A Perfect Three-Day Itinerary for Stowe, Vermont, in the Fall
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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 2025 getaway I took during peak foliage season in Stowe, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
At-A-Glance: A Fall Weekend in Stowe, Vermont
Here’s a bite-sized snapshot of everything you need to know to plan your weekend getaway exploring this beautiful region of Vermont.
- When to Go: For stunning fall foliage, visit during the first or second week in October.
- Where to Stay: We really enjoyed Talta Lodge on the Mountain Road, but Stowe has lots of great lodging options.
- How to Get There: The nearest airport is Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV), which is about 45 minutes from Stowe.
- How to Get Around: We recommend renting a car or driving your own for this trip.
- Top 3 Highlights: Moss Glen Falls, riding the Gondola SkyRide, and the Percy Farm Corn Maze.
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.
Moss Glen Falls in Stowe
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.
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.
100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont
Whether you’re a local who has lived here for years or a visitor eager to explore, there’s always more to Vermont than most guidebooks would have you believe. Sure, you can easily find the popular tourist spots, but Vermont is so much more than that.
100+ Ways to Experience Vermont is the only guide you’ll need to find popular and obscure trails, waterfalls, attractions, museums, farms, breweries, and more. And unlike printed guidebooks, this digital guide included links to relevant businesses, articles, and event listings to make trip planning easier.
Formatted as a PDF file, this beautiful ebook is available to download on your phone, tablet, or e-reader and can be easily printed for off-grid exploring.
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, on Main Street in Stowe, is a fun spot to fuel 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 Smugglers’ Notch
Not only is Route 108 through Smugglers’ 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 imposed an embargo on foreign trade, meant to keep the young U.S. out of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France. Vermonters smuggled goods across the Canadian border, hiding contraband in the caves around the Notch.
Fast forward to Prohibition, and Smugglers’ 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 Smugglers’ Notch State Park, and the trailhead to Sterling Pond is right in the Notch. Both hikes are amazing and not too difficult.
Also read: Best Hiking in Stowe: Easy to Moderate Trails in the Northern Green Mountains
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 Smugglers’ 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.
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, 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 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 affair, 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 costs $44 per person ($55 during fall foliage) and $29 for kids 5-12 ($35 during fall foliage). 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 $38 for the car and driver ($45 during fall foliage), plus $14.50 ($17 during fall foliage) per additional passenger.
Dinner at Hen of the Wood in Waterbury
Ready for splurge-worthy Vermont dining. Make reservations at Hen of the Wood and be prepared for a vibrantly divine experience.
From the classic Parker House rolls and locally sourced vegetables to the perfectly cooked steaks and over-the-top desserts, 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 Butler’s Pantry
One of the best breakfasts I’ve ever eaten on vacation was at the Butler’s Pantry on Main Street. I started my morning with homemade French toast with lots of maple syrup, but they’ve also got incredible buttermilk biscuits and house-made maple sausage. They don’t take reservations, so add your name to the waitlist and stroll around town while you wait.
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 Topnotch 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 exploring. Here are three worth exploring while you’re in Stowe.
Emily’s Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge)
Built in 1844, 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 from breakfast, 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 or more as they wait to navigate 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.
- You can take advantage of Stowe’s attractions and natural areas without setting foot downtown. During my recent visit to Stowe, I avoided downtown entirely and was none the worse for it.
- 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 hike Stowe Pinnacle or Sterling Pond. Driving through Smugglers’ 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.
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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