Hello! Stowe is one of the most beautiful towns in Vermont, and is especially famous for its skiing. However, Stowe is also beautiful in the summer, and I highly recommend visiting the quaint town! There are so many wonderful outdoor activities, and it’s a great place to relax and disconnect from work and a busy schedule. Keep reading for my recommendations on how to spend 24 hours in Stowe, Vermont!
Sleep
Below are two of my favorite hotels in Stowe! However, there are so many options to choose from. Click here to explore more hotel options in the area.
Trapp Family Lodge
For this trip to Stowe I stayed at the Trapp Family Lodge. The Trapp Family, from the Sound of Music, immigrated to Vermont after escaping World War II. They then built the beautiful Trapp Family Lodge that, in their words, is “A Little of Austria…A Lot of Vermont.” This is definitely accurate! The lodge is a great place to stay and enjoy nature, and it definitely is reminiscent of a European vacation, all within Vermont.
When we visited in June and the lodge was almost empty! Click here for rates and to book your room.
For more information, check out my review of the Trapp Family Lodge!
Topnotch Resort
For a more modern hotel with a luxurious spa I recommend checking out Topnotch Resort. I stayed at Topnotch a few years ago and really enjoyed the hotel. Click here for rates and to book!
Eat
Breakfast/Coffee
PK Coffee
Located in between the Trapp Family Lodge and Stowe town, PK Coffee is a great place to stop for coffee and a pastry before a full day of exploring. I highly recommend their cold brew!
Butler’s Pantry
Located at the Butler House in the center of Stowe is Butler’s Pantry, a yummy breakfast restaurant! We sat outside on a Saturday and we really enjoyed our breakfast. I highly recommend both the pancakes and the açaí bowl – they were both so good.
outdoor seating 
huge açaí bowl!
Lunch
Cafe on Main
Most restaurants were closed for dine-in lunch during our trip, but we were able to order sandwiches and sit outside at Cafe on Main. They have a good sandwich and soup menu (+ vegetarian options), and you can eat outside in the center of Stowe.
cafe on main interior 
outdoor seating 
veggie burger
Drinks/Snacks
Stowe Public House & Bottle Shop
Stowe Public House is super cute, and it’s a great place to sit outside and have a beer and people watch. They have a great selection of beers, and their location in the center of Stowe is perfect for an afternoon visit.
Dinner
Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall
The Von Trapp Brewery is beautiful and modern (yet rustic), and located on top of a hill with great views! You can sit inside or outside, and enjoy yummy beer and food options. This is a great place to visit with friends, there’s plenty of space and the atmosphere is fun!
beer flight $8
brewery interior
veggie kabobs $19 
mushroom stroganoff $18
Ice Cream
Stowe Sweets
Located in the center of Stowe, Stowe Sweets is an adorable place to grab some yummy ice cream. I recommend the black raspberry + vanilla soft serve twist, it’s so good!
black raspberry + vanilla soft serve twist
Activities
Stowe is filled with tons of fun activities year round! 24 hours in Stowe, Vermont is definitely enough time to do many of these fun and unique activities.
Drive through Smugglers Notch Pass
Smugglers Notch Pass is so beautiful, and it is truly a lovely drive! Beware, it is very steep and windy. This road is closed in the winter, and in the summer I recommend taking a small car for the drive, as meeting other cars on the twists and turns isn’t super fun. The road is 4.5 miles, and you will get absolutely stunning views. There are also tons of areas to stop for a picnic or a hike – which I highly recommend!
picnic/hiking area
Play Mini Golf
If you’re in the mood for some mini golf of bowling, check out Stowe Golf Park. This is such a fun afternoon activity, if it’s not too hot outside! I think mini golf is perfect for all ages, and I had a blast!
Unfortunately, we got rained out half way through the game, so I didn’t get any good photos – but check out the Stowe Golf Park instagram!
Shopping
Stowe has lots of quaint shops throughout its downtown area, you’ll definitely find something that catches your eye!
Visit Farm Animals
Even if you aren’t staying at the Trapp Family Lodge, if you drive through their estate you’ll likely see adorable cows and sheep. During the summer, the animals are mostly out at sundown when it’s cooler. The Lodge even offers “Meet the Cows” tours that are open to the public for $10. Check out their schedule of tours and activities here for the “Meet the Cows” tour time.
Visit Breweries – take a tour!
There are some great breweries in Stowe, and many offer tours! Unfortunately, when we visited, slightly post COVID-19 quarantine, tours weren’t being offered. However, most of the breweries were either open with outdoor seating, or offered drive through service. We ordered to-go beer though the Alchemist, and we hope to return in the future to take a tour of the brewery!
In addition to the Alchemist and the Von Trapp Brewery, I also recommend checking out Stowe Cider! Their cider is my fave!
drive through pick up at the Alchemist 
The Alchemist Brewery
For more activity recommendations check out: The 10 Best Things to do in Stowe!
Thanks so much for reading my recommendations for how to spend 24 hours in Stowe, Vermont! There is so much to do and see in Stowe, that one day definitely isn’t enough! If you can, I highly recommend taking a full weekend trip to this adorable town. In the winter I recommend staying even a little longer, the skiing is supposed to be great!
Thanks so much for reading!! I hope you have a great time in Stowe. For more ideas of how to spend your time in Vermont click here!
♡Kate
Note: This post includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
Your photos are so beautiful! It has been so long since I’ve been to Stowe, I’d love to go back!
Vermont is such an awesome state! Thanks for the great one day guide.
Your photos are just so pretty! I’d love to visit Vermont one day *w*
It’s so lovely out there! We’d love to go hiking, and eat some ice cream…the food looks really good, esp. the veggie kabobs.
What a lovely town! Vermont is just beautiful. When we’re back to traveling we definitely are going to make time to visit and make sure to spend some time in Stowe! The restaurants and the natural scenery are just gorgeous. Loved your photos and details. Thanks for sharing!
I had no clue the Trapp Family opened a lodge in Vermont! I would LOVE to visit there one day. I have not been to Vermont yet so looks like a great place to explore one day 🙂
I’ve never been to Vermont before but now I’m interested to go. Great post!
I just spent 6 weeks in Stowe and visited many of the places you wrote about. It is a lovely place. And like you, I wrote about our amazing time there, hoping it inspires others to go! Hope our combined posts get people there to help the town and the economy of this idyllic spot!
How fun, that sounds amazing! While in Stowe did you visit any other VT towns? We’re from the NEK, up by the Canadian border, and it’s definitely our favorite place in the state!