You can actually bottle-feed baby cows at Shelburne Farms!

Top Attractions for Families in Burlington, VT

1. Shelburne Farms

I can't recommend this 1,400-acre working farm enough! There are so many fun and educational activities offered. We bottle-fed baby cows, walked lambs to pasture, took tractor rides, and watched the cheese-making process, among other things. There are miles of hiking trails with stunning views of Lake Champlain and a woodland area where you can view 2,300 maple-syrup taps. Be sure to visit the farm's store to fill up on fresh produce, cheese, and meats. The on-site O Bread Bakery sells killer baguettes and baked goods.  

2. Shelburne Museum

Spend the whole day exploring this indoor and outdoor museum that features dozens of living history exhibits. Included in those are an 1840s schoolhouse, a lighthouse from 1871, a toy shop from the 1830s, and the Ticonderoga, a 220-foot steamboat that once carried passengers across Lake Champlain. Highlights for our family were the 1920s carousel that you can still ride today and the Circus Building, where hundreds of vintage circus figurines are on display. The grounds are vast, but there is a shuttle.  

3. ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

This science and nature museum on the city's waterfront is home to dozens of interactive exhibits and live animals. There's an engineer's lab with daily challenges; an "Awesome Forces" exhibit where kids can experiment with wind, water, and ice; and a 3D theater playing STEM-friendly films. The museum is also home to the state's largest aquarium, a 15,000-gallon freshwater habitat for Lake Champlain fish. My kids really enjoyed the giant model of Champ, Burlington's legendary lake monster.

The beach area at Oakledge Park is perfect for wading. 

4. Oakledge Park

This park has everything you need for a spectacular day out with the kids. There's a great playground with slides, spinners, and climbers, plus plenty of grassy space to toss a Frisbee.  There's also a giant tree house to explore and a rocky beach where families can take a dip or collect shells and stones along the shoreline. Plus, Oakledge Park is home to the Burlington Earth Clock, a circle of giant stones (à la Stonehenge) that creates a clock, compass, and calendar.    

5. Ben & Jerry's Factory

Burlington may be best known as the hometown of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. While you can get a scoop at the original downtown shop, many families opt to visit the factory in nearby Waterbury to see just how these sweet treats are made. Guided tours, which last about 30 minutes, include a short film and a walk through a mezzanine overlooking the production-room floor. Visitors receive a sample at the end of the tour. Additionally, there are plenty of photos ops, a retail shop, and a playground on site. Online reservations are highly recommended.      

6. Vermont Teddy Bear Factory  

We really enjoyed visiting this factory to learn the history of the company and to observe how these teddy bears are crafted. Visitors get to walk along the assembly line as workers cut fur and fabric, stitching together various limbs and parts. The 30-minute tour concludes at the Vermont Teddy Bear hospital, where damaged stuffed animals receive rehab (all bears are guaranteed for life). Warning: The gift shop is huge and awesome. Good luck getting out of there without a cuddly souvenir!  

Take a scenic cruise on Lake Champlain. 

Fun Outdoor Burlington, Vermont Family Activities

7. Spirit of Ethan Allen

Explore Burlington by water aboard this grand ship that cruises Lake Champlain daily from May through October. Our family took the 1.5-hour narrated scenic cruise, where we learned so much of the area's history and took in gorgeous views of the land. There is plenty of seating on board. The company also offers brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises.

8. North Beach

Hit the beach at this public park, known for having the sandiest shoreline on Lake Champlain. Even in July, the water temperature averages around 70 degrees, making for a refreshing swim. Aside from taking a dip, North Beach features a playground, picnic tables, and a casual restaurant. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard from PaddleSurf Champlain. 

9. Red Rocks Park

A favorite spot for hiking, this 100-acre park also has a small beach. Visitors love the naturally occurring rock formations and the scenic overlooks of the lake. (City officials discourage swimmers from jumping off of the rocks, FYI.) Red Rocks Park also offers several miles of cross-country skiing trails for winter visitors.

10. Burlington Greenway

Go for a bike ride or stroll along the Burlington Greenway, an eight-mile paved path that runs along the shores of Lake Champlain. The trail runs adjacent to several parks and playgrounds, including Oakledge Park. Need a bike? North Star Sports and Local Motion offer equipment for rent.  

11. Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball

In the summer, sports fans love watching the Lake Monsters play baseball at their stadium on the University of Vermont Burlington campus.  Games are very family-friendly, with bouncy houses, giveaways, and fireworks displays, as well as appearances by Champ, the team's beloved mascot.

12. Church Street Shopping

I normally don't mention shopping in my travel write-ups, but Burlington's pedestrian mall on Church Street is particularly special. It's home to more than 100 stores and restaurants, many of them small businesses selling items you just can't find on Amazon. A standout for us was Phoenix Books, which has a huge children's section.

Indoor Things To Do in Burlington, VT with Kids

13. Burton Snowboards Factory Tour

Another cool factory tour to take while in Burlington is Burton Snowboards' Craig's Prototype Facility, where families can see how snowboards are made and learn about the company's history. Tours are free and about 45 minutes long, but you must schedule them in advance on Burton's website.

14. Fleming Museum of Art

Take young art lovers to browse the collection at this museum on the UVM campus where admission is free for all. There are more than 20,000 works on display from all around the world, including ancient Egyptian artifacts, Native American beadwork, and paintings by Vermont-based artists. Note: The museum is open September through May.  

15. Petra Cliffs

When your kids start scaling the walls, take them to this indoor climbing center. Petra Cliffs has a variety of colorful bouldering walls for climbers of all ages and abilities. There's even a toddler climb time for the 4 and under crowd.   

16. Get Air

Bounce off some energy at this trampoline park in nearby Williston. Attractions include a ninja obstacle course, a dodgeball court, a kiddie area for jumpers under 46 inches, and a giant foam pit. Get Air offers lots of weekly promotions, so check the website before you visit. 

The Neapolitan pizza at Pizzeria Verità is a crowd-pleaser!

Restaurants for Families in Burlington, Vermont

17. Pizzeria Verità

My mouth is honestly watering thinking about the wood-fired Neapolitan pizza served up at this quick and casual downtown restaurant. The salads are also very fresh and tasty, and they offer gluten-free menu options as well.

18. Kismet

Do your kids like Mediterranean food? Kismet offers delicious and reasonably priced Turkish dishes like falafel, kebabs, and lamb skewers. Their hummus is killer, too. The kids menu features smaller portions of these meals, plus a cheese pizza for less adventurous eaters.

19. Lake Champlain Chocolates

Satisfy your sweet tooth at this chocolate shop in the South End district (there's also a smaller store on Church Street). There are so many treats to choose from: pastries and hot chocolate in the cafe, award-winning ice cream, and of course plenty of candy. And yes, they do offer complimentary samples!      

Burlington, VT Hotels for Families

20. Hotel Champlain

Our family was pleased with our stay at this Hilton hotel that's just a few blocks away from the Burlington waterfront and Church Street. There's a spacious lobby and a cute outdoor area with picnic tables, cornhole, and a giant Connect Four set. My kids really appreciated the hotel's indoor pool.

21. Hotel Vermont

This modern boutique hotel is located within walking distance of many of Burlington's top attractions and restaurants. Hotel Vermont is very family-friendly, offering fun add-on amenities like bedtime storybooks and milk-and-cookie deliveries. Plus, the on-site restaurant, Juniper, is delicious.    

22. Green Mountain Suites Hotel

Every room at this rustic hotel is a one-bedroom suite with a full kitchen and over 500 square feet of living space, making it spacious and comfortable for families. Guests can enjoy a free Fireside Breakfast spread each morning, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a courtyard BBQ area with fire pits.

All photos by the author

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