Stowe in 5 days

Vermont's ski town with a leaf-peeping alter ego Best time to visit: Late September-mid October and January-March. Average daily budget: $180 to $300.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Stowe Village, The Main Street core - Community Church steeple, independent shops and the best restaurants.

Morning: Stowe Recreation Path. A 5.3-mile paved path along the West Branch river, beautiful on foot, bike or cross-country skis.

Afternoon: Explore Stowe Village, The Main Street core - Community Church steeple, independent shops and the best restaurants.

Evening: Smugglers' Notch. A narrow pass of boulders and cliffs north of town, stunning to drive and closed all winter.

Eat: Maple everything - syrup, creemees, candy

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Mountain Road, The five-mile strip toward the resort, lined with inns, taprooms and gear shops.

Morning: Mount Mansfield. Gondola, toll road or hike to Vermont's highest point, with views to the Adirondacks and Montreal.

Afternoon: Explore Mountain Road, The five-mile strip toward the resort, lined with inns, taprooms and gear shops.

Evening: Ben & Jerry's factory tour. Half an hour away in Waterbury, including the flavour graveyard.

Eat: Vermont cheddar and charcuterie boards

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Stowe Mountain Resort, Base area for lifts, the gondola and summer hiking to Mansfield's ridge.

Morning: Ski or ride Stowe. Over 100 trails split across Mansfield and Spruce Peak, with legitimately steep terrain.

Afternoon: Explore Stowe Mountain Resort, Base area for lifts, the gondola and summer hiking to Mansfield's ridge.

Evening: Bingham Falls, a short steep scramble off the Notch road to a hidden gorge.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Craft beer, including Heady Topper from the Alchemist

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Waterbury, Fifteen minutes south - Ben & Jerry's factory, Alchemist brewery and the Amtrak stop.

Morning: Trapp Family Lodge's Austrian-style bierhall and Nordic trails.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Waterbury, Fifteen minutes south - Ben & Jerry's factory, Alchemist brewery and the Amtrak stop.

Evening: Moss Glen Falls - 125 feet, ten minutes from a small pull-off.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Apple cider doughnuts in autumn

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Stowe Village, The Main Street core - Community Church steeple, independent shops and the best restaurants.

Morning: Cider and cheese tastings along the Vermont Cheese Trail nearby.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Stowe Village, The Main Street core - Community Church steeple, independent shops and the best restaurants.

Evening: Dinner at Farm-to-table dinners in the village, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Stowe Village.

Eat: Farm-to-table dinners in the village

Hidden gems

Bingham Falls, a short steep scramble off the Notch road to a hidden gorge.
Trapp Family Lodge's Austrian-style bierhall and Nordic trails.
Moss Glen Falls - 125 feet, ten minutes from a small pull-off.
Cider and cheese tastings along the Vermont Cheese Trail nearby.

Getting around

A car is essential; Stowe is 45 minutes from Burlington airport and a 3.5-hour drive from Boston. Amtrak reaches Waterbury. A free seasonal shuttle runs Mountain Road in winter, which beats resort parking.

Safety

Very safe. Winter driving needs snow tyres and patience on Mountain Road. In autumn the hiking trails are busy but exposed ridges get cold fast - carry a layer. Ticks are present in summer grass.

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