A Perfect Three-Day Itinerary for Stowe, Vermont

When it comes to beautiful fall foliage destinations, the tiny mountain town of Stowe, Vermont, ranks near the top.

Stowe epitomizes everything we love about autumn — orchards full of crisp apples, brilliant fall foliage against an azure sky, scenic hiking trails, corn mazes, and picture-postcard views around every bend in the road.

It’s true that Stowe is a popular destination in the fall, and that it can get crowded, but don’t let its popularity keep you from visiting!

Let me take you along on a cozy, leaf-peeping weekend in Stowe, Vermont, complete with amazing food, beautiful trails, local brews, and all the charming small-town vibes you can handle.

This three-day itinerary is based on a 2024 getaway I took during peak foliage season in Stowe, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Day 1: Beautiful Views and Tasty Brews

Today, we’re jumping right in with a few of our favorite things — waterfalls, local craft beers, and a stroll around town. Depending on when you arrive in Stowe, you may have to rearrange some of these attractions to fit your schedule.

Lunch at Red Hen Baking Co.: Middlesex, VT

If I’m within a half-hour of Red Hen Baking Co., you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be stopping for a sandwich, a latte, and maybe a maple creemee if I’m feeling frisky.

Middlesex is about 20 minutes south of Stowe, so it falls within my parameters, and it will be well worth the small detour. Grab a few croissants and a loaf of miche for weekend snacking. It’s the perfect fuel for your fall adventures.

Moss Glen Falls in Stowe

After lunch, we headed straight to Moss Glen Falls. At 125 feet, this is the tallest waterfall in Vermont and one of the most beautiful.

It’s just a short walk (0.2 miles) from the parking area to the waterfall, and in autumn, the bright foliage around the falls makes it feel like you’re stepping into a postcard.

Be sure to check out the upper viewpoint before heading to the base of the falls. Both views are spectacular. Moss Glen Falls is a popular attraction in the fall. If the parking lot is full, put it on your list for sunrise the following day!

Percy Farm Corn Maze

Believe it or not, last year, I visited a corn maze for the first time, and I didn’t even have kids with me! Percy Farm Corn Maze is such a fun stop, and it’s dog-friendly!

Park in Thompson Park along the Stowe Recreation Path; from there, it’s a short walk to the maze, and the views of Mount Mansfield are beautiful.

Say hello to the goats and calves before checking in and heading into the maze. It took me about 45 minutes to complete — I got very turned around in there, but it was a fun experience, and kids will love it.

Check into Your Lodging

Since I was staying just outside of town, I headed to my cozy bungalow so I could check in and unpack while the sun was still high. I stayed in an adorable little place in Elmore, Vermont, which was about a 15-minute drive from the center of Stowe.

I loved being able to escape the crowds for the evening, but there are lots of cute spots right in the village, too.

The Funky Parlor House is available on Airbnb. It features two beautiful bedrooms, a cozy living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s dog-friendly, which I always appreciate. My Malinda loves visiting Stowe as much as I do.

This place remains one of my favorite Vermont vacation rentals to date!

Afternoon Stroll: Downtown Stowe and Sunset Rock

If you’ve still got some daylight, head back into town to explore Stowe Village and walk up to Sunset Rock. Shaw’s General Store is a must if you need some Vermont souvenirs to bring home to your house sitter.

Need to stretch your legs? Walk up Sunset Avenue to the short trailhead leading to Sunset Rock for a pretty view of the town and Mount Mansfield.

This pretty hike is under a mile, but you can also drive to a parking lot near the upper overlook by taking School Street and bearing left on Taber Hill Road.

Craft Beer and Food Trucks at The Alchemist Brewery

If you’re a fan of craft beer, be sure to visit The Alchemist for a sampling of their famous beers (yes, Heady Topper is as yummy as you’ve heard). The sprawling grounds are dog-friendly, and there’s a rotating cast of food trucks in the evenings.

Bonus: There was live music the night we visited, so we grabbed a bite and enjoyed the laid-back vibe as the sun set behind the mountains.

Day 2: You’re on Mountain time

After a full day of exploring, it’s perfectly acceptable to sleep in. After all, you’re on mountain time!

Start your morning at home or head to Black Cap Coffee

Black Cap Coffee, located on Main Street in Stowe, is a fun spot to get fueled up for today’s adventures. Grab a maple latte and a breakfast sandwich and do some people watching before heading up the mountain.

Drive through Smuggler’s Notch

Not only is Route 108 through Smuggler’s Notch one of the most beautiful roads in the state, but it also has a pretty interesting history. 

In the early 1800s, the United States Government embargoed imports from England.

The British started shipping goods to Canada, and smugglers bringing contraband into the states stored the booty in the caves around the area that is now Smuggler’s Notch Pass.

The heavily wooded paths in the Notch made the perfect route for smuggling these goods during the War of 1812.

Fast forward to prohibition, and Smuggler’s Notch was again used by smugglers who brought alcohol down from Canada to sell throughout New England. The most well-used path was eventually replaced with a seasonal road.

As long as you aren’t driving a large RV, tour bus, or semi, you can drive up through the Notch. There are places to pull off and explore, plus a few trailheads:

The hike to Bingham Falls starts just across the road from Smuggler’s Notch State Park, and the trailhead to Sterling Pond is right in the Notch. Both hikes are amazing and not too difficult.

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Also read: Best Hiking in Stowe: Easy to Moderate Trails in the Northern Green Mountains

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You should also stop at the Barnes Camp Visitor Center and meander along the boardwalk for incredible foliage views of the notch, one of the prettiest views in Vermont.

After driving through Smuggler’s Notch, continue to the little village of Jeffersonville, where you can stop at the historic Grist Mill Covered Bridge and see the collection of painted silos right in town.

Smuggler’s Notch is a must-visit attraction in all four seasons, and it’s one of the best things to do in Stowe in the fall. Just be sure to drive through the notch early in the day to beat the crowds.

Lunch at Idletyme Brewing Co.

I almost always have lunch at Idletyme Brewing Co. when I’m in Stowe and their patio is open. The food is solid, the beer is amazing, and the patio gives major summer vibes (even in the fall), and it’s dog-friendly.

I’ve actually never eaten inside at Idletyme, but I’m sure it’s as welcoming as the patio. Be sure to order one of their famous pretzels to go with your Imperial IPA.

Ride the Gondola SkyRide to the top of Mount Mansfield

There are three ways to get to the top of Mount Mansfield. You can hike one of several different routes ranging in length from 3.5 to 6 miles, you can drive the Auto Toll Road from from Stowe Mountain Resort, or you can take the Gondola SkyRide, also managed by Stowe Mountain.

Nothing holds a candle to spending a full day trekking the mountain with the leaves crunching under your feet, but it’s an all-day afffair, and we don’t have time for that this weekend.

We’ve traveled up the toll road and zipped above the trees on the SkyRide, and we loved them both.

The Gondola SkyRide is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm (last ticket sold at 3:30 pm) and runs $60 per person and $43 for kids 5-12 (4 and under are free. The gondolas are enclosed so dogs are permitted, too.

The Auto Toll Road brings you 4.5 miles to Mount Mansfield’s “nose” at 3,850 feet. From there you can hike on the Long Trail along the ridge of the mountain’s alpine tundra for 360-degree views.

The toll road is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The cost is $35 for the car and driver, and $13 for each additiona passenger.

Dinner at Hen of the Wood in Waterbury

Read for splurge-worthy Vermont dinining? Make reservations at Hen of the Wood and be prepared for an vibrantly divine experience.

From the classic Parker House rolls and locally sourced vegetables, to the perfectly cooked steaks and over-the-top deserts, a night at Hen of the Wood is a must for your fall vacation.

Day 3: Leisurely Morning and Sweet Goodbyes

For your last day in Stowe, we’re taking it easy.

Breakfast at The Skinny Pancake on the Mountain Road in Stowe

Final morning = crepe morning. The Skinny Pancake serves both sweet and savory crepes, plus great coffee, burgers, and beer. The apple and brie crepe is perfect for fall, and the coffee is strong and locally roasted.

Stroll on Stowe Recreation Path

Park in the municipal lot in Stowe Village and stroll along the Stowe Recreation Path, which winds along the river and through open fields and woods. Great for a slow goodbye to this magical town.

The Stowe Recreation path runs for 5.3 miles from Lintilhac Park behind the Stowe Community Church on Main Street in Stowe Village to Top Notch Resort on the Mountain Road.

Cruise Through Covered Bridges

Covered bridges are as iconic in Vermont as the maple syrup and fall foliage you came to Vermont for. With more than 100 sprinkled across the state, these charming relics are worth exlploring. Here are three worth exploring while you’re in Stowe.

Emily’s Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge)
Built in 1840, Gold Brook Covered Bridge is tucked away in the foliage on Covered Bridge Road. This is one of the most photographed spots in Stowe and is said to be haunted by a young woman named Emily, which is why most people call it Emily’s Bridge.

Brookdale Bridge
At the edge of the Stowe Recreation Path, you’ll find the Brookdale Bridge, a 1960s gem that spans the West Branch of the Little River. Park nearby, snap a photo, and stroll the path for classic Vermont views.

Red Covered Bridge
Just ten minutes from Stowe, this bold beauty in Morristown dates back to 1896 and features some unusual truss designs for the bridge nerds in your crew.

Ice Cream at Stowe Sweets

I’m going to bet that you’re still pretty full of crepes, but you’ve always got room for ice cream right? Stowe Sweets has so many incredible homemade flavors like Peanut Butter Pie, Sea Salt Caramel, and Fly Fishing Fudge.

With your belly full of ice cream, and your heart full of Vermont, it’s time to say goodbye to Stowe. You know you’ll be back!

Tips for Visiting Stowe in the Fall

While Stowe is not a hidden Vermont gem, there’s a reason why people flock here from near and far to experience the quintessential Vermont fall. Stowe has it all — beautiful scenery, waterfalls, hiking trails, and covered bridges, plus the infrastructure to support visitors — restaurants, breweries, resorts, hotels, and lodges.

Traffic in Stowe is another story.

The roads in Stowe were not designed to handle thousands of visitors, and the congestion in the downtown area can be very frustrating for both visitors and locals, who sometimes sit at the same traffic light for 30+ minutes as they wait to crawl through town.

In the fall, it’s quicker to walk through downtown Stowe than it is to drive.

With that in mind, here are a few tips for exploring Stowe, Vermont in the fall:

• Consider visiting Stowe mid-week in October. Stowe is a small village, and the attractions and restaurants can be pretty packed in the fall. I know we call this a weekend getaway, but you will avoid a lot of the fall crowds if you visit Monday through Thursday and head out before the weekend crowds roll in.
• Book lodging with parking in downtown Stowe. This way, you can explore shops and restaurants on foot and drive to the sites outside town. Suggestions for downtown lodging: Stowe Village Inn, Field Guide Lodge, or Green Mountain Inn.
• It’s possible to take advantage of Stowe’s attractions and natural areas without setting foot in downtown. During my recent visit to Stowe, I avoided downtown entirely and was none the worse for it, thanks to the Funky Parlor House in Elmore.
• Get up early! I know, you’re on vacation, but trust me when I say that the early bird does get the worm! Rise with the sun (or earlier) to visit Moss Glen Falls, Bingham Falls, or to hike Stowe Pinnacle or Sterling Pond. Driving through Smuggler’s Notch will also be more pleasant before 8 am.
• If the parking lot is full at the places mentioned above, move on. Try again in the evening, return another day, or visit out-of-the-way spots instead.

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Want to extend your trip? Check out all of our ideas for fall foliage getaways throughout Vermont. If you have more time to spend in Stowe, check out these 18 things to do through the seasons in Stowe.

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