Top 10 Things to do in Stowe, Vermont
Written and Photographed by Whitney O’Halek
Mountains and maple and trees, oh my! Stowe, Vermont, is one of the United States’ most underrated travel destinations. With so much to offer and gorgeous roadside views, Stowe will undoubtedly make your favorite destination list. Here are the top 10 things to get you started.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Stowe, Vermont by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Whitney talk about Stowe on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Go Leaf Peeping – Leaf peeping is New England’s most popular tourism pastime, and Stowe has some of the best colors in the region. Come for the leaves and stay for everything else it has to offer. Leaves start turning around mid-September, and you’ll see peak foliage by mid-October. Leaf peeping is best enjoyed via road trip, making Stowe the optimal place for an autumnal RV destination.
9. Take a Hike – In keeping with the great outdoors theme, Stowe offers beautiful hiking trails. Set in the Green Mountains, you’ll find lovely trails and stunning views. Because Vermont enjoys all four seasons, you’ll see beauty whether you’re visiting in spring, summer, fall or even winter. For a leisurely stroll, mosey along part of the 10-mile Stowe Recreation Path. For more of a challenge with equally rewarding views, hike the Stowe Pinnacle Trail.
8. Try Mountain Biking – Not into trekking on foot? Pick up speed and try your hand at mountain biking instead. Ride your own or rent a dedicated mountain bike for the day in town. Try your hand at the Cady Hill Trail for an easy start if you’ve never mountain biked before. For those with more experience, go for the Catamount XC Trail.
7. Go Skiing – Planning a trip in the winter? You’re in luck! Stowe has some of the best skiing in the region. Many hiking and biking trails double as ski slopes in the winter, making it easy to earn that hot cocoa (with extra marshmallows) or après-ski during your trip. Just take some lessons if you’re not already an experienced skier.
6. Take the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour – It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting during the heat of summer or the dead of winter; it’s always time for ice cream. Famed Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand got its start in Stowe. You can tour their factory during your trip, which is fun for all ages, especially the tasting you’ll receive at the end. Don’t miss the “Flavor Graveyard” while you’re there, where retired and failed flavors have gone to die.
5. Eat Austrian Food – Stowe has some of the best Austrian food outside of Austria. Why? We’ll get to that below. Suffice it to say that you’ll have a chance to try some hearty Alpine fare, including soft pretzels, schnitzel, spaetzle, apfelstrudel and so much more. You might come hungry, but you won’t leave that way.
4. Tour the Von Trapp Brewery – Speaking of authentic Austrian food, we can’t forget about the beverage of choice. The von Trapp Brewery specializes in small batches of Austrian lagers in an Austrian-style brewery. Take the tour, sample the local brews and stay for lunch or dinner at the on-site restaurant.
3. Find the Covered Bridges – One of the most iconic symbols of New England is the covered bridge, and Stowe boasts several of them. You can take a driving or cycling tour to see the most famous covered bridges in the area, starting with Emily’s Bridge in Stowe. An added bonus? It’s haunted!
2. Visit Unique Museums – One of the best things about small towns that are also tourist destinations is the museum scene. Some of the most unique, quirky, fascinating, specialized museums are in small cities like Stowe. Here, you’ll find the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, the Stowe Historical Society Museum and The Current, a visual arts museum.
1. Take a Sound of Music Tour – You may have heard of a little Austrian family called the von Trapps. What’s their link to Stowe? After fleeing the Nazis and touring the country as a family singing troupe, Marie, Georg and their many von Trapp children settled in Stowe. You can visit their lodge with a day pass and even take a Sound of Music tour led by one of the von Trapp descendants. Maria said the mountains reminded her of the Alps, and Stowe reminded her of her beloved home in Salzburg.
Stowe is one of New England’s most beautiful, charming, friendly towns. It’s gorgeous in all seasons, so there’s no need to wait. You’ll be so glad you visited, and you might find yourself planning a return trip before leaving.
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