The Best Things to Do in Stowe VT in Winter

If you love cute small towns, winter wonderlands, and European charm, plan your next snowy adventure to Stowe, Vermont. I spent a magical week in Vermont in the winter, starting in Stowe. It was such a captivating introduction for my first time in this US state, and I’m going to show you the best things to do in Stowe, VT in winter.

Base yourself at the Von Trapp Family Lodge, an Austrian-inspired accommodation owned by the descendants of the von Trapp Family of The Sound of Music fame. While there’s plenty of things to see and do at the resort, make sure you pop down into downtown Stowe for a fun-filled afternoon.

I’ll show you all the best things to see and do in Stowe, Vermont in the winter. I recommend spending two nights here so you can divide your time between the town of Stowe and the Von Trapp Family Lodge.

For skiing in the area, add a day or two for alpine skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort. For the only ski-in ski-out lodging for Stowe Mountain Resort, stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak.

Where to Stay in Stowe: Von Trapp Family Lodge

For an amazing winter getaway in Stowe, stay for two nights at the Von Trapp Family Lodge. This is a unique accommodation in the middle of Vermont, though it feels more like Austria.

Inspired by the Von Trapp Family’s ancestral origins in Austria, this beautiful property sit on 2600 acres with mountain scenery all around. You might be inspired to have your very own, “The hills are alive!” moment!

While the exterior architecture is stunning, the magic continues as you set foot inside the hotel. There are so many common areas designed to be enjoyed with your family, friends and travel buddies. Enjoy games rooms, libraries, and nooks in every corner of the hotel, each with roaring fireplaces and windows with a view.

My room was decorated with photos of Maria von Trapp and The Captain, the real life versions and not the movie versions, naturally. Not only is each room quite spacious, but they have private balconies, too. Even though it was chilly outside in January, I made sure to head outdoors to admire the spectacular sunrise from my balcony.

Things to Do at Von Trapp Family Lodge: History Tour

For fans of The Sound of Music, don’t miss the Trapp Family Lodge history tour. These take place regularly throughout the week, and they’re complimentary with your stay. You will receive an information package with free and paid tours/events when you check into the hotel.

Join a 90 minute tour with the hotel’s historian who will provide you with an insightful tour around the accommodation. She’ll tell the story of the real von Trapp family, pointing out the differences between real life and how Hollywood portrayed them.

Walk around the hotel as you learn about personal family stories and discover family heirlooms. There’s a hallway of The Sound of Music movie posters, photographs and memorabilia from around the world.

In some instances, Sam or Kristina von Trapp will be on hand at the hotel, ready to chat and answer your questions in person. These are the real life grandchildren of Maria von Trapp. In other instances, there’s a great short film starring the real Maria von Trapp to watch with a short Q&A with Sam and Maria at the end of it.

Von Trapp Brewing

Much like the von Trapp Family Lodge’s slogan, Von Trapp Brewing also proclaims that it’s “a little of Austria, a lot of Vermont”! Von Trapp Brewing is located right on site, so you can make a trip to the brewery during your stay.

They serve up crisp and refreshing Austrian-style lagers. It’s possible to book a brewery tour on set dates and times. Otherwise, savor a pint of beer and pair it with a delicious meal at this brewpub.

The food is also Austrian-inspired and what you might eat inside a traditional bierhall. I was really pleased with my black bean and farro burger with locally sourced mushrooms and housemade pickles. As I prefer lighter beers, I opted for the Helles golden lager, which was really flavorful.

Meet Scottish Highland Cows

The Trapp Family Lodge owns a herd of Scottish Highland cows. Yes, these are Scotland’s “Hairy Coos” that you’ve likely seen on social media before. Scottish Highland cows have a coarse winter coat that’s able to withstand harsh winters and snowy climates, like those you’d find in Vermont.

Being able to see Highland cows in person is one of the best things to do in Stowe, VT in winter. As far as I know, you can only take a tour to see Scottish Highland cows at the von Trapp Family Lodge.

This is a complimentary tour called “Meet the Cows” that’s offered through the resort. You don’t feed the cows or get up close enough to touch them. It’s best to respect them and admire them from a safe and comfortable distance as to not disturb these gentle giants.

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing

The von Trapp Family Lodge is home to fantastic snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. From their activity center, you can rent the proper equipment and hit the trails.

On some days, there are guided snowshoeing hikes through the woods to the chapel that Werner von Trapp and other members of the family built. You are welcome to explore on your own or book a guided tour through the hotel.

Things to Do in Stowe VT in Winter: Downtown Stowe

Downtown Stowe is a walkable and well-preserved historic street with historic buildings and beautiful views. You should be able to find parking at the side of the road on its main street. One of the top things to do in Stowe, VT, is wandering around the downtown core.

Admire Vermont’s tallest peak, Mount Mansfield, just beyond the town. Go for a walk up and down the main street, popping into shops and cafes along the way.

There’s no shortage of quaint buildings and historic architecture in downtown Stowe. The Stowe Community Church is a super photogenic and towering white building in the middle of town.

We popped into some local shops, like The Country Store on Main, Shaw’s General Store and Stowe Mercantile. There are some cute souvenirs, books, and unique Vermont branded items. Black Cap Coffee is a cute coffee shop where you can rest your legs and sip a soothing brewed beverage.

Lunch at Aladdin

Just outside of downtown Stowe, we stopped at Aladdin for lunch, a Mediterranean vegetarian restaurant. Enjoy delicious Middle Eastern cuisine in Stowe through their pita sandwiches, hummus, baba ghanoush, bowls and mezze platters.

While there are so many delectable options on the menu, I suggest trying the hummus and the falafel. It was some of the best falafel and hummus that I’d ordered from a restaurant in a long time.

Most of the items on the menu are vegan-friendly and the whole restaurant is vegetarian. Even though it’s not right in downtown Stowe, it’s only a short drive away still within the town itself.

Things to Do in Stowe VT in Winter: The Alchemist Brewery

Upon driving up to The Alchemist Brewery, I already knew that I was going to love this place. There are colorful murals splashed across the exterior of the building, and these funky displays continue on the inside of the building, too.

The Alchemist Brewery is a family owned and operated brewery in Stowe, focusing on unfiltered IPAs. One section of this establishment has a retail area, and the other is a beer cafe. There’s only one beer on tap, which is pretty interesting for a brewery. This is the Hand-Pulled Heady Topper, a double IPA.

As for the rest of their beers, you can purchase them by the can to drink inside the brewery. I ordered a can of their Light beer, a Pilsner style brew. I’m not so much a fan of IPAs, despite The Alchemist Brewery focusing mostly on them, though I really liked their Pilsner.

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

This one isn’t right in the town of Stowe, but in nearby Waterbury, Vermont. It’s totally worth the short drive because it’s the only Ben & Jerry’s Factory that’s open to the public. The Ben & Jerry’s Factory opened back in 1985, and they make 350,000 pints of ice cream daily here.

Simply come here for the ice cream or take a fully guided tour. The tour showcases the production floors and gives you a deep dive into how their ice cream is made. The tour comes with free samples, of course. And then there’s the Flavor Graveyard, a place that remembers their past discontinued flavors.

Ben & Jerry’s has always been a favorite of mine because they were among the first to come up with plant-based ice cream. Their vegan varieties keep expanding and they are so delicious, you’ll hardly taste the difference. This is perfect for vegan folks, like myself, or anyone with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.

The best part of all? The scoop shop! There are so many flavors of ice cream, cones and sundaes. I ordered a vegan Oreo sundae with chocolate syrup and whipped cream that was so rich and tasty. This is one of the best things to do in Stowe VT in winter – yes, even though ice cream is cold, don’t miss going anytime of the year.