Summer Trip to Stowe, VT

[hammer]

I have a 3-day trip to Stowe, VT planned with my family...does anyone have advice on things that I should make sure I do while I'm there?

Thanks...

 

[Angus]

bring your bikes - depending upon the ages of children hike mansfield - did that a few years back and it was very pretty - went up thru the ski area, by the snow stake, then onto what I assume was the long trail and then back down north of the ski area.

 

[noski]

I have a 3-day trip to Stowe, VT planned with my family...does anyone have advice on things that I should make sure I do while I'm there?

Thanks...

Take the 35 minute ride to the MRV, swim in the river, check out Sugarbush Lincoln Peak, progress, ask to meet Win, catch some Vermont Festival of the Arts events, pick up a visitor's guide, stop at B&J on the way back thru to Stowe. Book a trip to the Valley for next year and I can help you alot more!

 

[nelsapbm]

Stowe has some great recreation opportunities:

Stowe Recreation Path - a great 5.5 mile recreation path that runs from the white church in Stowe up to Top Notch. Walk it, bike it, or blade it. It's a definate must.

Mount Mansfield - As previously mentioned, take a hike up Mansfield. Or drive up the toll road. Or take the gondola and then hike the rest of the way. Be sure to pick a nice day.

Smugglers Notch - Definately drive through Smuggler's Notch. The kids will love it. Continue on 108 all the way to Jeffersonville and Route 15 (stop by Smugg's Ski Area to check it out). Take Route 15 east. In Johnson, stop at the Woolen Mill and pick out some red flannel (LOL). Seriously though, that place is a Vermont institution. When you get to Morrisville, take 100 south back to Stowe. You can stop off at Moss Glens Falls off Randolph Road.

Vermont Ski Museum - A definate must.

The usuals - Like every tourist that comes to Vermont, visit the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, and also the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center.

 

[andyzee]

Yeah Mansfield is nice. I drove up Toll road last year. Nice looking down the trails when there is no snow. Also, standing on the peak was cool. On the very peak it was very windy, a constant 30-40 mph wind, if you walked 20 feet from the peak, no wind.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

A short hike to the much more impressive Moss Glen Falls about 15 min north of Stowe is a great suggestion.

 

[riverc0il]

the notch is quite something, check it out.

 

[awf170]

Smugglers notch has some awesome bouldering. Can't wait to get back, some of the best in New England. I have nothing more to add, except this picture of me and someone else up in the notch.

 

[Marc]

Holy crap Austin, you're an animal!

I've fallen just climbing stairs before.




My parents took my sister and me on many vacations to Stowe. Five at least. We usually stayed at the Innsbruck Inn at the end of the bike path. The path is well maintained and has some beautiful scenery. Drive through the notch, hike Mansfield if there's time.

On the other side of the Notch there's a little restaurant that's great for lunch. Shady Glen? Something like that. Best birch beer and BLT I ever had.

There's some neat shops to poke around in down town in Stowe and I'd recommend the 50's theme restaraunt too, can't remember the name but the food was good.

 

[thetrailboss]

Hiking, hiking, hiking.

Mansfield via Sunset Ridge.
Camel's Hump.
Worcester Mountain.

Maybe a gondi ride as well.

 

[skibum1321]

If you are looking for mountain biking, go to one of the bike shops and ask about some local trails. Stowe has a lot of good stuff but there aren't many public maps.

Hike Mansfield out of the Notch - Hellbrook is the most challenging, Long Trail is also a nice way up.

Hike Sterling - Sterling Pond is a short 1 mile hike. There is also the LT up there.

Go to the Shed - Have dinner and get a glass of the mountain ale (one of my favorite beers)

 

[hammer]

Thanks for all of the good tips...

I was only there for two overnights so I managed to do the following:

• Ben and Jerry's Tour: Had to do it but it was no big deal, and what's with over $2 for such a small scoop of ice cream? :???:
• Bike Path: Well worth the trouble of bringing the bikes, managed to do in the AM before the heat and crowds built up :smile::smile:
• Mt. Mansfield Toll Road: Decided to do this instead of the Gondola Ride since the Gondola tickets were $18 for each person over 12 and the toll road was just $20. When we got to the top, I briefly talked to a dad that was taking his kids back down the toll road because they were on their hands and knees climbing the Cliff Trail from the Gondola to the ridge :-o. Only regret is that we didn't have more time (and gear/food/water) to do more hiking along the Long Trail at the top.
• Alpine Slides: Had to do for the kids, and I didn't mind the ride down...the lift ride was slow and hot, though... :smile:
• Moss Glen Falls: Well worth the detour
• Cabot Creamery Tour: Better than Ben and Jerry's :smile: