In Stowe, classic charms of Vermont traditions survive
Green Mountains resort village offers much for visitors
When we arrived at Stowe -- admittedly at first just because it was on the way to our Airbnb that we were staying in just about an hour outside of the area -- we didn’t realize just how cute this town would be. My boyfriend jokingly called it “the town where time stands still” because it was like an old town from another time filled with country stores, local goodies, small inns, and hole-in-thewall, diner-style breakfast places.
WHAT TO DO Checking into the Green Mountain Inn
(18 Main St.,
Stowe)
Since 1833, the Green Mountain Inn has been a cozy lodging option for visitors, right in the heart of Stowe. It’s tucked right in the main strip of all of the shops and restaurants in town. The location could not be more convenient. They have a variety of accommodations, from your basic rooms and luxury suites to apartments and townhouses. The Inn even has a year-round outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub that you can still enjoy in the cooler months.
Shopping
The Stowe Mercantile (37 Main St., Stowe) has many goodies like scented candles and home goods, but one of my favorites is their local beer selection, filled with cans you can mix and match and sample area breweries. You can purchase them individually or in four- or six-packs. The Country Store on Main (109 Main St., Stowe) is full of calming colors, beautiful home decor, stunning glassware and amazing gift ideas. More retail adventures can be had at Shaw's General Store (54 Main St., Stowe) and Tangerine and Olive (232 Mountain Road, Stowe).
Covered Bridges
Stowe has a covered bridge with an ominous backstory. There’s also a cute footbridge right across from Remarkable Things (55 Mountain Road, Stowe), a shop filled with beautiful wall art to purchase. The footbridge, formally the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge, is just off the main strip of shops. A short drive from there is a bridge known as Emily’s Bridge. Officially the Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Covered Bridge Road, Stowe), its nickname originated back in the 1800s, when, local lore says, a young woman named Emily waited under the bridge for her love so they could elope. He never showed up and she chose death, hanging herself under the covered bridge. Legend has it that her spirit, full of sadness and anger when she passed, still literally touches the place: Some have told of being scratched or finding their car scratched after visiting the bridge, and others have reported hearing voices. Treats, Eats, and Drinks
At Cold Hollow Cider Mill (3600 Waterbury Stowe Road, Waterbury Center) you can indulge in one of their cider doughnuts to pair with a cider slush. Their doughnuts are on the dryer side, and have a cakelike texture, perfect to pair with coffee. Other treats include jams and jellies and cheeses from Mount Mansfield creamery. They had a variety of jarred caramel made flavored with local ingredients, such as coldbrew coffee or maple syrup. Speaking of coffee, pair one of the cider doughnuts with a maple latte from Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea (11 Cabin Lane, Waterbury Center). We stopped at the Stowe Public House (109 Main St., Stowe) where they have a bottle room filled with hundreds of different kinds of beer, connected with the bar where they have tastings, local cheeses and small bites.
Smugglers' Notch Resort
(4323 VT-108, Jeffersonville)
You can’t often find Smugglers Notch bourbon in New York, so when we found out that the actual distillery is right outside of Stowe, we knew we had to stop by. While browsing, I found some really great options. They make gin and vodka, along with some nice sampler tasting packages, as well as a tasty Maple Cream Liqueur that goes well in winter cocktails. On a super snowy day I go outside with a copper mug, scoop some fresh powdery snow, and drizzle a shot onto the snow so it’s nice and icy cold.