New England’s craft beer scene is booming, and many breweries are rolling out the welcome mat for families. Instead of creating a 21 and over vibe, breweries are embracing the young family demographic, thus making their breweries incredibly family-friendly. Here’s a look at some of the top kid-friendly breweries in New England where kids can play and parents can relax with a delicious brew. Many of these locations also offer significant outdoor space, others present an array of indoor activities, while others feature kid-friendly food. From the sea to the mountains, Rhode Island to Maine, these are among the best breweries in New England for families. Time for a backyard road trip!
Vermont’s Finest
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Known for their Sip of Sunshine IPA, Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield offers a family-friendly atmosphere with ample outdoor space and often hosts fun events for all ages. Lawson’s features the finest options for kids, such as free arcade games with classics such as Donkey Kong and Pac-Man. One of the dining tables has a slate board for drawing, a checkerboard embedded into the top, and coloring pages with crayons at the ready. Lawson’s checks all the boxes as one of the top kid-friendly breweries in New England
The Alchemist
Home of Heady Topper, The Alchemist in Stowe provides a welcoming environment with a beautiful outdoor space where families can enjoy the scenery and great beer. Just as craft beer connoisseurs flock to Lawson’s for their world-renowned beer, the same can be said for The Alchemist. Instead of a stuffy vibe, The Alchemist embraces a “come-as-you-are” motto, which includes kids and dogs. Their beer garden is massive, with ample room for picnicking, cornhole, and disc golf.
Harpoon Brewery
Harpoon’s location in Windsor, Vermont, offers a spacious setting with views and a relaxed vibe. Occasional family events and a kid-friendly food menu make it a good stop for all. This is a great option when looking for breweries with outdoor space. And why do kids love the outdoor space? Games, games, and more games! Including pickleball and a playground on site, Harpoon is a top kid-friendly brewery in New England.
Idletyme Brew Pub
In Stowe, Idletyme Brew Pub features a large outdoor space that is perfect for sipping a beer while watching the kids play cornhole. Or dine on the patio with a kid-friendly menu, making Idlytyme the perfect spot for families to enjoy a meal and a local brew. Idletyme is definitely one of the best kid-friendly breweries in New England. As a bonus, the fantastic Stowe Rec Path cozies up to the backside of Idletyme, making it a great jumping-off point for the path.
Von Trapp Bierhall
Stowe’s Von Trapp Bierhall offers a taste of Austria with a large outdoor space, mountain views, and family-friendly events. My kids not only enjoy the food, but love to march around the spacious taproom, looking at all of the animal heads mounted on the wall. Climb to the second level for a bird’s eye view.
The “Maine” Event
Definitive Brewing Company
With locations in Portland and Kittery, Definitive Brewing offers a variety of beers and a casual atmosphere that families can enjoy. Located in a brewery-mecca industrial park, their Portland location includes ample outdoor space. The biggest draw for my kids at Definitive though, is the games. Most importantly, a Super Nintendo played on a large screen. They are happy to ogle Super Mario and Yoshi jumping through Super Mario World. Oh yeah, and the beer is great too.
Maine Beer Company
In Freeport, Maine Beer Company focuses on quality brews and offers a welcoming space that is plenty big, allowing kids to roam. When asking my kids their input on this list of top kid-friendly breweries in New England, they said MBC must be included! Of course, when all of them were younger, they all marveled at the fountain sculpture in the middle of the room. What really hooked them though, was the coloring page that Maine Beer Company provides. A double-sided undersea and outer space page kept them busy for hours; literally, the whole trip, they were coloring this thing. To the point that a year later, they are still coloring it! It’s perfect for the adults to sip MBC classics such as Lunch, Dinner, and Peeper to have the kids occupied.
Nonesuch River Brewing
Located in Scarborough, Nonesuch River Brewing provides a relaxed atmosphere with outdoor space and a family-friendly vibe. Seating in the upper section was perfect for my family. At the time, my youngest was only one. He enjoyed walking back and forth to the outdoor balcony overlooking the parking lot. The older two thought the menu at Nonesuch was simply the best, as fried pickles are among their favorites.
Island Life and Coastal Vibes
Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery
Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery on Martha’s Vineyard offers a beautiful outdoor space setting with lawn games and a relaxed atmosphere. The vibe is similar in the Falmouth location. It’s definitely “island time” at Bad Martha’s as it’s easy to sip on a craft beer while the kids safely play nearby.
Barnstable Brewing
Barnstable Brewing on Cape Cod offers a relaxed atmosphere that is truly kid-friendly. My kids enjoy the ample number of board games offered at Barnstable. There is an array of seating, including in church pews, but games such as Jenga are crowd-pleasers, creating an easy-going vibe where parents can relax and kids can play.
Hog Island Beer Co.
On Cape Cod, Hog Island Beer Co. in Orleans provides a laid-back atmosphere with outdoor space and a family-friendly vibe. It’s large with games, including a giant Connect 4. Kids will be intrigued by the half-camper and half-house that are among the taproom decor and the outdoor space is perfect for romping.
Mayflower Brewing Company’s Pinehills Beer Garden
Plymouth’s Mayflower Brewing Company’s Pinehills beer garden offers a spacious outdoor space with room for kids to play while adults enjoy local beers. This is a great example of a beer garden that is among the best for families in New England. My kids love the Mayflower brewery itself, but with live music, easily accessible food, lawn games, fire pits, and room to roam, the Pine Hills beer garden is among their faves.
Naukabout Brewery & Taproom
Located in Mashpee, Naukabout Brewery & Taproom is welcoming, with outdoor space and a relaxed vibe. There are outdoor games to play, indoor games to play, and a multi-level terrace that is fun for all. Naukabout features a wide selection of beer and often holds live events throughout the year.
Narragansett Brewery
Narragansett Brewery in Providence offers a spacious taproom and outdoor space, often hosting events and providing a casual setting for families. Eating is easy at Narragansett. Order up, and the food is delivered straight out of the kitchen. It’s pleasing even for the fussiest eaters. With everything paid for in advance, it’s an easy escape in case the kids get restless! I like heading to Narragansett before a Providence event, such as a sports game or a special event at the Roger Williams Zoo.
Sea Dog Brewing Co.
Sea Dog Brewing Co. has several locations throughout New England, offering a casual dining experience with a variety of beers. Many locations are family-friendly and have outdoor space. We’re going coastal, and Sea Dog includes many coastal locations, including Yarmouth on Cape Cod and South Portland, Maine. Sea Dog locations tend to be big and loud, which can drown out yelling for sure. The menu is super kid-focused, which puts the whole family at ease. They also have a North Conway branch, which leads into our next kid-friendly geographic destination.
Into the White Mountains
Iron Furnace Brewing
We’ve made it to one of the most kid-friendly destinations in New England, the White Mountains! It’s time to find some great breweries for families; let the kids play and the parents relax. Let’s head to Franconia, New Hampshire, where Iron Furnace Brewing offers a cozy atmosphere with outdoor space and a friendly vibe. The kids will enjoy eating outside and can roam around with supervision, but the interior is plenty big too. They offer great food and excellent beer, making everyone happy.
Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Located in North Conway, Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co. offers a large dining area and a family-friendly atmosphere. This place can be loud, which is great because so can my kids! It’s a bustling and happening dining room in the heart of the touristy North Conway summer scene. Try some BBQ and sip some beers like a blueberry ale or Scottie’s IPA.
Woodstock Inn Brewery
Woodstock Inn Brewery in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, provides a comfortable setting with a restaurant and a range of beers. Many consider this to be one of the best breweries for families in New England. Why? First of all, the menu is very kid-friendly. It is the house restaurant for the ever-popular Woodstock Inn. Adults can try a flight of their beer from flagship brews to seasonal specials. Kids can nosh on chicken fingers and burgers, and everyone will leave happy.
Family and Kid-Friendly Breweries in New England
These kid-friendly breweries in New England run the gamut from classic brewpubs to award-winning breweries that draw in the crowds. In all of these, though, adults will be able to find a relaxing brewery that serves great beer, but that is also perfect for the younger set. Many of them have ample outdoor space for kids to run around. The breweries that serve food often have children’s menus or menu items that kids will enjoy. And Harpoon in Vermont even has a playground on site! From the coast to the mountains, these are the best kid-friendly breweries for families in New England.
