Woodstock for kids: THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Woodstock with Kids (Updated 2023)

THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Woodstock with Kids (Updated 2023)

7 places sorted by traveler favorites

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1. Billings Farm & Museum

Historic Sites • Farms

By Joe_Palka2

… history of excellence and innovation – loved touring the barns and pastures and meeting the cows, goats and sheep.

2. Sugarbush Farm

Farms

Open now

By franked1

Wonderful displays of the farm’s 240 year history as well as the process of maple sap collection and its distillation…

3. Mount Tom

Mountains • Forests

By tmueller19

Couldn’t walk on the groomed trail to the lake after reaching the summit but still worth the hike….

4. Taftsville Covered Bridge

Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges

By jaybeeFL

This is the 2nd longest and 3rd oldest covered bridge in VT. Built in 1836 in has a very unique type of construction…

5. Ottaquechee River

Bodies of Water

By rachellynn99

We did a trip of covered bridges and this was one of my favorites. It was a beautiful fall day and the water was coming…

6. FH Gillingham & Sons General Store

Speciality & Gift Shops • Historic Sites

By capt38

This is a great general store, with just about anything you need, from outdoor clothing to home baked foods….

7. Quechee General Store – Cabot Station

Speciality & Gift Shops • Antique Shops

By eddV7490MV

The distillery is awesome by the way and has a great maple bourbon (Vermont Spirits Distillery)….

• A7890

  Sugar Land, TX22 contributions

  Butter making demo

  Attended a butter making demonstration which was interesting. Did not get a chance to explore the rest of the property but it would be a good place to visit for a group who likes the traditional museum + tour

  Review of: Billings Farm & Museum

  Written May 24, 2023

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Katie W

  Union, KY14 contributions

  Worth the stop

  We really enjoyed our visit here and loved the funny signage on the way up to let us know we were going the right way. You get to sample four different kinds of cheeses and two varieties of maple syrup. They were friendly and you can do a tour of the grounds yourself, including seeing the trees they get the maple from and where it’s processed.

  Review of: Sugarbush Farm

  Written June 16, 2023

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Michael N

  Cohasset, MA18 contributions

  Enjoyable hikes for the family

  We did the Faulkner switchback trail up to the summit and thoroughly enjoyed it. The next morning we did the trail to the Pogue pond from Propser St. There are a lot of trails to seek out and explore.

  Review of: Mount Tom

  Written September 11, 2022

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Thomas – Genevi… H

  Higham, Suffolk, UK997 contributions

  2nd longest in Vermont AND a hydroelectric dam

  It’s not just any old covered bridge; it is an amazing feat of wooden engineering and the 2nd longest in Vermont! You have to stop and walk though it and read about both the bridge and the hydroelectric dam! The drive along VT 4 is so beautiful, and this is one of the jewels in the crown.

  Review of: Taftsville Covered Bridge

  Written June 4, 2023

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Deb R

  9 contributions

  BEAUTIFUL

  So many places to hike, walk and generally enjoy the outdoors. We love visiting Quechee and the area, lots to do in the warmer months if you are not a skiier.

  Review of: Ottaquechee River

  Written July 6, 2021

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• humanfeline

  15 contributions

  A classic

  Amazing and unique store. The building is seemingly unchanged since I was a child but the wares have evolved. So many wonderful finds, including a children’s book signed by the author, delicious Vermont cheese, and catnip toys for the kitties.

  Review of: FH Gillingham & Sons General Store

  Written December 26, 2022

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• LivinglifeinPA

  Allentown, PA822 contributions

  A Great Find!!!!!!!!

  We stopped in at this country store, looking for a quick lunch…….there was a small sandwich shop just steps from the country store which served wonderful sandwiches, ice cream, etc.

  After lunch, we ventured into the country store………what a great place! An unending variety of things for sale..from jams/jellies to wine/beverages to toys/clothing to VT goodies/souvenirs. The prices were very fair…..some of the VT cheeses that we had previously purchased in other places were priced at lower prices here. And, if you’re looking for Cabot Cheese, this is definitely THE place to stop. I have never seen so many different Cabot products…….many of which were new to me.

  Yes, I agree with a previous TA comment……..this store is NOT in Woodstock!

  Review of: Quechee General Store – Cabot Station

  Written August 7, 2022

  This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

A Day Trip to Woodstock Offers Fun for the Whole Family

Woodstock is a day trip that offers something for nature lovers, foodies and appreciators of art and shopping.

By Serena Norr
March 25, 2022

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Looking for a fun day trip for you and the kids? Woodstock is one of our favorites – that offers something for nature lovers, foodies, appreciators of art and shopping — and of course it’s rich history in pop culture. At only 1.5 hours – from both Bergen and Rockland Counties – Woodstock is a great place to discover all year-round. Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite things to do with kids in the area, including places to eat, shop, and play. Happy exploring!

WHAT TO DO

Hiking: There are so many ways to enjoy nature and exploration in Woodstock and the surrounding areas. Depending on the ages of your kids and their skill level, you can try mild to intense hikes. Some nearby ones include hiking Shawangunk Mountains, Overlook Mountain Trailhead (353 Meads Mountain Rd, Woodstock, NY), Sloane Gorge Preserve (487 Stoll Road, Woodstock, NY 12498), the Thorn Preserve – Catskill Center (55 John Joy Road, Woodstock, NY 12498), Kaaterskill Wild Forest (70 Catskill View Circle, Saugerties, NY 12477) to see waterfalls, or the flat Comeau Property Trail (95 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498), to name a few. For a less rugged trail, try the paved Ashokan Reservoir  (Rte 28 & Winchells Corners, Shokan, NY 12481), which supplies NYC with 40% of its drinking water.

Swimming: If you visit during the summer months, take advantage of the many lakes and reserves that Woodstock and its surrounding areas has to offer. This includes Big and Little Deep, Cooper Lake, or the Millstream Swimming Hole. Big Deep is really fun for a whole day experience and has ropes for kids to swing from and jump into the deep water as well as a shallow area for little kids. Some of the areas of these watering holes are rocky so it’s best to bring water shoes if that sort of thing bothers your kids. Most of them don’t cost any money and are roadside pull-ups (Big Deep) so pay careful attention to the directions, or you might miss it.

Opus 40: If you have time to roam and explore, a visit to Opus 40 should definitely be on your list. Founded in 1978, this 50-acre and seven acre-outdoor sculpture park offers much to see and do, including walkable trails, forested paths, a gallery, museum, and of course access to view some incredible pieces of art, including 6. 5 acres of earthwork sculpture. There are ample areas for sitting and resting – should you want to have a picnic there as well. 356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties, NY 12477.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: A performing arts center and museum, you and your family can learn more about the history and origins of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival, which was not in the actual town of Woodstock at all. This includes an opportunity to look at artifacts, photo archives, films, and listen to music as well as view a cool hippie bus that you’ll want to take a picture in front of. Through learning about the cultural impact of the festival, your kids will also learn about this time in history, touching on the Vietnam War to the Summer of Love, and how Woodstock came about. 200 Hurd Road, Bethel, NY 12720.

Woodstock Playhouse: If you’re staying for the evening (and sometimes they have early shows on the weekends), check out the Woodstock Playhouse. Some recent productions include the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra, “Sweet Charity,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Evita,” and more. 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY 12498.

World’s Largest Kaleidoscope: A few minutes outside of Woodstock, you and your kids can enjoy a 10-minute show inside a 56-foot kaleidoscope. Located at the Emerson Resort & Spa in a refurbished farm silo, the show features a visual explosion of tapered mirrors, interchangeable images, colors, and fractal figures – told through a story and accompanied by an original score. Once the show is over, you’ll exit to a shop – and collection of indoor boutiques – that you can explore. There is also an on-site restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457.

I Paddle New York: Rent a kayak and enjoy a relaxing activity, soaking in the beauty of the Esopus Creek. Kids have to be at least three years old (and 30 pounds) and they offer both single and tandem kayaks. The water is mild and smooth so you can enjoy the views as well as offers points where you can get out of the kayak to swim and just relax.  61 S Partition Street, Saugerties, NY 12477

Colony Woodstock: A restaurant/ beer garden/concert venue, the Colony is a great place to get a bit and see a show. The simple menu offers sandwiches, burgers, fries, salads, and a pretty extensive dessert menu. Stay for a show to see a local artist or local tribute band in an intimate, cozy setting. .22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary: Animal lovers will definitely want to visit the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Located nearby in Saugerties, the location is a 50-acre refuge for farm animals rescued from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. They are open on the weekend for public and ticketed tours where you will meet some of their current refuges, ranging from chickens to cows to ducks and more. 316 Old Stage Road, Saugerties, NY 12477.

Center for Photography: Lovers of art and photography will love a visit to the Center for Photography. Located right on Tinker Street, the gallery is free and offers a great way to access and check out some  photography from a variety of artists. 59 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498.

WHERE TO EAT

Woodstock has no shortage of places to eat. From treats to coffee to full-on meals, you’ll find plenty of places to options for all palates. Here’s a few of our favorites:

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Woodstock Brewing:  After your visit  to the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, drive across the road to Woodstock Brewing. Inside, you’ll find board games that the kids can play as well as outdoor seating with corn hole. The menu features favorites like chips and salsa, soups, tacos, sandwiches, desserts, and of course beer from their on-site tap room. 5581 NY-28, Phoenicia, NY 12464.

Garden Cafe: For a healthy lunch or dinner, visit the Garden Cafe. Here, you’ll find vegan and organic selections like sandwiches, entrees, salads, smoothies, and healthy options for the kids like PB&J, quesadillas,  pasta with un-meatballs, and fried rice.  6 Old Forge Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498.

YumYum Noodle Bar: Noodle fans are going to want to check out YumYum to try their fusion of Japanese noodle bowls and Southeast Asian street-food. This includes noodle bowls, small plates like dumplings and steamed buns,  and platters such as Pad-Thai, burgers, wraps, and more. 4 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498.

The Mud Club: Featuring a tree-house-esque backyard, this coffeehouse/pizza joint is your go-to point for delicious pastries, coffee, bagels, and woodfired sourdough pizza.  There is some outdoor seating where you can sit on wooden tree stumps and chairs as well as a nearby swing that the kids can enjoy while you wait for your food. 43 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Phoenicia Diner: Enjoy a comforting and locally-sourced brunch at Phoenicia Diner. A very popular restaurant, they don’t take reservations, so be sure to get there early. If you happen to get there during a rush, they do have board games and a waiting area to sit before your name is called. Hearty egg skillets are a great option before a hike and kids will love the French toast or buttermilk pancakes. 5681 NY-28, Phoenicia, NY.

Catskill Mountain Pizza Co: Most families can’t travel that far without access to great pizza, and you’ll certainly find it at the Catskill Mountain Pizza Co. Dubbed as having “the best pizza this side of Brooklyn,” you’ll find a selection of classic and gourmet pies, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and more. 51 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Little Apple Cafe:  For a mid-day juice, check out Little Apple. They offer fresh juices, acai bowls, smoothies, coffee & tea, and cocktails. 21 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Bread Alone: Known for their artisanal breads found at many local farmers markets, you’ll definitely want to try a wider selection of their signature loaves or pastries at their Woodstock outpost. They also have indoor seating and serve breakfast, lunch, and brunch everyday. 22 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Ice Cream: There are many places to get ice cream in Woodstock. Taco Juan’s (31 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY) is your place to find Jane’s Homemade Ice Cream. There’s also Nancy’s Of Woodstock – Artisanal Creamery (31 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY) and Sweet Dreams Organic Ice Cream (74 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY) to find local, artisanal flavors. 

Peace, Love & Cupcakes: On your way home, don’t forget to stop by Peace, Love & Cupcakes to try their award-winning cupcakes, cakes, or cookies. They were on the Food Network for their Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake and a Rich Chocolate Frosting but there are so many options to choose from, including their ode to the area with the The Jerry Garcia cupcake, Signature Tie-Dye cupcake, The Janis Joplin cupcake, and more. 54F Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498.

WHERE TO SHOP

You’ll find tons of places to shop in Woodstock along Tinker Street, featuring family-operated and small boutiques. Some favorites:

Tinker Toys: The ultimate toy store to find trinkets and toys of all sizes. A relevently small space, Tinker Toys does a good job at using nook and granny in the store. They also have some fun tester toys out and offer selections for babies to teens. In the summer, you might find bubbles out in front as well. 5 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498.

The Golden Notebook: Looking for a good book? Check out the Golden Notebook to discover new and classic books as well as a selection of books from local authors. The kids’ section in the back is filled with the latest titles – both fiction and nonfiction – activity books, trinkets, and more. There is also a seating area to relax and browse. 29 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Fruition Chocolate: Bring home a sweet treat (or two) from this small-batch and ethically-sourced chocolatier. The award-winning brand offers rich and luscious treats like dark chocolate, caramels, chocolate-covered almonds, milk chocolate, and so much more. 17 Tinker Street Woodstock, NY 12498

Woodstock Farm Festival: If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to visit the Woodstock Farm Festival to shop from local vendors from all over the area. This includes fresh, organic farmers, food trucks, cheese, kombucha, bread, meat, cider and beer vendors, live music, family events, and more. A great place to stop before your hike or to stock up on before you head home. Parking Lot, 20 Mountainview Ave, Woodstock, NY 12498

Mower’s Flea Market: You never know what you might find at Mower’s Flea Market. Located right near the main strip, there’s tons of things to see and find, including vintage, local artisans, food, drinks, art, paintings, handcrafted wool, knick knacks, woodwork, and more. 11 Maple Lane, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Flower children’s music: why Woodstock became a legendary festival

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Woodstock Festival (1969), Photo: Clayton Call/Getty Images

53 years ago, one of the brightest and most significant events in musical history took place – the Woodstock festival. Until mid-August 19For 69 years, no one knew how large-scale it would become – and certainly no one could have imagined that after half a century people would remember him as a symbol of a generation. The significance of the event is confirmed by the documentary “Woodstock” (1970) and the fact that the festival was attended by about 500,000 people. The Rolling Stone even ranked it #19 on their list of the 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock ‘n’ Roll. As is usually the case, nothing historical and great was originally planned – Woodstock was organized by people who simply wanted to build a music studio in a northern village near New York. However, what happened over the next three days (August 15 to 18) became legendary – both for music and for a generation. But why?

Wadleigh Maurice/Collection Christophel/East News

First, it is worth emphasizing the number of people and the resistance of the locals. Yes, we had to compete for the festival. The village of Woodstock was originally a haven for creative and artistic people, but the older generation was wary of fashionable hippies. Loafers in bandanas, actively advocating for peace and love – that’s who you should definitely expect trouble from. In this regard, various ordinances were passed in the village against “freedom-loving” behavior – and the organizers had to move the festival to Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, about 65 kilometers from Woodstock itself. As a result, no one even had time to put up fences, and there were so many people that there were wild traffic jams.

Second, the weather. In 1969, no one could open an app on their phone and check to see if the sun would shine, so they acted mostly at random. Therefore, the festival opened under the blue sky, and ended with a strong thunderstorm and hurricane. No one was prepared for this, but it definitely played its role in the perception of the festival.

And thirdly, the music did its job. All the brightest musical figures of the 60s gathered at Woodstock – among them the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, The Who. But one of the most memorable performances was Jimi Hendrix’s interpretation of the US anthem. By the time Hendrix began his set, the party-weary crowd had dwindled to around 30,000, but his version of the national anthem was a fitting final note for a three-day festival that epitomized counterculture for a generation.

Author: Anastasia Tronina

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Flower Power: 53 years of Woodstock festival

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Interesting Facts

№1

Woodstock Music Festival & Art Fair took place not at all in the city of Woodstock, , but on one of the farms near the town of Bethel, New York, USA. Initially, it was planned to arrange it in Woodstock, but the organizers could not find a suitable place there and, as a result, leased 6 hectares of land in Bethel for this purpose.

№2

The organizers assured that there would be no more than 50 thousand visitors, but in the end, Woodstock was visited by about 500 thousand people.

No. 3

Entrance to Woodstock was free .

No. 4

Among the speakers were almost all the rock stars of the 1960s: The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joan Baez, Joe Cocker, Grateful Dead, Ravi Shankar, The Incredible String Band, Carlos Santana and many more.

But The Doors and Led Zeppelin refused to come to the festival . They say that Jim Morrison did not want to participate in “a pale version of the Monterey Festival”, and the Zeppelins were “another group in a long list”, which both teams later regretted very much. The Beatles, who at that time were on the verge of collapse, did not participate in the festival either.

№5

Singer Joan Baez, who closed the first day of the festival, performed when she was six months pregnant.

№6

Three people died during Woodstock (one was overdosed, the second was hit by a tractor, and the third fell to his death, falling from building structures), two children were born and b was conceived, according to rumors, about 200 thousand children.

#7

In 1970, a documentary film called Woodstock was released about the festival. 3 days of peace and music, which won the 1971 Oscar for Best Documentary and also won nominations for Best Sound and Editing. Among the team of editors was, by the way, the future star directed by Martin Scorsese.

The couple on the cover of Woodstock, are still together! According to The Mirror newspaper, Nick and Bobby Ercoline are now 60 years old, they got married in 1971 and have not parted since. According to Nick, this photograph embodies the spirit of that era for him and is a collective image of their entire generation. Bobby’s memories of the legendary festival are less poetic, she remembers “rain, mud and lack of toilets.”

Let’s remember 19The 60s with designers and designer brands: an unforgettable time of the psychedelic revolution and flower children, beatniks and hippies, Woodstock and Ken Kesey’s acid tests. Bright objects with flowers, “Pacifics”, LOVE inscriptions and other symbols of the 1960s will bring peace and love to your home. Times change, but the main thing is the same: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!

Photopanel Pop Up, Mr. Perswall, www.odesign.ru

Plate, design Job Studio, Seletti, www.seletti.it

Carpet Love, design Paul Smith, The Rug Company, www.therugcompany.ru

Submarino bathroom containers, Seletti, www.designboom.ru

Plastic beach bag, designed by Paula Cademartori, Kartell.

Carpet from the Hand Writing collection, design by Jurgen Dahlmans, Rug Star.

Homes on the Move: Mobile Architecture, h.f. ullmann Publishing.

Love pillow, design by Alexandre Girard, Vitra.

Beer glasses, design by Studio Job, Sieger.

Bourgie table lamp, Ferruccio Laviani design, Kartell.

Mural from the Communication collection, Mr.Perswall, www.odesign.ru

Flower Power chest of drawers, Kare Design, www.kare-design.com

Love Too carpet, design by Paul Smith, The Rug Company, www.therugcompany. en

Love Who You Want Porcelain Collection, designed by Christian Lacroix Maison, Vista Alegre.

Armchair, design Stuio Job, Colombostile.

Memorabilia porcelain skull, Seletti, www.designboom.ru.

Paulo Coelho, novel “Hippie”

What they write in the reviews: “Everything that is told here was lived and experienced by me personally”

Advertising. LLC “Yandex”

Shower head Rainshower Flower, Grohe, www.