15 Cool Things to do in Stowe Vermont in the Fall

Do you love the changing of the seasons? One of my favorites is the brilliant color changes in New England. If you’re planning a trip to the northeast, check out this list of cool things to do in Stove Vermont in the fall.

Seasons…those subtle changes in weather, light, and life that signal the turning of the page to a new adventure. Fall leaves, winter snowflakes, spring blossoms, and summer fireflies, each shout of the arrival of transitions, the never-ending cycle of growth and new life.

Growing up along the lake in northern Ohio brought crisp changes in the seasons. The first barefoot day in spring when the ground was still cool and damp under my feet, the stifling humidity in August when only a dip in Lake Erie could provide refreshment, a rainbow of changing fall leaves in October or watching from my classroom window as those first magical snowflakes fell on the playground outside in December.

No matter where I live, I’m always on the lookout in September, October, and November for those sweet reminders of fall. Hot apple cider, caramel apples, children jumping into piles of leaves, cider donuts, and the crimson red, golden yellow, and rusty orange fall leaves taking their last breath before winter. Stowe Vermont gives you all those warm, fuzzy experiences.

Why I Love Fall Leaves

I spent my youth in the beautiful four seasons of Ohio, then my family moved to Arizona in my teens. I’ve spent many years in the Phoenix area, and my heart always aches for each hint of a change in the seasons, and that turning of the page. The lack of much in the way of visible changes of seasons in the Arizona desert made me miss that crisp autumn air and fall leaves most of all.

Thankfully, our family usually found a way to get out of town to “find fall” even if it was only for one day. One of the places that Terry and I went to enjoy autumn was New England. We visited several times, and one of my favorite places was Vermont! Here are some of the cool things to do in Stowe Vermont in the fall.

Recently, when we were living on the East Coast, we had a chance to visit several New England states in the fall. We visited Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts. I still have a lot of catching up to do in writing about these amazing destinations.

The photo at the top was taken in Maine several years ago. These others were taken on our trip to Stowe, Vermont. It was late September, the fall leaves were every shade you could imagine, and they hadn’t even peaked yet. These images don’t do them justice.

We found some wonderful local products and fun things to do in Stowe Vermont in the fall. Here are just a few.

Enjoy Fall Leaves in Stowe, Vermont

The small town of Stowe sits at the base of Vermont’s highest peak, which makes it perfect for leaf-peeping from September through October, depending on what elevation you happen to be at. Since peak leaf viewing varies each year, you can find details about the current fall foliage colors at this Vermont Fall Foliage Forecaster.

Since the town is surrounded by trees and forests, you’ll likely see fall colors just by looking out your window or stepping outside. You can also take a walk, ride a bike, hop in the car, ride a ski lift gondola. TripAdvisor offers some excellent small group tours or self-driving tours in the area.

Get a Birdseye View on the Stowe Gondola SkyRide

Are you looking for a way to get above the trees on the highest mountain in Vermont? You can see the blanket of fall foliage from the sky on the Stowe Gondola SkyRide just outside of town. It’s the perfect thing to do for relaxing leaf-peeping. Individual tickets for adults and children are available online and in person. Family packs are also available at a discount.

Buy Treats at the Stowe Farmer’s Market

Every Sunday from mid-May to mid-October, you’re in for a real treat! If you’re in town on Sunday, visit the Stowe Vermont Farmer’s Market to pick up local treats and souvenirs. We found fresh-baked bread, Bluebard [a combination of blueberry and rhubarb] jam, fresh-picked greens, delicious Vermont cheese spread, pickles, and fresh-pressed apple cider on our trip to the farmer’s market. My favorite find was the apple cider Caramel Sauce from “It’s Arthur’s Fault”. It was amazing! This picture makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

They also had hot, fresh donuts and pastries, live music, made-to-order crepes and pizza, unique jewelry, pickled eggs, clothing, crafts, cheeses, produce, and so much more. The items change sometimes, so check it out to see what’s available when you’re there.

If you’re not there on a Sunday, you can also visit Shaw’s grocery store. They stock many local items, like sauces, maple syrup, wines and cheeses.

Wander the Downtown Shops in Stowe

One of the more popular things to do in Stowe Vermont in the fall is to wander the fun shops downtown. You’ll find all kinds of great artisan-made goods to take home for gifts for the upcoming holidays. Locally made cutting boards, foods, fun flannel pajamas, and everything you’ll need to feel cozy and warm while you’re in the area.

Grab a Brew and a Meal at Doc Ponds

This casual local spot serves an excellent assortment of craft beer and cider from Vermont and nearby states. They serve wine and mixed drinks, too. Their food menu also has a good variety to choose from. You can find smoked peanuts, wings, and calamari. Or try the Doc Burger, daily wild-caught fish, or steak. Top it off with a root beer float, daily pie special, or creamy milkshake.

While you’re there, check out their creative and quirky Doc Ponds merch. They often have fall-themed items that make perfect souvenirs for your trip.

The Best Scenic Drives near Stowe VT

Smuggler’s Notch – Vermont Route 108

My favorite scenic drive is just north of Stowe, Vermont. It’s the short 13-mile winding road through Smuggler’s Notch. You’ll drive under a canopy of trees in a riot of colors and sometimes between massive boulders and sheer rock cliffs in this magical place. The road is closed in the winter, so always double-check to make sure it’s open.

If you have a large/long vehicle or are pulling a trailer, you’ll want to avoid this section of the highway, though. It’s for your own safety and that of others on the road. There are several extremely tight turns between huge boulders and trees, so navigating the road with a long vehicle is pretty much impossible. This section is a one-lane, curving road with turnouts. It’s a spectacular drive for standard vehicles, though!

Here’s how AAA describes it: 12.9 miles: 23 minutes
“Seasonal route: The road is subject to closure in winter. The popular resort town of Stowe, VT gives way to a stunning drive up Mount Mansfield—the highest mountain in Vermont—offering unparalleled views of the countryside. Travel slowly along SR 108 on the steep pass through Smugglers’ Notch.”

Vermont State Law requires that single vehicles longer than 40 feet [12.2 meters], or vehicles with trailers that are greater than 45’ [13.7 meters] in length, are not allowed to drive through the Smuggler’s Notch segment of Vermont Route 108. Fines start at $1,000.00 and can increase to over $4,000 for a second offense. Independent contractors or employers will be fined (or the operator of the vehicle, if operating for personal reasons).

Other Vermont Scenic Drives for Fall

These scenic drives not far from Stowe Vermont will give you spectacular views. The Vermont map here shows several other scenic drives in Vermont that will fulfill your wanderlust and fall foliage dreams.

Explore Historic Covered Bridges in Vermont

Did you know that Vermont has 100 covered bridges? It’s adorable that they used to be known as “kissing bridges” because courting couples could sneak a kiss while passing through under the wooden canopies. If you’re looking for a fun scavenger hunt, check out this map of all the covered bridges in Vermont and see how many you can visit.

The historic Gold Brook Covered Bridge is the closest to Stowe and only 3 miles away. We spent an entire day driving around the area in search of these sometimes hidden gems. You can drive across some of the bridges. Others are blocked off for safety reasons, but you can usually walk through. The various types are architecture are quite interesting.

Take a Hike and Enjoy Nature in Stowe VT

If you haven’t seen my post, you may not know that October is one of my favorite months to travel. One of the reasons is because of the cooler temperatures that make hiking so much more fun. I even love the drizzly overcast days simply because I know I can enjoy the outdoors without being uncomfortably hot or cold. My husband says I have a three-degree comfort zone. LOL. When I’m outdoors, it’s probably somewhere between 65 and 68 F degrees.

When visiting Stowe, Vermont look for these destinations for some excellent things to do that include hiking and wandering in the woods.

• The Long Trail – The Long Trail in Stowe, Vermont, is a popular hiking route that offers scenic views and challenging terrain. It is part of the larger Long Trail, which is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States, completed in 1930. The trail runs along the spine of the Green Mountains and is maintained by the Green Mountain Club.
• Smuggler’s Notch State Park – Start at the Barnes Camp Visitor Center to find info on the hiking trails and events. Other activities in the notch include bouldering, ice climbing, cave exploring, and biking. Bingham Falls trail is only about a quarter mile, but leads to a beautiful waterfall.
• Moss Glen Falls Natural Area and Trail is just 4 miles or so outside of town and a gorgeous hike in the fall.

Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge Vermont

Just a short drive over Smugglers’ Notch Pass north of Stowe, in Cambridge, Vermont, is the family-owned Boyden Valley Winery. We spent one of our drizzly days there and brought home some treats.

Vermont Ice Maple Creme Liqueur has a similar taste and consistency as Bailey’s Irish Cream. It’s delicious over ice cream, or ice or added to coffee.

Glogg – we also picked up a bottle of this mulled spiced red wine made with a traditional Swedish recipe. A great wine for the holidays and winter. Glögg is a mulled spice wine that is great served warm in a mug.

More about our Boyden Valley Winery tour later.

Snowflake Chocolates in Jericho Vermont

Not far from Cambridge, in Jericho, Vermont we found the Snowflake Chocolate Factory Store. This shop, that was started in 1986, keeps three generations of the Pollack family busy. The chocolates are delicious and it’s fun to watch the team create their treats through the window that looks into the intimate production area. Each piece is handmade from family recipes in small batches, coated with the finest milk and dark chocolate.

See Cider and Donuts Made at Cold Hollow Cider Mill

If you want to see how cider donuts and apple cider are made, and then have a chance to taste them fresh, take a short drive to Cold Hollow Cider Mill in nearby Waterbury, VT. It’s also a fun place to find local foods, keepsakes, and souvenirs to take home from your trip. They sell sparkling cider in cans and bottles, maple syrup, hard cider, baked goods, specialty condiments, and many more fun foods and gift items. I always like to try local foods when I’m traveling. It helps to get a taste of the region that way.

Cool Places to Stay in Stowe Vermont

Which season is your favorite and what is it that you look forward to? Every season in Stowe has natural beauty and fun things to do depending on your interests. Here are some unique places to stay in the area on VRBO.

If you’d like to see more about our Fall travels, check out these autumn-related posts.

10 Best National Parks for Fall Colors

Best Places to Travel in October and Why It’s the Best Month