Activities in Stowe
Go to the Top of Mt. Mansfield
Whether you hike to the top or cheat and take a gondola or drive, enjoying the highest point in Vermont is one of the best things to do in Stowe in the off-season.
Besides countless hiking trails, the mountain is home to an Adventure Center—known for its zip-line course down the mountain—as well as the Cliff House Restaurant, the Gondola Skyride, biking trails, a visitor’s center, and more.
Take a plunge in a Swimming Hole
You’ll find the breathtaking Bingham Falls swimming hole along the Mill Trail, or near a parking lot located just a few minutes’ drive from Topnotch Resort.
The waterfall is part of Smugglers’ Notch State Park and can get crowded during the weekends and in nice weather. There are a few different rocks you can use to plunge into the chilly water—just use caution.
If you would rather a different type of bathing experience; finding a relaxing spa is one of the best things to do in Stowe. Most mountain lodges have their own spa, but you can typically purchase a day pass if you’re not a guest.
Contact these resorts for reservations: The Spa at Stoweflake, The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge, Golden Eagle Resort, Trapp Family Lodge, and Topnotch Spa.
Go on a Brewery Tour
Stowe has one of the best craft brewing scenes in New England, if not the entire Northeast.
From the cult favorite (and often sold out) Heady Topper by The Alchemist to the newly opened Von Trapp Bierhall, you could spend a day (or weekend) touring Stowe’s breweries. And that’s exactly what you can do with Rick Sokoloff’s 4 Points brewery tour—with groups of four or more you can customize your stops and leave the driving (and knowledge) up to him.
Set Up Tee Times
Please Contact Carol, the Topnotch concierge, at (802) 253-6497 and request tee times once its the new year. Please request in advance as Topnotch has limited access to Stowe Country Club, and Country Club of Vermont!
Shop for Vermont Specialties
Don’t let its size fool you. While Stowe’s Main Street is small, the town is packed with cafes, ice cream parlors, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. Shaw’s General Store is a must for mountain gear and souvenirs.
And don’t leave town without your Vermont staples; you’ll find plenty of maple syrup, farm-fresh cheese, and cider donuts here, too.
Embrace the Farm-to-Table Concept
With more than 7,000 farms in the state, you’d better take advantage of fresh food and meats while you’re in Stowe. Go full throttle at the local Sunday farmers’ market and bring home your own fresh goods. Or get hands-on and do your own maple sugaring at Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm.
Don’t worry: If you’re just looking for some locally sourced ingredients at dinner, there are plenty of farm-to-table restaurants in the area. Favorites include Flannel (At Topnotch Resort), Plate, and Edison Hill Inn‘s dining spaces (personal favorite).
You can also look for the Vermont Fresh Network logo on a restaurant’s website to ensure it uses local Vermont ingredients.