Location: Stowe
Top Things to do in Stowe
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What to do and see in Stowe, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Not the sporting type? You’ll still enjoy a trip to Stowe—just plan on hitting the spa instead of the slopes or the golf course. The area’s big ski resorts offer huge spas with pretty much any treatment you can think of—try all of them and pick your favorite!
Restaurants in Stowe
1. Stowe Recreation Path
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Between the West Branch River and Route 108 is a biking trail full of scenic vistas and small town atmosphere.
Reviewed By Kathy E - Stowe, Vermont
No matter what season it is, the Rec Path has something for everyone. Magnificent mountain views, streams, rivers, meandering paths through fields, across bridges, through woodlands. Walk, hike, snowshoe, cross country ski, bike, picnic, rest on benches along the way- something for everyone. Parking in town behind the community church and taking the path all the way out and back is 11 miles. A must see for all to enjoy when visiting.
2. Moss Glen Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
With a short walk, you can enjoy a ravine with a waterfall.
Reviewed By Weekend_Roamer1 - Warrington, United Kingdom
A short ten minute drive out of Stowe and a right turn onto Randolph Road and another right onto Moss Glen Falls gets you to this trailhead. Parking for about 15 cars on the roadside and the trail is well presented. Footing is good but in wet conditions the wooden boardwalk section can become slippery. Stoic footwear is recommended but I did see people in trainers make it to the top.
There are two basic paths, one that stays with the stream and the other which takes you to the short ascent to the top view. My wife is not the most athletic person and she managed it fine but did decline the short walk alongside the stream and across the strategically placed 'stepping stones' to get the best views.
Obviously, the flow over the waterfall will depend upon how much rain the area has seen and in October we got quite an impressive flow. Not as spectacular as waterfalls in Canada, Austria and Germany but for the area it was certainly worth the visit and small amount of exertion needed. give yourself 15 minutes each way to walk it and then however long you want to spend looking at the beauty.
3. Smugglers Notch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
This narrow path through thousand-foot cliffs, once a smuggling route into Canada, is now a park used for biking, hiking, picnicking and rockclimbing.
Reviewed By Dana P
We loved the ease of accessibility and immediate beauty that this park affords. Park on the side of the road and start hiking UP. A walking stick would be helpful. Sterling Lake is a gem and the whole area, being a ski resort, has lots of trails to hike.
4. Mount Mansfield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 703 reviews
Vermont mountain resembling a person's profile.
Reviewed By John P - Palm Beach
We love skiing and we love skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort which comprises Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. It has great trails for everyone - green to double blacks. Because of its location it gets lots of moisture from Lake Champlain. It is easy to caress from Burlington’s BTV airport. About 45 mins to an hour with Blazer Cab flat rate for $80 or $75 cash. Get your flights right and you can ski both your day of arrival and departure. We like the Stowe Mountain Lodge for ski in ski out, and love the ski valet, plus they are pet friendly. There is a bus up and down the mountain you can track on the app RouteShout 2.0 so you don’t have to stand outside and freeze. We love Mount Mansfield and Stowe!
5. Stowe Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By Peakclimber46 - Peekskill, New York
We all ski over, (Rockies, Europe, BC etc.) Stowe is still a great mountain within easy striking distance from NYC, ok it's 5 hours plus by car but that beats the airport hassle and delays. It wouldn't be any good without great skiing and that the mountain has to offer, from tranquil cruisers to adrenalin pumping steeps. Great job grooming and the on the mountain lodges still have the lovely New England style and atmosphere (hope Vail Assoc doesn't muff it up) We only ski weekdays with literally zero lift lines, don't know how it plays out on weekends. As in most ski resorts the food on the mountain is expensive and mediocre
6. Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 442 reviews
At the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center the question isn’t what to do. The question is, where do you start? From sunrise to sunset, and in every season, there is an invigorating adventure or relaxing activity waiting for you at every turn. The Trapp Family Lodge is a 2,500 acre mecca for the outdoor and nature enthusiast. In the Winter there is cross country skiing, back country skiing and snowshoeing. In the Summer there is mountain biking, disc golf, hiking,Nordic walking and even concerts in our meadow. The lists go on and on for people of all ages!
Reviewed By OlderCodger - Tyngsboro, Massachusetts
We are reviewing the outdoor activities of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. We've been coming every year for quite some time. In the past, the employees were cheerful and helpful. This year there is a noticeable attitude change.
In the past, we've been encouraged to make full use of all the trails when snowshoeing. This means using the edge of groomed trails, staying away from the tracks set for traditional X-country skiers. This year, we were told to stay off the groomed trails. When we questioned this policy, we learned that there is a new person in charge of the Outdoor Center who implemented this more restrictive policy. We also learned it is more of a guideline and that the groomed trails may be used. Our assumption is that Skate Skiers are becoming so prevalent that shared use of groomed trails by traditional X-country skiers, Skate Skiers, and those on snowshoes is dangerous. So, those using snowshoes get the short end of the stick. GIVE US THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY AS SKIERS, BUT DON'T USE ALL THE TRAILS!
The problem with this policy is that it restricts those on snowshoes from going places and seeing views and vistas that are quite wonderful. There is not an "extensive set of snowshoe trails" as claimed by an attendant in the center. There is an expanded set of trails, and they are quite nice. To get the same value for our money as the skiers get, we think there should be three times the snowshoeing trails as exist now.
The easy answer is to mark some existing groomed trails for use with snowshoes. Our suggestions: Chris's Run, Old County Road, Oslo, and Haul Road. If necessary, develop snowshoe trails parallel to these groomed trails and THEN restrict access to the groomed trails. Until then, mark these groomed trails for snowshoes.
The change of attitude among the employees, combined with the restrictions on those using snowshoes, led us to have a disappointing experience. We shall rethink coming to use the Outdoor Center, including staying at Trapp or in Stowe as a result. We are actively pursuing other options for outdoor winter recreation.
7. Stowe Mountain Auto Toll Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By SpanishTroubadour - New York
This is a must do if you like beautiful views, hiking, and driving on narrow mountain roads!
We found it interesting and exciting. Driving up seems fairly straightforward until the road begins to narrow and the sharply angled cut-backs get tighter and steeper! There were several times where it got crazy trying to pass another vehicle (always happening at the most narrow part, barely wider then one lane!). We drove Subaru Outback and had no issues, but recommend you leave any very large vehicle (Winnebago, etc) or low clearance Corvette, Porsche, or Lamborghini at the bottom. It’s not the Road of Death in Bolivia, but one part in the highest section might give the faint-of-heart a jolt!
And speaking of heart-stopping: the range of hiking difficulty is across the scale, so come prepared.
Mostly everyone had on hiking shoes and proper attire, but there were more then a few young tourists in flip-flops! And regarding ‘older people’ (previous reviewer): watched a group of six 70-80-something couples wearing the highest-quality climbing boots, back-packs, and professional walking sticks go up a steeper section of rock like it was nothing.. very impressive!
[visited in September]
8. The Alchemist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Sandyw248
We stopped in a week after the IceFest to try some of these much hyped beers.....and we were not disappointed! We had 3 generations of family with us, and the "non- beer drinkers" had fun running around the ice sculptures, and getting stickers from the friendly staff. The adults enjoyed several complementary tastes and we went home with lots and lots of delicious beers!
9. Stowe Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 514 reviews
A classic Vermont ski getaway, popular with families because of its excellent ski/snowboard school and child-friendly amenities.
Reviewed By Bigfamilyontheroad - montreal
Very nice mountain, slope are well maintained. Easy access to the chairlift from bottom of the slope and nice crossover slope to go from one side to the other of the main slopes. People working there are specially nice everywhere. Everything is well organized.
10. Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Emily's Covered Bridge)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By OtleyandFatcat - Columbus, Indiana, United States
Interesting story, typical covered bridge. Easy to find, especially with a little help from our GPS. Tranquil setting. Definitely worth a stop on our way to Stowe.
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