Hello! Stowe, Vermont is such a beautiful place year round. Although it is most popular for its skiing in the winter, there are also tons of fun summer activities. Stowe makes a great summer vacation spot, there’s so much to do and the town itself is so cute. Keep reading for the 10 Best Things to do in Stowe, Vermont in the summer!
1: Visit the Ben and Jerry’s Factory
Who doesn’t love Ben and Jerry’s ice cream? At the factory in Stowe/Waterbury you can take a tour, visit the “flavor cemetery” and also eat delicious ice cream from the scoop shop! The tour is a lot of fun, and at the end you get to sample a new flavor of ice cream! I’ve been on this tour a bunch of times, and it’s always great.
To note: the factory tours are currently paused due to Covid-19, but you can still visit the delicious scoop shop!
2: Drive Smugglers’ Notch Road
This drive is so beautiful! The road is only open in the summer because it is very twisty and steep. On your drive, about 4 miles, you will have amazing views, and there are also tons of areas to stop and have a picnic!
3: Go Hiking + Have a Picnic
While driving the Smugglers’ Notch Road, there are tons of areas to stop and hike in the Smugglers’ Notch State Park. There are also huge boulders which are perfect for having a picnic! I highly recommend these hikes, they are so beautiful. If you’re into camping, there is also a campground, click here for more information.
4: Take a Gondola SkyRide to the top of Mt. Mansfield
This is an amazing way to get some pretty spectacular views. The gondola takes you to the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest mountain, and from there you can access hiking trails. This year, 2020, the gondola is not opening until July 18th, but there will still be plenty of time during the summer to enjoy it.
5: Play Mini golf
This little mini golf course is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. The course has 18 holes and is very fun!
6: Take a Cow Tour
The Trapp Family Lodge offers “Meet the Cows” tours to hotel guests and the public! Tickets for the tour are $10 each, and the tours are offered most weekend mornings. Click here for a tour schedule! The cows are so adorable, and I highly recommend either taking the tour or driving through the Trapp Family estate to see them grazing on the side of the road.
7: Take Brewery Tours
Stowe has some amazing breweries, and many offer tours! If you’re into beer I highly recommend visiting these breweries and trying their beer/cider. A few of my favorites are the Alchemist the Von Trapp Brewery and Stowe Cider!
8: Go to the Spa
Topnotch resort has an amazing spa! This is a great way to add some relaxation into your trip after spending the day outdoors. You can book a variety of treatments at the spa, and it will definitely be great addition to your trip. Click here to learn more about the spa and to book treatments.
9: Visit the Vermont Ski and Snowboarding Museum
This museum is a great way to get your ski and snowboard fix during the summer months! You can learn about the history of skiing and snowboarding in Vermont, and view all of the cool exhibits and huge collection of ski equipment!
10: Visit Laughing Moon Chocolates
If you like chocolate then you definitely need to check this place out! They have tons of delicious handmade chocolates to choose from, and it will be difficult to leave without wanting to try everything. Keep in mind that they are closed on Sundays. I made the mistake of trying to visit on a Sunday, and was very disappointed with myself for missing out on these chocolates on my most recent trip to Stowe!
Thanks for reading about the 10 best things to do in Stowe! For more ideas on how to spend your time in Stowe, check out my 24 Hours in Stowe, Vermont post!
[…] the summer Vermont had super low rates of Covid, and I was able to plan a trip to Stowe for the weekend. Stowe is about an hour away from where I grew up in Vermont, but I had never […]
We loved Stowe, VT. The town is so cute that it looks like it belongs in a Christmas movie. The small town charm and amazing scenery is really something to see. We really enjoyed the nearby tasting tours and the Von Trapp Lodge. Check out our top 7 things to do near Stowe, VT. https://theadventuredetour.com/7-fun-things-to-do-near-stowe-vermont/