Looking to make the most of a trip to Stowe.

May 8, 2023 3:10 PM

Very excited to be headed back to Vermont. Been there more than 2 dozen times but it's been 10 years since I took my kid and husband. Staying in Stowe for a long Memorial day weekend and wondering what's new and what I might have forgotten! Food, sights, hikes!

Coming up from Central Mass.

Looking for unusual spots to eat good food, beautiful and interesting things to see, & amazing hikes for someone without amazing joints (I'm the weak link here).

As for hiking - I can def do a 2-4 miles of easy walking, 1-2 mile of more difficult terrain but not looking to slip and fall down a steep rocky mountain trail- for instance I can barely imagine hiking those super steep trails up at the top of Notch road. Too scary! I think those are considered moderate on alltrails and I don't think I would be ok doing those. Def will do a few of the shorter waterfall "hikes".

I love interesting and unusual cuisines and food but since they don't I will take interesting and unusual settings. As long as we can find a burger or maybe fish and chips on the menu we are good. Glad to hear any recommendations. Gluten free options are a bonus for sure.

If there is a really outstanding rail trail you say we should ride, I will throw the bikes on the back of the car. Beautiful place to rent kayaks?

Considering Hildene on the way home after the Memorial day parade in Stowe (in all these trips I've never been) but may just do Saint Gaudens, not considering Ben and Jerry's or Teddy bear factory or heading into Burlington. Sort of thinking of heading to Shelburne museum (because it's the best museum in the whole world) but may skip it since we've been a couple times.

Thinking of Winooski River Trip through Umiak - the 4 mile one. (is 4 miles a lot when it's downstream?!). Would totally take any recommendations for outfitters/location.


Sorry for the wall of text. I just hate wasting people's times because I didn't give enough info!

posted by ReluctantViking to Travel & Transportation around Stowe, VT (3 answers total)

Moss Glen Falls is an easy hike and the falls are pretty. The Brewster River Gorge is nice and the trail there is easy. It's a small gorge, not super impressive like Quechee Gorge, but it's a cool looking spot. Might not be worth driving to Jeffersonville just for that, but if you were going over the notch anyway you could check it out.

Alfie's Wild Ride, in an old service station, has good tacos and a bunch of stuff to play around with - ping pong, bean bag toss, air hockey, etc. Edelweiss Deli has good baked stuff. (Highly recommend the peanut butter bars.) Not sure if anything there is gluten free. Burger Barn in Jeffersonville is sort of a food truck, except it's more of a giant trailer. (The picture on their Facebook page is out of date.) It looks extremely unimpressive (so much so that you might consider it "interesting and unusual") but the burgers are really good. It's very popular with locals. It could be a good destination if you want to drive over the notch one day.

There are a couple of trail options that might make it worth bringing the bikes. (Both trails are also pleasant to walk on.) One is the 5.3 mile Stowe Recreation Path and the other is the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which is 93 miles long and is finally mostly complete. The nearest access point is in Morrisville. If you started in Morrisville, I think it would probably be a prettier ride to go east rather than west. But if you go west, you can access stores and restaurants in Hyde Park, Johnson and (if you take the Greenway Trail that branches off from it) Jeffersonville. So if you like the idea of stopping to explore some villages, that could be fun.

Vermont Canoe & Kayak does guided and self-guided tours on the Lamoille River. They're in Jeffersonville, so a little further than Umiak in Waterbury, but might be worth comparing prices and options, especially if you want to drive over the notch anyway. I think 4 miles is a very reasonable distance.
posted by Redstart at 6:36 PM on May 8, 2023

For a lovely breakfast, we've gone to the coffee house at the Trapp Family Lodge and sat outside, enjoying pastries and terrific views. However it was closed for renovations the last time we went, so you may want to check that it's open.

There is also a really nice coffee barn in Waterbury if you love coffee.
posted by luckdragon at 6:51 AM on May 9, 2023

We were in Stowe about a year ago and had an excellent meal at Plate, on the Main Street. Food was American, all with an interesting twist and local ingredients. Also great cocktails!

The Von Trapp lodge has easy hiking trails, with the added bonus you can grab a beer or lunch at the brewery when you are done.

Have fun!!
posted by les34 at 6:53 AM on May 9, 2023