The Best Things to Do on a Road Trip from Burlington, Vermont and Westford, Massachusetts
Burlington is a city located in the northern part of Vermont. Its location on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain makes it a gateway to the Green Mountains to the east and the Adirondacks to the west. Westford is a small town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It is a beautiful rural area known for its rolling hills, farms, and country roads. Traveling by car between Burlington and Westford takes about three hours and passes through some of the most picturesque areas in New England. The halfway point of the trip is Lebanon, NH, where travelers can have a meal or stop to stretch their legs.
1. Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is one of the largest producers of teddy bears and the largest seller of teddy bears by mail order and internet. Visitors can take a tour of the factory and see how teddy bears are made. The tour takes about an hour and includes a visit to the cutting room, stuffing room, and sewing room. It is a fun and informative visit for both adults and children.
Fun Fact: The Vermont Teddy Bear Company sends out over 250,000 bears each year to all 50 states and 28 countries.
2. Shelburne Museum
The Shelburne Museum is one of the largest museums of its kind in the world. It is located on 45 acres in Vermont's Champlain Valley and has over 39 buildings displaying collections of Americana, art, and design. Visitors can see everything from the stagecoach to an authentic steamboat. The museum also features a beautiful collection of Impressionist paintings, including works by Monet, Degas, and Cassatt.
Fun Fact: The steamboat Ticonderoga, located at the museum, was the last steamboat to operate on Lake Champlain.
3. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is located on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vergennes. Visitors can explore exhibits on the history of Lake Champlain, including shipwrecks, military history, and the ecology of the lake. The museum also features a working boat shop where visitors can watch boatbuilders at work and a replica of a 1776 gunboat.
Fun Fact: The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has the largest collection of underwater archeological artifacts in North America.
4. Ben & Jerry's Factory
The Ben & Jerry's Factory is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vermont, and for a good reason. Visitors can take a guided tour of the factory and see how Ben & Jerry's ice cream is made, learn about the company's history and core values, and taste some of the famous flavors. The tour includes a stop at the flavor graveyard, where retired flavors are buried.
Fun Fact: Ben & Jerry's started as a small ice cream shop in Burlington, Vermont, and is now sold in more than 35 countries worldwide.
5. Concord Museum
The Concord Museum is located in Concord, Massachusetts, and is home to an outstanding collection of artifacts and artwork related to Concord's rich history. The museum features galleries dedicated to the American Revolution, the literary history of Concord, and the decorative arts. Visitors can also see the lantern that Paul Revere used to signal to the colonists that the British were coming.
Fun Fact: The Concord Museum's collection includes Henry David Thoreau's desk from his cabin at Walden Pond.
Overall, the trip from Burlington, Vermont, to Westford, Massachusetts, is full of exciting and educational opportunities. The route takes visitors through some of the most beautiful countryside in New England, and there are many attractions and interesting places to visit along the way.
The trip usually takes about three hours, but it is worth taking your time to explore all the great sites and experiences that the road trip has to offer. Whether you are interested in history, art, or just want to try some delicious ice cream, there is something for everyone on this road trip.