular camping site, and there are cabins for rent.
Located at 3444 Little River Rd. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $5 and kids (4 – 12) are $2.
Cabot Farmers’ Store
Cheese lovers will need to make a pit stop at the Cabot Farmers’ Store. There, they can sample all the cheese, including lots of cheddar.
Starting in 1919, 94 families formed a cooperative 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
If you need a pick-me-up, head to one of Lake Champlain Chocolates’ Flagship Stores. There, you can 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. If you’re looking for a locally produced distilled spirit, the Barrel House Tasting Room featuring Smuggler’s Notch spirits is for you. With regionally inspired flavors, you can 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, you can find everything from buttons and jewelry to lamps and housewares.
To see the actual pewter production, go to the workshop at 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 luncheonette 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 Mountains.
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
Calling all The Sound of Music fans. Did you know that the von Trapp family moved to Vermont in 1942 after escaping Austria during World War II? After Baron Georg von Trapp’s death in 1947, his wife, Maria, the Baroness von Trapp, opened the property as an 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. Three restaurants on-site 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.
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