Green with Envy, White with Wonder VT+NH Guide
Updated: Aug 26
Day One:
Start your trip at The Von Trapp Family Lodge: I suggest spending at least half a day exploring the property.
The Walking Balcony: This balcony links up several rooms in a row, making a cool open walkway.
The Main Dining Room: Dishes out fancy European and New England eats, like Wiener Schnitzel made with beef from the Trapp farm.
Von Trapp Brewing & Bierhall: Right on the property, this spot brews classic Austrian-style lagers using fresh mountain spring water.
Kaffeehaus: A true Austrian bakery offering fresh pastries, gourmet coffee, and custom charcuterie boards on a big deck with mountain views.
Von Trapp Family History Tour: Spend 1.5 hours diving into the true story of how the Von Trapp family made their daring escape from Austria in 1938 and eventually made Vermont their home. You'll catch a documentary, check out some cool historical items, and take a quick guided stroll to the family cemetery where Maria and Baron George von Trapp are buried.
The Von Trapp Resort is a must-see with its 2,600 acres of trails, meadows, and stunning mountain views.
Note: Most public tours are fully included for overnight lodge guests as part of the nightly resort fee.
You can't go wrong grabbing lunch at the Main Lodge in The Trapp Family Lodge. Everything's farm-to-table, and the portions are huge, so you'll definitely leave full. I highly recommend trying their Chicken BLT!
The Gondola Skyride, is a must do during foliage season. You can swing by any day between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM from mid-June to mid-October to catch some amazing views of the Green Mountains. During the fall foliage season, it's $55, but with all those vibrant yellows and reds in the trees, it's totally worth it!
Heading into downtown Stowe spend some time exploring the local shops and art galleries. Northwood Gallery showcases Vermont artists working in various mediums. Shaw's General Store and the Stowe Mercantile provide tourist souvenirs and Vermont-crafted items to take home. In the Straw Corner shops, you'll discover Remarkable Things along with 4 other hidden shops that are well worth a visit.
Grab Dinner at one of these great places when you're ready to eat:
Sushi Yoshi: Famous for its Asian Fusion, Sushi, and Hibachi, along with a welcoming ambiance.
The Whip Bar and Grill: a historic, casual dining restaurant located in the heart of Stowe Village at the Green Mountain Inn
Idletyme Brewing Company: A popular, family-friendly craft brewery and restaurant.
Day Two:
One of my go-to places for breakfast is right downtown. Butlers Pantry will whip you up an awesome, award-winning breakfast from scratch. It's got that perfect blend of historic charm and tasty food!
After breakfast, enjoy a chill Scenic Drive through the Stowe Hollow Area and into Waterbury Center. This drive takes you from downtown Stowe, along the back roads to Waterbury Center, then to The Little River State Park, and back again.
Make sure to not miss these stops:
Ben and Jerry's Factory: Tours are $6, the Flavor Graveyard is free and hilarious and they have a scoop shop!
Cold Hollow Cider: For Legendary Cider Donuts, Traditional Cider Press, Tasting room, and homemade local goods.
Cabot Annex: Sample a broad selection of award-winning Cabot cheddars and specialty cheese
Lake Champlain Chocolates: A cozy retail shop offering gourmet truffles, gift baskets, seasonal specialty chocolates, wrapped chocolate bars, and hot beverages
For lunch, head over to Morrisville and check out my favorite place, Thompson's Flour Shop. They've been around for over 30 years, serving up fresh, homemade breads.
Right next door is the Noyes House Museum. You'll find loads of 19th-century stuff here, like furniture, clothing, farming tools, military gear, and art, giving you a peek into what life was like back then. It's open just on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so fingers crossed that fits into your plans!
After lunch, make your way back to Stowe to work off some of that yummy bread. I've got two great walks in mind. First up is the Stowe Recreation Path. It's a paved trail just off the main road that follows the river, offering awesome views of the Steepled Church. You can walk as far as you like and turn back whenever; no need to overdo it! The second option is Moss Glen Falls. It's a quick fifteen-minute walk through a wildflower meadow, along the river, and then you're at the base of the waterfall. No hills, just an amazing 125-foot waterfall.
Go ahead and have dinner at one of the places you missed the other night and get some rest for tomorrow's adventure from the Green Mountains to the White Mountains!
Day Three:
Stowe --------> North Conway 2 hours 47 min
Either have breakfast at the Kaffeehaus at the Trapp Family Lodge or a quick bite downtown before leaving for your Scenic Drive to North Conway. Make sure to see these cant miss spots:
Old Man on the Mountain Historical Site: A short, 1/4-mile wheelchair-accessible walk leads from the parking lot down to the edge of Profile Lake to an interactive memorial featuring steel "profiler rods". Tailored to your height, the rods superimpose the Old Man's missing face back onto the cliffside.
The Basin: Follow a flat, wheelchair-accessible paved path spanning about 0.4 miles from the parking lot to the primary viewing platform to see a famous glacial pothole, 30 feet wide and 15 feet deep
Loon Mountain Gondola: A 1.3-mile trip to the 2,730-foot summit of Loon Peak. It operates daily during the summer and fall foliage seasons, offering sweeping views of the White Mountains, access to glacial caves, and a mountaintop observation tower.
The Rhythm Cider, Tap & Grille opens at 12 PM. It's a fancy yet family-friendly American restaurant right in the Grand Lobby of the Riverwalk Resort at Loon Mountain. They offer a complete dining experience focused on artisan hard ciders. The dining area is stunning, with a standout apple tree sculpture and a beautiful outdoor patio where you can enjoy views of the Pemigewasset River and the White Mountains.
Kancamagus Highway: a 34.5-mile scenic mountain road connecting Lincoln to North Conway.
You made it! North Conway is a hotspot for outdoor adventures and tax-free outlet shopping, making it the perfect gateway to the White Mountain National Forest. Be sure to wander around the village, and then head over to Muddy Moose Restaurant And Pub for dinner. They've got a cool, laid-back log-cabin vibe with cute animal decor and a cozy fireplace.
Day Four:
Both 27 North and Peach's Restaurant offer unique breakfast experiences that reflect the charm of North Conway. Whether you are in the mood for a hearty meal or something light and refreshing, these two establishments provide a range of options that are sure to satisfy your cravings and set a positive tone for the rest of your day.
The Mountaineer Tour: Hop on a classic 4- to 5.5-hour round-trip train ride that takes you right through the stunning Crawford Notch. This journey brings back the vibe of post-World War II transatlantic rail travel, featuring beautifully restored passenger cars from the 1950s. You'll wind through rugged cliffs and famous mountain passes. Trains head out at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
Before leaving Conway to head over to Lincoln grab some Lunch at Cheese Louise North Conway. Specializing in gourmet, artisan grilled cheese sandwiches and comfort food. You can't go wrong with The Vermonter: Cabot cheddar and muenster served on sourdough.
Seeing Black Bears isn't an everyday event—unless they're trying out for the role of "Dumpster Diving Champion" right in your backyard! After lunch make your way over to Clark’s Bears this family-owned spot has been a classic since 1928, known for its trained North American Black Bear show and its cool vintage steam train ride. It's one of the few places where you can catch something like this!
Afterwards we'll head back over to North Conway, make sure to stop and grab some dinner at Barley and Salt Taphouse and Kitchen. Famous for its brick-lined walls and big windows, this place serves up a changing menu of fancy pub dishes and international flavors.
Day Five:
North Conway ------> Woodstock 2 hour 34 minutes
Make sure to grab something to eat before heading out to Woodstock on a beautiful Scenic Drive, stopping in Littleton renowned for its award-winning Main Street. Continue on to Quechee and then Woodstock!
Pollyanna Statue: Littleton honors Eleanor H. Porter, author of the famous novel Pollyanna, with a cheerful bronze statue displayed right outside the public library
Main Street Shopping: Routinely voted one of the best Main Streets in America, Grab some Lunch at one of these great spots on main street if you get hungry!
The Riverwalk Covered Bridge: A 352-foot pedestrian-only covered bridge
Quechee Gorge: Known as "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon". You can park for free and walk right onto the Route 4 bridge to look 165 feet down into the chasm.
Historic Taftsville Covered Bridge: Built in 1836, this bright red bridge spans the Ottauquechee River right next to a rushing dam and waterfall, making it one of the most photographed fall foliage spots in the state.
If you didn't pick up anything for lunch in Littleton, try Woodstock's Positive Pie. They've got this cool mix of classic New York-style thin-crust pizza with a Vermont twist, using local goodies like King Arthur Flour.
Check out Woodstock! Park your car and take a stroll down Main Street. The heart of the village buzzes with autumn markets where you can snag warm cider donuts, fresh apple cider, and local maple cotton candy. Browse cozy autumn staples like flannel shirts at The Vermont Flannel Co. or check out the Historic Middle Covered Bridge right in the heart of town—it's a cool spot you can stroll through.
Dinner at Oakes & Evelyn in Woodstock is a highly-rated fine dining restaurant located at The Jackson. If you can snag a room at The Jackson, you'll be super close to this awesome spot with creative local dishes, a fancy raw bar, homemade pastas, and craft cocktails.
Day Six:
Grab breakfast at Farmer and the Bell, A cozy farm-to-table bakery and café famous for its handmade French crullers, rustic homemade focaccia, local drip coffee, and artisanal maple creemees.
Then spend the morning at Sugarbush Farm, a well-known, family-run 550-acre farm that's famous worldwide for its hand-waxed cheeses and pure Vermont maple syrup. The Luce family has been running this place for over five generations, and they offer a genuine farm experience without any admission fees or the need for reservations.
Woodstock-----> Burlington 2 hour 41 minutes
Get ready to head towards Burlington with Stops along the way. You definitely can't skip Waitsfield; it still has that classic Vermont country vibe, and it's even more amazing during the fall foliage.
Stop at Hubbard's Country Store and Grab some sandwiches to go; they offer fresh pizza, custom sandwiches, salads, and baked goods.
Blueberry Lake: Break out your sandwiches for a picnic, The water is super calm and clear, making it act like a giant mirror for the Green Mountains. In the fall, the whole place explodes with red and orange leaves.
The Mad River Green Shops: The green space and its adjacent plaza host major seasonal events, local artisan storefronts, and everyday services.
Oakledge Park: The Forever Young Treehouse is tucked into a shaded grove just steps from the bike path. Looking out through the branches, you get a beautiful birds-eye view of Oakledge Park’s sprawling green lawns.
When your ready for some food with some views head over to the Burlington waterfront and dine at Spot on the Dock, which serves surf-inspired plates and tropical cocktails. It is widely considered the ultimate destination for catching the sunset over Lake Champlain and it's the perfect spot to finish off your trip.
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