12 gorgeous Vermont family resorts

Last updated on February 5, 2024

If you’ve spent any time at all on this blog, you’ll know I’m a New England fanatic, and Vermont is one of my favourite states. I mean it’s nearly all forest, which lays the foundations for a pretty magical place!

And amid all those trees are some fabulous places to stay, including some exceptional Vermont family resorts. We stayed in what we’re sure is one of the best – Basin Harbor – but we also came across many more in our research that were filed away for the future bucket list. You know how much I love to research!

So here are the fruits of all that research – a round-up of the very best family resorts in Vermont.

Also see our guide to the best things to do in Vermont with kids, and our full New England road trip itinerary.

And if you’re travelling elsewhere in the region, you might like our guides to the best family resorts in New England, and bucket list family resorts in Maine.

Map of Vermont family resorts

The best Vermont family resorts

Basin Harbor

Basin Harbor was a dream-come-true kind of place for me. I’m a huge fan of the film Dirty Dancing and the whole place reminded me of Kellerman’s. It has the fancy table-clothed restaurant, the programme of activities, the golf course and groups of families on their annual summer vacation. Do they have the secret after-hours parties? I certainly love to think so.

And as a one-up to Kellerman’s, Basin Harbor is on the shores of Lake Champlain, meaning stunning views and lots of opportunity to get out on the water. Take a boat tour, hire your own sailboat, or grab one of the free pedalos for a gentle meander around the harbor.

I loved every minute of our stay there, going for swims in the lake, exploring the gorgeous grounds and simply slowing down and seeing the kids have so much fun (they were obsessed by the tiny row boats, and also loved the playground and cycling around).

When it comes to food, there’s a fancy restaurant (you’ll need to dress the part for dinner there), a casual pub-style bistro, a food cart, and weekly barbecues on the dock. You really needn’t leave. But if you do, the nearby town of Vergennes is adorable and has some top-notch restaurants, including the Black Sheep Bistro and Laundry Vergennes.

While fairly expensive, I think this is a Vermont family resort worth splashing out on. We certainly plan to return.

Check availability and book now.

Jay Peak

Jay Peak is a four-season resort in northern Vermont, near the border with Canada. It tends to top the list of best ski resorts in Vermont for families.

The mountain resort has plenty to offer, no matter when you visit. Some of the attractions include an ice arena, climbing walls, obstacle courses, a movie theater, arcades, a golf course, and a disc golf course.

But the two biggest draws are the indoor waterpark, open year round, and the skiing and snowboarding available in the winter.

Jay Peak has many different accommodation options suitable for families, including hotel suites, condos, single-family homes, and townhouses. Most of the accommodation options are ski-in and ski-out, and are within walking distance of all of the other resort amenities.

Check availability and book now.

Liberty Hill Farm and Inn

Liberty Hill Farm and Inn is one of the more unique Vermont family resorts. It’s a farm stay, and while it’s certainly more luxurious than a farm stay might suggest, it’s not quite as fancy as other resorts on this list.

If you’re used to city life, a stay at Liberty Hill Farm looks like a great place to step into the slow pace of the countryside and would be a great introduction to small-town New England.

The cosy and comfortable rooms at the inn are housed in an 1825-farmhouse, complete with a porch and plenty of rocking chairs (you know I can’t resist a porch!).

Homecooked breakfast and dinner are included with your stay, made with ingredients grown on the farm, and guests are able to participate in farm chores if they like. Kids will love meeting the cows and other farm animals.

While Liberty Hill Farm is a bit of a destination in itself, it’s still within an hour of many popular attractions. And there’s plenty to do on the grounds. It’s open year-round.

Check availability and book now.

Castle Hill Resort and Spa

Castle Hill Resort and Spa is one of the most luxurious resorts in Vermont and offers the chance to step back in time. The resort is on the National Register of Historic Places and features just 10 guest rooms, offering a more intimate stay than some of the more sprawling family resorts. They also have several two and three-bedroom condos, for those who want a bit more privacy and space.

Rooms are elegant, tying in with the historical theme of the property, including hardwood floors, rugs, and four-poster beds. Some even have a decorative fireplace and seating area. The condos include two or three bedrooms with an American-style kitchen, jetted tub, and a gas fireplace.

Check availability and book now.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort

Smuggler’s Notch Resort is another top contender for the best ski resort in Vermont for families. It was named the #1 top ski resort in the East overall and caters well to families with all sorts of fun activities.

It’s not the most luxurious resort, but it does offer great value, with cosy and spacious accommodation and year-round activities. Accommodation is in apartments, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, allowing plenty of space and privacy for families of all sizes.

Ski season begins at the end of November and is one of the most popular times to visit Smuggler’s Notch, but they are a four-season resort, offering a playground, the FunZone 2.0, an outdoor pool, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and more.

Check availability and book now.

Tyler Place Family Resort

When it comes to all-inclusive family resorts in Vermont, Tyler Place Family Resort is at the top of our list. The family-freindly clue is in the name and there are all sorts of activities and amenities aimed specifically at kids and families, all the way from infants to teens.

The resort is a lakeside cottage community with a beautiful setting and views. There are pools and splash pad, kayaks, banana boats, and other water activities. You can even take sailing lessons for their Hobie Wave sailboats or go on a family fishing charter.

Other activities include tennis courts, an archery range, mini golf, basketball, climbing walls, soccer, disc golf, and much more. And they also offer kid and adult bike rentals.

Accommodation at Tyler Place includes cottages and suites, many with a lake view. They’re designed for families, with one queen or king room for the parents and 1-4 bedrooms for the kids, plus living rooms, screened-in porches, and a kitchenette. However, you won’t need to be concerned with cooking, as all meals are included.

Check availability and book now.

Mountain Top Resort

Located in central Vermont, Mountain Top Resort is a secluded getaway with over 700 acres and a 740-acre lake to enjoy. The year-round resort isn’t your typical ski resort, though they do offer cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

Instead, Mountain Top Resort offers other activities like an extensive trail system, an Equestrian Center, clay bird lessons, pontoon boat rides, canoes, kayaks, paddle boarding, and a private beach on the lake. Winter brings sleigh rides, ice skating, and sledding.

Accommodation at Mountain Top Resort includes lodge rooms, luxury cabins, and guest houses to accommodate groups of all sizes. Rooms are spacious and cosy, with plenty of seating areas, and many have meadow and lake/mountain views.

Check availability and book now.

Lake Morey Resort

Lake Morey Resort is another Vermont family resort located right on the water. They cater to families with seasonal activities like an ice skating trail, water sports, biking, hiking trails, snowshoeing, pools, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more.

The resort offers 130 guest rooms, including multi-room suites, as well as lakeside cottages. Travel cribs and rollaways are available on request and some of the rooms offer a stunning lake view. Since the main house is a historic building, each room is slightly different which only adds to the charm.

Check availability and book now.

Trapp Family Lodge

Located in Stowe, the Trapp Family Lodge is an Austrian-inspired mountain resort. The Trapp Family who began the lodge back in 1950 is, indeed, the Trapp family memorialized in The Sound of Music! After touring the US as the Trapp Family Singers, they eventually settled down and opened a 27-room lodge, which burned down in 1980 and was rebuilt as the Trapp Family Lodge built today.

Today’s lodge is still owned by the Von Trapp family and you can take a tour to learn more about their unique and famous family history.

Throughout the resort, you’ll find a combination of American and European design elements and amenities. Some of the top activities include skiing, mountain biking, birding, hiking, horse-drawn carriage rides, indoor rock climbing, and more.

Check availability and book now.

The Equinox

The Equinox is a luxury golf and spa resort in Manchester, Vermont. Accommodations are varied between the Main Inn with its quintessential New England architecture, the more rustic and cosy Orvis Inn, and vacation rental homes in varying sizes and designs.

No matter which accommodation option you choose, you still have access to the unique aactivites offered by The Equinox. The most unique is perhaps the “Land Rover Driving Experience” where you can take off-roading lessons and then complete different off-roading challenges. Other activities include a fly fishing school, boating, skiing, tennis, golf, lawn games, a s’mores pit, and more.

The resort is also very close to several different ski resorts that offer tubing and other winter activities.

Check availability and book now.

Stoweflake

Stoweflake is another Vermont family resort located in the mountains of Stowe. It was recently named the #2 Best Resort in the Northeast by Conde Nast and offers classic New England hospitality with a side of mountain views.

With 120 guestrooms and suites on 50 acres, Stoweflake is on the small side for Vermont resorts but its location means you’re always just a short distance from endless activities and things to do. Stowe itself is a lovely historic town with plenty to do and on-property activities include cross-country skiing, golf, an outdoor jacuzzi and more.

Stoweflake is known for its spa, with over 100 different treatments, and it also has a pub on the property. Accommodation options include guestrooms, suites, and townhouses, many with incredible views and fireplaces.

Check availability and book now.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak

Also located in Stowe, the Lodge at Spruce Peak is part of the Hyatt brand. It’s a 4-diamond resort with 250 guestrooms. It’s a ski-in, ski-out property.

Activities at Spruce Peak and nearby include skiing, snowboarding, a heated pool, ice skating, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, golfing, hiking, kayaking, and much more.

Accommodation options include guest rooms, studios, suites, and multi-room penthouses. The suites were redesigned in 2021 with locally crafted furniture and artwork, to bring a taste of Vermont into each suite.

Check availability and book now.