Vermont with Kids
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Waterbury -- Ben & Jerry’s is the ice cream maker we have come to love for its selection of cleverly-named ice cream flavors that present unexpected pairings of quality ingredients. For the ice cream lover, the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream tour is a little like entering Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory. How is this delectable and creamy treat made and who are these men who have devoted their lives to making it? The 30-minute tour starts with a moo-vie explaining how Ben and Jerry, childhood friends, started the ice cream enterprise. The movie is followed by a tour of the “factory,” including the opportunity to watch the production workers making the flavor of the day on the manufacturing floor. The tour ends with an ice cream sample of the flavor of the day. Outside the building, check out the great kids playground and the flavor graveyard (headstones for flavors that are no longer in production). www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/factory-tours
The Stowe Recreational Path - The Stowe Recreational Path is a 5-mile path that starts in Stowe Village and follows the West Branch River. The path is a scenic delight in spring, summer and fall for biking and walking, and in winter, for x-country skiing. As the path crisscrosses the West Branch River, there are plenty of swimming spots for cooling off. In addition, many restaurants, shops, and picnic areas are accessible from the path. www.stowe-village.com/BikePath/index.html
Stowe Mercantile - The Stowe Mercantile is a fun stop as you explore the Stowe area. It has everything one would expect from a great country store - Vermont maple syrup, specialty foods, souvenirs, Christmas ornaments, bath products, handmade jewelry, beautiful woodenware, and other Vermont-made products. A particular draw for children is the yummy fudge and jars full of old-fashion candy. www.stowemercantile.com
Mt. Mansfield - At 4,400 feet above sea level, Mt. Mansfield is the highest point in Vermont. The views from the summit are the best in Vermont, looking out over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. There are a number of ways to take in these gorgeous views during the warmer months. Perhaps the easiest is to drive the auto toll road. You can pick up this 150-year-old, predominantly unpaved road, in Stowe at 5781 Mountain Road. The top of the toll road is also the perfect place to start a 1.3 mile hike to the “chin” of Mt. Mansfield. The chin is what the summit of Mt. Mansfield’s face is called. The 600-foot elevation up Long Trail provides spectacular views and is a good family-friendly way to reach the peak of Mt. Mansfield. You can also enjoy the views of Mount Mansfield from the Gondola Skyride which departs from the Stowe Mountain Resort. http://summer.stowe.com/activities/summer_attractions
Shelburne Museum - A child couldn’t possibly get bored exploring the 39 galleries that comprise the Shelburne Museum. Transportation-related exhibits include a steamboat, a lighthouse, a covered bridge, a firehouse, a locomotive, and a rail car. The museum’s exhibits are displayed in such interesting places as a round barn, a horseshoe barn, a circus building, and a contemporary building made from three shipping containers. Children will also enjoy stepping back a century or so and touring a blacksmith shop, a 130-year-old jail house, and a printing and weaving shop. Traveling exhibits change often, so there is always something new to see at the Shelburne Museum. http://shelburnemuseum.org
The Stowe Recreational Path - The Stowe Recreational Path is a 5-mile path that starts in Stowe Village and follows the West Branch River. The path is a scenic delight in spring, summer and fall for biking and walking, and in winter, for x-country skiing. As the path crisscrosses the West Branch River, there are plenty of swimming spots for cooling off. In addition, many restaurants, shops, and picnic areas are accessible from the path. www.stowe-village.com/BikePath/index.html
Stowe Mercantile - The Stowe Mercantile is a fun stop as you explore the Stowe area. It has everything one would expect from a great country store - Vermont maple syrup, specialty foods, souvenirs, Christmas ornaments, bath products, handmade jewelry, beautiful woodenware, and other Vermont-made products. A particular draw for children is the yummy fudge and jars full of old-fashion candy. www.stowemercantile.com
Mt. Mansfield - At 4,400 feet above sea level, Mt. Mansfield is the highest point in Vermont. The views from the summit are the best in Vermont, looking out over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. There are a number of ways to take in these gorgeous views during the warmer months. Perhaps the easiest is to drive the auto toll road. You can pick up this 150-year-old, predominantly unpaved road, in Stowe at 5781 Mountain Road. The top of the toll road is also the perfect place to start a 1.3 mile hike to the “chin” of Mt. Mansfield. The chin is what the summit of Mt. Mansfield’s face is called. The 600-foot elevation up Long Trail provides spectacular views and is a good family-friendly way to reach the peak of Mt. Mansfield. You can also enjoy the views of Mount Mansfield from the Gondola Skyride which departs from the Stowe Mountain Resort. http://summer.stowe.com/activities/summer_attractions
Shelburne Museum - A child couldn’t possibly get bored exploring the 39 galleries that comprise the Shelburne Museum. Transportation-related exhibits include a steamboat, a lighthouse, a covered bridge, a firehouse, a locomotive, and a rail car. The museum’s exhibits are displayed in such interesting places as a round barn, a horseshoe barn, a circus building, and a contemporary building made from three shipping containers. Children will also enjoy stepping back a century or so and touring a blacksmith shop, a 130-year-old jail house, and a printing and weaving shop. Traveling exhibits change often, so there is always something new to see at the Shelburne Museum. http://shelburnemuseum.org
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