Last updated: January 2026.
Our road trip from Boston to Vermont was R’s very first American adventure, and Vermont made the perfect stopover on our way to Montreal. We only had a couple of nights in total, but managed to explore several towns and get a real feel for the state.
Vermont has so much going for it on a New England road trip: gorgeous scenery, welcoming towns, and lots of outdoor space that works brilliantly for interesting car journey stops when travelling with a baby. If you’re wondering where to stay in Vermont or which towns are most family-friendly, here’s our honest verdict on the places we visited.
👉 Don’t have time to read the whole article? See popular Vermont accommodation, or check out The Green Mountain Inn, which we loved!
1. Stowe: our favourite New England town for a road trip stop
Stowe was easily our favourite place and would be my number-one recommendation if you’re deciding where to stay in Vermont with kids. We stayed at The Green Mountain Inn, which was perfect for families (and I don’t often say that about hotels!).
Our suite had a separate living room (which R slept in, meaning we got to enjoy a movie in bed for once), the takeout from the hotel’s restaurant The Whip was tasty and easy to collect, and the outdoor pool was perfectly heated for a splash about with R. There was also a hot, bubbly jacuzzi and indoor sauna/jacuzzi area for me to enjoy while R was napping with Jack – a total luxury. Plus each part of the hotel had its own parking area, meaning your car was never far away. I was expecting a lot less being a 3-star hotel, but it was definitely reflective of a strong 4-star in my experience.
Stowe itself was cute, and I could see how it would be a nice place to visit in the ski season. We grabbed breakfast from Cafe on Main near our hotel and went for a lovely walk along the 5-mile-long Stowe Recreation Path. There were plenty of other trails nearby too, like the Quiet Path which goes past ‘Bear’s Bench’. I don’t know how far you’d have to walk before you got into bear territory, so it was slightly unnerving!
We’d planned to ride the Stowe SkyRide gondola up Mount Mansfield, but it was too cloudy to see much, so it felt like a waste (and it was quite expensive). On a clear day, the views are said to be spectacular.
Why Stowe, Vermont is a great base for families:
- Spacious hotel options like The Green Mountain Inn.
- Heated outdoor pools to enjoy all year round.
- Mountain town charm.
- Walkable centre with stroller-friendly paths.
2. Waterbury: the home of Ben & Jerry’s
Waterbury is a fun stop, especially with older kids in tow. The Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour is short, easy to manage with little ones, and ends with tasty samples. We timed it well with R’s nap on route, so mannaged to get through the whole experience with him happily smiling at the crowd in the carrier. The tour is relatively basic but a novelty, and the whole site has enough cool stuff to see to make it worthwhile visiting, like the flavour graveyard.
We also stopped at the nearby Cold Hollow Cider Mill to pick up a takeaway lunch and have a juice tasting (side note – I picked up some of their Apple Cider jelly/jam and it is incredible!). Afterwards we headed to the Waterbury Centre State Park, where we enjoyed a walk by the water. It was peaceful but really stunning – a perfect New England picnic spot.
3. Burlington: a relaxed town in Vermont
Burlington is often billed as Vermont’s ‘biggest’ city, but it still felt easy-going. We’d worried about parking, but it was straightforward down by the waterfrot (we parked on Lake Street but there was a carpark over the road too), and the lake walk was perfect for a stroll, giving R a break from the car.
We grabbed some (huge) sandwiches from Yellow Mustard Deli, another win for takeaway-friendly meals on the go. Burlington had just the right balance for an easy-going Vermont road trip stop, and I’d be tempted to come back and explore further based on what I saw. You could also drive straight from Boston to Burlington, and base yourself here for a few days.
4. North Hero: our scenic drive to a Vermont hidden gem
Instead of heading straight up the Interstate, we drove to Canada via the islands of Lake Champlain. This route was scenic and worth the tiny bit of extra time Google said it would take (although I suspect it was shorter in the end, as the Alburgh boarder crossing was very small and quiet). We stopped at North Hero State Park (which had free parking) for a short walk and picked up sandwiches at the quirky Hero’s Welcome General Store, which had an impressive selection of sandwiches with fun names. We both went for the honey mustard one, which was VERY sweet!
It was a small place to stop so I wouldn’t suggest it for an overnight stay, but for a lunch stop it worked perfectly, and was a far more interesting drive than up the Interstate. We didn’t drive back through the islands to mix it up, but we did use the quiet boarder crossing again.
5. Woodstock: pretty, but disappointing
Woodstock is often cited as one of the prettiest towns in America, and while it was nice and clearly a town with money, it was disappointing in all honesty. It was nice for a brief wander, but there wasn’t much going on, and our stay wasn’t very child-friendly. Our hotel (The Shire, Woodstock) was expensive and didn’t have any food options, and we couldn’t find any takeout in town, so we ended up with supermarket salads eaten on our balcony.
If you’re short on time and deciding where to stay in Vermont, I’d recommend prioritising Stowe for a classic Vermont experience, or Burlington for a larger base.
Getting around Vermont
We hired a car directly from Boston Logan Airport, which gave us complete flexibility to travel from Boston and explore Vermont, before continuing our journey north into Canada. Driving really is the easiest way to see Vermont, as the towns are spread out, and the scenic drives are part of the appeal.
There are some public transport links though, if you can’t drive. Amtrak runs the Vermonter service from Washington D.C. through New York and up to St. Albans, Vermont, with stops including Brattleboro, Montpelier and Essex Junction (near Burlington). Greyhound have limited routes into Vermont from Boston and New York. But once you’re in Vermont, buses are apparently infrequent, so they’re not practical for sightseeing.
For families, a car is by far the best option. The drives themselves are beautiful, with plenty of places to pull over for a walk or picnic.
Vermont on a New England road trip
Our short time in Vermont was a highlight of our New England road trip, and somewhere I’d happily visit again as part of a trip around the east coast. Stowe and Burlington stood out as the most family-friendly places to stay, while Waterbury and the scenic Lake Champlain drive allowed us to mix up the drive. All of these places were easy enough to travel from Boston to as part of a family holiday.
I’d love to return in autumn to see Vermont’s famous foliage, but even in summer, this state was worth the stop. If you’re wondering where to stay in Vermont with kids, you can’t go wrong with Stowe or Burlington as your base.
Are you planning a New England road trip? We enjoyed Boston and loved Cape Cod, plus Montreal was a big surprise.
Frequently asked questions
The drive from Boston to Vermont takes 3-4 hours depending on your destination. Boston to Burlington (Vermont’s largest city) is approximately 3.5 hours, whereas Boston to Stowe takes around 3 hours. If you’re heading to southern Vermont towns like Woodstock, the drive is closer to 2.5 hours.
We found the drive went quickly with R, especially when we timed it around his nap. The highways are very easy to drive, and the scenery (particularly once you’re in Vermont) makes the time pass faster. Plan for an extra 30-60 minutes to account for feeding stops, nappy changes, or just letting your baby out of the car seat for a bit. We stopped at rest areas along I-93 which had decent facilities.
For fall foliage:Â Late September to mid-October is peak time. Northern Vermont (Stowe, Burlington) peaks in late September to early October, while southern Vermont peaks mid-October. This is Vermont’s busiest season, so book accommodation well ahead.
For families with babies/toddlers, I’d actually recommend:
Summer (June-August):Â Warm weather, outdoor pools are open (like at The Green Mountain Inn), less crowded than fall, easier to navigate with a pram.
Early fall (September):Â Still warm, fewer crowds than peak foliage season, pleasant for walks with a baby.
Avoid:Â Winter with a baby unless you’re specifically going skiing (icy paths make pram-pushing treacherous, and many attractions close).
Our recommendation for families is Stowe. The Green Mountain Inn had everything we needed (family suite, pool, jacuzzi, on-site takeout), and Stowe itself was perfect for gentle walks with R. Burlington was nice for a few hours, and Woodstock was pretty but felt more of an adults only vibe.
Absolutely. Vermont was one of our most relaxing US destinations with R because:
✅ Short drive from Boston – 3-4 hours is manageable even with a baby
✅ Baby-friendly hotels – Places like The Green Mountain Inn in Stowe have family suites with separate living rooms
✅ Lots of outdoor space – Easy walks and stops along the drive
✅ Low-key attractions – Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour is short (good for short attention spans), state parks have flat paths
✅ Not overwhelming – Towns are small and quiet, unlike busy cities
The main limitation is that Vermont is very outdoors-focused. If your baby hates being in a carrier or pram, you might find it challenging. But for us, R loved the greenery and fresh air.
Minimum: 2-3 days (what we did) allowing you to stop somewhere like Stowe, see Ben & Jerry’s and the beautiful scenery. You can then drive back to Boston or continue to Montreal/Maine/Cape Cod.
We only had 2 nights because we were continuing to Montreal, but honestly, I’d happily have stayed longer. Vermont felt like the kind of place where you can slow down, which is brilliant with a baby.
Keep us posted on your travels. We’d love you to say hi on Instagram.
Allie, Jack & R x
