Taking time out of your busy schedule that’s typically brimming over with responsibilities and demands to travel and explore is a good way to hit the reset button on life every once in a while. When you know that you’re longing to discover a new destination that’s equal parts scenic and exciting, a visit to Stowe, Vermont is most definitely in order. Stowe is a sensational place to find yourself when you’re someone who finds their vacation state of mind most easily in place surrounded by gorgeous mountains and filled with options for outdoor recreation and adventure. Stowe sits in the Green Mountains and is a charming getaway where travelers can embrace ski culture at its best in the wintertime, and open trails, wildlife watching, and biking in the summer.
No matter what season brings you to Stowe, it’s a picture-perfect place for adding shopping and dining experiences to your lineup alongside festivals, stops at local art galleries, time exploring farmers markets and much more. Stowe is a terrific vacation destination for travelers of all types whether you’re heading this way on an independent adventure, you’re excited to spend time with the one you love most on a romantic getaway, or you’re looking forward to quality time alongside family and friends.
No matter when you arrive, how long you stay, or how many others you’re exploring alongside, Stowe is a must-visit destination on the map and if it happens to be your first time here, the following visitor guide to Stowe is your ultimate place to start to make the most of every single moment ahead.
Getting to Stowe to Get the Fun Underway
Visitors come to Stowe from around the map with good reason, and fortunately, making your way in this direction from any point of origin is a breeze. Stowe enjoys a place right in the impressive shadow of Mount Mansfield and reaching this gem of a locale in the Green Mountains begins with flying into the Burlington International Airport for the vast majority of travelers. You’ll find Burlington just a 45-minute drive from Stowe and the airport has a variety of rental car options to choose from right on-site. From the moment you land, it won’t be long before you’re behind the wheel and on your way to a one-of-a-kind adventure in good company.
Getting Around When You Arrive
How you choose to get around Stowe, Vermont really depends on what your itinerary entails. If it’s your first time here and your plans revolve mainly around exploring town center and downtown, it’s entirely feasible to park your rental car and make the most of your time on foot or bike. There are plenty of local bike rental options to pick from, but Stowe’s main areas are also very pedestrian-friendly. That said, if you’re looking to check out attractions and natural landmarks beyond the center of town, having a rental car to use when you’re ready to head out is a must. It’s also a convenient option to have when you’re not sure what you want to do right at the start of your journey and you want to keep your options open so you can customize your sightseeing as you go.
The Best Times of the Year to Visit Stowe, Vermont
Truly, there’s no wrong or right time of year to make your way to Stowe. When you travel this way for the first time should really come down to what your interests entail and what you’re hoping to enjoy upon arrival. If you’re heading this way in the winter, you’ll find Stowe is very much a quintessential New England mountain town come to life before your very eyes. It’s an oasis of skiing and snowboarding with many first-time visitors choosing to fill their snowy Stowe days with cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, snowshoeing, and ice skating as well. The local museums and galleries here are open all winter long so if you need to thaw out after time on the slopes, you can always do so with a side of education and inspiration included.
Springtime travelers to Stowe will enjoy the added benefit of having fewer crowds to contend with. That’s because this shoulder season can be experienced before the summer travelers make their way to town in droves. Temperatures are mild here in the springtime, and while you’ll still find snow on the mountain peaks and at the ski resort, lower elevations are likely starting to see serious melt-off meaning some of the local trails will begin to open up for road biking depending on conditions. Perhaps one of the biggest draws of traveling to Stowe for the first time in the spring would be that you’ll arrive right as maple sugaring season gets underway in the region. Many residents consider this season the sweetest time of year in Stowe—especially when you make your way to local sugar houses to see how maple syrup is made.
Summer is most definitely the busy season in Stowe as outdoor adventure enthusiasts head here to explore the Green Mountains in full bloom. Temperatures are warm and welcoming and summer sees Stowe transform into a haven of opportunities for those who enjoy everything from hiking and mountain biking to landscape photography, birding, waterfall chasing, and getting out on the local lakes and rivers. Yes, there will be more people here overall but if you want to really get a sense of Stowe’s inviting vibe, this is the time of year to arrive in town.
When fall rolls into Stowe once again, first-time visitors will be treated to a truly magical fall foliage experience. The mountains transition into spectacular hues of golds and reds this time of year, making the option to include a leap-peeping hike on your itinerary absolutely irresistible. Stowe is also known and loved for its cider scene and fall is a fantastic time to make sure you try the best of them all in good company. There are plenty of fun and family-friendly fall events on the annual calendar to enjoy this time of year and you’ll have ever reason to make the most of time on the trails by bike or on foot with mild temperatures on your side throughout the season.
Wonderful Attractions to Enjoy When You’re in Stowe
One of the hardest parts of planning a first-time visit to Stowe can be narrowing down your list of activities and attractions you want to enjoy. The options for customizing your itinerary here are seemingly endless and oftentimes, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day to do all the exploring you’d like. No matter what your travel interests might entail, one of the local attractions you’ll want to be sure to experience for yourself while you’re in town is a ride on the gondola up to the summit of Mount Mansfield. While some visitors choose to hike up to the top and others prefer to drive, the gondola ride this way comes with stunning views from a bird’s eye view vantage point that are absolutely breathtaking. It’s something everyone in the family can enjoy together and the scenery is stunning—making it perhaps one of the most Instagrammable moments of your journey.
For many first-time visitors, the appeal of visiting Stowe lies with its many hiking trails waiting to be discovered with good reason. While Stowe is certainly packed with amazing routes to relish, when you can’t wait to lace up your boots and trek alongside family and friends, there are some highlights to be sure to add to your itinerary. The Stowe Recreational Path is a landmark in town in and of itself that you need to check out while you’re here. If you’re traveling to Stowe with kids, you’ll love that this scenic hiking and biking route in fully paved and completely stroller friendly. A few other hiking routes that are worth checking off the list include the trail to Sterling Pond, Pinnacle Trail, and of course, that challenging route up to the summit of Mount Mansfield. If you’re traveling to Stowe with a canine companion in tow who is part of your group and an outdoor enthusiast as well, it’s good to note that the Mount Mansfield Trail is pet-friendly.
Fall travelers excited to spend a first-time getaway in Stowe focused on leaf peeping fun will love every moment enjoyed on the historic Toll Road in town. Afterward, you can spend some quality time shopping downtown before treating yourself to a sweet moment over at the Ben and Jerry’s Factory with a tour that includes tasting options along the way. When nothing sounds more refreshing than a fall afternoon of cider tasting, make sure that both Burtt’s Apple Orchard and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill sit at the top of your list.
A top attraction to enjoy in Stowe in the wintertime is always Stowe Mountain Resort, which is the area’s premier ski stop, but also a fantastic place to enjoy ziplining and gondola rides in the warm weather months of the year. If you have a heart for hidden-away cascades, you’ll love spending time in Stowe discovering places like Moss Glen falls in the spring, summer or fall. When you and your traveling crew are looking to get into nature and the sun is high in the sky, make time on your to-do list to visit Smugglers Notch State Park which is the perfect place to hike trails, dive into rich area history, and make the most of scenic drives too.
Can’t Miss Restaurants
Whether you’re visiting Stowe for a few days, or you’re spending an extended stay here on your first visit, the one thing you can count on is that at some point, you’re going to need to attend to your appetite. The good news is, Stowe is filled with fantastic restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops to check out when you need to refuel for the fun ahead. Consider grabbing breakfast at places like Buter’s Pantry which is known for their amazing French toast and friendly service. Black Cap Coffee is a great place to swing by in the earlier hours of the day as well when you could go for an espresso or maple latte paired with a sausage English muffin sandwich. Harrison’s is a fan-favorite eatery in Stowe for a dinner where the culinary focus is on steak, while Edson Hill is a great place to dine when you’re looking for an elegant setting with a great view too. The Idletyme Brewing Company is a must-visit when you’re longing for cold sips enjoyed on an open-air patio while The Bistro at Ten Acres is a captivating place to enjoy an elegant night out.
Book a Stay That Suits Your Travel Style
Every traveler heading to Stowe for the first time is sure to come this way with a unique vision in mind of what makes for an unforgettable trip. Stowe is a vacation destination with versatile offerings to match every traveler’s preference and at Stowe Mountain Rentals, we have accommodations in place at The Lodge at Spruce Peak designed to match! Whether you’re looking for a cozy abode for two or you require a sprawling space for the entire family, we have the rental options you need to feel right at home upon arrival.
Booking your stay through us means you’ll wake up right in the heart of Stowe every day you’re here with options to easily head out and explore, or stay on-site and take advantage of seamless access to amenities like pools, sports courts, ice rinks, restaurants, hiking trails, and more! Our property options are packed with incredible furnishings and many of our rentals come with full kitchens so you can pick and choose between dining in or dining out. We make it easy for our guests to tailor their stay according to their style standards and when questions arise, our team is always available to help with anything our guests might need as well, not just this visitor guide to Stowe.
Reach out today to learn more about our exciting and inviting vacation rental options available at The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe and let us help you create your ideal getaway to remember!
