If you are planning a Fall foliage road trip to Vermont, you must add Stowe to your itinerary. This charming mountain town is one of the best places to experience the intense Fall foliage in New England. With vibrant foliage and a plethora of fun, quintessential New England activities, Fall in Stowe, Vermont, is an unparalleled experience.
Picture stunning scenic drives, epic viewpoints over the treeline, relaxing Fall strolls, and the charming Stowe village full of autumnal decor. While Stowe is a year-round destination, and many of these activities can be done no matter the season, there is something about visiting Stowe, Vermont, in Fall that makes it even more worthwhile.
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Stowe Vermont Fall Foliage- When is Peak Fall Foliage in Stowe?
Peak fall foliage in Stowe typically lands from the last week of September to early October. However, it can vary depending on the year. The Vermont Foliage Forecaster is an excellent tool to estimate when you’ll find the best colors in Stowe.
If you plan on visiting the second or third week of October, you should see some great foliage. Looking at the peak for the prior year can usually help you determine the best time to visit.
Things to do in Stowe, Vermont in Fall
Aside from simply gawking at the stunning Fall foliage (seriously, it is insane!), there are some things that you absolutely must-do if you are visiting Stowe in Fall. In addition to the best things to do in Stowe, Vermont, in Fall, this list also includes some of the best spots to see Fall foliage in Stowe.
Drive Smuggler’s Notch
The number one thing to do in Stowe in Fall is driving Smuggler’s Notch. Smuggler’s Notch is a scenic road that runs from Jeffersonville to Stowe. This stretch of Route 108 is one of the most scenic drives in Vermont. Smuggler’s Notch is a winding, tree-lined road and is one of the best ways to see the Fall foliage in Stowe, VT. There are plenty of places to pull over to take in the view and hiking trails off the road.
Keep in mind that Smuggler’s Notch is one of the most popular places to see Fall foliage in Vermont. Try to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds.
READ MORE: Driving Smuggler’s Notch in Fall
Ride the Stowe Gondola SkyRide
The Stowe Gondola SkyRide is a fun and scenic way to reach the top of Mount Mansfield, which is the highest mountain in Vermont. The gondola takes you up the mountain and offers stunning views the entire ride. The gondola provides a birds-eye view, where you can truly appreciate the vibrant fall foliage. You can look out from the windows of the gondola during the ride for a unique vantage point. And once you reach the top of Mount Mansfield, you are rewarded with sweeping views that are not obscured by the gondola.
While the price point may seem a little steep, at $32 per person, the Stowe Gondola SkyRide is well worth it. This experience was hands down the highlight of my trip to Vermont.
Price: $32 for adults, $24 for kids
Family Pack: $102 for two adults and two kids
Address: 7416 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
READ MORE: Riding the Stowe Gondola SkyRide
Take the Iconic Photo of Stowe Church
If you are a photog, you must check out the iconic viewpoint of Stowe Church. This is perhaps one of the most picturesque spots in all of Vermont, and the foliage makes it even more stunning. This viewpoint can be found from the parking lot of SalonSalon, which has a designated parking lot for those wishing to see the view.
I recommend catching the sunset from this viewpoint. The warm glow of sunset creates an enchanting effect on the church and intensifies the red and orange hues of the trees.
See the Fall Decor Around Stowe Village
The Village of Stowe Historic District is charming and worth spending some time in. This is a great place to shop and grab a bite to eat between activities in Stowe. And the boutique shops, restaurants, and Inns located in the Village of Stowe pull out all the stops in Autumn. Many storefronts are decorated with autumnal decorations, making wandering through town even more enjoyable.
Grab a maple latte from Black Cap Espresso and meander down Main Street to pop into the various shops and see all the Fall decor.
Walk the Stowe Recreational Path
Walking or biking the Stowe Recreation Path is a relaxing way to enjoy the fall foliage. The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.3-mile paved path. There are various parking areas along the trail, so you can choose where you’d like to hop on the trail. Yet, the best spot to park is near Brookdale Covered Bridge, a red-covered bridge just beckoning to be photographed. Covered bridges are such a quintessential structure in Vermont, and this particular red-covered bridge looks great with the backdrop of the Fall foliage of Stowe.
Hike to Moss Glen Falls
Moss Glen Falls Trail is a lovely hike while visiting Stowe in the Fall. The Moss Glen Falls hike is relatively easy yet incredibly scenic. The waterfall sits only ¼ mile from the parking area and is the hike’s highlight. There is a spot overlooking Moss Glen Falls, which is perfectly nestled amongst the trees. While the trail continues, you will want to turn around after the waterfall, as you have more incredible Fall spots in Stowe, VT, to see.
While you are most likely on this trail to see the tallest waterfall in Vermont, Moss Glen Falls, the trail to get there is lovely. You follow along a small boardwalk surrounded by trees and wetlands. It is a dreamy walk with the Fall colors.
Get Apple Cider Donuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill
One of the best Fall activities in Stowe, Vermont, is getting apple cider and the famous cider donuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill. This popular cider mill is located just 10-minutes outside Stowe and is a must-visit on any Vermont Fall road trip. Cold Hollow Cider Mill has been in the business of making cider donuts for over 25 years, and Fall is its busiest time. During the Fall, Cold Hollow makes 800 donuts per day. The donuts are so good; I could have personally eaten ten.
Expect lines to purchase your donuts, but it is worth the wait! While you’re here, be sure to browse the gift shop and even sample the hard cider.
TRAVEL TIP: Get yourself more than one donut! The donuts at Cold Hallow are light and not overly sweet; you will want more than one. The line can get really long, so you don’t want to regret don’t buying enough donuts if you don’t have time to wait in line a second time.
Complete the Percy Farm Corn Maze
For another fun-filled Fall activity in Stowe, head to Percy Farm Corn Maze. This corn maze can be accessed from the Stowe Recreation Path and is a fun seasonal activity. While this is certainly not the largest corn maze in Vermont (that can be found in Dansville, VT), the Percy Farm Corn Maze is not for the faint of heart. The maze takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete, depending on your skill and determination.
Stop by Grand View Farm
Grand View Farm is a unique red barn that is a great photo opportunity in Stowe. There’s just something that says “road trip to Vermont” like finding cute barns along the side of the road. As this is a quick pull-off, I recommend visiting Grand View Farm on the way to or from Cold Hollow Cider Mill. It’s just 7-minutes out of the way.
Visit a Spooky-Looking Pumpkin Patch
Be sure to visit this spooky-looking pumpkin patch in Stowe. After countless research, we could not find an official name for this pumpkin patch, yet it is located directly across the street from Shaw’s (the grocery store). The pumpkin patch is located in front of what appears to be an abandoned building, which makes a fun Halloween-esque backdrop.
Tips for Spending Fall in Stowe VT
Book Accommodations in Advance
Stowe is one of the most popular destinations to visit in New England during the Fall. With that being said, you need to book accommodations in advance. There is a short window for peak foliage, meaning that everyone will simultaneously flock to the region. We booked our hotel about two months out and were lucky to find something at a reasonable rate.
Expect Crowds
Crowds are to be expected when visiting Stowe, VT, in Fall. I never found anywhere to be overcrowded, but there were always other people around at all the spots we visited. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, you may consider finding a lesser-known destination to see Fall foliage.
Start your Day Early
While Stowe is an extremely popular destination, like anywhere, waking up early means you can get ahead of the crowds. Visit the more popular places earlier in the day (such as Smuggler’s Notch and Cold Hollow Cider Mill) and keep the lesser-known places for the afternoon.
Plan for Morning Fog
No matter how clear the weather report is, fog will likely hang over Stowe in the early morning. So while I suggest getting an early start, it took approximately two hours after sunrise for the fog to fully lift both mornings we were in Stowe in October. Consider having breakfast during the foggy time, rather than sleeping in, so you can head out sightseeing as soon as the fog lifts.
Where to Stay in Stowe, Vermont in Fall
Here are a few of my top recommendations for where to stay in Stowe, Vermont. Remember that accommodations are likely to sell out during October. If you are already planning your trip, that means everyone is starting to plan their trips. Book ASAP to ensure you have a good place to stay.
Tälta Lodge Bluebird
We stayed at the Tälta Lodge, a reasonably priced hotel with Scandinavian design elements. This hotel was in the perfect location and had some wonderful amenities that made for a relaxing stay, including an indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the view and a sauna.
Trapp Family Lodge
The Trapp Family Lodge is an alpine-stye mountain resort with incredible amenities and a unique appeal. This property is owned and operated by the von Trapp family (like the von Trapp as in The Sound of Music). The views from the property are incredible, and there are hiking trails and even a brewery on site. The Trapp Family Lodge is the type of property you want to spend ample time at.
Green Mountain Inn
This charming, historic inn is located in the Village of Stowe and is a great spot to stay, especially if you’re the type who likes to wake up and have a town to walk around. In addition to standard guest rooms, the Green Mountain Inn even has apartments and townhouses available to book.
Fall in Stowe, Vermont: Wrap-up
Visiting Stowe in the Fall should be on everyone’s bucket list. This mountain town is truly one of the best places to experience Fall foliage in the United States. The foliage is incredible, the village of Stowe is quaint, and there are plenty of great things to do. Stowe is a great destination to add to a Vermont Fall road trip, but it is also perfect for a weekend getaway on its own.
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Neatt blog! Is your thewme custom made oor did yyou download itt frim somewhere?
A design like yours witrh a few simple adjuatements would really make my log stsnd
out. Please lett me know where yyou got your design. With thanks