Family Adventures
A list of local Family Friendly Events, Activities, & Places to Visit
Kids' Classes
Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, VT
Saturdays, 10-11am. Ages 6-12. 4 weeks for $60 or $20 per class.
RSVP by phone 802-775-0356.
Fresh Air Story Time
Manchester Community Library, Manchester, VT
Tuesdays, 10:30am.
Preschoolers and their families are invited to join us outside, when weather permits, or just inside the spacious Hunter Room doors (where we’ll keep the doors open for ventilation) for stories, rhymes and activities–including our beloved parachute– celebrating different spring-appropriate themes.
Museum ABCs
Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT
Third Thursday of each month, 1:30-2:30pm. Free.
This free monthly program is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their adult companions. The program is produced in collaboration with the Bennington Free Library and is generously sponsored by the Bank of Bennington whose fundamental and consistent support has made this program possible for the past twelve years. For the past three years, funds from the Stewart’s Holiday Match also have helped to make Museum ABCs possible.
Each Museum ABCs program focuses on a different theme and includes visits to the Museum galleries, stories carefully selected to support early literacy, and art and craft projects designed to encourage engagement between children and adults.
Concerts on the Green
Factory Point Town Green, Manchester, VT
Wednesdays, June 29-August 17, 6-9pm.
Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty Concerts on the Green starts on June 29th with BBA’s own Flatlanders and ends August 17th with Muddy Hollow. Attendees are reminded to bring a lawn chair or blanket. There is no smoking on the Town Green, and dogs must be leashed at all times.
Taconic Music Summer Festival
Riley Center for the Arts, Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester, VT
Monday, June 13-Monday, July 11.
Part on Main Street with an evening full of fun and music. Main Street will close down between Thai Basil and The Mountain Goat for the community and visitors to gather, listen to live music, taste local specialty food, browse booths, and more.
Dorset Theatre Festival
Dorset Playhouse, Dorset, VT
June 23-September 3.
Dorset Theatre Festival has announced its return to indoor performances at the Dorset Playhouse beginning June, 23 2022, and the 45th Main Stage Summer Season featuring Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Wait Until Dark (June 23 – July 9); the World Premiere of Scarecrow written and performed by Heidi Armbruster (July 14 – 23); Back Together Again, a new concert featuring the music of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (July 27 – August 7); and the World Premiere of Thirst by Ronán Noone (August 18 – September 3). All performances will take place indoors at the Dorset Playhouse.
Manchester Streetfest
Main Street, Manchester Center, VT
Friday, June 24, 6-9pm.
Part on Main Street with an evening full of fun and music. Main Street will close down between Thai Basil and The Mountain Goat for the community and visitors to gather, listen to live music, taste local specialty food, browse booths, and more.
Summer Jam Family Day
Lions Park, North Bennington, VT
Saturday, June 25 11am-3pm. Free!
Sunrise Family Resource Center and the Vermont Arts Exchange team up to offer a free, "Summer Jam" Family Day! All are welcome to come and enjoy a fun-filled day of music with the Moose Junior band, drumming, skateboarding demonstrations, whiffle ball, story time on the VAE Art Bus, and many Community Partner activity booths! Cookout concession food will be available (cash only) by the Norshaft Lions. Artwork from our "VAE at Sunrise" community art class will also be on display. Join us!
Summer Reading Kickoff and Drag Queen Story Hour
Dorset Village Library, Dorset, VT
Saturday, June 25, 2-4pm in the back yard at the Library.
All ages are invited. Stories will be geared towards the younger kids, but we want everyone to feel welcome!
There will also be snacks and crafts (decorate your own fan or crown). You can also pick up your summer reading packet.
Making Meals & Memories: Stars, Stripes, & Smiles!
226 Union Street, Bennington, VT
Tuesday, June 28, 4-6pm. Free, but registration is required.
You're invited to spend an evening with Sunrise, Making Meals & Memories! Cook and enjoy a healthy dinner together. Engage with your child(ren) in fun activities and crafts. Bring home an activity bag: books, games, and healthy snacks.
This program is made possible with grant funding from the VT Children's Trust Fund. You do not need to be a member of Sunrise's other programs to participate!
Registration is required, please RSVP to our Parent Child Coordinator, Tiffany Gaghich: 80 2-442-0028 or tgaghich@sunrisepcc.com.
4th of July Fireworks
Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton, VT
Sunday, July 3, 8:30-10pm.
Fireworks are back at Stratton for our annual Fourth of July weekend celebration. Gates open at 8:30pm and fireworks are set to hi the sky at 9pm. Join us for a special night of fireworks in southern Vermont. Chairs and umbrellas are permitted.
Independence Day Fireworks
Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park, Manchester, VT
Monday, July 4, 9:30-10:30pm.
Vermont Summer Festival
Harold Beebe Farm, East Dorset, VT
July 6-August 14. Competition takes place Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Proceeds from weekend gate fees will benefit local nonprofits, including Northshire Day School.
The six-week USEF Premier/4*-Rated Vermont Summer Festival offers an all-inclusive horse show just outside picturesque Manchester, Vermont. The entire family will enjoy this boutique-style competition, which features divisions for every level of equestrian, from the Short Stirrup Classic to the $40,000 weekly Grand Prix.
Manchester Music Festival
Arkell Pavillion, SVAC, Manchester, VT
July 7-September 15.
Manchester Music Festival’s 48th season will kick off on July 7, 2022, and features an impressive lineup of outstanding musicians and exciting performances.
Manchester Streetfest
Main Street, Manchester Center, VT
Friday, July 15, 6-9pm.
Part on Main Street with an evening full of fun and music. Main Street will close down between Thai Basil and The Mountain Goat for the community and visitors to gather, listen to live music, taste local specialty food, browse booths, and more.
The Annual Arlington Fire Co. No. 1 Fireman's Carnival
Arlington Rec Park, Arlington, VT
Friday, July 15 & Saturday, July 16.
Fireworks, Carnival Rides and Games, Food, Music, Fire Truck Rides, Tractor Rides, and the Best Concessions for Miles Around!
Vermont Institute of Natural Science LIVE Animal Meet&Greet
Bromley Mountain, Peru, VT
Sunday, July 17, 12:30-2:30pm
Get up close and personal with live falcons, hawks, owls, or reptiles! Stop by and learn all about these amazing animals. Touchable artifacts and educational, informational materials round out this experience.
Manchester Swimming Pool
Dana L Thompson Park, Manchester, VT
Open 6/19-8/20
White Memorial Park Pool
White Memorial Park, Rutland, VT
Opens 6/12
Northwood Pool
Rutland, VT
Opens 6/19
Stratton Pool
Stratton Mountain, VT
Indoor, call 802-297-4230.
Mitchell Therapy Pool
Rutland, VT
Indoor, view rates online.
Bennington Pool
Bennington Rec Center, Bennington, VT
Indoor, open year-round
Splash Pad
109 North St, Bennington, VT
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Hildene, Manchester, VT
December-March, Thursday-Monday, 10am-4:30pm.
Approximately 12 miles of trails are open to guests, whether on foot, skis (bring your own gear) or snowshoes (available to rent at Hildene). Trails are of varying levels of difficulty. We offer snowshoe rentals for children and adults. Please be aware that we are not a Nordic Center; our trails are natural and ungroomed.
Top Winter Things to Do
Snowshoeing, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, sleigh riding, snowmobiling, winter hiking, skating, and more!
Mountain Adventure Park
Bromley Mountain, VT
Manchester Rec. Park
Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park, Recreation Park Rd, Manchester, VT
Open until 10pm
Arlington Recreation Park
Route 313, Arlington, VT
Emerald Lake State Park
65 Emerald Lake Lane East Dorset, VT
June 26-2nd Monday in October 10am -Sunset
Hapgood Pond
Hapgood Pond Rd, Peru. VT
Lake Shaftsbury
262 Shaftsbury State Park Rd Shaftsbury, VT
June 26-2nd Monday in October 10am -Sunset
Merk Forest & Farmland Center
3270 Route 315, Rupert, VT
Open year round, Dawn to Dusk
Bennington Rec Center
655 Gage St. Bennington, VT
8am-8pm
The Manchester Community Library
138 Cemetery Ave Manchester Center, VT
Virtual Story Time Tuesdays & Thursday 10:30-11:30am
Winhall Memorial Library
2 Lower Taylor Hill Road, Bondville, VT
Dorset Village Library
On the Green at Church St & RT30, Dorset, VT
Martha Canfield Library
528 East Arlington Rd, Arlington, VT
Manchester Farmers Market
Adams Park, Manchester, VT
Thursdays June 4 -October 8 3-6pm
Dorset Farmers Market
Summer Market : HN Williams General Store2732 Vt. Route 30, Dorset, VT.
Winter Market : JK Adams Kitchen Store 1430 Vt. Rt 30, Dorset, VT
Sundays 10am-2pm
West River Farmer's Market
Londonderry, VT
Saturdays Memorial Day to Columbus Day 9am-1pm
Wildwood Berry Farm -PYO
2977 Mad Tom Road, East Dorset, VT
Opening July 13, 9am-5pm
North Meadow Farm
726 North Rd, Manchester, VT Open 7 days a week
Offering fresh eggs, cheese, and raw milk. Plus a petting zoo and playground for the kids to visit.
Earth Sky Time
1873-1951 VT-7A Manchester, VT Open Sunday-Friday
Farm Store & Bakery
Wonderfeet
11 Center St, Rutland, VT
Fridays 10am-2pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm, Sundays 12-4
The Montshire Museum of Science
One Montshire Road, Norwich, VT
Wednesdays-Sundays 10am-4pm
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT
10am-5pm Daily
5484 Main St Manchester Center, VT 05255
802.362.1395
Northshire Day School is recognized as a 5 STARS program through the “Step Ahead Recognition System” in Vermont.
Northshire Day School
is a pre-approved Pre-Kindergarten provider through the VT Agency of Education.
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