the a-z of
TOP THINGS TO DO IN STOWE VERMONT
Antiques
Set along the Vermont Antique Trail, the Road to Stowe is dotted with roadside antique stores with more than 20 antique shops all within an hour’s drive. Be lured by the treasures at Early Vermont Antiques or view over 800 antique and classic cars at the Stowe Antique Car Show.
Art Galleries
Stowe is a haven for the creative mind. The beauty of the surroundings inspires artists to settle here and there is no shortage of galleries in the village. Discover eclectic art treasures, sculptures framed by the mountains and one-of-a-kind pieces by local and international artists.
Ben & Jerrys
Take a guided tour of Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury. A tasty and delightful adventure into the world of gourmet ice-cream with tasty samplings of Chunky Monkey, Phish Food and Ben & Jerry’s other 40 flavors, even those banished to the ‘Flavor Graveyard’.
Birding
The evergreens of Stowe are home to hundreds of species of birds promising rich birding opportunities, so be sure to pack the binoculars. View over 500 carved wooden birds and listen to the call of the birds in the sanctuary at the Vermont Museum in nearby Huntington, where natural history meets art.
Beer
The craft beer industry is thriving in Stowe with many award-winning breweries and a new generation of tap rooms emerging. Take a self-guided brewery tour as you sample hoppy suds, sour brews and barrel-aged beers.
Say CHEESE!
Since 1919 Cabot Creamery has been producing award-winning cheese and dairy products. Travel the Vermont Cheese Trail sampling some of Vermont’s finest cheddar, from the Sage Farm Goat Dairy in Stowe to Cabot’s own specialty store in Waterbury.
Chocolate
The village of Stowe sure knows how to whet your appetite! Ice-cream, beer, cider, cheese and of course, chocolate! Step into chocolate heaven on Main Street at Laughing Moon Chocolates! Watch the daily chocolate dipping demonstration and sample their selection of fudge, truffles chocolate and delicious candies!
Cider
New England’s Favorite Cider Mill, Cold Hollow, is only six miles out of town right up the road from Ben & Jerry’s! Watch apples yield their juice, sample fresh-pressed cider and visit the bees in their hives before you are drawn in by the delicious aroma from their natural foods bakery producing tasty treats and the legendary Cider Donuts, featured in Gourmet Magazine as one of the top four donuts in the country!
Coffee
The taste buds continue to be tantalized at Green Mountain Coffee with over 50 distinct varieties from around the world presented in a coffee tasters flavor wheel. Located in a beautifully restored train station built in 1875, Green Mountain offers roasting demonstrations as well as a hot cocoa bar in their cozy café in Waterbury.
Dogsledding
Experience the thrill of mushing as you head along snowy trails into the wilderness with the Siberian Huskies. Our teams promise the adventure of a lifetime year-round.
Emily’s Covered Bridge
Built in 1844, legend has it that Gold Brook Covered Bridge is haunted by the ghost of Emily, a young girl who hung herself from the bridge after being stood up by her lover. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Emily’s Bridge is a small covered wooden bridge over the Gold Brook in Stowe Hollow.
Fall Foliage
Autumn in Vermont is world-famous for its spectacular fall foliage as the mountains come alive with the brilliant colors of red, orange and gold. Fall brings cooler temperatures and first fires from mid-September to the end of October drawing leaf peepers in chase of nature’s vibrant rainbow of colors from the golden birches and elms to the maroon Sumacs. A scenic drive along the historic Stowe Toll Road as it winds its way to the summit of Mt Mansfield offers spectacular views of the fall foliage that colors the Adirondack Mountains and the Lake Champlain Valley.
Fishing
Pristine trout streams along our home water, the West Branch of the Waterbury River (referred to by locals as simply West Branch) offer ample opportunity to quietly cast a line in the midst of serene wilderness. For lake fishing, the waters of Lake Elmore, Waterbury Reservoir and Lake Eden are the place to be. Stop by The Fly Rod Shop to get started, they offer free casting clinics, guided drift boat trips and fall foliage scenic boat charters.
Golfing
Pack up the clubs and head to the Green Mountains for an unrivalled golfing experience. From the historic Stowe Country Club and the Stowe Mountain Golf Club , hailed as "one of the top 10 new courses" in America to the panoramic Copley Country Club in historic Morrisville, our rolling fairways invite you to challenge your game.
Gondola Rides
Ride the gondola to the top of Mt. Mansfield for stunning vistas from the top of Vermont’s highest peak. Hike to “the chin”, above the trees or enjoy dining at the Cliff House. On a clear day you can see Montreal! The gondola operates year-round.
Hiking
The Green Mountains welcome hikers of all levels to their trails. Take the family on an easy 2.8-mile hike to Sterling Pond or on a short, steep 1.4-mile hike on the Pinnacle Trail for the best views of the city, Camel’s Hump and the Worcester, Sterling and Bolton Mountain Ranges. Looking for easy? The trail to Sunset Rock begins right in the center of town or stroll the trails of Weissner Woods where small foot bridges cross babbling brooks. Fosters Natural Swimming hole is another great short walk with the added plus of a fun swimming hole! Great for a hot day. Experienced hikers will face a challenge on the very difficult Cliff Trail to the ridgeline of Mount Mansfield from the top of the Gondola. Put on your hiking boots, grab a trail map (Green Mountain Club in Waterbury have detailed maps) and begin your adventure in the mountains.
Horseback Riding
Saddle up and take a scenic ride on horseback through lush woodlands and groves of Blue Spruce, through covered bridges across streams, up mountains and along scenic trails. There are many outfitters in town that offer guided trail rides for a serene mountain adventure year-round.
Ice-Skating
Take a spin on the ice at the Stowe Arena’s ice rink with great learn to skate and ice-hockey programs in the heart of town, or glide on the Plaza rink, located just steps from the Spruce Camp Base Lodge.
Jack o’ Lanterns
Named one of “America’s Best Towns for Halloween”, Stowe is a great Halloween destination with fall Lantern Tours, haunted tales and the Great Pumpkin and Ghost Festival.
Kayaking
The lakes and rivers that surround Stowe are the perfect place to canoe, kayak or paddle board. Lake Elmore, Green River Reservoir, Waterbury Reservoir and the Lamoilee and Winooski rivers take you through breathtaking scenery and forested countryside.
Library
Inspire and enrich your child’s mind on a rainy day at the Stowe Library with puzzles, story-times and hands on learning in a cozy and safe environment. A great free activity for the whole family.
Maple Sugaring
Vermont is our nation’s leading producer of maple sugar. The sweet flow of sap only happens for 4-6 weeks a year between winter and spring and you can learn more about it at the Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm right here in Stowe. Take a tour of the sugar farm to learn the classic art of creating maple sugar, known to Vermonters as their very own ‘liquid gold’.
Mountain Biking
Thanks to our large network of trails, the Boston Globe has called Stowe “The Mountain Biking Mecca” and Kimmers Trail was voted “One of Vermont’s Top Ten Mountain Biking Trails”. Whether you are cruising the wetlands of Cady Hill Forest, the 12 miles of trails at Trapp Family Lodge or the Town Loops with challenging rocky edges, there is a mountain bike experience for every age and skill level.
Nordic Trails
Over 150km of groomed trails and 100km of backcountry terrain gives Stowe the bragging rights as one of the largest, most diverse Nordic ski trail systems in the United States and Ski Magazine named the Trapp family Lodge as ‘one of the best cross country ski centers in the world’. So, grab your cross-country skis or snowshoes and escape into a winter wonderland of trails amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in Vermont.
Oktoberfest
It’s time for Oktoberfest in Stowe village! This means freshly brewed Vermont Craft Beer, authentic Bavarian food, live oompah music and a vibrant rainbow of fall colors! Fantastic fun for the whole family in the peak of Vermont’s fall foliage.
Performing Arts
Inspiring venues and award-winning performances add to the diverse arts and culture of Stowe. Enjoy ballet, music, symphonies and the ever-popular Tango Music Festival at The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, the cultural soul of the village and home to the Manhattan Short Film Festival, or take a short scenic drive to the historic Hyde Park Opera House for an evening of traditional theater.
Pet-Friendly
If you have brought your four-legged friend along, there are plenty of pet-friendly activities in Stowe. Once you have settled in to your pet friendly vacation home , take Fido for a stroll along the Stowe Quiet Path, an unpaved offshoot of the Stowe Recreation Path that winds along the West Branch River or head to the Weissner Woods and Smugglers Notch State Park for more pet-friendly trails. Your leashed pets are welcome on the Gondola SkyRide and on the outdoor patios of many of our local craft breweries.
Quarry
Tour the world’s largest deep-hole granite quarry, watch artisans carve stone, sandblast your own stone souvenir and roll a ball down the outdoor granite bowling alley at the 600-foot Rock of Ages Granite Quarry, 33 miles south of Stowe.
Recreation Path
Stowe’s award-winning 5.3-mile Recreation Path meanders from the iconic church steeple in the village to Top Notch Resort surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and stunning views. There are plenty of other entry points along Mountain Road and whether you choose to run, walk, cycle or rollerblade in the summer months or snowshoe or Nordic ski in the winter months, this is the best way to get around town! There are picnic spots, benches, swimming holes and quiet places to rest along the way.
Rock Climbing
We think Stowe Rocks! You will too after heading into the Green Mountains with Sunrise Mountain Guides for the ultimate rock climbing adventure! If that sets your nerves on edge, the indoor Stowe Rocks Climbing Center at the Adventure Center is a great place to get a feel for the art of rock climbing.
Shopping
We all love a little retail therapy and Stowe surely has it! From specialty stores and unique boutiques to antiques and farmer’s markets, it is fun to shop in Stowe!
Sleigh & Carriage Rides
Glide along scenic roads, over the river and through the woods, under a canopy of stars in an old-fashioned carriage or sleigh pulled by beautiful Belgian horses. A highlight of our winter activities.
Smugglers Notch State Park
A narrow pass through the Green Mountains leads you to Smugglers Notch State Park, a year-round wilderness paradise offering climbing and hiking through thousand-foot cliffs, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, spectacular fall foliage, beautiful scenery, waterfalls, forests and alpine lakes. Looking for the perfect sunset! This is a good place to start.
Trapp Family Lodge
We all know the story of the Von Trapp Family from the Sound of fMusic! Well, they bought a small farmhouse on 2,500 acres in Stowe which over time has become a Stowe favorite and a popular retreat offering year-round activities including hiking and mountain biking trails, tennis courts, horseriding, sleigh rides and 100 km of the state’s best Nordic trails. After a day of activities, unwind amidst beautiful scenery and enjoy a traditional Austrian meal and home brewed beer at their onsite Austrian restaurant and Bierhouse brewery.
Treetop Adventures
Adventure seekers are in for a treat at Arbor Trek Canopy Adventures. Test your balance on the ropes course as you swing through the trees over bridges, nets and moving logs! The well-designed course is great for both kids and adults!
Upscale Spa Treatments
By now you deserve a little R&R! Stowe’s award-winning upscale spas have menus to satisfy every soul including fun treatments for the kids.
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
Housed in a converted church, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum takes you back through Vermont’s ski and snowboarding history. Learn about ski fashion, ski lift technology and the 10th Mountain Division through the great exhibits and hall of fame.
Waterfalls
There are a few spectacular falls in the Stowe area. Follow the short scenic trail to the dramatic and cascading Moss Glen Falls or hike to the Sterling Falls Gorge where the moss-covered gorge walls, surrounded by dense hemlock forests drop into pools below. The nearby Mount Mansfield State Park is home to the Bingham Falls. Set within a hardwood forest, a steep and fairly difficult 0.6-mile path leads you down to the falls and deep natural swimming pools.
Winter Sports @ Stowe Mountain Resort
It’s double the fun at the internationally acclaimed Stowe Mountain Resort, the “#1 Resort in the Eastern U.S.” as ranked by both SKI Magazine and Skiing Magazine! Enjoy world-class skiing on the state’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield and the neighboring Spruce Peak. Mt. Mansfield boasts challenging double black diamond trails and some of the steepest runs and best tree skiing in the east. An inter-mountain gondola takes you to Spruce Peak with gentler terrain for all levels of skiers. Overall, 116 trails, 13 lifts and three terrain parks promises an unparalleled ski vacation.
Xtreme Skiing
If it is a challenge you are after, the famed “Front Four” trails won’t let you down! Goat, Starr, Liftline and National cascade down the mountain with moguls on narrow, winding trails of boulders, ledges and even streams. The legendary “Front Four” promise an extreme skiing experience deserving of every skier’s bucket list!
Yummy Eateries!
The abundance of action and activities will surely leave you hungry! Stowe prides itself on its local cuisine and eating out in Stowe is a real treat. Relaxed cafés serve scrumptious breakfasts, cozy lodges dish up comfort food in front of roaring fires and craft breweries entice skiers with local flavors washed down by a hand-crafted ale after a long day on the slopes. The options are endless and deliciously yummy!
Zipline
Ziplines are just one of the adventures at Arbor Trek Canopy Adventures. Zip on over and check them out!