There is something special about Vermont in the fall, and no better place to experience it than the cute town of Stowe! Known for its outdoor activities, scenic beauty, and New England charm are all easy to find. There are lots of things to do in Stowe, especially in the fall!
I went to college in New England (Boston), and truly, there’s nothing like an East Coast fall. It’s what led me to move here permanently and fall in love with the East Coast; you will, too! Here are some things to do in Stowe, Vermont, in the fall.
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About Stowe in the Fall
Stowe is located in northern Vermont. It’s overlooked by Mount Mansfield, known for its trails and ski slopes in winter. In fall, the leaves are beautiful, and the area offers plenty of activities. If you’re looking for lots of great hikes and scenic drives (listed below), Stowe is a great spot to visit!
As Go Stowe likes to say, “Only in Stowe, Vermont, can you find breathtaking scenic views, abundant outdoor recreation, and small-town charm—all packaged together.”
Stowe has a strong community with a sense of local pride. The town hosts numerous events throughout the year, including arts festivals, farmers’ markets, and holiday celebrations. Thanks to the influx of visitors worldwide, the local culture reflects a blend of New England charm and a unique vibe.
There’s lots of great places to stay in Vermont in the fall! While in Stowe, I’d stay at the Green Mountain Inn. The Green Mountain Inn has welcomed guests since 1833. Situated in the heart of Stowe, it is ideal for countless recreational activities year-round.
Pro-tip: Many activities in Stowe close, starting in late fall. I note these closures throughout the post, but it’s recommended you plan your fall trip to Stowe before October 20th or plan for some things to be closed!
Outdoorsy Things to Do
1. Go for a Hike
Seems obvious, doesn’t it? But, since over 70% of Vermont is forest and there are multiple mountain ranges, it’s a hiking paradise year-round, especially in the fall! Everything from leisurely strolls to day-long mountain top hikes can be found in Stowe. You’ll want to enjoy all that it has to offer.
Below are a few hikes to consider:
- Sunset Rock: This short hike starts in the heart of Stowe’s historic Village. It provides a forested backdrop, recreational opportunities, and scenic vistas of the town, making it the perfect place for a picnic with a view.
- Recreational Path: A beautiful 5.3-mile paved path perfect for walking, running, or biking, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and meadows. It is a long but easy trail; you can do just a section as it is an in-and-out trail.
- Mount Mansfield: The highest peak in Vermont offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Long Trail and the Cliff Trail. Below are more details on Mt. Mansfield.
- Smugglers’ Notch State Park: Great for hiking and exploring unique rock formations. The trees are stunning here in fall, and here’s a map of all the options to plan. More on it below!
2. Smugglers Notch State Park Scenic Drive
Smugglers‘ Notch has been considered a State Scenic Road since 1978 under the Vermont Scenic Roads Law. It features breathtaking forests and unique rock outcroppings.
Native Americans traced the path over this high pass, but its name dates from use during the War of 1812 as a supply line to the British army in Canada, which happened to be fighting the U.S. Army at the time. In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson imposed an embargo against trade from Canada, a hardship for Northern Vermonters for whom Montreal was a prime market.
The first carriage road through the pass wasn’t opened until 1894, and Route 108 dates from 1910. It was improved in 1922 in time for Prohibition, during which Smugglers’ Notch took on new meaning, this time with contraband flowing south from Canada.
You’ll want to stop at the cave, hike around for a bit between the rocks, and take your time along the drive to make several stops on this beautiful drive.
3. Gondola Up Mt. Mansfield (or Drive the Auto Toll Road)
Get on top of Vermont’s most fabulous views easily – in the famous Stowe Gondola SkyRide. From the top of Mt. Mansfield – Vermont’s highest mountain – you can access our Cliff House restaurant, visit the Summit Retail Gift Shop, and enjoy a sweet treat at The Waffle. This is only open from April to mid-October and costs $40 a person. The views at the top are fantastic.
You’ll want to book ahead for this activity, as it tends to sell out. It’s also weather-permitting. Check the calendar for tickets here.
You can also drive to the top of Mt. Mansfield via the Auto Toll Road. This is a beautiful drive to the top. Be prepared for multiple stops due to traffic and limits on the number of cars parked at each parking lot. This also costs $40 a car, so it’s cheaper than the gondola but still expensive.
You will still need to hike for either option once you get to the top. The beautiful sweeping views are worth the 15-20 minute hike!
Plan on spending about 3 hours here.
In the Village of Stowe
4. Antiquing and Vintage Shopping
Stowe’s charm lends itself to great antique shops and vintage clothing shopping. During our trip, we found antique shops and vintage clothing in Stowe that were so cute! You’ll find unique pieces, so leave some space in your suitcase to bring some home.
Many pieces were classic New England fare, like flannel shirts and outdoorsy gear. The antiques were everything from what you’d expect to incredibly quirky collections. It was enjoyable to look through the shops!
5. Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
Located in Stowe Village, this museum showcases Vermont’s skiing and snowboarding history. Since 1988, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum has been dedicated to collecting, preserving, and celebrating the state’s rich history of skiing and riding.
If you’re looking for something to do to learn how Vermont became a significant tourist (and ski) destination, this can be a fun way to spend an hour or two in town!
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm
*CLOSED OCTOBER 15TH – NOVEMBER 28TH
6. Farmers Markets and Farm Stands
Fall has many different beautiful farms all over the state. They are known for farm to table cuisine and delicious special foods like cheese and maple syrup. Stopping at the farmers market in the fall allows you to try some of the best local goods!
The Stowe Famer’s Market happens every Sunday from 10:30 – 3:00 (at the time of writing this article). Here’s the farmer’s market website to help you plan!
You’ll also find farm stands along your drive to and from Stowe, which make it an excellent option for grabbing a snack or something special like apples or maple syrup!
Where to Eat and Drink
7. Grab Coffee
- Cafe on Main: This small cafe serves Belgian waffles, homemade oatmeal, and bagels in a buzzy hub. And, of course, coffee!
- Black Cap Coffee & Bakery: This local coffee shop has excellent lattes (try their maple latte – it’s so good!), pastries, bagels, and other cafe fare.
8. Sip at Local Breweries and Cideries
- The Alchemist Brewery: Famous for its Heady Topper IPA, this brewery is a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts.
- Stowe Cider: A local cidery offering a variety of ciders, often featuring unique and seasonal flavors.
- von Trapp Brewing: This Austrian-style brewery is located at the Von Trapp Family Lodge (more on that below, and yes, it was founded by the family on which Sound of Music was based). In the fall, they also host an Oktoberfest at the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall!
- Idletyme: A smaller artisanal brewer with a three-vessel brewery and a charming wood-paneled pub and restaurant, Idletyme’s Mountain Road location is a great stop.
9. Eat at Great Restaurants
- Harrison’s Restaurant & Bar: A local favorite known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious New England cuisine. This was our favorite dinner of the trip!
- Whip Bar & Grill: A great spot for drinks, American eats, and microbrews. Best drinks by far of the trip!
- Doc Ponds: A casual spot with a great selection of craft beers and comfort food.
- The Bench: A great place to try wood-fired pizza and other hearty dishes. Great salads here, too!
Things to Do Nearby
10. Spas and Wellness
If you want to relax, there are some great spas around Stowe that offer unique experiences. I would say these are an excellent idea year-round, but you know, looking out as the fall leaves peacefully fall while you relax in a Jacuzzi sounds like the perfect fall activity to me.
Here are a few top-rated spas to choose from:
- Topnotch Resort and Spa: A luxury spa offering a wide range of treatments and services, perfect for relaxation after a day of outdoor activities. They have a large indoor pool, making visiting easy in the fall!
- The Spa at Spruce Peak: Ultimate relaxation in the heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi hot tubs, or disappear in the Spa’s Sanctuary Lounge.
11. Cold Hollow Cider
Cold Hollow Cider is a working cider mill known for its fantastic cider and apple cider donuts. They offer a self-guided tour of our working cider mill, which provides an engaging rural experience that is unrushed and free of charge. You’ll learn how apples, bees, maple trees, and Vermont all get along well together. Plus, everything they have is really, really tasty.
I recommend getting an apple cider slushie and the apple cider donuts. They do not disappoint! You can also watch the fresh donuts and cider being made daily.
12. Trapp Family Lodge
This unique Austrian-style lodge was founded by the von Trapp family of “The Sound of Music” fame. You can stay here, of course, but even if you’re not saying it’s worth a stop!
You can go hiking, mountain biking, play tennis, and do yoga. They also have on-site restaurants and unique culinary offerings such as tours of von Trapp Brewing, visits to our Slayton Pasture Cabin (seasonal), wine tastings, and more!
As mentioned, they also have Oktoberfest in the fall, so check out their website when visiting to make it part of your trip to Stowe!
13. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream
The original and working Ben and Jerry’s factory is a fun spot to visit! It is open Tuesday through Saturday and offers outside window service and tours. The tours fill up fast, so book on their website if you want a tour. More details are here.
In addition, we welcome you to visit our Flavor Graveyard and playground area and enjoy the views of the lovely Worcester Mountain range. They did not have any unique flavors we couldn’t find at home, but it was fun to see the place where it all happens!
14. Do a Maple Syrup Tasting
Vermont is home to some of the best maple syrup (I’m biased, but I think it’s the best), and it’s one of the unique processes known as Maple sugaring. While the actual process of gathering syrup from the trees happens in the spring, you can still enjoy the maple syrup in the fall by visiting one of the maple syrup farms.
- Nebraska Knowl Sugar Farm: A self-guided tour is offered during all open hours (Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm). Peruse photos and displays in the evaporator room, where we boil the sap. The retail room features maple products for sale, tasting samples, and a display of photos and artifacts. The fall foliage seasonal opening is from September 20th to October 20th.
- Wykoff Family Maple: This is a Certified Organic family maple sugaring operation just a mile from Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort. In their tasting room, they offer tastings of some of their unique and fun maple syrup flavors. Check before visiting, as they are often closed!
I hope these fun things to do in Stowe, Vermont in the fall have given you plenty of ideas for your trip. I loved visiting Vermont in the fall and I’m sure you will too!
I always wanted to go on an autumn foliage viewing trip and Vermont looks perfect for this. It’s a bit of a trip (European here) but a real dream, especially when maybe visiting one of the nearby cities? Only visited New York City and Philadelphia on the East Coast, so would love to see more of the Eastern USA.
Definitely easy to combine with Boston, New York, and Philadelphia into a big trip! Lots of cool cities and beautiful places here on the East Coast.
The only thing that beats those beautiful fall colours are spring colours – though Ben and Jerry’s ice cream trumps them both!
Ice cream is a perfect treat year round! HA
Thanks for the hiking trail maps! Which hiking trails offer the most stunning views of Stowe’s autumn landscape, and what is the difficulty level of each?
Each of the hikes listed links to all the trail details. I’d recommend the first one for something easy with a great view!
A maple syrup tasting sounds like just my thing to do. I might have to do that this fall before checking out one of the breweries!
So many great maple farms in Vermont. A tasting is really fun because each one does taste different!
I would love to visit Vermont and Stowe. I can’t believe that over 70% of Vermont is forest, that is awesome. And I must try Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream one day.
Ben & Jerry’s is definitely worth a try! Yes, Vermont is a really beautiful state year round, but especially in the fall.
Stowe sounds so pretty. As a Canadian we love our maple syrup and I would love to compare Vermont’s to Quebec’s ( I am biased too 😂)
Perfect excuse to taste test some and try out the differences. It’s cool how maple syrup is different regionally!