Overview
Stowe is a four-season resort town of 4,400 people (2014) in north-central Vermont at the base of Mount Mansfield—Vermont's highest peak. It is home to Stowe Mountain Ski Resort. It is 10 miles north of Waterbury along Highway 100.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 11 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Stowe
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
The exhibits change regularly.
Trapp Family Lodge
Made famous by "The Sound of Music" and still owned and operated by descendants of the beloved musical's real-life von Trapp family, this is a must-see when visiting Stowe, not least for one of the area's most-scenic vie…
Stowe Mountain Resort
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 7°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Montpelier)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BTV Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, Burlington — 23 mi away. Directions
- PBG Plattsburgh International Airport, Plattsburgh — 41 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 131 mi away (major hub). Directions
Stowe is found at the Junction of Vermont Routes 108 and 100. Access is 10 miles North on Rte 100 from Exit 10 on Interstate 89. The closest major airport is Burlington (BTV) about 40 minutes away. Stowe is about 2 hours from Montreal, 3 hours from Boston and 6 hours from New York City.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $89–$299 a night (typical $210), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$280, comfortable ~$460.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, Trapp Family Lodge
- Lunch The Ten Acres Bistro
- Afternoon Stowe Mountain Resort
- Dinner The Partridge Inn
- Evening The Rusty Nail
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Stowe is famous for its many fine restaurants.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Stowe is found at the Junction of Vermont Routes 108 and 100. Access is 10 miles North on Rte 100 from Exit 10 on Interstate 89. The closest major airport is Burlington (BTV) about 40 minutes away. Stowe is about 2 hours from Montreal, 3 hours from Boston and 6 hours from New York City.
By train
- Route stopping at Waterbury:
- Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.
Get around
Most of the activity in Stowe is centered in the historic Village and along the Mountain Road (Route 108) that extends from the Village about 5 miles to the ski area. It is easy to get around, and in the winter there is a free shuttle that runs frequently between the Village and the Mountain.
See
- Nearby, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Cabot Cheese Outlet and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill are on many people's lists of favorite stops. Stowe has many photo opportunities: covered bridges, hiking trails, a river winding through town, mountains and of course brilliant fall foliage.
See Trapp Family Lodge
Made famous by "The Sound of Music" and still owned and operated by descendants of the beloved musical's real-life von Trapp family, this is a must-see when visiting Stowe, not least for one of the area's most-scenic views. In the winter, the public can enjoy cross-country skiing. In summer, concerts in the Trapp Family Meadow are popular with visitors and locals. Inside, the sprawling lodge is decorated with vintage memorabilia from the family's singing career (though little from the Broadway musical and smash-hit film that made them internationally famous, which the von Trapps felt unfairly portrayed their beloved patriarch as a cold disciplinarian).
Do
Summer activities include hiking, golf, tennis, fishing, biking (both mountain and road biking), 5 Mile Recreation Path, canoe river tours, antiquing, horseback riding, shopping, back road touring, gondola ride and toll road up Mt. Mansfield, factory Tours at Ben & Jerry's.
Winter activities include downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and several nice spas.
Ski
Stowe is considered by many to be the Ski Capital of the East.
Buy
There are lots of unique shops in Stowe; there are no chains or outlets in Stowe which is part of its charm. The retail shops are mixed in with restaurants, coffee houses, inns, offices and homes. Many of the buildings are old and interesting just to walk through.
There are no big parking lots, so you won't be trying to remember which row and section your car is in. Retail shopping is on both sides of Main Street which is also known as Route 100. More shops are spread out along the Mountain Road, or Route 108. Mountain Road forms a "T" with Main Street.
Shop Vermont Heritage Gifts & Crafts
Shop Shaw's General Store
Shop Harvest Market
Shop Mountain Cheese and Wine
Eat
Stowe is famous for its many fine restaurants.
Eat Blue Moon Cafe
For that romantic night out.
Eat McCarthy's
Popular local lunch & breakfast spot.
Eat Colonial Cafe
Great breakfasts.
Drink
Drink Stowe Cider
Cider brewery with food and indoor and outdoor seating options. Frequently featuring live music.
Drink Shed Restaurant & Brewery
Microbrewery
Drink Alchemist Pub & Brewery
Very good beer, is no longer available at the brew pub, but can be bought at local beverage stores (listed on their web site). They are located in Waterbury from the Stowe exit on the Interstate. They also have an excellent selection of single malt Scotch.
Sleep
Stay Deer Hollow
19th-century hilltop country farmhouse with 3 bedrooms/2 baths. Fireplace, views, fully equipped (self-catering), flexible arrivals and departures.
Stay Timberholm Inn Bed and Breakfast
Rustic New England style B&B. Ten guest rooms with private baths (2 suites).
Go next
- Short drive to Burlington and Lake Champlain.
- Short drive to Barre Granite Quarries.
Nearby
Morrisville
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
Bolton Valley
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Johnson
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
Jeffersonville
City / town · 19 listings · 14 mi away
Montpelier
City / town · 39 listings · 15 mi away
Richmond
City / town · 8 listings · 16 mi away
Jericho
City / town · 25 listings · 16 mi away
Waitsfield
City / town · 16 listings · 20 mi away
My experience
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