Best Fall Weekend in Stowe, Vermont: Hikes, Scenic Spots, & More!

Welcome to the adventurer’s guide to Stowe, Vermont in the fall! Here you’ll find the best and more secret places to visit this fall in Stowe. Avoid super busy spots like we did while getting the best views in town!

If you search for the best things to do in Stowe in fall, you’ll find similar recommendations over and over. These include riding the gondola, driving Smugglers’ Notch, visiting the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, etc, etc.

Those places might be popular for a reason – or maybe it’s because everyone is reading the same things. But there’s so much more to see and do in and around Stowe!

If you look elsewhere AND hit the popular spots AT THE RIGHT TIME – you’ll have an even better experience in Stowe this fall. ๐Ÿค๐Ÿฝ

Don’t squeeze into the crowds during the busiest part of the day. Here I share where to go and sometimes, more importantly, when.

I’ve lived in New England my whole life and have been exploring Vermont for decades. For years I watched as people would share on social media about Stowe in the fall.

I finally booked the trip to see what all the fuss was about. ๐Ÿ™‚ Once here, I wanted to do things my way. So I made it a mission to find the best of Stowe that people didn’t know about or often mention.

In this guide, I compiled a collection of the best spots and things to do in and around Stowe. You’ll find morning walks with views, the highest rated coffee shops, amazing hikes, and scenic photo spots.

I also include a sample 3 day weekend itinerary to follow if you want help putting it all together! So let’s get to it – I think you’ll love experiencing fall in Stowe the way we did!

Fall Guide to Stowe, VT (Without the Crowds!)

๐Ÿ’ก Quick Planning Tip: Plan to arrive in Stowe the night before so you can take advantage of the quieter morning hours! We drove up after work Friday so we could start fresh Saturday morning. Getting places either early from 7-9am or from 4:30-6pm while everyone is sitting inside a restaurant is best. ๐Ÿคซ

๐Ÿฅพ 3 Must-Do Morning Walks in Stowe ๐ŸŒ…

๐Ÿ“ธ Tip: Sunrise is between 6:30 and 7am in October in Stowe. Arriving to walk just after this time (from 7-9am) will cast the foliage in the best possible light. It will also be more enjoyable and less crowded. If you need your coffee first, keep scrolling – there’s a section for that! ๐Ÿ˜Šโ˜•๏ธ Take your breakfast to go and let’s get walking!

1. Wiessner Woods Loop (Stowe Land Trust)

view of open meadow on a hike in fall with hills of orange and green trees in the distance and blue sky above.

What a way to start the day! We pulled into the lot on a Sunday at 9am (which isn’t even that early!) and got a spot in the lot. We saw maybe one other group while we hiked. This tells me that Weissner Woods is an underrated and more secret spot in Stowe! ๐Ÿคซ

The Wiessner Woods loop is just 2 miles and 200 feet of elevation gain. It’s an easy to moderate walk through forests and meadows. Take the loop clockwise so you reach the open meadow first and see the views in the best light.

I suggest downloading a map of the trail or taking a picture of it. You’ll be taking the Meadow Trail to Hardwood Ridge Trail, then taking the Sugar House Loop back to the start. Have fun! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“ธ

2. Sunset Rock (walking distance from Main St in Stowe!)

view of open meadow at sunrise time with soft golden sky on a hike in fall in stowe with hills of orange, red, and green trees and rolling hills and big mountain in distance.
Big view from the top

Sunset Rock packs a lot of scenery into just 1 mile. Given its name and ease to get to top, I’m sure it gets busy as the day goes on. That’s why doing it in the morning with your coffee is the perfect time!

We parked along Main Street at 8:30am and walked to the trailhead at the end of Sunset Street.

This hike has two different viewpoints. One view is over Stowe Village with views of the town and white steeple church in distance. Then there’s the panoramic view at the Upper Overlook with Mount Mansfield in the distance.

There is a little elevation (~330 feet half a mile, a little steep!) it seems like a great trail for families. The paths are well maintained and there are little wooden paintings on many of the trees along the path of different forest animals and scenes. I imagine they could encourage little ones to keep going and stay entertained. ๐Ÿ™‚

3. Mills Riverside Park (about 35 min west of Stowe in Jericho, VT)

Another way to avoid crowded trails in Stowe is to, yup, pick a hike just outside of it! We were camping at Little River Campground which was already west of Stowe making this walk perfect for us.

Even if you’re staying in Stowe, Mills Riverside Park is 100% worth checking out. Do you see these views?! And they are EASY to get because the trails are mostly through flat meadows!

There are miles of trails here and even a designated OFF LEASH area/trail for dogs which our dog loved. We met many friendly people and pups with their dogs roaming while under their control. It seems like a great community of regulars. Take the trails on the left closest to the river where you can see Mount Mansfield in the distance! โ›ฐ๏ธ

โ˜•๏ธ 3 Amazing Cafes & Breakfast Spots in Stowe ๐Ÿณ

โ˜•๏ธTip: I love my coffee and I’m very picky about it! I searched and researched and tested – and the 3 spots listed below have been approved! We took our breakfast to go so we could get a head start exploring Stowe before the crowds. ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ‘

1. The Roastery: Movement Coffee Roasters + Bakery

  • ๐Ÿ“1815 Pucker St, Stowe
  • โœ… Coffee and Breakfast

The Roastery is sure to impress you! It’s currently sitting at 5.0 stars โญ๏ธ on Google with almost 400 reviews.

The Roastery is located just east of the busy downtown hub. If you’re hungry, not to worry – there are breakfast sandwiches (like a buttermilk biscuit with egg & cheese ๐Ÿ˜ฑ). There are lunch options too if you get here closer to noon. Either way, I’m sure there is something for you!

2. Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea

  • ๐Ÿ“11 Cabin Lane in Waterbury Center, VT (minutes west of downtown Stowe)
  • โœ… Coffee, Teas, Baked goods
array of baked goods like croissants and cookies in a glass case on wooden shelves.
big red barn with a black sign with light letters that says "coffee bar" and a few mums in from by the wooden door.

I love how Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea is just outside of downtown Stowe. It makes a less crowded place to start the day. It also has a large outdoor space with tables so there’s lots of room to roam here.

They call themselves a European-style coffee bar and they roast their own coffee in their Big Red Coffee Barn. They have an amazing selection of teas as well and then several baked treats to choose from! No big breakfasts here.

3. Woodland Baking & Coffee

  • ๐Ÿ“394 Mountain Rd, Stowe (walking distance from downtown Stowe)
  • โœ… Coffee, Breakfast, Baked goods, oh my!

Woodland Baking calls itself Stowe’s locally sourced bakery & coffee shop. I love how it’s walking distance (if you’d like to walk) from downtown Stowe along Mountain Road.

I LOVED the egg and cheese on a buttermilk biscuit. ๐Ÿ˜ฑ They also have amazing baked treats and it’s hard to pick just one. You won’t regret starting your morning here! ๐Ÿ™‚

๐Ÿ“ธ 6 Scenic Photo Spots Around Stowe ๐Ÿš—

๐Ÿ“ธ Tip: A trip to Stowe is not complete if you’re not driving around and stopping for fall photos. Your camera roll will be filled up with all the scenic spots on this list! Again, best light for foliage is the 2 hours after sunrise and the 2 hours before sunset (AKA “golden hour”).

1. Grand View Farm Barn

big red barn at sunset time in stowe vermont with orange colored mountain range behind it in fall.
landscape photo of dirt road on left and profile of red barn on the right in the fall with orange and yellow mountain range in the distance.
landscape photo of dirt road on left and profile of red barn on the right in the fall with orange and yellow mountain range in the distance.

Wow, we had an unforgettable time taking photos at this Stowe barn. And we were the only ones here for most of the time! It might be swarmed during the day but now you know when to visit and avoid a crowded experience.

My suggestion would be to go at sunset time or golden hour (the hour+ before sunset) for the best light. We were also here when the full moon was rising behind the mountain ridge behind the barn. ๐ŸŒ• Epic!

2. Covered Bridge on Mountain Rd (Downtown Stowe)

Find the Giles W Dewey Bridge at the intersection of Main St (Rt 100) and Mountain Rd (Rt 108). Alongside Little River, it’s an easy place to walk and take pictures in Stowe.

You can find a place to park anywhere on either Rt 100 or Rt 108. Make a day of it and pop into the little shops in Stowe along the way!

3. Trapp Family Lodge & Resort

wide open green lawn in the fall with two people in white shirts walking in the distance with orange covered mountain range in distance in fall in stowe vermont.

If you’re visiting Stowe in fall heading to the Trapp Family Lodge for photos is a must! We came here midday and it was a bit crowded. But since the lodge sits on a whopping 2,600 acres – there is room to roam!

Driving along Trapp Hill Road and find a place to park in one of the huge parking lots by the resort. You can book a tour, purchase a day pass to hike the trails, visit the farm animals, or grab a bite at the on site bakery or von Trapp Bierhall! ๐Ÿป

4. Barnes Hill Road

big red barn at sunset time in stowe vermont with orange colored mountain range behind it in fall.
No Vermont trip is complete without barns & cows ๐Ÿ„

This street is just jaw dropping – especially just before sunset or after sunrise! There are lots of views along the drive but I loved this big red barn the most. The golden light at sunset made it glow extra red which is such a sight in the fall. ๐Ÿ˜โค๏ธ

5. Waterbury Reservoir

If you’re up for a little adventure and don’t mind a 30 minute drive from Stowe, I’d HIGHLY recommend visiting Waterbury Reservoir. It provides EASY fall foliage views in Mount Mansfield State Forest.

I loved getting here for sunrise time and watching the fog rise from the lake. It is a PERFECT view for fall and a huge parking lot right there for easy access.

6. Barrows Road

view from driver's side window out of a car at a green meadow lined with fall colored trees and hills in the distance and soft blue sky above.

This was another fun discovery during our trip to Stowe. I highly suggest you make time to just drive around and see what you discover, too!

Enjoy wide open field with mountains in the background along Barrows Road. Fall views that you don’t have to hike for! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’ฏ

7. Stowe Farmers Market

I was so happy we were here on a weekend when we could visit Stowe’s Farmers Market! Located on Mountain Road (Rt 108) and running on Sundays only late May to October 18th. Click here to check dates for this year!

I loved walking around and checking out all the different vendors. There’s locally made products and crafts to tons of food trucks and even a live band! Have fun and take in the scene on the green with the white tents and Vermont mountains in the distance.

8. Main Street, Downtown Stowe

view of downtown stowe at fall with several storefronts lining the street and orange and green hill iin background and orange maple trees liniing the street.

Downtown Stowe is exactly what you’d picture when you think of a classic Vermont village. Main Street (where Rt 100 meets Rt 108) is lined with cozy cafรฉs, local boutiques, restaurants, and historic buildings.

It gets busy during peak foliage season, so visit early when shops open or later in the day just before dinner. You’ll want to take some photos as the autumn colored hills make the perfect backdrop for this charming town.

๐Ÿฅพ Top 3 Hikes in Stowe โ›ฐ๏ธ

If you are up for an adventure then you’ll love one of the hikes on this list! I’ve done them all and loved the views at each. Lace up your sturdy hiking boots and let’s go!

1. Mount Mansfield (15 minutes from Stowe)

Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s tallest peak AND it happens to be super close to Stowe! So if you’re an avid hiker and are interested in tackling a big one – Mount Mansfield is for you!

I wrote a post dedicated to hiking Mount Mansfield since there are many routes to the top. So check it out โžก๏ธ Guide to Hiking Mount Mansfield ๐ŸŒŸ and see which trail a good fit for you!

2. Stowe Pinnacle

silhouette of two people sitting at top of rock cliff on sunset hike in stowe vermont with golden sun setting over mountain range in distance and orange rays hitting the silhouette of the dark orange colored mountains in fall.

Rather than starting a hike midday when trailheads are busiest, we started the hike at 4:15pm. This was the best decision for this popular (for good reason!) hike in Stowe.

As many people were finishing their hikes, parking spaces along Pinnacle Meadow Road were opening up. We were able to park without any trouble! We immediately noticed the trail felt much less hectic than it must have been just a couple hours earlier.

For an easier option with a view, you can just hike half a mile from the trailhead. The wide gravel path takes you to a beautiful overlook with views north. We saw families with young children and plenty of people enjoying the view here before turning around.

If you’re up for a little more elevation and want the big mountain views, continue on like we did to the summit of Stowe Pinnacle.

Tip: There are 2 different 3+ mile trails to Stowe Pinnacle. We hiked the Stowe Pinnacle via Pinnacle Meadow Trail which has significantly less elevation than the Stowe Pinnacle Trail which starts from Upper Hollow Road.

3. Vista Peak and Bolton Firetower (35 minutes west of Stowe)

I LOVED this hike. It is totally worth the 30+ minutes from Stowe – or maybe even closer depending on where you’re staying.

We hiked here in time to see the sunset from Bolton Firetower at the top and the almost full moon was also coming up in the east. I took so many pictures…

And since you’re just outside of Stowe here you get to avoid the crowds. We saw some people hiking here even later in the day – but it felt like it was a hike known and loved by locals. Maybe the other people were tourists like us but to me this hike felt like finding a local hidden gem.

view from a hike at sunset in vermont with a ski lift and silhouette of ski chairs with orange mountains in fall and tall green pine trees in the distance and below.
brown dog at top of hike with picnic table and bright orange and red trees in distance at sunset time with orange glow in the sky.

And since the trail takes you up a ski mountain ๐Ÿ‘€ most of the trails are wide paths. Nothing too technical (which makes walking out with a headlamp doable) just a nice, steady uphill walk.

The foliage here was unreal. There were huge sections of orange trees, swaths of fiery red, and tall dark green pine trees intermixed among them all.

This hike gave a break from the bustle of Stowe in the fall. I can still feel the peace and awe I felt on the trail when I think about it. If you can’t tell – I strongly suggest this one! ๐Ÿ™‚

Where to Eat in Stowe ๐ŸŒฏ

You’re probably thinking – Ok, Kristen that’s a lot of activity, I’m getting hungry! And me too! No adventurer’s guide to Stowe is complete without mentioning places to refuel. Here’s what I loved while there:

Edelweiss Mountain Deli (open daily 10:30am – 6pm)

Route 100 in downtown Stowe obviously gets packed and backed up with traffic with people descending on the town for the afternoon. The well-loved and rated Edelweiss Mountain Deli is just outside of the tightly packed downtown area on Rt 108.

I ordered the roasted turkey sandwich loaded with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo, and it was basically everything you could want in a fall lunch. It was huge, incredibly fresh, and the perfect meal before an afternoon hike.

One tip that made a big difference: if you’re staying north or west of downtown like we were, try approaching Edelweiss from the northern end of Mountain Road instead of driving into Stowe on Route 100. We found it much easier to avoid the slow-moving line of traffic that builds through downtown during peak foliage season.

Butler’s Pantry

If you’re looking for a cozy dinner after a full day of exploring, Butler’s Pantry is a great choice right in downtown Stowe. It has one of the highest ratings on Google (4.7 stars ๐ŸŒŸ) so be sure to make a reservation!

Housed in a charming historic building, it serves fresh, made-from-scratch comfort food including steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, salads, and seasonal specials, making it the perfect place to relax and refuel after a day on the trails.

๐Ÿ3-Day Fall Itinerary for Stowe, VT๐Ÿ‚

big red barn at sunset time in stowe vermont with orange colored mountain range behind it in fall.

Day 1:

  • โ˜•๏ธ 7am: Coffee & breakfast from The Roastery: Movement Coffee Roasters + Bakery (opens at 7am)
  • ๐Ÿฅพ 8am: Morning walk to view at Wiessner Woods in Stowe
  • ๐Ÿฅช 12pm: Lunch at Edelweiss Mountain Deli
  • ๐Ÿ˜ด Rest
  • ๐Ÿฅพ 3:30-6pm: Golden hour hike at Stowe Pinnacle

Day 2:

  • โ˜•๏ธ 7am: Coffee & breakfast from Woodland Baking and Coffee (opens at 7am)
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 8am: From coffee, walk on Mountain Road toward and around Main Street in Stowe. Walk through Giles W Dewey Memorial Bridge for fall photos and views (before it gets crowded!)
  • ๐ŸŒฏ 12pm: Lunch in Stowe at The Avocado Pit
  • ๐Ÿ˜ด Rest
  • ๐Ÿฅพ 3:30-6pm Options: Golden hour hike at Bolton Firetower or fall photos and walk at Trapp Family Lodge, Barrows Road, and Grand View Barn

Day 3:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 7am: Visit spots around Stowe you haven’t gotten photos of yet (Grand View Barn, Barnes Hill Road)
  • โ˜•๏ธ 8am: Butler’s Pantry in downtown Stowe (opens at 8am, can also order online to-go)
  • ๐Ÿฅพ 9am: From Butler’s Pantry walk to Sunset Rock hike in downtown Stowe
  • ๐Ÿš— Time to head home!
  • ๐ŸŒŸOr, if you’re here for the day try hiking at Mount Mansfield or visit Waterbury Reservoir in early morning for gorgeous fall views and photos

โœ… 7 Tips to Make the Most of Your Fall Trip (Our tips!)

woman in blue t-shirt and big brown dog at top of stowe pinnacle hike in fall at sunset time with view of bright orange colored mountains rolling in the distance and soft orange glow in the sky.

These tips help you get the best photos of the foliage, help avoid big crowds, and minimize chances of getting stuck in traffic.

  • Get out early: Sunrise is from 6:48am at start of October to 7:26am by October 31st.
  • Visit popular spots early from 7-9am or later in day from 4-6 while everyone else is at dinner.
  • The best light for photos is golden hour which is 1-2 hours after the sun comes up and 1-2 hours before the sunsets. Get to popular spots like barns and covered bridges at this time.
  • Take breakfast and dinner to go to maximize the best parts of the day. ๐Ÿ™‚ Pack sandwiches if you’re doing sunset hikes or plan to be driving around during dinner time.
  • Leave time to rest and relax. It might feel strange but resting after lunch from 1-3 might feel like a waste of time but you’ll still be getting out there, just at a better part of the day.
  • Fall foliage photos will appear washed out (not vibrant) if you take photos in the midday sun.
  • If it’s raining – still plan on getting out there! The color of the leaves really pop when it’s overcast.

Kristen, you haven’t mentioned much about dinner in Stowe ๐Ÿค”

Sunset in the fall is around 6/6:30pm. We would rather enjoy the fall views at this magical time of day than sit in a restaurant. If that sounds like you, pack a sandwich for the hike or have some food ordered or prepared right after your hike!

Is Stowe in the fall really worth it?!

I wondered the same thing for a while. I saw a lot of the hype on social media and thought – there are tons of scenic towns in Vermont, is fall in Stowe really that big a deal?

And, there is something especially scenic and special about it. It could be because it’s close to Mount Mansfield, VT’s tallest mountain, one of the best hikes and views in Vermont, which always seems to be looming in the distance. The nearby mountain ranges make for incredible and easy to get fall scenery.

I was not a fan of the crowds in downtown Stowe midday. That’s why I made the suggestions I did above for lunch and breakfast (Edelweiss Deli accessed from the north instead of south).

I also don’t see the popularity of Cold Hollow Cider Mill because I’m not a fan of cider and the place is always packed. I find it hard to enjoy when the parking lot is packed and lines are super long and busy. But that’s just me!

So yes, Stowe in the fall is worth it. And after my trip there this past fall I honestly can’t wait to go back and visit more places I have on my list that I didn’t get to yet. There’s a lot to see and tons of hikes in the area!

Conclusion

So friends, I hope you really enjoyed this guide all about visiting Stowe in the fall. I put everything I found into this post.

It took research and trial and error and pulling into overcrowded parking lots and turning around to go somewhere else and reading reviews to find this curated list of some of the best spots in Stowe.

I hope this post helps you plan your trip and make some amazing memories and have beautiful pictures to look back on.

Please reach out with any questions or leave a comment below if you have a favorite spot in Stowe you want to share! Or come back and comment about your experience…

Happy trails and happy fall exploring! ๐Ÿ๐Ÿฅพ๐Ÿ“ธ

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