Stowe is a charming little town in Northern Vermont. Which is popular no matter the season, as there is always something fun to do in the area. Whether you are hitting the slopes in winter, enjoying the beautiful weather in summer or leaf peeping in fall, this area is always breathtaking. Here is a guide for some fun things to do in Stowe, VT.
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Walk Downtown Stowe, VT:
Stowe has a very cute downtown area that is worth a stroll through. There are tons of cute cafes, chocolate shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, boutiques, etc. Plus there is the iconic Stowe community church that is absolutely breathtaking & great for photography.
Go For A Hike In Stowe, VT:
There are a handful of stunning hikes in Stowe. Whether you are looking for an easy hike just to get out in nature or want to summit the highest peak in Vermont, there are some amazing hikes to choose from.
Some of our personal favorite hikes we did when we were in town were Moss Glen Waterfall and Stowe Pinnacle. But the list for beautiful hikes definitely doesn’t stop there.
Grab A Fresh Cider & Donut From Cold Hollow Cider Mill:
A must-do activity when in Stowe, VT is grab a delicious fresh cider and their warm cider donut from Cold Hollow Cider Mill. You can watch how the cider is made and learn about the history of the Cold Hollow Cider Mill as you enjoy a nice cup of warm cider.
Once you are finished touring the cider mill, head on over to Apple Core Luncheonette & Brew. You can grab many apple inspired meals & a hard cider!
Plus there is a huge gift shop if you enjoy souvenirs. The gift shop has everything from to-go cider, clothing, knick knacks, plus, they have everything maple too! So if you want to try some local Vermont maple products, be sure to pick some up here!
Grab A Coffee or Tea from Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co:
If you are a coffee lover, you gotta check out Vermont Artisan Coffee Co. The beans are roasted and handpacked right in their facility. So if you are looking for a quality cup of coffee, you don’t want to miss this place.
They have picnic tables and fire pits outside to enjoy a nice cup of fresh joe and take in the beautiful scenery. Or you can take a short walk behind their facility (it’s dog friendly).
And if you are looking for a fun activity to do in Stowe, VT, they also have a course “School of Coffee”. While some of the courses are more certified classes for professionals, there are also tastings & workshops for customers who just want to learn more about the world of specialty coffee.
Take A Tour At Ben & Jerry’s
Who doesn’t love ice cream?! Stowe is home to the famous Ben & Jerry’s Factory.
The Ben & Jerrys factory was established in 1985 and can pump out 350,000 pints per day. A 30 minute tour of the facility is offered daily on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $4/adult, $3/senior, and free for children under 12. A sample is included in the ticket price.
You can’t forget the flavor graveyard, which is not part of the tour. This area is located up the hill, behind the plant, to the far left of the playground. Here you will find all the Ben & Jerry flavors that have been created but not longer in production!
And of course, you gotta stop at the scoop shop to grab a unique and delicious Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor!
Visit Stowe Ski Resort:
Stowe is named the ski capital of the East, so you gotta visit Stowe Ski Resort.
While Stowe Ski Resort is best visited in winter, it can also offer some fun activities in the summer. The gondola runs from mid June to mid October for the summer. And mid December- early April in the winter. Check out getskitickets.com to see if there are some killer deals on lift tickets to Stowe Mountain Resort.
Another fun summer activity is to take a scenic ride on the historic Toll Road. Which offers stunning views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Or there is hiking and mountain biking to get a little exercise.
Self-Guided Brewery Hop in Stowe, VT:
There are 3 different delicious breweries in Stowe, VT. If you enjoy a beer or 2, you are in for a real treat! You can either visit the brewery that interests you most or go on a self-guided brewery tour.
The Alchemist:
When in Stowe, Vermont you gotta try the famous “Heady Topper”! It’s just one of those beers that are hard to find anywhere else, but it’s a staple to Vermont! Another popular Alchemist beer, you can only find in Vermont is the Focal Banger, which is the beer Jake and I personally prefer over the Heady Topper.
You can either enjoy an array of delicious beers in the tasting room or go on a tour which is offered daily at 5pm. During the warmer months they also have a great beer garden. You can grab some local food and have a picnic while enjoying a delicious beer. And if you don’t have enough time to stop in for a beer, they offer curbside pick up.
But Alchemist Brewery is a staple to Waterbury & Stowe, so you gotta at least try one beer from their facility while you are there.
Idletyme Brewery:
Idletyme is another great brewery in Stowe, VT. Their most popular beer is named Idletyme, which is a Double IPA, with a fruity, juicy hop aroma, and firm bitterness. They also have many different styles of ales, lagers, porter and stouts.
The Idletyme brewery is a large facility with tons of indoor seating and a beer garden outside. They also have a restaurant, so you can either just stop by for a beer or grab lunch or dinner.
Von Trapp Brewing & Bierhall:
The views from the Von Trapp Family Lodge can’t be missed when in Stowe, VT. Also, any Sound of Music fans in the house?! The famous Sound Of Music Movie is based off The Von Trapp Family Singers which relocated to Stowe, VT from Austria.
The Von Trapp Brewery has an array of delicious Austrian beers on tap. They also offer a few great Austrian Bites to eat as well!
And if you are looking for an awesome place to stay in Stowe, VT, I’d highly suggest the Trapp Family Lodge. The views are spectacular and is an Austrian themed Lodge.
Smugglers Notch Distillery:
If beer and cider aren’t your thing, or you also enjoy a nice spirit, Smugglers Notch Distillery is a great stop when in Stowe, VT. Smugglers Notch Distillery is a father/son partnership out of Jeffersonville, VT. But you don’t have to travel that far to try the Spirits, as there is a tasting room located in Waterbury, VT.
The spirits range from vodka, gin, rye whiskey, rum, bourbon, and maple cream liqueur. Plus they also offer a few different specialty cocktails.
Cabot Farmer’s Store:
And when you are done tasting the spirits at smugglers Notch, stop on over to the Cabot Farmer’s Store. If you’ve never tried the famous Cabot Cheese, be ready to have your taste buds impressed!
There is a wide range of Cabot cheeses and various other Vermont specialty cheeses and spreads. So I’d say it’s best to stop here early on in your trip so you have plenty of delicious snacks for the duration of your trip!
How To Get To Stowe, VT:
The two best airports for getting to Stowe, VT are Burlington International or Boston International. Burlington International is about a 40 minute drive to Stowe. Boston international airport is about a 3 hour drive to Stowe.
Search for the best flights to Stowe, VT here:
Where To Stay In Stowe, VT:
Now it’s time to book the trip and find the best places to stay in Stowe. Like mentioned above, staying at the Trapp Family Lodge will immerse you into a unique Vermont experience with stunning views!
If you want to stay closer to downtown Stowe, check Kayak for great deals on hotels nearby.
If you are traveling in a group, a super unique place is the Greystone Manor. We stayed here for a family trip and this property offered some awesome activities. Such as a pond for swimming or paddleboarding, lawn games, fire pits, grill, etc. You can check for other great VRBO deals here.
Takeaway | Best Things To Do In Stowe, VT
Stowe, VT has everything you could possibly need. From top tourist attractions, beautiful hiking trails, and a rich history. We absolutely loved our time here, and would return again for a future vacation in a heartbeat. No matter the season you visit, it is absolutely breathtaking. We hope you enjoy our guide for the best things to do in Stowe, VT.
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