I may be biased because my husband grew up in Stowe and we lived there in the early 90’s but it’s one of my favorite places in all of New England. Although Stowe is mainly known as a winter skiing destination, it’s also a fantastic place to visit in the summer.  The village of Stowe is located near Mount Mansfield and has a classic white steepled church and plenty of charm.  This quaint village is perfect for exploring by foot and browsing through local shops, galleries, cafes and pubs. 

For places to stay, Stowe offers a selection of inns and authentic ski lodges. One thing you won’t find is a chain hotel. Two good choices are the Green Mountain Inn and the Trapp Family Lodge.

The Green Mountain Inn is a classic Vermont inn built in 1833, located in the heart of the village.  Besides being steps away from village shops, it’s also located across the street from the internationally recognized Stowe Recreation Path. This 5.5 mile long rec path winds over bridges, streams, green pastures and ends near a covered bridge. I’ve taken this path many times and the scenery is always inspiring. So pack a picnic lunch, rent some bikes and make a day of it.    

The Trapp Family Lodge is owned by the Von Trapp family, the real life inspiration for the Sound of Music.  Located a few miles outside the village, the resort encompasses 2,700 acres.  During the summer you can join a guided nature walk, spend an afternoon with the pastry chef, play tennis, or just relax by the pool and take in the panoramic view of the mountains.  During the summer they also host a summer concert series.

Even if you aren’t staying at the lodge, it’s worth a trip to their Austrian Tea Room for lunch or just dessert.  If it’s warm enough, sit at an outside table on their sundeck which has spectacular views.

For the best places to eat around Stowe, I’m partial to McCarthy’s for breakfast.  It’s a great value and the food is always delicious.  Mr. Pickwicks is a good choice for dinner – try dining al fresco on their outside decks.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 16th, 2006 at 10:24 pm and is filed under East Coast, Eats, Exploring, Places, Shopping, Where to Stay. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.