Tucked beneath Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe is the classic Green Mountain village and the original "Ski Capital of the East." Its trails were first cut in the 1930s, and in 1942 the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame settled here and opened their Austrian-style lodge. Beyond the slopes, Stowe pairs a scenic recreation path and covered bridges with a celebrated craft-beer, cider, and food scene — from The Alchemist’s Heady Topper to Ben & Jerry’s just down Route 100. Here are the 25 best things to do in and around Stowe.
Fun Facts About Stowe, Vermont
Stowe was chartered in 1763 and sits at the foot of Mount Mansfield, at 4,393 feet the highest peak in Vermont.
Known as the "Ski Capital of the East," Stowe saw its first trails cut on Mount Mansfield in the 1930s and one of America’s earliest chairlifts soon after.
In 1942 the von Trapp family — the real family behind The Sound of Music — settled in Stowe and later opened their Austrian-style Trapp Family Lodge.
By land area, Stowe is one of Vermont’s largest towns, spread across more than 50,000 acres of mountains, valleys, and forest.
The town held its first Winter Carnival in 1921, one of the oldest such celebrations in the country.
With about 5,200 residents, tiny Stowe punches far above its size as one of New England’s premier year-round resort destinations.
The Stowe Recreation Path is a paved, 5.3-mile trail running from Stowe Village to Top Notch Resort through an internationally recognized greenway. Following the West Branch River, it offers stunning mountain views and easy access to the lodging, restaurants, and shops clustered along the way, making it one of the area’s most popular routes.
Also known as the Stowe Bike Path, the trail welcomes all-season use by visitors and residents alike. Depending on the conditions, you can bike, run, walk, or ski its length and much more. A shuttle runs during the winter season, adding convenience for anyone exploring the greenway when snow blankets the surrounding Vermont landscape.
Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s highest mountain, with a summit peaking at 4,393 feet. Its ridge line is known for resembling a man’s face in profile. The summit is one of only two places in Vermont where you can find Alpine Tundra, making the peak a rare and rewarding destination for anyone drawn to breathtaking mountain views.
There are several ways to reach the top. Visitors can drive up the steep Auto Toll Road for a scenic ride, or take the Gondola SkyRide for a more unique ascent with views along the way. Hikers who prefer to make their own way up will find trails leading toward the summit and its wide-open vistas.
Moss Glenn Falls is one of Vermont’s largest waterfalls, its cascade dropping 125 feet beside the C.C. Putnam State Forest. Both the falls and the trail are free, and the setting sits less than 10 minutes from the town center, making it an easy and rewarding detour for anyone spending time in Stowe.
A short hike of under three miles reaches the falls, finishing with a bit of a steep climb before the cascade and surrounding scenery open up. The walk takes just over an hour round trip, and the dramatic drop and forested backdrop make this a favorite spot for capturing great photos of the Vermont landscape.
Set along a narrow pathway through the Green Mountains, Smuggler’s Notch State Park earned its name as a smuggling route between the United States and Canada in the early nineteenth century. The park’s main trail runs between Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak, lined with 1,000-foot cliffs, and later served as a route for escaped slaves passing into Canada.
Visitors passing through the narrow path are rewarded with stunning mountain and water views along the way. There’s plenty to do here beyond the scenery, with room to picnic, hike, rock-climb, camp, and mountain bike across the rugged terrain that gives this Green Mountain notch its dramatic, cliff-lined character.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak sits at the heart of a mountain community surrounded by a couple thousand acres of protected wilderness, weaving the natural environment into life in the Green Mountains. The Village Green anchors the resort with luxury shops, an ice rink, and easy access to the surrounding peaks.
Families gather in the Enchanted Forest, where children swing, play, and climb, while the Adventure Center offers indoor movies and climbing walls. Golfers tackle the Mountain Course, among Vermont’s finest and most beautiful, and the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center rounds out the community with concerts and shows.
Smuggler’s Notch Resort is an all-inclusive, family-friendly destination built for every season. Guests can ski, ice skate, snowshoe, tube, mountain bike, hike, and swim, then fill the warmer months with llama treks, tennis lessons, zip lines, and yoga. With so many pursuits gathered in one place, the resort keeps visitors of every age busy from morning to night.
At the heart of the property sits the Fun Zone 2.0 Family Fun Complex, a 26,000-square-foot indoor playground stacked with things to do whatever the weather. Inside you’ll find an arcade, laser tag, mini golf, giant inflatable slides, and a bouncy house, along with the Little’s Loft play area set aside for the youngest guests to roam and explore.
The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum occupies the Town Meeting House, the oldest active public building in Stowe, built in 1818. It showcases the history of some of Vermont’s favorite outdoor sports, displaying thousands of pieces of winter equipment. Unique displays, videos, and activities celebrate both skiing and snowboarding.
Also onsite is the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, with information on the careers of dozens of the state’s most talented winter athletes. Beyond the exhibits, the museum houses a gift shop, a library, and archives, making it a fitting home for the story of Vermont’s cherished winter sports.
Sample award-winning cheeses at the Cabot Farmers’ Store - Waterbury, where a free tasting spans limited-edition cheeses, dips, cream and Cabot favorites. Browse the shelves for cheeses and other dairy products alongside Vermont jellies, maple products, wines, ciders and microbrews, plus a wide range of specialty foods and souvenirs available for purchase.
Because Cabot is a co-operative, buying its cheeses here also helps support the farmers behind the brand. The store has earned a reputation among repeat visitors to Stowe as a spot worth checking out while in the area, making it an easy and rewarding detour for anyone exploring the region’s local food and drink.
Stowe Mountain Resort delivers Alpine skiing along with year-round activities, connected by a gondola running between Spruce Peak and Mt. Mansfield. This long-established, popular resort is known for its ski and snowboard instruction, with terrain suited to a wide range of skill levels and a family-friendly mix of experiences and packages.
Beyond the slopes, the resort offers mountain tours, hiking trails, and rock climbing. It spans 468 skiable acres served by 13 lifts across 116 runs. It is home to Mt. Mansfield’s 2,360-foot vertical drop, the fifth largest in New England, making it a substantial destination for skiers and snowboarders alike.
After fleeing Austria at the start of World War II, the von Trapp family of The Sound of Music settled in the mountains of Stowe, Vermont. The Trapp Family Lodge is a resort owned and run by the family, offering guest houses, villas, chalets, and guest rooms within the main lodge, plus farm-fresh food served in the dining room.
On-site, guests can fill their days with hiking, biking, disc golf, massages, and wagon or sleigh rides. Guided tours cover the family history, the gardens, and the brewery. Just down the road, the von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall pours the family’s own beer, rounding out a stay that blends alpine heritage with mountain recreation.
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa is a family-friendly retreat built around a full-service spa, and it doubles as a romantic couples’ getaway with fireplaces and private jacuzzis. Both indoor and outdoor venues give guests plenty of room to relax, and the resort sits close to the restaurants, shops, and activities of Stowe Village.
Local craft beer is within walking distance, including a stop at The Alchemist, so an easy stroll turns into an afternoon out. The resort also hosts the Stowe Balloon Festival, where guests can climb aboard a hot air balloon and take in the surrounding mountains, rounding out a stay that balances comfort, romance, and a bit of adventure.
Gold Brook Covered Bridge is a small, historic wooden bridge in Stowe, constructed in 1844. Also known as Emily’s Bridge and Stowe Hollow Bridge, it spans Gold Brook on Covered Bridge Road. Parking sits next to the bridge, and informational signs share more about its history, making it an easy and rewarding stop.
The bridge and its surrounding area make a beautiful setting for photos. Many visitors claim the site is haunted and the scene of strange happenings, adding an air of mystery to the crossing. It is one of several covered bridges that can be toured around Stowe, a fitting addition to any local bridge itinerary.
Idletyme Brewing Company is a comfortable, family- and pet-friendly spot where Stowe residents and visitors gather for food and beer. The small craft brewery turns out a wide range of styles, from Bavarian weizens and double IPAs to limited seasonal releases, alongside a menu of custom cocktails poured for the table.
The kitchen sends out fish and chips, giant pretzels, burgers, salads, fries, grilled salmon, and prime rib. Guests can settle onto the patio or gather by the fire pit, taking in Vermont’s fall foliage while sampling seasonal beer and the menu’s rotating offerings in an easygoing setting suited to a full meal or a casual round.
The Alchemist Stowe is a small-production, family-owned Vermont brewery beloved by hop enthusiasts. It built its reputation on Heady Topper, a double IPA, and the equally sought-after Focal Banger. Alongside these flagships, the brewery rotates a range of seasonal beers throughout the year, giving repeat visitors something fresh to discover on each return.
Guided tours introduce guests to the brewing process, paired with free samples and tastings of what’s currently on offer. A retail selection rounds out the visit, from t-shirts and hats to branded drinkware. The brewery has taken meaningful steps toward environmental sustainability, and it welcomes dogs, so four-legged companions are free to tag along.
At the Stowe Cider taproom and garden, visitors can sample a wide and rotating variety of hard ciders alongside craft teas and seltzers. Guests enjoy drinks and live music in the cider garden while taking in the surrounding mountain views. Tastings let you work through the lineup and find a favorite before settling in.
The cidery leans on locally sourced ingredients, folding blueberries and maple syrup into its distinctive hard ciders. It also partners with nearby businesses on unique offerings, including the Touch of Grape ciders made with grapes from Lincoln Peak Vineyard. The result is a rotating range of small-batch drinks rooted in the flavors of the region.
At Cold Hollow Cider Mill, visitors watch pure cider being pressed on a rack-and-cloth press that is a century old, then sample the fresh, old-fashioned apple cider. The mill is also known for its cider donuts, and the bakery turns out hot coffee, pies, cookies, fudge, and other treats to enjoy alongside them.
Beyond the press, the shop stocks gourmet foods, while the Hard Cider and Apple Core Luncheonette serves homemade sandwiches, local craft beer, and hard cider. At the Honey Bee Corner, you can observe the orchard’s honeybees at work through glass, a quiet look at the pollinators behind the apples.
Set on a family-owned farm in the Lamoille River Valley, Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits sits tucked between the mountains, where the surrounding landscape shapes a climate well suited to growing grapes. The estate produces red, white, and ice wines alongside hard ciders and cream liqueurs, all made and poured on the property itself.
Visitors can join tours and tastings or order drinks by the glass, including maple milkshakes, paired with cheese and chocolate boards. The patio looks out over the vineyards, and the carriage barn and surrounding rows make a romantic backdrop for weddings, giving the farm an easy appeal for anyone lingering over a glass in the countryside.
Located on Main Street in downtown Stowe, Lake Champlain Chocolates is a chocolatier and cafe with plenty to offer. From house-made fudge and marshmallow to small-batch artisan chocolates and signature chocolate bars, chocolate lovers can find the perfect treat. Browse the barks, truffles, and specialty cups, catch demonstrations on hand-dipping chocolates, or try one of the samples.
The shop leans into the flavors of Vermont with locally sourced ingredients, from local craft beer and tea to cheese from a nearby creamery. It carries on the same Main Street tradition as the former Laughing Moon Chocolates, which it acquired and rebranded, keeping the focus on handmade treats and regional character that draw visitors in.
Buying local and supporting small businesses is a Vermont tradition, so the Stowe Farmers’ Market draws visitors and residents alike. Stalls fill with local cheeses, vegetables, fruit, flowers, meat, and spirits, alongside crafted goods like pottery and jewelry. Producers such as Silloway Maple bring their wares, making the market a genuine window into the region’s farm-to-table roots.
Beyond the shopping, the market keeps the atmosphere lively with cooking demonstrations, live music, and festivals such as the Stowe Tango Music Festival. It is an easy, relaxed stop that pairs perfectly with a Stowe visit, letting you taste and take home the flavors, crafts, and community spirit that define this corner of Vermont.
The Stowe Theatre Guild is a nonprofit, volunteer-run community group that has staged productions including Chicago, Godspell, Mama Mia!, A Few Good Men, and Much Ado About Nothing. Its plays and musicals take the stage at the historic Town Hall Theatre on Main Street, a longtime home for live performance in the heart of Stowe.
This community theatre organization produces four shows each season, with individuals and local businesses backing the work through sponsorships. Beyond the productions themselves, the Guild awards the annual Stowe Theatre Guild Scholarship to deserving volunteers and cast members, reinvesting in the people who bring each show to life on stage.
A visit to Stowe is not complete without a tour of the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. Tours of the original factory walk visitors through the ice cream making process and, of course, finish with a sample of a famous flavor. Afterward, the Scoop Shop serves up favorites by the cone or cup.
The grounds hold picnic areas and a playground, plus the Flavor Graveyard, where guests can pay tribute to dearly departed flavors no longer in production. For a deeper dive, the Flavor Fanatic Experience offers a private ice cream making session guided by the experts, turning a simple stop into a hands-on afternoon.
The Green Mountain Inn sits on Main Street in Stowe’s historic downtown village, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, galleries, and outdoor activities. This highly rated stay offers a variety of accommodations across 100 guest rooms, suites, apartments, and townhouses, blending modern luxury with genuine historic charm.
Guests enjoy gardens, year-round heated outdoor pools, an onsite bar and grill, and a massage center. The property began as a private home in 1833 and became a hotel in 1893, then grew through decades of expansions, restorations, and renovations. That long history gives the inn a settled character alongside its contemporary comforts.
Sterling Gorge Falls rewards hikers with beautiful views on a moderate, fairly remote trail of about half a mile. Once part of a privately owned property, the falls and surrounding park area were officially donated to the town of Stowe. Though rather short, the three waterfalls cascade into multiple pools to create a lovely scene.
Informational signs along the way explain the area’s geology and add to the experience. Those wanting more hiking and views can continue on to Sterling Brook Gorge, the upper gorge above the falls. It makes a rewarding detour for anyone exploring the trails and natural scenery around Stowe.
Nestled among Stowe’s mountains and resorts, Stowe Village is a downtown of historic buildings that now house shops and galleries, alongside restaurants and lodging. Old covered bridges such as the Gold Brook Bridge frame the setting, while the steeple of Stowe Community Church, one of the oldest non-denominational churches in the country, rises as an easily recognized landmark.
The village rewards a slow wander. Browse the book shops along Main Street, sample handmade chocolate at Laughing Moon Chocolates, and trace the history of skiing and snowboarding at the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. Historical sites, galleries, and small storefronts sit within easy reach of one another, making the compact downtown simple to explore on foot.
Set among ski and bike trails on the grounds of the Trapp Family Lodge, Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall pairs Austrian-inspired beer with traditional Austrian dishes. Pour options run from classic dunkel lagers and Kolsch to Vermont-leaning brews like the Maple Rauchbier, which layers notes of smoke and maple into the glass.
Menu plates lean on ingredients from the Trapp Family Farm, including eggs, pork, and maple. The Biergarten adds outdoor room to gather with friends and family while taking in the views. Before you leave, pick up packs of von Trapp beer and farm-fresh eggs by the dozen to carry the visit home.
Getting to Stowe
Most visitors reach Stowe by car. The main approach is Interstate 89, leaving at the Waterbury exit and following the state highway north up the valley into Stowe village; from there a second mountain highway climbs north toward Smugglers’ Notch and the ski area. Note that the high pass road through the Notch is steep and winding and closes for the winter months, so in the cold season you double back rather than driving over the top.
The closest airport with scheduled commercial service sits to the northwest and is roughly a 40-to-45-minute drive away, making it the easiest arrival point for most trips. Travellers coming from farther afield often fly into a larger hub city to the south and drive up in about three and a half hours, mostly on the interstate, or come down from the metropolitan area across the northern border. There is no passenger rail or scheduled long-distance bus into the village itself, so plan to rent a car or arrange a shuttle for the last leg from the airport.
Getting Around Stowe
Stowe’s compact village centre is pleasantly walkable, with shops, eateries and the start of the Stowe Recreation Path all within easy strolling distance, and the paved path itself is a car-free way to move between the village and the lower mountain corridor on foot or by bike. Beyond that small core, though, the town spreads out along the valley road toward the mountain, so for reaching the resort, the trailheads, and lodging outside the centre you will really want a car.
A seasonal shuttle links the village with the mountain and the ski base during the busier months, and rideshare and taxi service exist but can be thin, so don’t rely on hailing a car late at night. Cycling is a genuine option in the warmer season thanks to the recreation path and the wide valley road, and parking is generally straightforward: there are lots and on-street spaces in the village, plus large lots at the mountain base, though the closest spots fill early on peak winter and foliage weekends.
Where to Stay in Stowe
For a first visit, basing yourself in or near the village centre is the most convenient choice: you can walk to restaurants and shops, step straight onto the recreation path, and reach the mountain road quickly. This central district suits travellers who want to leave the car parked and soak up the town’s walkable core, and it puts you within a short drive of both Mount Mansfield and Moss Glen Falls.
If you are here mainly to ski or hike, the mountain-road corridor running north toward Smugglers’ Notch State Park and Stowe Mountain Resort keeps you closest to the lifts and trailheads, with the Trapp Family Lodge grounds nearby, though it is quieter and more spread out than the village. For a calmer, more rural base, the outlying valley pockets and the area back toward the interstate exit trade walkability for stillness and easier arrivals and departures, which can be handy if you plan day trips out of town.
Where to Eat in Stowe
The densest cluster of dining is in and around the village centre, with a second string of casual spots along the mountain road toward the resort catering to skiers and hikers. Vermont’s food culture leans hard into what the surrounding farms and forests produce, so look for maple everything, farm-to-table plates built on local produce and pasture-raised meat, and the state’s celebrated artisan cheddars turned into everything from cheese boards to mac and cheese.
Comfort dishes carry a distinct regional stamp here: hearty apple cider doughnuts and maple creemees (Vermont’s soft-serve, often maple-flavoured) are seasonal staples, while craft beer, small-batch cider and locally roasted coffee round out most menus. In the cold months you will find warming mountain fare like chowders, stews and fondue, and the sugaring season brings maple-forward specials worth seeking out.
One Day in Stowe
Stowe unfolds along a single spine — the village at its eastern end, the Mountain Road climbing northwest toward the peaks — so the easiest day simply follows that line uphill and back. Start compact in the village, gain elevation through the afternoon, then coast back down for supper.
Morning: Begin in the heart of the village on the Stowe Recreation Path, an easy paved ribbon along the West Branch that shakes off the early chill and frames the peaks you’ll reach later. When you’ve walked a stretch, duck into the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum a few steps off Main Street to trace the sport that made this valley famous, then reward yourself around the corner at Lake Champlain Chocolates.
Afternoon: Point yourself up the Mountain Road to the high country, where Mount Mansfield — the tallest summit in the state — rises over the resort village and rewards even a short walk with long views. From there it’s a quick run north to Smuggler’s Notch State Park, where the road threads between sheer cliffs and boulder fields into one of Vermont’s most dramatic passes.
Evening: Roll back down the corridor to Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall, where Austrian-style lagers pair with a hearty plate and a hillside view, then finish nearer the village with a pour at The Alchemist Stowe, home of the hazy IPA that put this valley on beer maps. If you have a second morning, save it for the short drive south to the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury for a tour and a scoop.
Free Things to Do in Stowe
Some of Stowe’s best experiences are free. The Stowe Recreation Path — a 5.3-mile paved greenway from the village along the West Branch River — is free to walk, run, or bike, and the short hikes to Moss Glen Falls and Sterling Gorge Falls cost nothing. Wandering historic Stowe Village, with its white church spire and covered bridges, and photographing the haunted Gold Brook (Emily’s) Covered Bridge are free ways to soak up the town’s character.
The mountains are free to enjoy, too. Drive or hike toward the views at Smugglers Notch, where Route 108 threads a dramatic cliff-lined pass, and take in the ridgeline of Mount Mansfield from the valley floor. In winter, the outdoor ice rink at Spruce Peak village is free and open to the public, rounding out a Stowe visit that rewards a light budget in every season.
Day Trips from Stowe
The easiest excursion barely leaves town: the drive north through Smugglers’ Notch State Park threads a dramatic mountain pass between towering cliffs (open only in the warmer months), while the wider Green Mountains and the Lake Champlain shoreline to the west make for scenic half-day loops. These keep you close to Stowe’s own peaks and waterfalls while showing off the surrounding landscape.
For a longer road trip, Concord lies about two and a quarter hours to the southeast, an easy interstate run into neighbouring New Hampshire and its state-capital sights. Albany sits roughly three and a half hours to the southwest, a bigger day out toward New York’s capital region and the upper Hudson Valley. Either makes a full-day outing, so leave early and expect the return drive to eat into your evening.
FAQ: Visiting Stowe
What is Stowe, Vermont known for?
Stowe is best known as the "Ski Capital of the East," home to Stowe Mountain Resort beneath Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. It’s also famous as the home of the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame, and for a standout food-and-drink scene, including The Alchemist’s Heady Topper beer and the nearby Ben & Jerry’s factory.
How many days do you need in Stowe?
Three to four days is ideal to enjoy Stowe without rushing. That gives you time to ski or hike Mount Mansfield, walk the Recreation Path, drive through Smugglers Notch, and sample the breweries, ciders, and the Ben & Jerry’s and Cabot tours, plus a visit to the Trapp Family Lodge.
When is the best time to visit Stowe?
Stowe is a true four-season destination. Winter (December–March) is peak ski season, while the first two weeks of October bring spectacular fall foliage. Summer is ideal for hiking, biking, and the waterfalls, and spring is quieter — a good time for the food-and-drink scene before the crowds return.
Is Stowe good for families?
Yes. Family favorites include the gentle, stroller-friendly Recreation Path, the Fun Zone at Smugglers Notch Resort, the gondola and activities at Stowe Mountain Resort, the Ben & Jerry’s factory tour, and easy waterfall hikes. Winter adds skiing, tubing, and the free Spruce Peak ice rink.
What is Stowe’s craft-beer and cider scene like?
Stowe is a craft-beverage hub. The Alchemist makes the cult double IPA Heady Topper, and you can also visit Idletyme Brewing, the von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall for Austrian-style lagers, Stowe Cider, Cold Hollow Cider Mill for fresh cider and donuts, and Boyden Valley Winery, all within a short drive.
How far is Stowe from Burlington?
Stowe sits about 35 miles east of Burlington, roughly a 45-minute drive, and around 25 miles from Vermont’s Burlington International Airport. That makes it an easy addition to a northern Vermont trip and a convenient base for exploring the Green Mountains.
Is Stowe worth visiting?
Absolutely. Few small towns pack in as much as Stowe — a world-class ski mountain, iconic scenery, covered bridges, and a nationally regarded beer, cider, and food scene, all wrapped in classic Vermont village charm. It rewards a visit in every season, for skiers, hikers, foodies, and families alike.
