Museums, water features, playgrounds, animals. There’s so much you can do in the Upper Valley and a bit beyond. I selected attractions and activities that might go well together for your summer fun inspiration.
St. Gaudens in Cornish. Kids will be enthralled by the massive sculptures at St. Gaudens. Walk the trails, bring a picnic, smell the flowers, or go on a Sunday and enjoy the concerts at the lawn. After your time, drive up the road to the Song Garden and pick some flowers together to buy and bring home.
Vins in Quechee. See owls, eagles, and song birds. Watch an educational show and see them fly. Walk the trails. Your kids will love the dress up, large tree playhouse and slide, and adventure playscape. A wonderful day trip for the kids.
Playground and Storrs Pond in Hanover. Enjoy the playground at the Ray School and then continue down the road to Storrs Pond for the pool, splash pad, swings, trails, and more.
Billings Farm in Woodstock. A working dairy farm with a museum, and plenty of hands-on activities for kids each day like learning to make butter, ice cream, and milk. My sons love to see and pet the animals the best. After take the stroller across the street to the Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Historal Park and enjoy the wide carriage trails in the woods. Finish the afternoon with lunch or homemade ice cream at Mountain Creamery.
The Gorge and Quechee Gorge Village. After your visit, add in a trip down the hill by the Visitor’s Center and go swimming at the Quechee Gorge or walk the path to Dewey Pond and have a picnic. Pet the alpacas, and ride the train in the fronot of the Quechee Gorge Village. You could also check out the unique items in the Antique Village Mall.
Mini Golf and Ice Cream in Lebanon. You can take a two year old mini-golfing. I tried it. No one was injured by rogue balls or putters. So this a great activity to do with kids. Fore-U mini golf offers two 18-hole courses with beautiful scenery. After enjoy the playground and have some ice cream at the Fore-U ice cream stand a little walk away.
Mac’s Maple. Visit the animals and have a maple creamee at Mac’s Maple in Plainfield.
Visit Loch Lyme Lodge on Post Pond. Come to enjoy the Loch Lyme Lodge summer fun at their Sun. buffet and Wed. cookout with live music and enjoy the amenities at Loch Lyme Lodge. There’s a playground for kids to enjoy if they get restless and need to let off some energy. Spots fill up fast, so reserve your fun.
Shaker Museum in Enfield. Walk the grounds, see the equipment and tools, pretend to be a student in their school house, and meander along their trails at the Shaker Museum. If you’d like you can walk the paved path at LaSalette across the street. They also have summer camps, workshops, and classes for kids, tweens, and teens.
Splash Pad at Lebanon Outdoor Pool. Located behind the DPW buildings by the river, the Lebanon outdoor pool is a fun place to go. You could try the short Ruth Shepard trail which connects to the rail trail and turn around and come back for a little walk before your swim. Your kids will love spending the afternoon at the Splash Pad in Lebanon.
Montshire Science Park. One of my kid’s favorites is the science park with water features and tons of hands-on outdoor exhibits at the Monshire. This amazing area has plenty to do to keep your kid busy all afternoon.
More Family Fun. Catch a performance, see an outdoor concert, or a free movie. The dates, shows, and times may change, but these are events that happen each year. You can also check out the events at your local library. Here are some ideas from 2018.
