Trip Motivation
We didn’t have a particular reason to visit Vermont on our recent Thanksgiving 2022 trip. But with the long weekend, we decided it’d be fun to briefly explore a new state and hit some highlights. From Boston, it was a 3 hour drive with a brief stop in Hookset, NH. For more on our long weekend, see posts here:
Points and Miles for a New England Trip
Ben and Jerry's Factory
The factory is a must-see in Vermont. You can sign up for a tour and see the factory floor and there is also a small gift shop. There’s some prime photo spots and even a playground and graveyard for flavors no longer available. It’s never too cold for ice cream!
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
This cute mill has a gift shop, bee hive, cider tasting, donuts, and more. There’s tons to see and do at this spot. The mill wasn’t running when we visited but you can often see the mill at work making cider. Cider and Juice are similar but cider is richer and deeper in flavor and unfiltered compared to regular (probably artificial!) juice you’re used to. We grabbed some donuts and a pint of cider along with some souvenirs to take home.
More Food Stops for Cheese and Chocolate!
The Cabot Store has more cheese than you can possibly imagine. It has all the items you need for making an elaborate cheese board spread and would be a fun stop for grabbing items for a summer picnic. The kids loved tasting the different types of cheese and decided pepper jack was the winner! Next door, there is a chocolate shop with truffles, fudge, and factory seconds which are cheap(er) pieces leftover from the factory. We grabbed a couple small samples and a few pieces to snack before heading to our next stop. If you have more time, there is also a distillery and other food stops close by to the main road.
Von Trapp Lodge
Did you know the real von Trapp family moved to Vermont after escaping Austria? Maria ran an Austrian-inspired ski lodge for many years. You can stay here and do many of the activities or you can stop by to tour. At our hotel prior to our visit, we snuggled up and watched the Sound of Music and I loved sharing the experience with the kids. In the hotel lobby, you’ll find memorabilia and tons of displays about the family. Apparently, the real Von Trapp kids thought the movie made their dad out to be meaner than real life. The youngest son opened up a brewery next to the lodge and we stopped by one evening for some apple strudel and schniztel with noodles (aka the best spaetzle).
Other Ideas
Depending on the season you visit, you may look for easy hikes or parks nearby. There’s also tons of shops in the main street area. A really cute area!
Final Thoughts
We think we captured a fun quick snapshot of Vermont. We have traveled to numerous states with so much to see for such a small area.
For more on our long weekend, see posts here:
Points and Miles for a New England Trip
