Weekend Itinerary for Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a popular ski destination in the state of Vermont – nicknamed the “Ski Capital of the East.” With two major mountains open for skiing in the area, Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, Stowe offers over seventy different slopes to ski down and explore – making it a great destination to visit again and again!
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How To Get To Stowe
While there is a private airport directly in Stowe (MVL – Morrisville-Stowe State Airport), the closest airport to Stowe that offers commercial flights is Burlington International Airport (BTV), which is probably your better bet. From there you will likely need to rent a car and drive about 50 minutes from the airport to the town of Stowe, as there are no direct public transit options.
Alternately, if you live anywhere on the East Coast, it might save you time to just drive directly. Stowe is accessible through major highways and all roads leading to the ski areas are paved with mild inclines – so they shouldn’t be much of a problem for the average car! Always safe to make sure you have four wheel drive in case it snows though 🙂
Where To Stay in Stowe
Given its popularity, Stowe offers a handful of ski resorts to choose from during your weekend trip. Our personal pick was the Green Mountain Inn, but some other popular stays are below!
- Luxury: The Lodge at Spruce Peak
- Popular Pick: The Green Mountain Inn
- Budget: The Stowe Motel and Snowdrift
Weekend Itinerary: Day One in Stowe
Stowe offers a great mix of active & cozy activities to curate a perfectly balanced weekend away – our recommendations of the best things to do while visiting are highlighted below!
1. Breakfast at Butler’s Pantry
Before any big ski day, it’s a good idea to build in some time to your day for a hearty breakfast so that you can fuel your body for the day ahead. For breakfast in Stowe we recommend stopping at the Butler’s Pantry!
This town staple is located right in the heart of downtown Stowe and is in easy walking distance from most central accommodations – even on a cold day!
The Butler’s Pantry is located at 128 Main Street A in Stowe and opens for breakfast at 8:00am on a first come first serve basis, so if you want an early start to your day it would be best to get there around opening to guarantee a table!
2. Stowe Mountain Resort
Once you’re fueled and ready, we recommend spending the bulk of your day at the Stowe Mountain Resort – as this is the main attraction of the area!
The main resort is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Stowe, and you are able to park your car right at the bottom of the slopes or across the street at The Lodge at Spruce Peak.
If you need to rent equipment for the day (skis, snowboards, safety equipment, etc.), there are rental services located at the base lodges of both the Mansfield and Spruce mountains. You are also able to reserve equipment in advance or have it delivered to your hotel if preferred as well!
One thing we do recommend booking in advance is your pass for the slopes. The Stowe Mountain Resort offers a day pass or seasonal pass for the lift. The day passes were sufficient for our visit but if you think you’ll be visiting often it might be worth getting the seasonal pass to save on multiple trips!
When you’re ready for a break from the snow, you can stop into the Whistle Pig Pavilion within the resort for some food and midday drinks. They are specifically known for their barbecue options and are located conveniently in the Village at Spruce Peak hub.
When you’re warm & recharged, you can get back out on the slopes! Given how many different trails are available at this resort, you might want to switch mountains for the afternoon to make sure you can see all of the scenic views the area has to offer!
3. The Alchemist Beer Cafe
When you’re done skiing for the day, you can make a pit stop at the Alchemist Beer Cafe for drinks, light food, or even a tour of their local brewery! They often offer live music and entertainment as well, so it’s a great stop on your way back to your hotel in Stowe if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere to hang out in!
The Alchemist Beer Cafe is open from 11:00am – 7:00pm daily, located at 100 Cottage Club Road.
4. Dinner at Cork Restaurant
After you’ve showered off the day and changed into some warm clothes, we recommend finishing up your day at the Cork Restaurant. This restaurant is known for its locally sourced food sources & seasonally curated menus – with offerings changing almost daily from the chef!
Also on site at the Cork Restaurant is the Cork Market & Candy Castle, offering natural wines, local produce, and Swedish candy – all of which could make great souvenirs or gifts to bring to those back home after your weekend getaway!
Weekend Itinerary: Day Two in Stowe
For your second day in Stowe, you can always run it back identically to your first day! But if you would like to mix it up a bit – try the following!
5. Breakfast at Café on Main
Another popular spot to get breakfast in Stowe to try some place new is the Café on Main! This breakfast cafe in downtown Stowe is most well known for its baked goods, but also offers a full breakfast menu from 7:30am – 10:45am daily!
Café on Main is located at 38 Main Street in Stowe, Vermont.
6. Stowe Mountain Resort (Part 2)
For the majority of your day we would again recommend heading back to the Stowe Mountain Resort to get as much snow time into your weekend as possible!
If you (or your body) starts to get maxed out on skiing or snowboarding, you can also spend a chunk of your time at the resort exploring the Village at Spruce Peak! This activity hub within the Spruce Peak ski mountain offers an ice rink, live entertainment, a handful of shops & boutiques, an inclusive spa, and food stops!
If you’re looking to get off of your feet altogether, you can also take the Stowe Gondola SkyRide up to the top lookout on Mount Mansfield. From here you can grab a table at the Cliff House on top of the mountain and sit down for a bit as you look over the snowy landscapes from above.
7. Von Trapp Brewing Company
When you’re done on the mountain, we recommend checking out some of the surrounding areas as opposed to driving directly back to Stowe on your second day. If you’re a fan of beer, the first stop you can check out is the Von Trapp Brewing Company outside of West Branch.
This brewery is known for its flavorful beers and scenic grounds, and is an easy 10 minute drive from the mountain at 1333 Luce Hill Road.
8. Cold Hollow Cider Mill
To make sure you get a taste of one of the state’s most popular goodies, you can next drive to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill for apple cider donuts! You can also pick up some Vermont maple syrup flavored goodies as well as a variety of gourmet edible gifts while you’re here as well!
The Cold Hollow Cider Mill is located at 3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road and is about a 15 minute drive from the Von Trapp Brewing Company.
9. Ben and Jerry’s Tour
Last but not least, you can cap off your weekend with a tour of the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury! While of course offering delicious ice cream cones, at this location you can also take a thirty minute guided tour of the ice cream factory and visit the Flavor Graveyard (where discontinued flavors lay to rest!).
This is the only Ben and Jerry’s location that is open for tours to the public, and can be found at 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road Route 100.
Let us know what your favorite thing to do while visiting Stowe is in the comments below!
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.
