Things to Do
Stay and Play in Vermont!
Whether enjoying adventures on our private 32-acre estate or in the local Stowe area, you'll discover year-round activities sure to help you relax, recharge, and rejuvenate!
Golfing to gliders...beers to boards...skiing to shopping.
Do as much (or as little) as you'd like.
It's time to "get your Vermont on" and adventure like a local!
Adventure by Air
Bird Watching
Interested in learning about Vermont's 269 bird species? Take a hike around Sterling Pond led by a bird-savvy staff of the North Branch Nature Center, and dozens of other excursions. The Stowe Area Birders Walk departs from the Stowe Free Library every Sunday at 7 a.m. Rather a paddle than walk? Kayak tours of bird-friendly waters are offered by Bert's Boats, or take a guided canoe or kayak trip with Umiak Outfitters.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Stowe is known as the home of hot air ballooning in Vermont and hosts the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival.
For information about pricing and availability, contact: Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides. Weather permitting, ballooning is available year-round.
Zip Lining with Arbor Trek (Smuggler's Notch Resort)
A year-round zip line course is available just over the Mansfield Mountain in Smuggler's Notch. Yes, even during the winter season! Check ArborTrek for details.
Biking
Biking in Vermont is fantastic - from mountain, road, and hybrid bikes to newer e-bikes and elliptical bikes, there are great trails and roadways for all. Here is a Vermont State Bike Map that will provide an excellent overview.
Bike Rentals
AJ's Sporting Goods or Pinnacle Sports, both in Stowe Village, and both with easy access to the Stowe Recreation Path. Both offer a wide variety of bikes for all ages and skill levels. They also have the equipment you may have forgotten to bring along.
E-Bike Rentals
Lamoille Valley Bike Tours: Electric bikes (e-Bikes) have arrived in our area!! We LOVE these bikes and the tour (and tour operators). Catch this group on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, New England's longest rail trail. Thursdays and Sundays tours begin at the Oxbow Park in Morrisville. VT (a 10-15 minute drive from Stowe Meadows). Reservations are required (these are very popular outings). The team at Lamoille Valley Bike Tours is taking reservations for rides and local self-guided tours of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail - including Brew Tours and Foliage Tours.
Road Biking
The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5 mile long bike-friendly path that offers terrific vistas in/around Stowe.
Mountain Biking
For a bit of off-roading, there are so many terrific and newly created trails in the Stowe area. A great map can be found on the Vermont State Bike Map.
Trails
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail: New England's longest rail trail is now open! Spanning more than 90 miles. A new 33-mile section is now open connecting Morrisville, VT, to Jeffersonville, VT! The trail is wide with smooth, firmly packed gravel perfect for biking, jogging, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. We recommend driving 5 miles (11 minutes) to Oxbow Park in Morrisville to join the trail.
Dining and Dancing
Dinner to late-night dancing, Stowe offers the best in food and entertainment.
There are several terrific dining spots in the greater Stowe area. Here is a quick reference list of our favorites. Most require a reservation, especially during peak seasons (Foliage, Ski, Christmas, New Years', Columbus Day, Valentine’s Day).
Michael’s On The Hill: 802-244-7476
Doc Ponds: 802-760-6066 Does not accept a reservation, but we recommend using the Yelp page "no wait" feature for this popular spot.
After dinner, check out The Matterhorn, Tap25, Doc Ponds, and Picasso. All feature the best in local, regional, and national artists.
Driver and Taxi Services
If you would like to reserve either an airport taxi pickup or a taxi service pickup for dining out while in the Stowe Area, we recommend the following services:
Peg's Pickup - 802.253.9490
Vermont VIP - 888.804.6847
Fun with Four-Legged Friends
Dog Sledding (Winter) / Dog Carting (Summer/Fall)
If you've watched Eight Below, Disney's terrific movie about dog sledding, you'll want to check out Dog sledding. A fantastic group of lovable pups will take you on a 1-hour sledding tour or carting tour. Have your camera ready! In winter, you'll want to dress warmly and consider putting “Hot Hands” hand or foot warmers in your bag, just in case. It gets chilly out there.
Horseback Riding
In Stowe, you will find several beautiful areas to explore on horseback. With the many options available to new or experienced riders, a visit to one of Stowe's stables is a truly unique memorable experience. Each facility offers its own special touch, from riding lessons to carriage and wagon rides, and from trips through woods and meadows with panoramic views of the Green Mountains to backcountry tours and lakeside picnics.
Riding with the Equestrian Center at Topnotch
Topnotch Hotel offers guided trail rides as well as horseback riding lessons. Little ones love the corralled pony rides. Or take the entire family for a carriage ride, compliments of our giant draft horses. (802) 253-6497.
Wagon Rides / Sleigh Rides
A big hit with any age. Gentle Giants Sleigh Rides & Carriage Rides has draft horses that are active year-around from sleigh rides in the winter to hayrides in the summer: (802) 253-2216
General Adventuring
Apple Picking (Fall)
Apple picking season in VT is generally from late August through late October. “Pick your own” farms are abundant. Here is an apple-picking site that may help you choose a terrific location. Also be certain to see this page for information about Apple picking across the state, including Shelburne Orchards.
Calendar of Events
The Stowe Area Association tracks all local events and updates its public calendar weekly. This is a great source of "in the know" adventuring from local classes to group activities.
Fireworks
Independence Day fireworks are a real crowd-pleaser. Check out the Stowe calendar of events to learn about local fireworks dates and other holiday-related activities.
Galleries
Vermont art and artists shine and local galleries highlight a unique and authentic love of the arts. From festivals to galleries, art centers, and studios to craft shows, make sure to put art at the top of your list. Here are a few spots to note: Green Mountain Fine Art, and The Helen Day Art Center.
Mountain Activities
Open for the summer season from June - October, Stowe Mountain Resort offers lots of family-friendly activities. Hike, drive, or take the gondola to the top of Mt. Mansfield. The views are spectacular. Check out rock climbing, bungee jumping, and obstacle course maneuvering.
Music on the Meadow - Stowe Performing Arts
Trapp Family Lodge: Music on the Meadow is an outdoor concert on the expansive lawn at the Von Trapp Lodge. I'd rank it as a “must-do” that weekend. Information can be found here at the Stowe Performing Arts site. Also, just a trip to the Von Trapp Lodge for a piece of “Sound of Music” history is a great stop while in Stowe.
Golf
There are several public and private courses within a 30-minute drive of Stowe Meadows. From award-winning courses to neighborhood short-courses and driving ranges, the greater Stowe area delivers scenery and fun for all golfers.
Stowe Country Club is a public course right in the heart of Stowe village. Ryder Brook is a public 9-hole course just 4 miles from our Lodge called Ryder Brook Golf Course. Here is a link to Stowe area courses with ratings.
Take a Hike
The Stowe area is known for terrific hiking. There are so many terrific trails. Here is a link to the Top Hiking Trails in VT, and one of the top trails (Moss Glen Falls) is just 4 miles from our Lodge! Moss Glenn Falls is a straightforward hike that the entire family will enjoy. Be sure to take your camera.
Catamount Trail
Over 300 miles in length, the Catamount Trail spans VT and is terrific for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail can be accessed directly from our Lodge...just a short distance from our front door. This trail can be accessed either by roughing it directly from our property....or reaching a main trailhead at the Elmore State Park.
Elmore Mountain Fire Tower
Hike #35 on top 50 VT hikes. Our Lodge is nestled under Elmore Mountain. From the Elmore State Park (5 miles away), a terrific hiking trail leads to the top of Elmore Mountain and the Fire Tower. The vistas are incredible and, on a clear day, you can see the White Mountains of New Hampshire! The hike is easy to moderate and takes about 2 hours. I've read a few blogs that say this hike is a “must-do” in the area.
Stowe Recreation/Bike Path
A great destination for runners, bikers, or rollerbladers in your group... also a fantastic cross-country ski path in winter. The rec path is a 5.25-mile-long paved path through the heart of Stowe, offering scenic vistas of the mountains, river, and local art projects.
Relaxation / Spa
There are several well-known day spas and full-service spas in the area. You can’t go wrong with any of these choices.
Full-service spas
Topnotch and the Stowe Mountain Lodge. A benefit of these full-service spas is full-day access to all spa, gym, and pool facilities. If you book a treatment, be sure to consider arriving early or staying longer to enjoy access to the gym, spa lounge, and/or pool.
Day spa treatments
There are also spa and massage appointments at non-resort facilities. One that many guests enjoy is Stowe Village Massage.
Snow! Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Sledding
Alpine Skiing
So many choices! There are several terrific mountains within 60 minutes of Stowe Meadows. Here are a few to consider:
Mt. Mansfield - Spruce Peak
Just 20 minutes away, Mt. Mansfield, Stowe's award-winning ski and snowboard center, is a fantastic ski area. Mt. Mansfield has the most vertical feet of any ski area on the East Coast!
Bolton Valley
Just 35 minutes from Stowe Meadows, you'll find Bolton Valley ski resort. This terrific resort offers night skiing and many economical lift ticket packages!
Jay Peak Resort
A terrific 45-minute ride will take you to one of the northernmost ski areas in Vermont, and one of the most modern and newly renovated. Jay Peak offers fantastic skiing, great lift ticket rates, and an indoor water park called La Chute offering the longest indoor activity river in the US!
Smuggler's Notch Ski Resort
About 60 minutes from Stowe Meadows, Smuggler's Notch Ski Resort is known as “America's Family Resort.” “Smugg's” is on the opposite side of Mt. Mansfield from the Stowe ski trails. In the winter, skiers have to drive around the mountain through Jeffersonville to reach the resort, as the Notch road that cuts through the mountain pass is closed from mid-October through mid-April.
Discounted Lift Tickets
Check out Liftopia for discounted ski and snowboard lift tickets.
Snowmobile Tours
Journey through the Mt. Mansfield State Park on snowmobiles....for beginners and advanced riders. Our guests highly rate this tour. Weekend tours leave every hour from 8 am to 6 pm.
Sleigh Rides
A big hit with any age. These draft horses are active year-round, from sleigh rides in the winter to hayrides in the summer.
Cross-Country Skiing - Back Country
Catamount Trail
Over 300 miles in length, the Catamount Trail spans VT and is terrific for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail can be accessed directly from our Lodge...just a short distance from our front door. This trail can be accessed either by walking directly from our property or by reaching a main trailhead at Elmore State Park.
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail
New England's longest rail trail is now open! Spanning more than 90 miles. A new 33-mile section is now open connecting Morrisville, VT, to Jeffersonville, VT! The trail is wide with smooth gravel perfect for biking, jogging, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. View more information here. We recommend driving 5 miles (11 minutes) to Oxbow Park in Morrisville to join the trail.
Cross-Country Skiing - Groomed
Expansive groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Craftsbury Outdoor and Nordic Center
Expansive groomed trails for cross-country skiing.
Snowshoeing and Sledding
Umiak Adventures sponsors snowshoeing and sledding trips. Equipment rental is included in all adventures. Sledding isn't just for the kids! Erich and I have been sledding with the Umiak team, and it is very fun! Ask about the Umiak Moonlight Snowshoe Tours - great fun for all ages!
Snowshoeing can be done right from our property! There are hundreds of acres of forest land and many scenic vistas to explore. Just ask and we’ll put you on the right path!
Shopping and Factory Tours
Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour
A must-stop on any visit to Stowe. Waterbury, VT, is the home of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, and factory tours are given daily (with samples at the end). If you visit on a weekday, you can see ice cream being made live.
Other factory tours
In addition to stopping at Ben & Jerry's, don't forget Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Cabot Cheese.
There are many terrific shopping spots in the area, but here are my favorite two stops: Well-Heeled Shoes and The Stowe Craft Gallery.
Water Adventures
Fishing
Crisp, clean Vermont waterways provide endless fly and spin fishing adventures. Our private pond is stocked with rainbow and brook trout, providing a fun and relaxing afternoon of fishing. Interested in trekking to deeper water or fast-flowing rivers - our friends at The Fly Rod Shop or Catamount Fishing Adventures can hook you up.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Lake Elmore, Green River Reservoir, Waterbury Reservoir, the Lamoille River, the Winooski River, and Lake Champlain offer a massive day of fun. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards can be rented at each site. Contact Umiak for more information on group outings or custom trips, such as river fishing or bird watching. No matter which adventure you choose, Bert’s Boats or Umiak will help you create your own perfect excursion or guided tour.
Lake Elmore State Park
This 219-acre lake is beside the Elmore State Park, a scenic spot just 5 miles from Stowe Meadows. The site offers terrific views of Elmore Mountain, a small beach, and a swimming area, and is the site of several sprint-distance triathlons during the summer. There is a $4 per person ($10 per vehicle) usage fee for all Vermont state parks.
Green River Reservoir
A Vermont state park, this reservoir is unlike many others. A 5,100-acre scenic spot perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaks, and canoes. One of our favorite summer swimming and water activity locations. There is a $4 per person fee for all VT State Park usage.
Indoor Water Park
Jay Peak Resort: A terrific 45-minute ride will take you to one of the northernmost ski and vacation areas in Vermont, and one of the most modern and newly renovated. Jay Peak offers fantastic skiing, great lift ticket rates, and an indoor water park called La Chute offering the longest indoor activity river in the US!
Swimming Holes
There are several local swimming holes, indoor swimming pools, and outdoor pools open to the public. Check out these close-by swimming spots - Bingham Falls, Moss Glenn Falls, Lake Elmore, Green River Reservoir, Waterbury Reservoir. For indoor swimming, The Swimming Hole in Stowe offers day passes as do most resorts in the area.
