25+ Things to Do in Stowe, VT with Kids - Family Weekend Getaway

Families can find plenty of things to do and ways to stay active in Stowe, VT, whether visiting when it’s a sparkling winter wonderland, when it’s lush and green in the summertime, or when the leaves are at their peak in the fall. The area includes the 200-year-old town of Stowe, arguably the most charming village in Vermont, the Trapp Family Lodge (of Sound of Music fame), and Mt Mansfield, the highest peak in the state. From hiking, swimming and biking in summer to skiing, snowshoeing and skating in winter, Stowe is a year-round destination. Read on for things to do in Stowe, VT winter, spring, summer and fall.

1. Teach your kids downhill skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort  (Winter)
2. Walk, bike, or ski along the town’s 5+-mile Recreation Path
3. Cool off in the summer or warm up in the winter at The Swimming Hole. The children’s pool has a water slide that is open each afternoon; day passes available
4. Enjoy a pizza at Pie-casso and then head to the movies at the Stowe Cinema
5. Bundle up and go for a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride (Winter)
6. Enjoy a classic burger, fries and a shake (frappe, smoothie, depending on where you come from) at the Depot Street Malt Shoppe
7. Teach your kids cross country skiing at Trapp Family Lodge (Winter)
8. Grab breakfast at The Bagel in the Baggy Knees Shopping Center
9. Check out one of the favorite fishing holes - the Fly Rod Shop has half-day trips just for families (Jun-Oct)
10. Rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board on the recently opened Waterbury Reservoir at Waterbury Center State Park (Spring-Fall)
11. Take advantage of the open ice time at Jackson Arena, the town skating rink (Winter)
12. Hike up to Sterling Pond, an easy, 2.8 mile trail (Spring-Fall)
13. Follow one of the trails from the Stowe Mountain Resort Cross-Country Ski Center (Winter)
14. Take the gondola up to the top of Mt. Mansfield, where you can hike to “the chin” or stop for a bite in the Cliff House. On a clear day, you can even see Montreal (Spring-Fall)
15. Enjoy an Austrian-inspired cake, torte or treat at the Trapp Family Lodge DeliBakery
16. Visit the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, which houses a collection of ski memorabilia that chronicles the evolution of the sport 
17. Watch the colorful balloons take to the air during the Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival (July)
18. Snowshoe to the chapel at Trapp Family Lodge, looking for animal tracks and listening to birds (Winter)
19. Create a memento of your trip at The Painting Place U-Paint-It-Pottery (100 Mountain Road)
20. Snowshoe, cross-country ski or hike along the well-marked trails of Stowe Land Trust’s Wiessner Woods, off Edson Hill Road
21. Take a guided tour of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory and sample the flavor of the day. On the way, stop by the Cabot Cheese Annex Store to sample the latest cheese flavors.
22. Treat your pre-teen to a visit to the Chillax KidSpa at Stowe Mountain Resort, where they can choose from relaxation sessions, mini massages, princess manicures and ice cream pedicures
23. Take a dip in Foster's natural swimming hole  (Summer)
24. Hit the “links” at the Stowe Golf Park, a beautifully landscaped and contoured miniature golf course (Spring-Fall)
25. Head to the Kinderplatz at the annual Oktoberfest celebration (Sep/Oct)
26. Tour the nearly 600-foot granite quarry, watch artisans carve stone, and try your hand at sandblasting your own stone souvenir at Rock of Ages
27. For school-aged visitors who need some structure in their day (or parents who want some time to themselves), Apple Tree Discovery offers scheduled camps and activities throughout the year
28. Celebrate all things winter during the Stowe Winter Carnival (Jan)

A note about food and lodging: We’ve listed a few places where families can get a bite to eat, but restaurants are numerous and most are casual and family friendly; more suggestions here. Hotel options  range from cosy B&Bs and affordable hotels (we like the Golden Eagle) to luxurious resorts like Stowe Mountain Lodge, Topnotch Resort, and Stoweflake Mountain Resort.

Photo courtesy of goStowe.com