Things to do / Travel Guide
If you're traveling with children, there are plenty of vacation ideas to keep them (and you) busy as you make your way around the region. There are several museums, for instance, that children are sure to enjoy, including the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont, the Vermont Toy & Train Museum, near Quechee, the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord, New Hampshire, the Echo Leahy Center Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Burlington waterfront, and the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire.
And who doesn't like to eat ice cream or maple sugar candy?! So why not visit Morse Farm Sugar Works, which demonstrates the 200-year-old tradition of maple syrup-making, or take a tour of the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory in Waterbury, Vermont. For those kids (and adults) without a sweet tooth, the Cabot Creamery in Cabot, Vermont, is where they make what locals say is the best cheddar cheese in the world.
A great idea for those children with different tastes is the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, on Route 7 near Shelburne, where they can make their own teddy bears.
Also, the Mt. Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire gives you a chance to ride to the top of Mt. Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeast (at 6,288 feet) in an old-fashioned railway car. This train is kind of a thrill to ride, especially for kids and train buffs. The slow, rickety climb to the top of the mountain echoes the feeling you get right before a big drop on a roller coaster … but no need to worry, there are no big drops, loops, or corkscrews to fret about.
Most kids get a kick out of apple picking, and New Hampshire's Monadnock region is a great place to grab some of nature's treats. Known for its many apple orchards, these and other various fruits can be picked throughout the area year round.
And you and your kids are sure to love Lost River Gorge in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. This attraction offers caves carved in the Ice Age, steep-walled gorges, and panning for gemstones. The site's Hall of Ships, Lemon Squeezer, and Guillotine Rock never fail to fascinate children, who can let their sense of adventure run wild as they explore the age-old mysteries of nature.
In Danville, Vermont, the Great Vermont Corn Maze is an “amaizingly confusing” experience for visitors of all ages. From July-October the corn maze is one of the more exciting and delightful places in the region to take your kids, who will surely enjoy making their way through the 10'-tall rows of corn on their way to ring the elusive “bell of success.” In addition to the main maze, there are also other themed mazes, such as Starlight mazes and Haunted mazes, available.
Nature Walks Vacation Ideas
One of the more relaxing activities you can do with your kids is to take a short nature walk to experience the great outdoors. There are many short walks, suitable for the younger set, of little difficulty that families can take advantage of in this region. In New Hampshire's White Mountain area, for instance, a nice walk is the two-mile loop trail near Ammonoosuc Lake. While walking this route in the spring or summer months, in addition to possibly seeing some wildflowers in bloom or some busy building beavers, there's also a small area where you can take a cool refreshing dip in the lake.
If you're in the Monadnock area of New Hampshire, another pleasant nature walk idea is to take is a hike up the 3,165-foot Monadnock Mountain. Though the height may seem imposing, almost anyone can make their way up the mountain with little difficulty. The one-mile trek up the easy slope is well worth the effort, as the broad peak offers a 360-degree overlook of all six New England states (on a clear day).
On northern Vermont's Burton Island, in Lake Champlain, there's a pleasant, short loop route that the whole family will enjoy. Along the very level half-mile Island Farm Nature Trail, your kids can keep an eye out for old farmhouse remains while you take in the serenity brought about by the picturesque deep woods.
And if the family is in central Vermont, try a brief nature walk in Middlebury Gap. The Silent Cliff Trail, for example, is a steadily ascending mile and a half trek up to Silent Cliff, where everyone will enjoy some excellent views of Middlebury Gap as well as the famed Vermont Green Mountains.
Family Vacation Ideas in Burlington, Stowe, Rutland and the New Hampshire and Vermont mountains
Family-Vacation-Ideas
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