Ever dreamed of a family adventure that doesn’t involve theme parks or overcrowded beaches?
Buckle up, buttercup!
We’re about to embark on a Vermont voyage that’ll make your kids forget their iPads even exist.
1. Billings Farm & Museum (Woodstock)
Picture this: You’re standing in a field, surrounded by the gentle lowing of cows and the sweet scent of hay.
No, you haven’t time-traveled to 1890 – you’ve just arrived at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock.
This living history farm is like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting, but with more cow pats.
As you wander the grounds, you’ll encounter Jersey cows that look like they’re posing for their yearbook photos.
These ladies are the farm’s pride and joy, and they know it.
You half expect them to moo, “Paint me like one of your French cows, Jack.”
The farm offers hands-on activities that’ll have your kids milking fake udders faster than you can say “pasteurization.”
And let’s be honest, watching city slickers attempt to milk anything is worth the price of admission alone.
But the real magic happens when you step into the restored 1890 Farm Manager’s House.
It’s like walking onto the set of “Little House on the Prairie,” minus the prairie and with indoor plumbing.
Your kids might actually learn something about history without realizing it – sneaky education at its finest.
2. Percy Farm Corn Maze (Stowe)
Next stop: Percy Farm Corn Maze in Stowe, where you can literally get lost in Vermont’s beauty.
This isn’t your average corn maze; it’s a labyrinth of laughs and occasional panic attacks when you realize you’ve been walking in circles for an hour.
The maze is redesigned each year, so even if you’ve conquered it before, you’re in for a new challenge.
It’s like Mother Nature’s version of a video game, but with better graphics and more fresh air.
As you navigate the twists and turns, you’ll find yourself bonding with your family in ways you never expected.
Nothing brings people together quite like the shared experience of being utterly lost in a field of corn.
You might enter as a family, but you’ll emerge as a corn-questing team of warriors.
And when you finally find your way out (hopefully before the farm closes), reward yourselves with some of Percy Farm’s famous apple cider.
It’s like liquid autumn in a cup, and the perfect way to celebrate your maze-solving prowess.
3. Retreat Farm (Brattleboro)
Retreat Farm in Brattleboro is where Old MacDonald’s farm meets a petting zoo on steroids.
This place is a haven for animal lovers and city folk who think milk comes from cartons.
The farm’s star attractions are its heritage breed animals.
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill farm animals; they’re the supermodels of the barnyard world.
The Belted Galloway cows look like they’re wearing tuxedos, making you wonder if you’re underdressed for the occasion.
Kids can get up close and personal with goats, sheep, and chickens.
It’s all fun and games until a goat decides your shirt looks delicious.
Consider it a souvenir – “I went to Retreat Farm and all I got was this goat-chewed t-shirt.”
The farm also offers educational programs that are so engaging, your kids might forget they’re learning.
They’ll be too busy bottle-feeding lambs or collecting eggs to realize they’re getting a crash course in sustainable agriculture.
4. Sugarbush Farm (Woodstock)
Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock is where dreams of endless maple syrup and cheese become reality.
It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory, but replace the chocolate river with maple syrup and the Oompa Loompas with friendly farmers.
The farm offers tours that take you through the entire maple syrup-making process.
You’ll learn how trees are tapped, sap is collected, and syrup is made.
By the end, you’ll be an honorary maple syrup sommelier, able to detect notes of oak and hints of Vermont sunshine in every drop.
But the real showstopper is the cheese.
Sugarbush Farm produces some of the finest artisanal cheeses this side of the Mississippi.
The cheese tasting is an event in itself.
Your taste buds will go on a journey from mild cheddar to sharp as a tack, with flavors that’ll make you wonder why you ever ate that orange stuff from a can.
And if you’re lucky enough to visit during sugaring season, you’ll witness the magic of maple syrup production firsthand.
It’s like watching alchemy, only sweeter and with more flannel shirts.
5. Merck Forest & Farmland Center (Rupert)
Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert is where you go when you want to channel your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder, minus the whole “long winter” thing.
This 3,200-acre wonderland of forest and farmland is a playground for nature lovers and wannabe homesteaders alike.
The center offers hiking trails that wind through lush forests and open fields.
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It’s like walking through a Bob Ross painting, complete with happy little trees.
Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself whispering “Bob Ross was here” as you admire particularly picturesque vistas.
But the real gem of Merck Forest is its working farm.
Here, you can see sustainable agriculture in action.
The farm animals roam freely, looking so content you might start questioning your life choices.
“Maybe I should quit my job and become a shepherd,” you’ll think, before remembering you can barely keep your houseplants alive.
For the full Merck experience, consider renting one of their rustic cabins.
It’s camping, but with actual walls and a roof.
You’ll feel like a pioneer, but with the comfort of knowing there’s a car park just a short hike away.
6. Shelburne Farms (Shelburne)
Shelburne Farms is the Downton Abbey of Vermont farms, minus the drama and plus a whole lot of cheese.
This 1,400-acre working farm and National Historic Landmark is so picturesque, you’ll think you’ve stepped into a postcard.
The farm’s crown jewel is its stunning 1886 Farm Barn, a structure so grand it makes your garden shed look like a matchbox.
Inside, you’ll find cheesemakers crafting award-winning cheddar.
The aroma alone is enough to make you swoon – or make you really, really hungry.
Take a tractor ride around the property and you’ll see why this place is special.
The views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks are so breathtaking, you might forget to breathe.
Don’t worry, the fresh Vermont air will remind you.
Kids will love the Children’s Farmyard, where they can meet friendly farm animals up close.
It’s all fun and games until a chicken decides your shoelace is a worm.
Consider it a free shoe-tying lesson.
7. Green Mountain Audubon Center (Huntington)
The Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington is where you go when you want to feel like a Disney princess, surrounded by chirping birds and lush forests.
Except instead of singing woodland creatures, you get enthusiastic naturalists eager to share their knowledge.
With over five miles of trails, you can hike to your heart’s content.
Just remember, it’s not a competition to see who can spot the most birds.
But if it were, I’d totally be winning.
Not that I’m keeping count or anything.
The center offers programs for all ages, from preschoolers to adults who are young at heart.
You might find yourself building a bird feeder, identifying tree species, or learning about vernal pools.
It’s like going back to school, but without the homework and with more fresh air.
And if you’re lucky, you might spot a pileated woodpecker.
These magnificent birds are like the rock stars of the forest, with their punk rock hairdos and tendency to drum on trees.
It’s nature’s own percussion section.
8. Champlain Valley Alpacas (Bridport)
Champlain Valley Alpacas in Bridport is where you go when you want to meet nature’s most adorable fluffballs.
These creatures look like they were designed by a committee of five-year-olds who couldn’t decide between a llama, a sheep, and a stuffed animal.
As you tour the farm, you’ll learn all about alpaca care and fiber production.
Did you know alpacas come in 22 natural colors?
That’s more variety than my wardrobe, and they wear it better too.
The highlight of any visit is getting up close with these gentle creatures.
Their big eyes and soft humming sounds are enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.
Just resist the urge to try and smuggle one home in your backseat.
Trust me, they don’t travel well.
And don’t forget to stop by the farm store, where you can purchase alpaca fiber products.
Alpaca wool is softer than cashmere and warmer than wool.
It’s like wearing a hug from Mother Nature herself.
9. Sandiwood Farm (Wolcott)
Last but not least, we have Sandiwood Farm in Wolcott, a place that proves that “organic” isn’t just a fancy word on overpriced produce.
This family-run farm is a testament to sustainable agriculture and good old-fashioned Vermont ingenuity.
The farm offers tours where you can learn about their organic growing practices.
You’ll see solar panels powering the operation and maybe even catch a glimpse of their famous “chicken tractor” – a mobile chicken coop that fertilizes the fields as it moves.
It’s like a Roomba, but with feathers and eggs.
Sandiwood is known for its spectacular flower gardens, which burst with color during the summer months.
It’s like walking through a living rainbow, minus the leprechaun and pot of gold at the end.
Although, their farm-fresh veggies might be even better than gold.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during one of their farm-to-table dinners, prepare your taste buds for a treat.
The food is so fresh, you half expect the vegetables to introduce themselves on your plate.
So there you have it, folks – nine hidden gems of Vermont that’ll make your family vacation more memorable than that time Dad got chased by a moose.
(What? That didn’t happen to your family? Just mine? Okay then.)
Adventure is calling!
Use this map to steer your road trip in the right direction—and maybe discover a surprise or two along the way.
Now get out there and explore the Green Mountain State in all its pastoral glory!