Family Adventures
A list of local Family Friendly Events, Activities, & Places to Visit
Little Hully (Hullaballoo for ages 18 mos – 3 years)
Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, VT
October 1, 8, 15, 11am-11:30am. $11 for members and $14 for non-members.
These classes provide opportunities for body and brain integration through music, movement and props. Contact Alexandra Langstaff at aslangstaff@gmail.com or 802-366-0128.
West River Farmers Market
Londonderry, VT
October 2 and 9, 9am-1pm.
Over 40 vendors selling fresh local produce, meats, crafts, art, jewelry, blown glass, maple syrup, cheese, plants, cut flowers, prepared foods, and more. Also enjoy local live music and tasty food.
Vintage Market Days of Vermont
Vermont State Fairgrounds, Rutland, VT
October 8-10, 10am-5pm. Children under 12 are free.
An upscale vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more.
Bird Walk
Hildene, Manchester, VT
October 9, 8am Free.
Join a local birding group to conduct a survey of the wild birds present on the grounds of Hildene. The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Observations are entered into the (Vermont) eBird database where data is stored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for free access and international public use. Contact Stephanie for more information at (802) 367-7960 or stephanie@hildene.org.
Farm Day
Fahey Family Ranch, North Pownal, VT
October 9, 11am-4pm.
Horse drawn wagon rides, nature walk, animals, kids tattoos, pumpkin decorating, pony rides, face painting, and more! Call 413-281-4307 for more information.
Fall Festival on the Farm
North Meadow Farm, Manchester Center, VT
October 9, Noon-5pm.
Hay rides, local food, games, animals, and more!
Art In The Park Fall Foliage Festival
Rutland's Main Street Park, Rutland, VT
October 9-10. Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Free.
Juried fine artists, craftspeople, and specialty food producers will be featured. Rounding out the festival are food vendors, live music, and demonstrations of works in progress held throughout the weekend
NHA Family Night & Gear Swap
Northshire Civic Center – Riley Rink at Hunter Park, Manchester, VT
October 9, 4-6pm.
Come for an evening of celebrating the upcoming hockey season! Meet your team mates, new and old, and meet the family community that makes each season fun and memorable. Members of the board and coaching staff will be available to meet and answer any questions for the year. Bring any gear that you don’t need and swap for gear you do. You can always donate any gear too, even if you don’t need any. Anything helps!
Grand Opening: North Star Healing Institute
Aspen, Manchester, VT
October 11, 11am-2pm.
Drop by any time during this Open House for a chair massage or Reiki session. Enjoy refreshments including coffee, tea and hot chocolate, shopping for wellness products, pumpkin painting for kids, a raffle to benefit the Community Scholarship Fund and more!
Written in the Stars: Astronomy Night with BBA
Manchester Community Library, Manchester, VT
October 11, 7-8pm. Free.
Join Mr. Clausen and the BBA Astronomy Club as they guide you through an evening of astronomical phenomena. Masks and social distancing will be in practice. Light refreshments will be served. In the event of uncooperative weather, the program will be rescheduled. Registration required.
Meet Working Dogs and Their Companions
Manchester Community Library, Manchester, VT
October 14, 4pm. Free.
Guiding Eyes will be here with several dogs, their handlers and trainers and an individual with sight impairments who relies on his canine partner Becky for assistance. All are welcome!
Food Truck Fly-in/Drive-in
Southern Vermont Regional Airport, Rutland, VT
October 17, 11am-3pm.
The Rollin' Rooster food truck (specializing in fried chicken) and the Ben & Jerry's ice cream cart will be at Rutland Airport (KRUT) for a fun day of delicious food and beautiful views of Vermont's green mountains and fall foliage.
Scary Stories in the Dark!
Rupert Library, Rupert, VT
October 22, 6:30pm.
Join Erica and Stephen as they join forces with Paul at the Rupert Library for Scary Stories in the Dark! Cider, donuts and (not too) scary stories will be read by staff and board members from both the Dorset Library and the Rupert Library. This event will be outside and behind the Rupert Library.
Halloween Party!
Dorset Village Library, Dorset, VT
October 23, 2-4pm.
Join us at the Dorset Library for an outdoor Halloween party. This Ghostbusters themed event will be outside under tents (unless the weather is very extreme). Ghostbusters Stephen and Kate will help keep you safe from Angela, the Library Ghost, and Milla an ecto-plasmic Slimer! Snacks, games, crafts and costumes are highly encouraged!
COVID precautions will be in place!
Food for Fright: Haunted House
Arlington Lions Pavilion, Arlington, VT
October 23, 3-8pm. Haunted House has $5 entry fee or 3 non-perishable food items, all other activities are free!
Haunted House to benefit the Arlington Food Shelf, costume contest for kids at 4:30pm, and trick or treating community event. This year's Haunted House theme is Zombie Invasion!
Making Meals & Memories: Pumpkin Party
Sunrise Family Resource Center, Bennington, VT
October 26, 4-6pm.
Spend an evening with Sunrise, Making Meals & Memories! Cook a healthy dinner together, engage with your children in fun activities and crafts, and bring home an activity bag with 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. Families throughout Bennington County are encouraged to attend. Registration is limited, please R.S.V.P. by October 20th to Tiffany Racicot: tracicot@sunrisepcc.com or 802-442-0058.
NDS Family Trunk or Treat
Northshire Day School, Manchester, VT
October 30, 2-4pm.
NDS Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at our Trunk or Treat! Please contact Stephanie Muñoz Wells at smunozwells@northshiredayschool.org.
Halloween on the Hill
Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester VT
October 30, 2:30-5pm.
Halloween Magic Show with Tom Joyce, Carved Pumpkin Contest, Costume Parade and Prizes, Scavenger Hunt for Art & Candy, Spooky Stories with Kathy Penge and Taconic Music, Pizza, and more! Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals of any age when indoors. Registration required.
Outdoor Haunted House and Trick or Treat
Dorset Village Library, Dorset, VT
October 31, 5-7 pm.
The Dorset Library will be hosting their Haunted House again this year… outside! There will be trick or treating in Dorset with walking and driving options. The Playhouse will also be having a spooky walk through experience! COVID precautions will be in place.
Kids' Class
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.
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
Apple Picking
Mad Tom Orchard, East Dorset, VT
Tuesdays – Sundays from 9am-5:30pm, starting after Labor Day.
Pumpkin Patch
Equinox Valley Nursery, Manchester, VT
September – October.
Roger’s Famous cider doughnuts, wagon rides, corn maze.
Hildene Farm Wagon Rides
Hildene, Manchester, VT
Sundays September 5 – October 24.
Choose between a morning or early afternoon ride, registration required. $50 for a group of up to 8 persons. Call or email Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or stephanie@hildene.org.
The Pollinator Path Trail Tale
George Aiken Wildflower Trail, Hadwen Woods at the Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT
Summer
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
