Date Visited: October 1, 2022
If you are looking for breathtaking scenic views and crisp clean air, Stowe, Vermont is the place for you. Want to add some beautiful autumn foliage to those views? Then an October trip is in your future. Take part in the many outdoor activities, take a scenic drive through the Recreation Path, or take a stroll through the charming town. Stowe has something for everyone. Below are my finds.
Getting Here
I traveled to Stowe from the Killington/Woodstock area of Vermont, so the trip took about an hour by car. If you are flying in, I recommend flying into Burlington International Airport. Stowe is about a 45-minute drive from the airport so you can rent a car, or you can look up nearby trains and busses that will take you to or near Stowe. The closest town is Waterbury, Vermont.
Staying Here
Since we visited Stowe for the day, we did not book any accommodations. But boy do I have a recommendation for you. Now, it is a bit pricy, but if you are a Sound of Music fan, I recommend the Trapp Family Lodge. The lodge sits on over 2,000 acres of picturesque mountains and belongs to the family that inspired The Sound of Music. It is a must see even if you do not stay here. A list of inns and other accommodations can be found here.
Exploring Here
You absolutely must take a Gondola ride at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Once your each the top, the view will have you mesmerized. There are seating areas, photo ops, and Cliff House Restaurant at the top of the mountain if you are looking for a bite to eat. I would recommend reserving a table prior to your arrival. You can also hike Mount Mansfield once you get to the top! As I mentioned before, the Trapp Family Lodge is also a must see.
You can take guided tours through the Estate or buy a pass to explore the trails. You can book these amenities here. You can also buy a Day Pass in person from the hotel’s lobby. They are about $20.
Downtown Stowe, especially in October, delivers a peaceful and quaint feel. In addition to the eateries and coffee shops—which I’ll get to later on— the town has a handful of shops, boutiques, and is home to the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. Be sure to stop by the famous Stowe Community Church.*
Stroll at your own pace. Take in the views, window shop, and visit Stowe’s Recreation Path located to the right of Stowe Community Church.
*Tip: You can get a great picture of the Church if you walk up Mountain Road to Salon Salon. There will be a parking lot to your right, placing you at the top of the hill looking down at the Church.
Eating & Drinking Here
Fun fact about me: neither I nor my husband drink alcohol. But don’t worry, what we lack in alcohol, we make up for with COFFEE! Stop by Black Cap Coffee & Bakery for a delicious cup of coffee. Woodland Baking & Coffee is also a good choice.
Breakfast:
We ate at Butler’s Pantry for breakfast, and it was immaculate! They are only open from 8am-12pm and do not take reservations so be sure to give yourself time and be prepared to wait for a table. A few other great breakfast spots include The Skinny Pancake, Stowe Bee Bakery & Café, and Café on Main.
Lunch & Dinner:
The town has a variety of restaurants to choose from including Harrison’s Restaurant (reservation encouraged), Whip Bar & Grill, Plate, and Cork Restaurant. We had dinner at a beautiful Italian Restaurant called Trattoria, located a few miles away from downtown Stowe. A reservation is required, and let me tell you, you’ll want to make that reservation. The menu changes seasonally and the restaurant is only open on certain days of the week, so check their website before you reserve.
We started off with a spectacular charcuterie plate, because, when in Vermont, you eat Vermont cheese. For my main dish I had the lobster ravioli which tasted fresh. My husband had the veal which he enjoyed as well. For dessert, as stuffed as we were, we shared the dessert of the day—3 scoops of flavor filled sorbet.
Dessert:
All the restaurants and cafes mentioned above have yummy sweets but be sure to check out the Red Barn Ice Cream Shop, Shugah Cookie Baking Company, and Laughing Moon Chocolates, all located on or near Main Street.
A Tip & A Trick
Stowe is seeable in a day, but if you would like to take part in any outdoor activities like hiking or bike riding, I recommend staying two days so you can experience and explore at a calm pace.
We grouped this Stowe day trip with our Woodstock trip, and it worked out perfectly for us. If this is your first-time visiting Vermont, I recommended looking at other towns, like Woodstock or Burlington, to visit as well.
If you aren’t much of an outdoorsy person, and decide to stroll through Stowe for the day, take your time. It is easy to rush through it, which I felt like I was doing at times. Enjoy each store, sit on a bench or at an outdoor table and hang out with family and friends, and remember to walk the streets surrounding Main Street, as they too have shops to explore.
