Road Trip to Stowe, VT with Kids
Sometimes getting on a plane or going away for a whole week isn’t always possible, which is why we LOVE road trips and exploring the states around New York with the kids. During Spring Break, we ventured to Vermont, specifically Stowe and the surrounding area, for four days of new adventures. Read on to check out some of our favorite things to do.
Food
Stowe is packed with many food options. Here are some of our favorites:
One of our favorite breakfasts was at the cozy and warm Skinny Pancake. Famous for their all-day breakfast, the kids loved the Choco Nutty crepes and the breakfast burrito while I loved the savory veggie monster crepe. They also have salads, burgers, sides, and fun shareables like vegan poutine, hash puppies, sweet potato fries, and more! 454 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672.
The kids were so excited that there was an hibachi restaurant in Stowe! They loved the delicious spectacle as their food was cooked before their eyes; while I opted for some of their delicious specialty rolls. The menu also has some Asian fusion offerings such as Pad Thai, tempura dinners, teriyaki dinners, and more. 1128 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672.
Our first dinner in Stowe was at this hip, modern pizzeria. The kids loved their gourmet pizzas and Piecasso also has salads, unique sandwich combinations, classic Italian entrees like spaghetti and meatballs, and more! Try the silly bread for some delicious pre-meal bites and the very Vermont Maple Brook Farm burrata. 1899 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672.
Coffee was always on my mind during our trip and I loved the coffee and latte options from Black Cap Coffee. The also have pastries, smoothies and breakfast and lunch options. A great location for a break after your walk in town. 144 Main St, Stowe, VT 05672.
Enjoy Vermont comfort food at this rustic eatery. Some favorites were the wood-fired pizza, salmon, hummus plate, and slider. 492 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
Our ride home was a little easier thanks to the treats we loaded up on from Stowe Bee Bakery & Cafe. You’ll find the most delicious (and beautifully crafted) made-from-scratch treats such as croissants (the chocolate ones are heavenly!), muffins, popovers, cinnamon buns, and much more. 1056 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672.
During our day trip to Burlington, we loved our lunch at the retro Henry’s Diner. Signified by its yellow booths, you’ll find classic American diner fare that’s been a staple in the area since 1925. 155 Bank St, Burlington, VT 05401
Activities – Stowe and Surrounding Area
I could have spent hours at Stowe Mercantile. This country general store is packed with everything you need (and don’t need) for the home. You’ll find Vermont maple syrup, honey, candy, kids’s toys, housewares, jewerly, clothing, homemade fudge, and much more. Parts of the store felt like a museum where you’ll discover tons of country-inspired relics to admire and touch! 37 Main St, Stowe, VT 05672.
For books, we loved looking through the aisles at Bear Pond Books. A personal favorite was their impressive sticker selection and the kids’ section was filled with popular favorites, books, and games to take home or for some supplemental fun on your vacation. 77 Main St, Montpelier, VT 05602.
We didn’t stay at the Trapp Family Lodge but we enjoyed a beautiful drive to the property to soak in its magical mountain views. You can also get dinner at its on-site restaurant, and of course, stay there. 700 Trapp Hill Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
One of the first things on our list was a visit to the famous Ben and Jerry’s Factory tour. This 30-minute guided tour took us through the very first Ben and Jerry’s Factory where we learned how the company was founded and their current impact around the world. Along the way, we saw the actual ice cream production plant, learned how their infamous flavors are made, and tasted some of their new flavors coming out this year. Fun and engaging for kids of all ages. 181 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, VT 05676.
Learn more about the craft of teddy bears by taking a tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear factory. This immersive tour took us through their teddy bear facility where we learned the history of the company, how teddy bears are put together (all by hand at Vermont Teddy Bear), the teddy bear hospital, and limited edition bears. The tour was around 30 minutes where we also enjoyed seeing all of the completed bears at the on-site store after the tour. Adults are $5 per person and kids age 12 and under are free. 6655 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482.
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
During our trip, it was pretty cold where we opted for some indoor fun at the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. This science/nature museum offered much to do for my youngest to my oldest child. Some of our favorite exhibits were the Curious George special exhibit, frog world, pulley chairs, awesome forces, and lake news studio. We also enjoyed learning more about space by watching the “Journey to Space 3D movie” and soaking in the beautiful views of Lake Champlain from the museum. 1 College St, Burlington, VT 05401.
Load up on all of your Vermont maple syrup at Morse Farm. In addition to maple syrup, the kids enjoyed maple syrup ice cream called Creemees and I enjoyed a decadent cup of coffee with Creemees. Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, 1168 County Road, Montpelier, VT 05602
With all of the driving around, the kids really wanted a “chill” evening where we decided to go to Stowe Cinema. This retro-inspired three-theater cinema was the perfect way to wind down where we saw “Shazam 2.” 454 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
Stay
During our visit we stayed at the cozy Grey Fox Inn & Resort. The hotel was extremely convenient to all of the restaurants and local attractions and provided a quite place for us to relax before the next day of adventures. In between activities, the kids loved the on-site pool and hot tub. The facility also has a gym, laundry, a gaming area, and more. The rooms were spacious and modern and also had a kitchette, which I loved for all of the food we brought up and treats we bought along the way (pint of Ben & Jerry’s anyone). 990 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
