Stowe & Burlington

← Back to Guide

GrandkidsGuide

grandkidsguide.com

Travel Guide · April 2026

🍁

Family Travel Guide

Stowe & Burlington

VT · Vermont

Ben & Jerry's, Shelburne Farms, and the most beautiful main street in New England

FallSummer Ages 2–14 3 hr drive

🚗 3 hrs from Stamford · 3.5 hrs from White Plains · 4.5 hrs from NYC

GrandkidsGuide Stowe & Burlington, VT

Overview

Vermont rewards a two- or three-day trip from Fairfield County, with Stowe and Burlington as the anchor towns 40 minutes apart. The Ben & Jerry's factory tour is the mandatory stop for grandkids. Shelburne Farms is a working farm that genuinely teaches something. And the fall foliage — peaking mid-October — is the most dramatic in the entire Northeast.

Why Grandparents Love It

✓ Both Stowe and Burlington are walkable, flat in their village centers, and safe for letting older grandkids roam

✓ Vermont is priced more reasonably than the Berkshires or Maine Coast for equivalent quality

✓ The pace of Vermont — farm stands, cheese shops, maple syrup operations, covered bridges — moves at grandkid speed naturally

Highlights

 → Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour in Waterbury shows exactly how the ice cream is made — plus a full scoop at the end 

 → Shelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm on Lake Champlain with cheesemaking, animals, and walking trails 

 → The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.3-mile flat paved path through the village and along the West Branch River — perfect for grandkids on bikes 

 → Burlington's Church Street Marketplace is a pedestrian outdoor mall open year-round with great dining and no traffic 

Top Free Pick

🌟 Start Here

ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center (Burlington)

A science center on the Burlington waterfront dedicated to Lake Champlain ecology. Live fish, turtles, and amphibians in the aquarium section; hands-on science exhibits; and excellent programs for kids 4–12. Free outdoor waterfront promenade with direct access to the lake.

$16/adult · $11 ages 3–17 · Free outdoor waterfront · All ages

GrandkidsGuide Stowe & Burlington · Activities

Top Activities

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour (Waterbury)

A 30-minute guided tour of the actual factory floor showing how Ben & Jerry's ice cream is made — the mixing, the filling, the freezing. Ends with a free sample scoop. The Flavor Graveyard outside (tombstones for discontinued flavors) is a beloved bonus. Arrive by 10am to avoid the crowds.

$6/adult · $4 ages 3–12 · Under 3 free ⏱ 1–1.5 hours All ages

Grandparent note: Most popular attraction in Vermont — the midday wait can be 90 minutes. First tour of the day at 10am is the best strategy. The gift shop has flavors not sold in stores.

Shelburne Farms

A 1,400-acre working farm on a bluff above Lake Champlain, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The farm makes its own Shelburne Farms cheddar. Kids collect eggs from the chicken coop, pet farm animals, and walk the trails to the lake overlook. The inn on the property is also a food destination.

$12/adult · $7 ages 3–17 ⏱ 2–3 hours All ages

Grandparent note: The farm is hilly in sections but the main loop is accessible. The cheesemaking operation is visible during tours. Visit in the morning when farm animals are most active.

Stowe Recreation Path

A 5.3-mile paved path through Stowe village and along the West Branch River, lined with mountain views, wildflowers, and covered bridges. Flat and beautiful. Rent bikes in town — every rental shop has options for all ages including child seats, trail-a-bikes, and small-wheeled kids' bikes.

Free path · Bike rentals $25–35/day ⏱ 1–3 hours (do any section) All ages

Grandparent note: The path is paved all the way — hybrid bikes or cruisers work better than road bikes. The section from the covered bridge to Stowe village center is the most scenic and easiest.

GrandkidsGuide Stowe & Burlington · Activities, cont.

More Activities

Cold Hollow Cider Mill (Waterbury Center)

A working apple cider mill operating since 1974, free to tour and explore. Watch the belt press squeeze cider in season (August–November), sample fresh-pressed cider and cider donuts, and browse the enormous country store. One of Vermont's most visited and genuinely worth it.

Free ⏱ 45 minutes All ages

Grandparent note: The cider donuts are the reason to go. In cider season (August–November) you can watch the press run. The store is excellent for Vermont food gifts to take home.

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (Shelburne)

A tour of a working factory where every Vermont Teddy Bear is made entirely in Shelburne, Vermont. Guides walk you through the stuffing, stitching, and "heart" ceremony on the factory floor. The bear hospital and make-a-bear station are the grandkid highlights.

$5/person (factory tour) ⏱ 1.5 hours Ages 2–10 (sweet spot)

Grandparent note: Best for younger grandkids (2–8). The bear hospital is particularly delightful — kids "examine" sick bears brought in for repairs. The make-a-bear station has an additional cost.

Where to Stay

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa

Resort · $250–400/night

Walking distance to the Rec Path, pool, fitness center, multiple dining options on site

Green Mountain Inn (Stowe village)

Historic Inn · $200–350/night

On Main Street since 1833, walkable to everything in Stowe village

VRBO in Stowe

Rental · $250–500/night

Best for 2-night stays — kitchen, space, and often closer to the mountain

Where to Eat

The Whip Bar & Grill (Stowe)

American · $$

Vermont comfort food in a historic inn, the best casual dinner in Stowe

Red Hen Baking Co. (Middlesex)

Bakery/Breakfast · $

World-class artisan bread and pastries, the breakfast destination between Waterbury and Stowe

Hen of the Wood (Burlington)

Farm-to-Table · $$$

The best dinner in Vermont — James Beard-nominated kitchen, entirely Vermont-sourced, book ahead

GrandkidsGuide Stowe & Burlington · Tips & Itinerary

Grandparent Tips

Fall foliage peaks mid-October in Stowe — exact dates vary, check the Vermont foliage tracker at foliage.vermont.gov

Ben & Jerry's first tour of the day (10am) is the only way to avoid a significant wait in summer

Burlington waterfront on summer evenings has free concerts, food trucks, and lake kayaking — an excellent bonus activity

Vermont farms sell maple syrup and cheese at roadside stands cheaper than any gift shop — stop at any "Farm Stand" sign

The Stowe Gondola takes you to the top of Mt. Mansfield in summer — add it if you have an extra half day

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 — Waterbury & Stowe

• Morning: Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour (arrive 10am)

• Next door: Cold Hollow Cider Mill and cider donuts

• Lunch: In Stowe village

• Afternoon: Stowe Recreation Path bike ride

• Evening: Dinner at The Whip

Day 2 — Burlington & Shelburne

• Morning: Shelburne Farms (animals and cheesemaking)

• Lunch: On the Burlington waterfront

• Afternoon: ECHO Lake Aquarium or Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

• Evening: Church Street Marketplace stroll and dinner

More guides at GrandkidsGuide

14 more destination guides for grandparents in the Northeast — plus a full local directory for Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY.

grandkidsguide.com/travel/

Subscriber Guide