2nd Annual Spectacular Leaf Peeping Trip to New England

This year my girlfriend and I decided to spend peak week of leaf peeping (say that three times fast) in Stowe VT. My husband and I had visited Stowe last year on our New England Fall trip and I have wanted to go back for a year now. So, this was officially my 2nd annual leaf peeping trip to New England. The leaves were even more spectacular this year with arriving a little earlier in the month. 

Cold Hollow Cider Mill 

We stopped at Cold Hollow Cider Mill on the way to Stowe from the airport in Burlington VT. We had so much to pack into just a few days and starting with a snack and an iconic apple cider mill was a great kick off! We got hot apple cider and a cider donut to enjoy outside while taking in the view. There’s a lot to explore here and we even watched them making the donuts. 

Field Guide Lodge Vermont

We were able to visit Stowe during the 2nd week of October and snag the last room at the small boutique Field Guide Lodge. This is a unique little hotel with a modern ski lodge vibe. Our room was clean with basic necessities, no extra space or frills.  We didn’t spend time in our room anyway. 

We had a wonderful breakfast every morning in the hotel lobby. Daily choices included fruit, pastries, quiche, sometimes meat & cheese and always a cute little jar. The contents of the jar changed daily from Greek yogurt to overnite oats or other pumpkin spiced parfaits. 

The staff was personable and helpful, although doors lock at nite and there are no overnite staff. We didn’t actually have a need for staff during the night. There is also not an elevator, but they offered to carry our luggage upstairs for us at check-in. I would stay here again. Mainly for the breakfast. Haha We did like the convenient location to downtown too. 

Stowe Vermont

Stowe is where we wanted to spend the most of our time, with day excursions to a couple of other New England spots. Stowe may be small and overwhelmed with tourists, but it has so much to offer. That’s the appeal and trade off. Besides being such a charming little town in one of the most beautiful settings, it’s a hopping tourist destination with many sites and attractions. Stowe Mountain resort is located on Mount Mansfield just above Stowe.  The quaint town, at the base of the mountain, is full of shops,  restaurants and views!! The surrounding areas have waterfalls, covered bridges, farms with apple picking & cider,  corn mazes, and a wonderful gondola ride. 

Stowe Gondola Skyride

We purchased our tickets in advance to make sure we got to ride the Gondola. Even at $35 a pop it was worth it. It goes close to the top of Mount Mansfield in the Green Mountains, which is the highest peak in Vermont. The ride up is beautiful and the views looking back down are incredible. 

Cliff House Restaurant, The Waffle and a gift shop all await as you reach the peak via your Gondola Skyride. Grab a waffle and a Stowe t-shirt or souvenir, if you are short on time. But, if you have time, eating at Cliff House Restaurant and enjoying the view is a wonderful experience. I highly recommend that you make reservations well in advance. They were turning people away without reservations the day we went.

Smuggler’s Notch Stowe

Drive thru the narrow winding, rock-lined road on Hwy 108 from Stowe. You’ll go thru a canopy of trees over the road on the way. Beautiful golden fall foliage. Most likely the notch will be swarming with vehicles trying to pull over. It’s a beautiful place as the road snakes around the huge boulders. 

To see the notch from a distance, drive back to the parking lot at Barnes Camp VC and take the boardwalk to the end. The boardwalk starts at the opposite end of the parking lot from the building and ends with a lookout platform. The views are gorgeous and you can see the notch in the backdrop of mountains. 

Moss Glen Falls

This waterfall was at the top of my must see list. We chose to do the upper hike, which was a short and easy narrow trail with a lot of boardwalk provided until you get to the end. To actually view the waterfall requires conquering an uneven, very rooted, steep incline at the end, all without a truly marked trail. I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, just watch your step and go slow. I actually tripped and fell! Haha Breathtaking waterfall when you reach the top tho!! 

Trapp Family Lodge Stowe

Wow so much larger than I imagined. We didn’t stay here at the Trapp Family Lodge, but you can also get a day pass and enjoy a visit here when in Stowe. There are sheep on the hillside behind the lodge! The views are incredible no matter where you look. 

Also, as part of the estate and experience is their KaffeeHaus Bakery and the brewery. 

von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall

The Bierhall Restaurant has an awesome lodge feel, but bright with high ceilings, many windows and a focal point bar. Brewing Austrian style beer on the Trapp Family Farm was originated by Johannes von Trapp, the youngest and only surviving of the 10 Trapp children. His son, Sam von Trapp, is the owner of the current Bierhall. While waiting for a table, we met Kristina von Trapp, Sam’s sister. She visited with us and answered our questions about her family and her Dad touring and singing with his siblings as a child. There may be a few real life differences versus as portrayed in The Sound of Music, but what a warm family! 

Highly recommend this restaurant and brewery. If beer is not your thing, try their Maple Lemonade. Just remember you need reservations!

Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm 

The day we visited the Sugarhouse at Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm, we met the 2 sisters and picked up some maple syrup. This is the Coty family and it’s referred to as sugaring. It’s fascinating that they tap thousands of trees on their farm and produce fabulous maple syrup annually. They have tours here, samples and of course sell their syrup. Visit this little sugar house when you are in Stowe and buy some of their maple syrup. Just don’t pack it in your carryon! Dena’s was confiscated at the airport. Neither one of us thought about until that moment! Ugh!

Covered Bridges Stowe VT

One of the most well known covered bridges in Stowe is Emily’s Bridge or Gold Brook Bridge. Built in 1844 and said to be haunted, didn’t feel that way at all. Lots of people visit here including a bus of seniors the day we were there. 

Red Covered Bridge is a little further from Stowe, in Morristown. It’s kind of out in the middle of nowhere, but on the way to a hike we wanted to do at Sterling Gorge. Oddly enough, there was a random man hanging out there. We hurried to take pics here! 

Dewey Memorial Bridge is in downtown Stowe just off Main Street on Mountain Road. We’ve walked through the Giles W Dewey Memorial Bridge several times due to its location. Mr Dewey was a prominent farmer and leader in Stowe. 

Laughing Moon Chocolates 

One of my absolute favorite places in Stowe is Laughing Moon Chocolates. I can not get enough of their truffles. This chocolate shop is amazing. You can’t miss it on Main Street. Just look for the ‘Welcome to Stowe Vermont’ mural painted on the side of the building. 

Where We Ate in Stowe

Idletyme Brewing Co 

I’ve actually been to Idletyme Brewing Co to eat on both trips to Stowe. Peak of leaf peeping season is really busy. Make a reservation. I’m not a beer fan, but some of the best food can be found at breweries! They have a signature, HUGE pretzel that we just had to try. Maybe they were just super busy because it wasn’t hot or overly impressive, other than the size.  Food portions are good sized, not fancy. 

Doc Ponds Stowe VT

On a recommendation from our lodge, we ate at Doc Ponds the 1st nite. It was so hard to find dinner spot with tourist packing in. This is a bar/restaurant where we got a decent hamburger.  The fries with garlic aioli sauce was very good too. 

NH Day Trip From Stowe

Castle In The Clouds

Located in Moltonborough NH near the northwest side of Lake Winnipesaukee, is Castle in the Clouds, or Lucknow.  The grounds were our favorite part although it’s a cool castle-esque  home with period furnishings. It was one of those extravagantly built homes ahead of its time in the early 1900s. Not near as grand, a little later and much smaller, but the history and innovation reminded me slightly of Biltmore. 

In fact the history of Tom Plant, and his estate, Lucknow, are a large part of the draw to this beautiful mountaintop mansion. Once you check in and purchase a ticket, you will be taken by trolley car to the secluded home. Tom Plant was a shoe manufacturer with the largest factory in the US and the largest shoe factory in the world at one time. Sadly, the fortune wasn’t preserved and the mansion was foreclosed on after his death. 

Lucknow was purchased and enjoyed for years by the Tobey family and eventually sold and opened to the public as Castle in the Clouds. Presently, you can tour the mansion and grounds, dine at the Carriage House Restaurant or even rent it out as a venue. 

Winnipesaukee Lake Train

One and two hour lakeside train rides are available on the Hobo Railroad, Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. The two hour ride was sold out, but I snagged seats on the one hour ride online a few days before arriving. We got on and off at the Weirs Beach Station. We enjoyed pretty views of the lake, homes, parks, etc along Southwestern Lake Winnipesaukee shore. 

The Breeze Restaurant NH 

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at The Breeze, a seafood restaurant in Gilford NH, after our train ride. It is also located on West shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, so a perfect dinner spot just a short 10 minute drive from the Weirs Beach Station.  Owned by my high school classmate, Ken Choice, it was so very nice to see him and introduce him to my friend Dena while we dined at a water view table there.  Highly recommend for lunch or dinner! 

Ellacoya Barn & Grille NH

This is another restaurant about five minutes from The Breeze and owned by my same friend, Ken. So after dinner and after hearing a little history, we came to Ellacoya Barn & Grille  to check it out.  We agreed we  definitely want to eat here on our next visit. This is a old 1800s barn that was salvaged and reconstructed here as a restaurant, giving it a rustic and inviting feel. With live music, an amazing looking menu and super friendly staff, how could Ellacoya not be on your list?

Burlington VT

Church Street Marketplace 

This destination area of Burlington, Church Street Marketplace, is a few pedestrian-only blocks along a section of Church Street. All the shops and restaurants are very walkable without any vehicle traffic allowed. We browsed through the shops and definitely found a favorite-Lake Champlain Chocolates. They have the best hot chocolate made with chocolate chips! So rich and so smooth! Not to mention all of the chocolate truffles, turtles and so many other chocolate treasures. We even made it a point to visit their flag ship store when we came back to Burlington to fly home.

American Flatbread

The area surrounding Church Street Marketplace has additional shops and restaurants. We decided to walk a block or so to American Flatbread for lunch. The pizza did not disappoint. Stowe has a location also, if you don’t make it to Burlington. 

Lake Champlain 

The lake that you fly over,  coming into Burlington International Airport that separates New York and Vermont, is Lake Champlain. It’s a huge lake and even goes up into Canada. We drove to a couple different areas of it while in Burlington. We were looking for lighthouses and just taking in the view.

Leaf Peeping

What about the leaf peeping since we were so busy? That was a constant!! Everywhere we drove was so vibrantly colored. We were in awe the whole time. Every hike we took, window we looked out, door we walked out of met us with the glorious New England Fall foliage. It truly was a spectacular trip!! I can’t wait for next year!!