Kids Trails in Southern VT
Adams Family Farm
15 Higley Hill Road
Wilmington, VT 05363
Phone: 802-464-3762
Families and children are invited to many year-round events, including sleigh rides with Belgian draft horses; a farm animal petting area; agricultural demonstrations, such as milking and shearing; wagon and pony rides; and a fiber arts loft. And a farm store sells the essential Vermont delicacy: maple syrup and candy.
Bromley Mountain Thrill Zone
Route 11
Manchester, VT 05254
Phone: 802-824-5522
Bromley’s Summer Sun & Fun Park offers the state’s longest water-slide ride, the country’s longest Alpine Slide, the Giant Condor Cable Coaster, SpaceBikes, Twinspin, Adrenaline Zip Line, 24-foot Kiddie Slide, two Trampoline Things, gravity-driven, DevalKarts, 24-foot climbing wall, scenic chairlift rides, 18-hole championship mini-golf, Kiddie Fun Park and more.
231 North Main Street (offices)
Rutland, VT
Phone: 802-747-6700
The Green Mountain National Forest scenic beauty along the backbone of Vermont's Green Mountains offers a four season recreation experience. Primitive recreational opportunities exist within the eight Wilderness Areas on the Green Mountain National Forest. The Forest also hosts two National Recreation Areas. The most popular season is autumn, when the mountains are ablaze with color. In spring, the forest bursts forth from the grip of winter and blooming wildflowers that are visible along many of the Forest trails. The first fishing days are enjoyed by a lot of people. Mud season is usually short but intense. Mountain biking and hiking on wet trails is not encouraged during this time. Head nets and an effective insect repellant are suggested for black fly season. Summer is popular for picnicking, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, boating, and canoeing. Winter brings out skiers (both downhill and cross-country), snowboarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoe enthusiasts.
Uses: Hiking, fishing, hunting, picnicking, bird watching, bicycling, canoeing, camping, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling
Merck Forest & Farmland Center
Rupert Mountain Road (Route 315)
Rupert, VT 05768
Phone: 802-394-7836
Merck Forest is open to the public free every day year-round. This conservation area includes forests, a farm, hiking trails, and camping. Educators offer workshop programs for children and adults on many topics of ecology. Events include pick your own flowers and vegetables, farm tours, meet the bees, mushrooming, and harvest day.
Retreat Farm
350 Linden St.
Brattleboro, VT 01247
Phone: 207-255-3475 (Park season
This working dairy farm and recreation center offers a true reflection of the agricultural way of life in Vermont. The farm owns 100 cows and 450 acres of land, and from Memorial Day to the end of October operates a petting farm and gift shop farm toys, Vermont-made items, children's garden tools, and stuffed animals.
Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
Route 9
Marlboro, VT 05344
Phone: 802-464-0048
Open: Late October through Memorial Day; hours vary; please call ahead.
This natural history museum in the foothills of the Green Mountains offer mounted specimens of 600 native New England birds and mammals as well as live hawks and owls. The museum presents an amphibian and reptile exhibit and a wildflower exhibit in the summer and fall. A good side trip is a hike up nearby Mount Olga. The museum has one of the largest collections of mounted birds to be found in New England, containing over 600 birds in 100 small dioramas. Raptor center has live exhibits of owls and hawks. Cost: Adults, $5; children, $2; seniors, $3.
