Summer & Fall Itineraries: Your Dream Stowe Getaway
- Jan 9
- 7 min read
A Romantic Guide to Spending One to Seven Days in Vermont During Fall Foliage (and Summer Months)
Fall in Vermont feels like a deep breath. The air turns crisp, the mountains glow with color, and every winding road pulls you toward another beautiful moment. Stowe sits right in the heart of it all, a place where fall feels brighter, softer, and more enchanting. Whether you have one day or a full week, consider this your guide to a cozy, romantic, perfectly paced autumn escape with Stone Hill Inn as your home base.
7 Days in Vermont During Fall
What not to miss when Stone Hill Inn is your home for a breathtaking Vermont Fall week.
Day One
Burlington, Vermont
Plan to spend your first day lakeside. Lake Champlain is gorgeous in the fall, and riding a bike out on the causeway feels like skimming across the water itself. Rent bikes at Local Motion or North Star Sports and try the Island Line Trail that curves along the shoreline and across the Colchester Causeway by bike ferry. If time allows, drive into the Champlain Islands and enjoy the peaceful small town views before heading back to downtown Burlington for dinner. Church Street is lively in the evenings and filled with great local shops, twinkle lights, and excellent restaurants.
Day Two
Shelburne, Vermont
Today is your chance to wander one of the most unique museums in the country. The Shelburne Museum sits on a spectacular property dotted with gardens, barns, and historic buildings brought from all over New England. Founded by Electra Havemeyer Webb, it was envisioned as a place where American history could be preserved in a way that felt alive. Make time for the steamboat Ticonderoga. It is unforgettable. From there, you can explore Shelburne Farms or a local vineyard. It is a full, beautiful day.
Days Three and Four
Stowe, Vermont
These are your Stowe days. You could spend an entire week here and never run out of things to explore, but here are the essential fall favorites.
Start with Smugglers Notch, just a few minutes from Stone Hill Inn. The mountain pass is dramatic and beautiful with thousand-foot cliffs and caves that smugglers used during the Embargo Act and later during Prohibition. Trails begin right from the road, including Sterling Pond and Hellbrook.
For more fall color, hop between Stowe’s waterfalls. Moss Glen Falls, Bingham Falls, and Sterling Gorge Falls are short, scenic, and perfect in early morning light. (We have two guest rooms named after these falls: Moss Glen and Sterling).
Covered bridge lovers will be in heaven. Gold Brook Covered Bridge is the oldest in Stowe and is famous for its spooky folklore. Brookdale Bridge is the closest to the Inn and sits at the far end of the Rec Path in a picture-perfect clearing. Red Covered Bridge is an easy ten-minute drive and pairs well with Sterling Gorge Falls.
If you enjoy tasting your way through a vacation, Stowe has incredible breweries, cider houses, and distilleries. Customize a day with Savor VT Brew Tours or start at The Alchemist, then wander to Stowe Cider and Idletyme. For spirits and wine, try Ellison Estate Vineyard or Smugglers Notch Distillery.
Dining in Stowe is an experience in itself. Fall reservations book early, so plan ahead. Local favorites include Plate, Gallus in Waterbury, Hen of the Wood, Whip Bar and Grill, Cork, Salute, Bistro at Ten Acres, Edson Hill Tavern, and Trattoria La Festa. For a casual afternoon meal, Idletyme, Grants, Doc Ponds, Bench, Backyard, Butlers Pantry, Piecasso, and Trapp Bierhall always deliver. If you would rather return to the peace of the Inn, Piecasso delivers and sandwiches from Edelweiss or The Butchery are perfect for a quiet night in.
Day Five
Woodstock, Vermont
This day feels like stepping back in time. On your way south, stop at King Arthur Baking Company. The bakery cafe, school, and large shop make it the perfect place for breakfast or a midmorning treat. Everything is delicious.
Just before Woodstock, you will reach Quechee, where the river carves a dramatic one hundred sixty-five-foot gorge. Visit Simon Pearce for glass blowing, shopping, and lunch overlooking the waterfall. It is a beautiful stop.
Once you reach Woodstock, take your time wandering the village green, historic homes, and pretty boutiques. Add in Billings Farm and Museum or the Vermont Institute of Natural Science for a peaceful afternoon among animals and forest trails.
Day Six
Warren, Waitsfield, and Waterbury, Vermont
Head south on scenic Route One Hundred and start with a stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for legendary cider donuts and shopping. Ben and Jerry’s is just beyond and offers tours, tastings, and sweet treats. Continue to Waitsfield for a stop at Canteen Creemee for outrageous ice cream creations and the best fried chicken in Vermont. Across the road, almost is Lawsons Finest Liquids.
Once you reach Warren, explore Warren Falls, Sugarbush Resort, the Warren Covered Bridge, The Warren Store, and local artisan studios, including Luke Iannuzzi Pottery.
Day Seven
Montpelier, Vermont
Spend your final day exploring America’s smallest capital city. The gold-domed Capitol Building is striking, and the surrounding streets are filled with boutiques, cafes, bookstores, and galleries. Lost Nation Theatre often has performances, and if you love local food, Maple syrup tastings at area sugarhouses make a sweet ending to your trip.
5 Days in Vermont During Fall
This itinerary is perfect for travelers to Stone Hill Inn who want variety without rush. Each day offers a beautiful balance of scenic drives, outdoor adventure, local flavor, and time to relax back at the Inn. Vermont reveals itself slowly and sweetly in autumn, and these five days invite you to savor every moment.
Day One
Dorset and Manchester, Vermont
This is a beautiful day for a road trip. Start with the Dorset Quarry, which opened in 1785 and later supplied marble to major landmarks, including the New York Public Library. Today, it is a famous swimming hole, though in the fall, it is peaceful and quiet. Stop at Dorset Bakery or Dorset Union Store before continuing to Manchester. Make time for Northshire Bookstore and consider a visit to the American Museum of Fly Fishing or a tour of Hildene, the historic Lincoln family home.
Day Two
Craftsbury, Vermont
Escape to the quiet hills of Craftsbury. Grab food from the Genny Craftsbury General Store and picnic at Craftsbury Common, where the views stretch over farmland and mountain ridges. Visit the Craftsbury Outdoor Center for sports or scenic strolls, and end your day with a tasting at Soulmate Brewing or Rock Art Brewing in nearby Morrisville.
Days Three and Four
Stowe, Vermont
Spend these days enjoying Stowe’s waterfalls, covered bridges, foliage-filled trails, and scenic roads. Hike Stowe Pinnacle for sweeping views or wander the Stowe Recreation Path, which begins just a short walk from Stone Hill Inn and winds all the way into the village. The path follows the river, crosses small bridges, and passes through classic fall scenery.
Smugglers Notch is an essential fall stop and is only a few miles from the Inn. Plan on slow exploring, taking photos, and soaking up the beauty.
Add in lunch at Edelweiss, a patio meal at Idletyme, and a stroll through downtown Stowe with shops, art galleries, and charming streets.
Day Five
Waterbury Center, Vermont
Spend today discovering local favorites. Cold Hollow Cider Mill is always a fun stop, and Cabot Cheese, Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Smugglers Notch Distillery are all just across the road. Pack a picnic and head to Waterbury Reservoir for lake views and the peaceful rolling green surrounding the water.
3 Days in Vermont During Fall
Experience the perfect fall foliage long weekend in Stowe. The colors are at their peak, the air is crisp, and every road leads to something beautiful. With three days, you can slow down, savor the season, and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventure, local flavor, and the charm that makes Stowe unforgettable in autumn.
Day One
Bike the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, one of the most beautiful recreational paths in New England. It runs more than ninety miles through quiet towns, farmland, and gentle forest. Rent a bike or e-bike and enjoy a slow, scenic day.
Day Two
This is a local favorite loop: drive through Smugglers Notch and down the other side into Cambridge. Stop at Boyden Valley Winery for tastings and sit outside with warm Glogg and mountain views. Continue on Route Fifteen through Jeffersonville and Johnson. Stop at Vermont Flannel, then head into Morrisville for Rock Art or Soulmate Brewery. On the way back into Stowe, grab a latte at Movement Coffee Roasters.
Day Three
Spend your last day in Stowe. Start on the Recreation Path, stop in the village for shops and galleries, and enjoy lunch at Idletyme or Piecasso. The view from the Salon Salon parking lot toward the Community Church is one of the most photographed fall scenes in New England. End with dinner at Plate, Cork, Harrisons, or Whip.
1 Perfect Fall Day in Stowe
A single autumn day in Stowe is enough to feel completely transported. The mountains blaze with color, the air turns perfectly cool, and every option—from waterfall hikes to covered bridge drives—feels like a postcard. Choose the pace that fits your mood and craft a perfect fall day you’ll remember long after the leaves have dropped.
Active Adventures
Hike Stowe Pinnacle for panoramic foliage views
Walk the three waterfalls: Moss Glen, Bingham, and Sterling Gorge
Bike or walk the Stowe Recreation Path
Hike to Sterling Pond in Smugglers Notch
Scenic Drives
Visit all three covered bridges
Drive the Auto Toll Road to the summit of Mount Mansfield
Loop over Smugglers Notch and back
Enjoy the Edson Hill loop and views from Mountain Road
Ride the gondola to Cliff House
Shopping
Explore Stowe art galleries
Browse Mountain Road shops and downtown boutiques
Visit Waterbury Center for Cold Hollow Cider, Cabot Cheese, Danforth Pewter, and Vermont Flannel
Brew and Spirit Tours
Let a local tour company pick you up at the Inn and design a tasting route through breweries, cider houses, and distilleries
Relaxation
Enjoy a couple’s massage and unwind in your in-room double jacuzzi
Roast s’mores by the firepit
Curl up with a book by the waterfall or explore the private woods trail
Why Fall at Stone Hill Inn Feels So Special
Stone Hill Inn is made for fall. Mornings begin with soft light on the gardens and the scent of breakfast drifting through the Inn. Evenings end with quiet patio time or fireside relaxation. Throughout the day, you are surrounded by autumn colors, tucked away just enough to feel peaceful and private yet close to every unforgettable fall experience in Stowe.
