Day Trip To Stowe, VT: The Best Things To Do & Everything To Know

Stowe is a picturesque and charming New England city located in northern Vermont. Nestled in the Green Mountains, it’s known for natural beauty, a historic downtown area, and outdoor recreation year-round. All of which make this one of Vermont’s most loved mountain towns.

Stowe is great for a weekend getaway or longer trip, but for those who only have a day here, you’re still in for a treat. Perhaps you’re stopping through on a Vermont road trip or day tripping from Burlington? Read on for everything to know about a day trip to Stowe, VT.

This closely follows my one day itinerary during a New England road trip. We were driving from North Conway, NH to Burlington and spent most of the day in Stowe along the way.  

Day Trip To Stowe, VT Itinerary 

Below is my exact itinerary for a day trip to Stowe, Vermont. As mentioned above, we passed through Stowe during a New England road trip. 

Our day started in North Conway, New Hampshire (to the east) and ended in Burlington, Vermont (to the west). 

If arriving from the opposite direction, this itinerary can easily be followed in reverse. 

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

The Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour is one of the most iconic attractions in Vermont, and a must-consideration during your day trip to Stowe.

The tour shares the history of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and allows visitors a glimpse into factory operations. And best of all, you get samples!

In addition to tours, there’s a small museum, yummy Scoop Shop, and gift store on-site. 

Additionally, the Flavor Graveyard is very entertaining and a must-see. It’s a playful homage to the ice cream flavors which have been discontinued over the years. In the mock cemetery, retired flavors are “laid to rest” with humorous tombstones and epitaphs.

And for the non-dairy or vegan folks, there are dairy free ice cream options here too.

Anyone can visit the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour experience, but it’s best to stop by when joining a tour.

Tours last 30 minutes and need to be reserved in advance. You can reserve your spot here: Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour.

All and all, plan about 1 – 1.5 hours at Ben & Jerry’s.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is located just outside of Stowe and is another nice stop on your way into town.

The mill has become well-known for its fresh apple cider, apple cider donuts, and a variety of Vermont-made products. It also has a great bakery, perfect for a quick bite or light lunch.

After your ice cream fix, you probably don’t need anymore sugar, but Cold Hollow Cider Mill is famous for their apple cider donuts… 

We were all sugar-ed out after our Ben & Jerry’s tour, but did buy some donuts to enjoy later in the day. Worth it! 

Even if you don’t want to eat anymore donuts, the general store in Cold Hollow Cider Mill is still worth a stop. There’s great Vermont products, and it’s a perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir or memento. 

Plan for about 30 minutes here. Those planning to eat will need a bit more time.

Walk Downtown Stowe, VT

After stopping at Ben & Jerry’s and Cold Hollow Cider Mill, you’ve finally arrived to Stowe!

Historic downtown Stowe was one of my favorite spots to explore during our day trip. It embodies the feel of a quintessential New England village, combined with mountain town charm.

The quaint downtown stretch is known for historic architecture, a thriving arts scene, boutique shopping, and locally owned restaurants. We enjoyed browsing the souvenir and boutique shops, as well as admiring the historic architecture. 

We were completely stuffed from our previous stops, but for those who are planning to eat in downtown Stowe, we noticed the restaurants and cafes were all very crowded. Our visit fell on a Friday in early fall, before peak foliage. 

Note: I include more information regarding where to eat or grab a local beer, later in this article. 

Downtown Stowe is located near the intersection of Main Street (Vermont Route 100) & Mountain Road (Route 108). We were able to find a paid parking lot a block off main street. 

The historic downtown area is small and easy to get around on foot. We spent 45 minutes walking around, those planning to eat will need to budget more time. 

Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum

While in downtown Stowe, consider stopping by the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum.

The museum covers the history of winter sports, with a focus on how skiing and snowboarding have shaped Vermont’s culture and economy.

On site is an extensive collection of vintage equipment, engaging exhibits, and the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, all of which are really interesting to browse.

The museum is open Thursday – Sunday and is free to all visitors, they do periodically close so be sure to check their website before heading out: Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum.

Plan for about an hour here.

Photograph The Stowe Community Church

Up next on our itinerary, we head away from downtown and towards Stowe Mountain Resort and Smuggler’s Notch. Along the way, we stopped for one of Stowe’s most iconic photo spots.

Stowe Community Church is one of the most famous photography spots in this small town. 

The stunning white church against the mountainous landscape is pretty spectacular, it’s easy to understand why this view is so loved!

This viewpoint is located off Mountain Road (Route 108), just a mile from downtown. To find the viewpoint, put “Stowe Community Church View Point” into Google Maps.

To get a photo like the one below you’ll need a high quality camera with a good zoom.

This stop only requires about 10 – 15 minutes.

Ride The Gondola SkyRide At Stowe Mountain Resort

Gondola SkyRide is a scenic gondola ride offered by Stowe Mountain Resort. 

It provides breathtaking views of the surrounding Green Mountains, all while riding in style and comfort. 

The gondola takes you to the top of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield. Once here you can take in the excellent views, dine at Cliff House Restaurant, explore the gift shop, and enjoy a sweet treat at The Waffle. 

On clear days, this is the perfect place to take in the incredible landscape surrounding Stowe.

Unfortunately, our visit fell on a cloudy and gloomy day. Clouds engulfed the summit of Mount Mansfield, taking away its famous views. Because of this, we skipped out on the excursion this time.

The gondola ride requires about 1.5 – 2 hours, longer for those planning to dine at the top.

Drive Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway

On our way out of Stowe, we drove Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway which crosses a gorgeous mountain pass. 

The highway is just under 20 miles and connects Stowe and Jeffersonville (Route 108). But the most famous stretch is just north of Stowe Mountain Resort. It’s a narrow and winding picturesque route with gorgeous views of the Green Mountains’ seemingly endless greenery. 

I loved this drive, it’s easy to understand why it’s a favorite among things to do in Stowe, VT.

Due to the narrow nature of this route, Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway is not recommended for oversized vehicles, trailers, or RVs.

Historic Smugglers’ Notch Pass closes for the winter season, and is usually open about mid May to mid October.

Plan for about 30 – 45 minutes to enjoy this drive.

Stowe Restaurants: Where To Eat 

Stowe has a great variety of restaurants considering the town’s small size. Below are a few popular restaurants in Stowe, VT:

• Doc Ponds (near downtown)
• The Bench (near downtown)
• Piecasso (near downtown)
• Trapp Family Lodge (near downtown)
• Harrison’s Restaurant (downtown)
• Butler’s Pantry (downtown)
• Lower Bar (downtown)
• The Club at Spruce Peak (Stowe Mountain Resort)
• Cliff House (Stowe Mountain Resort)

Stowe, Vermont Breweries

Stowe has a thriving craft brewery scene, so consider grabbing a local brew during your day trip to Stowe. 

Some of the most popular breweries in Stowe include:

• The Alchemist Brewery (2 miles from downtown Stowe)
• Idletyme Brewing Company (2 miles from downtown Stowe)
• von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall (3.5 miles from downtown Stowe)
• Stowe Cider (1 mile from downtown Stowe)

Looking to join a brewery tour during your visit to Stowe? Check out 4 Points Vermont Brewery Tour.

Coffee Shops In Stowe

Looking to grab a coffee, hot chocolate, or maybe a quick bite while in Stowe? There are numerous cafes around town.

A few much-loved coffee shops in Stowe include:

• Black Cap Coffee & Bakery 
• Green Goddess Café
• Woodland Baking & Coffee
• Café on Main
• Stowe Bee Bakery

Additional Things To Do In Stowe, Vermont

For those with more time, below are additional things to do in Stowe, Vermont:

• Go hiking.
• Visit the Trapp Family Lodge, made famous by the Oscar-winning film, Sound of Music (with more time, we would’ve added this to the itinerary).
• See the Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Emily’s Bridge).
• Go ziplining.
• Go for a walk along the Stowe Recreation Path.
• Drive to the top of Mount Mansfield via Auto Toll Road.
• Sample maple syrup at Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm (for winter and spring visitors).
• Ski Stowe Mountain Resort or Smugglers’ Notch Resort (for winter visitors).

Visiting in fall and looking for more ideas? Check out The Best Things To Do During Fall In Stowe, VT.

Stowe, Vermont One Day Itinerary In Winter Or Spring

The itinerary listed above follows our day trip in early fall. If visiting in winter or spring, consider this modified Stowe day trip itinerary:

• Join the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour.
• Stop by Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
• Browse the shops in downtown Stowe.
• Spend the afternoon skiing or go for a scenic gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort.
• Or, learn about maple sugaring at Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm.

How To Get To Stowe, Vermont 

By Car

Stowe is located in northern Vermont, just a short drive from Burlington. The town is located 10 miles northeast of I-89.

From Burlington, VT, Stowe is 45 minutes away (36 miles).
From Montreal, QC, Canada, Stowe is 2 hours, 15 minutes away (107 miles).
From Boston, MA, Stowe is 3 hours, 10 minutes away (199 miles).
From Albany, NY, Stowe is 3 hours, 30 minutes away (177 miles).
From Portland, ME, Stowe is 3 hours, 40 minutes away (187 miles).

By Train

The nearest Amtrak station to Stowe is Waterbury-Stowe. This is located 15 minutes (10 miles) from downtown Stowe.

From here, the best way to get to Stowe is by ride share or taxi.

Getting Around Stowe, Vermont

Downtown Stowe is small and walkable. If only planning to explore this area, a car isn’t necessary.

However, if planning to go out for hikes and explore the surrounding area, a car will be necessary.

Taxis and ride shares are available, although can be limited.

During ski season, roughly late November through early April, there’s a free shuttle in Stowe. It runs along Mountain Road (Route 108), connecting downtown Stowe and Stowe Mountain Village. Shuttles run frequently.

If visiting in winter, this eliminates the need for a car.

For shuttle information, check out Mountain Road Shuttle.

Where To Stay In Stowe, VT

Spending the night during your day in Stowe? The town offers a range of excellent accommodations to suit various preferences and budgets. 

The main areas to stay are near downtown Stowe or Stowe Mountain Resort.

A few popular hotels in Stowe include:

• The Lodge at Spruce Peak (Stowe Mountain Resort)
• Smugglers’ Notch Resort (near Stowe Mountain Resort)
• Topnotch Resort (between Stowe Mountain Resort and downtown)
• Trapp Family Lodge (just outside of downtown)
• Stowe Village Inn (downtown) *this is a great place to stay for a quick trip.
• Green Mountain Inn (downtown)
• Brass Lantern Inn (downtown)

Additionally, VRBO and Airbnbs are a common lodging options as well.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Stowe?

Stowe is enjoyed by many year-round.

The town is famous for skiing and winter activities in the cooler months, roughly late November through early April.

During summer, the area is much-loved for hiking and other outdoor activities.

From mid September through October, Stowe is famous for its fall foliage and autumn fun.

There is some downtime during very late fall and late spring, when the town is transitioning in and out of ski season.

How Much Time Do You Need In Stowe, VT?

2 – 3 days is ideal for a trip to Stowe, Vermont.

Multiple days gives you the chance to explore Stowe’s many cultural and outdoor activities, plus excellent dining options.

However, if you only have one day, it’s definitely worth stopping by. We loved getting to experience Stowe, even if only for a short time.

As you can see, there’s many great things to do during a day trip to Stowe, Vermont. I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your trip and have the best time!

Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Stowe & New England guides.