Vermont

Stowe and Burlington cover both sides of Vermont: mountain village charm with hiking and breweries in Stowe, and a lively lakeside college town in Burlington.

Stowe: Outdoors

Name	Info	Details
Stowe Recreation Path	easy · walk or bike	A flat paved path starting behind the village church that follows the river past farms and mountain views. Good for an easy morning walk or a bike rental.
Smugglers' Notch	scenic drive · seasonal	A dramatic mountain pass between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak lined with cliffs and boulders, with the road closed in winter. Pull-offs along the way lead to short scrambles among the rocks.
Sterling Pond Trail	moderate · short	A steep but short climb up to Vermont's highest trout pond, a glacial tarn ringed by cliffs and forest. A good middle-ground hike if Mansfield's summit trails feel like too much.
Mount Mansfield via Long Trail	hard · full day	Vermont's highest peak, with the Long Trail offering a tough but more manageable route up than the notoriously steep Hell Brook Trail. Views from the summit ridge stretch across the Green Mountains.

Stowe: Breweries & Food

Name	Info	Details
The Alchemist	$$ · brewery, cans only to-go	Home of Heady Topper, the double IPA that helped kick off the modern hazy IPA craze. The taproom in Stowe is worth a stop even for people who don't usually seek out beer destinations.
Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall	$$ · Austrian lagers	Set on the Trapp Family Lodge property (yes, that Trapp family), this bierhall skips the hoppy New England style in favor of clean Austrian lagers and pilsners. Pair a Helles with a pretzel and take in the mountain view from the deck.
Trapp Family Lodge	grounds open to visitors	The resort founded by the family that inspired The Sound of Music, with cross-country ski trails in winter and mountain views year-round. Worth a wander even if you're not staying there.
Stowe Farmers' Market	seasonal · Sundays	A weekend market for local produce, cheese, and crafts, running through the warmer months. A relaxed way to spend a morning before hiking.

Burlington

Name	Info	Details
Church Street Marketplace	must-do · walkable	A pedestrian brick street lined with shops, buskers, and restaurants in the heart of downtown. The natural hub for an evening stroll after a day on the lake.
Burlington Bike Path / Greenway	easy · lakefront	Seven-plus miles of paved trail along Lake Champlain with views toward the Adirondacks. Rent a bike downtown and ride out toward the Winooski River for a longer loop.
Foam Brewers	$$ · brewery, lake view	A waterfront taproom known for constantly rotating small-batch beers made with local ingredients. Grab a flight and sit outside on the deck over the lake.
Honey Road	$$$ · Mediterranean	A well-reviewed Mediterranean-leaning restaurant known for shareable small plates in downtown Burlington. A good pick for a nicer dinner out.
Pizzeria Verità	$$ · wood-fired pizza	Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza with a solid Italian wine list, tucked just off Church Street. Reliable choice for a casual but satisfying dinner.
Citizen Cider	$$ · cidery	A taproom pouring Vermont-made hard cider in a range of styles, from crisp to funky. A nice change of pace from the beer-heavy scene elsewhere in town.