Stowe, Vermont Destination Guide - 3 day fall itinerary
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THEY DON’T CALL IT THE COLOR CAPITAL OF FALL FOR NOTHIN…
It’s an open secret that Stowe is by far one of the best places to peep leaves in the USA. The mountains are ablaze in color and the entire town looks like something straight out of a movie set. My mom and I randomly stumbled upon this charming town in 2014 on an impromptu fall road trip, immediately fell in love, and decided to stay for a few days with a promise to return someday.
Now, 7 years later we were SO excited to return and deep dive into this destination with Go Stowe
Visit Stowe if you’re looking for small-town charm, breathtaking scenery, and a destination that truly offers visitors something special in every season.
In this guide, you’ll find my perfect 3-day itinerary for your trip to Stowe. In true Alle Abroad style, it will be a mix of classic attractions, local favs, and of course a lot of fun fall activities.
If you’re looking for a quick overview of my top 15 favorite things to do in Stowe check out my video below!
(And then scroll down for all the deets & links to each of the stops on my list)
SOME STOWE HISTORY & FUN FACTS
Stowe’s history dates back almost as far as the history of the United States. And don’t be surprised if you get some strong Sound of Music vibes from this town because Stowe is where the Von Trapp family chose to settle in the 1940s because it reminded them of their beloved Austria.
From early September through mid-October, is Stowe’s long “prime foliage” window but as a general rule of thumb, “peak foliage” is visible around the last week of September and the first two weeks of October.
Beyond its natural beauty that is on full display in the fall, Stowe is often referred to as the ski capital of the east and sits at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak.
Moss Glen Falls is Vermont’s tallest waterfall and just a short drive from Stowe’s historic downtown
Stowe that has hosted travelers for more than 200 years
Stowe features more than 45 hiking trails with a variety of easy, moderate, and expert trail options
Vermont’s historic Long Trail (LT) was built in 1910 and is the United States’ oldest footpath and runs 273 miles between the Massachusetts and Canadian borders, and runs through Stowe crossing over Mt. Mansfield and into Smugglers’ Notch
LOCATION
You’ll find Stowe in north-central Vermont, just 45 minutes away from Burlington, the state’s largest city. We decided to drive from Chicago, which takes just about 16 hours (which I recommend breaking up between two days). But if you choose to fly, there are direct flights from Chicago that are just over 2 hours.
WHERE TO STAY IN STOWE
Check into the Field Guide Lodge, a stylish boutique hotel centrally located in the heart of Stowe.
The hotel was once a classic ski dorm and is the perfect size with just 30 rooms that give you a luxe lodge feel with modern touches and pops of color.
Practical Information:
Field Guide Lodge is a quick stroll to boutiques and dining, and a short drive to the slopes
The property is comprised of two buildings
The Lodge - double-occupancy rooms, the front desk, breakfast area, and lounge
The Trail House - luxe suites and cottages set at the back edge of the property in close proximity to the pool
The yummiest continental breakfast served every morning
In-room refrigerators
Seasonal heated pool & hot tub
Coffee in the Lodge common areas
Field Guide is part of the Lark Hotels group which has a number of other hotels across the US in iconic destinations like Newport, Salem, and Carmel.
3 DAY STOWE ITINERARY
This 3-day itinerary was created by my lovely partners at Go Stowe and really gave me a well-rounded understanding of all that this destination has to offer. Feel free to pick and choose what speaks to you, and for even MORE recommendations on what to do in Stowe - click here.
DAY 1
MORNING
BREAKFAST AT THE SKINNY PANCAKE
This Vermont favorite got its start serving crepes out of a cart made of wood scraps and has since grown to include 8 locations across the state with a serious commitment to all things local - music, culture, and of course food. The vibe inside is warm and cozy and the food is delicious no matter whether you’re looking for a sweet or savory crepe.
My order: The apples & Brie crepe along with the leaf peeper latte
SCENIC DRIVE THROUGH SMUGGLER’S NOTCH
The drive through Smuggler’s Notch is probably the most popular in the area. The Notch got its name because smuggler’s used this rugged mountain path to take goods to and from Canada when trade was outlawed by Thomas Jefferson. This route was also used to smuggle alcohol across the border during Prohibition.
I’d recommend starting your journey from south to north for the most scenic approach, you can find directions for this exact scenic route and many others via the go Stowe website (Trip #8 in part in the Go Stowe Scenic Drives Guide).
LUNCHTIME
RIDE THE GONDOLA UP MOUNT MANSFIELD
Take in the panoramic views of Mount Mansfield on a gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort. There are so many ways to enjoy the views in Stowe, from hiking and biking the various trails or even driving the auto toll road, but if you’re looking for the fastest way to the top - this would be it.
Once you’re at the top you can set out on one of the hiking trails OR enjoy a meal with a side of amazing views at the Cliff House Restaurant
AFTERNOON
TOUR NEBRASKA KNOLL SUGAR FARM
Learn how maple syrup is made on a tour of Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm. Every spring since 1980 the Coty family has been tapping maple trees at the foothills of Mount Mansfield. For about 4-8 weeks in March and April the sugarmakers collect the sap and boil it down into maple syrup.
fun fact: the sap from the sugar maple tree looks and tastes like sweet water and they need about 50 gallons of it to make just 1 gallon of syrup...
EVENING
DINNER AT IDLETYME BREWING CO.
Hands down, the BEST patio in Stowe. If the weather is nice and you can snag a table, this is the perfect place to close out your day of adventuring with some delicious food and locally brewed beer.
Before it was the restaurant and brewery, this historic property was once a cider mill in the early 1900s, then it became Camp Idletyme, then the Shed restaurant which ultimately brought brewing to Stowe.
My order: Vermont cheddar fritters & the pub burger
DAY 2
MORNING
EXPLORE THE TRAPP FAMILY LODGE
When the Von Trapp family, you know the family whose story inspired the Sound of Music, was touring the US in the 1940s they fell in love with this area and eventually settled down in Stowe. And in 1950 the family started welcoming guests into their rustic 27 room family home.
In 1980 a devastating fire burned down the original structure which was rebuilt into the lodge we see today.
You can grab breakfast at the Trapp Kauffehaus, take a tour of the lodge & learn about the family history and explore the gardens all while soaking in the extraordinary views.
AFTERNOON
This local favorite gives its guests the chance to be the creator of their own Piecasso masterpiece - choose your size, crust, sauce, and add your own toppings. It’s basically choose your own adventure - pizza style.
Take a short easy hike to Moss Glen Falls which just so happens to be Vermont’s tallest waterfall!
It only takes about 20 min to walk to and from the falls and getting here is just a short 5 min drive from stowe’s historic village. You can follow the brook upstream from the parking area and once you come to the fork in the road go left if you want to climb for a view from above or right if you want to check out the base of the falls.
EVENING
Hard cider is my absolute favorite and the flavors here are totally unique like Blue Raspberry Gummy Bear flavored cider or cider that tastes like sangria. The cider maker and owner Mark Ray is constantly coming up with new and fun flavors and what’s on tap is always on rotation to keep things new and exciting for visitors and locals alike.
DINNER AT WILDFLOWER RESTAURANT
Have dinner at one of stowe’s newest restaurants, Wildflower. Opened in 2021 their dinner menu is full of American classics blended with Puerto Rican, Dominican and Korean flavors to pay homage to the restaurant group’s family heritage.
My order: The empanadas, Tagliatelle & Pineapple, Toasted Coconut Cake (make sure you save room for this)
SHOP MY STOWE LOOKS
MANY OF MY OUTFITS ARE RENTED FROM RENT THE RUNWAY. USE CODE RTRALLEP FOR 40% OFF TWO MONTHS OF THEIR 8 OR 16 ITEM PLANS.
DAY 3
MORNING
VISIT STOWE HOLLOW TO CHECK OUT THE GOLD BROOK COVERED BRIDGE
Check out some of stowe’s classic covered bridges. You’ll see these postcard-worthy bridges along scenic drives, and all throughout the state because Vermont is home to more covered bridges per square mile than any other state in the US.
I recommend checking out Gold Brook Covered Bridge aka Emily’s Bridge because it’s the oldest Howe Truss bridge in Vermont and apparently it’s said to be haunted by Emily’s ghost… so come here at night only if you dare...
Take a self-guided tour to learn how apple cider is made and try some of the most delicious cider donuts - make sure to leave some time to do a little shopping for some locally made treats in the mill’s gift shop.
AFTERNOON
STOWE FARMER’S MARKET (Sunday from May - October 10:30 - 3 p.m.)
If you’re looking for some yummy locally made products this is your spot. from cheeses, veggies, fruits, flowers and delicious baked goods, they’ve got it all.
Right in the heart of Stowe’s historic village is where you’ll find Cafe on Main. This spot is a Stowe staple and a great place to refuel as you explore the town (for breakfast, lunch or even just a sweet treat).
My order: Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich & whatever the soup of the day is
STROLL THROUGH THE VILLAGE AND DO A BIT OF SHOPPING
Some of my favorite shops to pop into are:
EVENING
DINNER AT CORK RESTAURANT AND NATURAL WINE SHOP
Enjoy dinner and a glass or two of wine at Cork, Vermont’s first and only all-natural wine shop and restaurant.
The wines you’ll find on the list here at cork come from vineyards where the grapes are grown organically or biodynamically without artificial irrigation, pesticides, chemicals or fertilizers.
I love how eclectic the menu is and everything is sharable, this is a great spot to come for fresh local cuisine and leave with a bottle or two to take home with you.
If I could snap my fingers and be back in Stowe right now I would...
It’s a charming, locally focused, and truly a year round destination worthy of a weekend trip or even a week-long adventure.
I felt like we did SO MUCH in these 3 days but I still left feeling like there was so much more to explore especially in the winter {hello snow bunny season} & I’m really excited to one day return to dive deeper into this destination.
If you’re looking for even more ways to explore Stowe that I might not have covered in this itinerary, be sure to head to the Go Stowe Website!
I really hope that this guide was helpful and if you have any questions on Stowe please feel free to shoot me a DM on IG!
HUGE THANK YOU TO GO STOWE FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE MOST ICONIC STOWE TRIP!!!
*** This trip was in partnership with Go Stowe but please know that all opinions are my own. AKA I had a blast and I know you’re going to love this destination too! ***
SHOP MY STOWE LOOKS
MANY OF MY OUTFITS ARE RENTED FROM RENT THE RUNWAY. USE CODE RTRALLEP FOR 40% OFF TWO MONTHS OF THEIR 8 OR 16 ITEM PLANS.
