From majestic mountains to thriving town, Stowe has it all
Look up Vermont foliage in the dictionary, and you might just find the name “Stowe.”
Classic Stowe — with its white steeple centering the town, mountain road winding past rivers, streams and fields, its massive Mount Mansfield peak (highest in Vermont at 4,393 feet) and wonderful Stowe Mountain Resort looking down on the town — offers everything you can want for a foliage escape, and some surprises. It's no wonder TripAdvisor ranks it No. 1 for fall foliage.
Stowe truly has it all, from the mountain to Main Street: scenery, history, mountains, culture and those spectacular trees, all woven into a tapestry of sights, sounds, tastes and experiences that make your fall visit sublime.
Let's start with that scenery. As you make your way through Stowe (the quaint downtown anchors one end, the Stowe Mountain Resort the other; in between is the Mountain Road, with side roads jutting from it), every way you look, any spot you choose, is lovely.
While Mount Mansfield is the highest and most breathtaking peak, there are others surrounding Stowe. Their high elevation (and cooler temperatures) helps trees burst with even more color.
And as the light changes during the course of the day, so does the illumination of the landscape, starting with a warm morning glow.
A wonderful spot to take that all in is the Stowe Pinnacle Hike, a moderate hike that rewards your morning exercise with fantastic views of Mount Mansfield in that special light. It is considered one of the town's easiest hikes but with the richest reward: the view.
As the day goes on, a great vantage point is the famed Stowe Recreation Path — a 5.3-mile paved trail that crisscrosses the West Branch of Little River, and is a perfect spot for cycling (yes, you can rent bicycles in town and along the path), walking or, if you are hearty, a nice run. The path is close to many Stowe businesses for easy access to shopping, a snack or delicious meal along the way.
Just off the path you'll find Thompson Park, a wonderful spot for picnics, photos and relaxing. It's also home to one of Stowe's loveliest and most fun fall activities: the Percy Farm Corn Maze.
The corn maze is in a spot looking directly into the heart of Mount Mansfield, aglow in autumn colors this time of year. Sometimes, if you are lucky, its trails are accented with a tinge of white. The corn maze is fun for the entire family, and has a reward at the center: stairs to a platform with perhaps the best view — and best selfie opportunity — in the Stowe area.
Up on the mountain, there are scenic gondola rides, a zip line for the truly adventurous and all kinds of fun fall activities. You're practically on top of the world there, so views on a clear day extend to many states.
Where to stay
Stowe has a wealth of accommodation choices, from
cabins to cozy homes, from classic hotels to the truly posh.
The Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa is as much a part of Stowe and autumn as, well, Stowe and autumn. Owned and operated by the Baraw family (Beatrice and Stuart Baraw founded the resort in 1963; their son Chuck manages it today), it sits on 60 acres of the town's most beautiful land — a lush green field that intersects the recreation path, and looks out on the mountains from several views. Located on Mountain Road, the great restaurants, bars, craft beer locales and attractions of Stowe are close by.
Rooms are comfortable and homey with all the modern touches. The spa is top-ranked, with a relaxation room centered by a 12-foot massaging waterfall, and spa treatments that draw from the region's products and way of life. The Meadows at Stoweflake and Stoweflake Townhouses are perfect for family vacations as well, like your own vacation home but with all the amenities the resort offers. Learn more at www.stoweflake.com.
The Trapp Family Lodge has a name known to the world and offers, as they like to say, “A little of Austria ... a lot of Vermont.” The lodge is run by the famous Von Trapp family portrayed in “The Sound Of Music.” Maria Von Trapp's son Johannes is president, and her grandson Sam Von Trapp is director and vice president.
Set on a hill among the resort's 2,500 acres, the lodge looks out over a sweeping valley and toward beautiful mountains. There are special touches, like the events surrounding the history of the founding family, as well as all those things to do outside, like mountain biking, hiking, tennis, carriage rides and more.
This year, the family has opened the Bierhall Restaurant, a stunning post-and-beam spot that serves up the von Trapps' own brews (you can tour their amazing on-site brewery as well) and delicious food. For another Austrian experience, visit their Austrian Tea & Tap Room. For foliage visits, you can book now for stays that save you as much as 20 percent. Learn more at www.trappfamily.com.
Up on the mountain is where you'll find Stowe Mountain Lodge, a beautiful resort destination with incredible service (these folks, who warm your ski boots overnight and then click them on your feet in the morning, are also there in the fall to attend to your needs). Rooms are bright and airy, letting in that Vermont fall light, and offering wonderful views of the mountain, which is just across the road. There you can enjoy hiking, play golf on the resort's private course, relax in the spa or simply take in the vibrant fall colors on Mount Mansfield from the room's private balcony.
You can book the “Autumn Moments” offer, and valet parking along with daily breakfast in Solstice restaurant is included per adult. That's a value of over $75 for just $25 extra, based on double occupancy. For those looking for more space, save on select suites and luxury residences. You'll also save up to 40 percent on activities when you add them at the time of booking. Learn more at www.destinationhotels.com/stowe-mountain-lodge.
And there's so much more. From gourmet meals to simple sandwiches built with locally sourced ingredients, to brew tours by bike or passenger van, to the art galleries and shops filled with wares you'll only find there, Stowe has it all.
Stowe knows how to party, too: Check out its annual festivals that celebrate jazz, fly fishing, even the British invasion. You can learn more at www.gostowe.com.