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The Area: Regardless of season, the
Stowe, Mt. Mansfield and Smugglers'
Notch areas of Vermont are, without question, one of the
best known and more popular areas in the entire state. It's the home of Vermont's highest mountain,
spectacular skiing, and some of the most
dramatic scenery one could hope for - especially during Fall Foliage
Season. Add to this the countless places of
interest and facilities the area has to offer and you have a destination
not to be ignored. Simply put, it's strikingly beautiful, with much to
do regardless of age or budget. Enjoy!
Stowe,
Stowe Village, Mount Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch:
Although, today, the names Stowe and Smuggler's Notch are synonymous with skiing,
it's equally attractive to visitors throughout the year for its variety of
sports activities, 
shops, and shear beauty. It's a "must see"
during Vermont's Fall Foliage Season! Mountain Biking, Fly Fishing,
Hiking and Rock Climbing? It's all here! In short, there's something for everyone
- including a profusion of shops,
inns and restaurants offering from the basic to
luxurious.
A collection of attractive shops fills Stowe's compact village, which
is the jumping off point for a 5.3-mile paved and blessedly flat Recreation Path. The path
meanders through meadows and crosses the West Branch River on 11 arched
wooden bridges. Your bike is at home? Not to worry. Village
shops offer hiking, biking and skiing equipment
of all sorts. And, there are plenty of places near the path to rent bikes
for adults and children.
*
If you're looking for a view, there's none better than from the Mount
Mansfield Toll Road! Mount Mansfield is Vermont's Highest
Mountain [ 4393'] - The Toll Road zig zags to the summit ridge with
views of Lake Champlain & New York's Adirondack Mountains. Open
from approximately June 24 to October 17. Bicycles and motorcycles
are NOT PERMITTED. Phone 802-253-3000
for rates and details.
Proficient mountain bikers can ride the gondola at Stowe Mountain
Resort up Mount Mansfield to hurtle down 20 intermediate and advanced
trails. Not ready for such a harrowing experience? There are 12 beginner and
intermediate trails at Spruce Peak!
If the Recreation Path whets your appetite, for more strenuous
hiking
try The Pinnacle Trail, a 1.4-mile hike to the Pinnacle, a 2,740-foot
peak reached by a gradual ascent up the west side of the mountain.
Experienced climbers can try The
Long Trail from Smuggler's Notch. The trail
is steep, rising 3,000 vertical feet in 2.3 miles.
Looking to do something a little less strenuous? Try the Alpine Slide at Stowe Mountain
Resort. Cool off with a
swim. Go camping or canoeing. Take a carriage ride or hay ride, or learn
rock climbing.
Fly fishing has seen a dramatic rise in popularity in Stowe over the
past two decades and now rivals bait fishing in the Lamoille and
Winooski Rivers. Plenty of advice, and a guide if you need one, is available at
Fly Fish Vermont in the village.
A
Walk On The Wild Side! Mount Mansfield itself is the magnet that drew settlers and then
tourists to its base, and there the best way to pay homage to the rare
environment of arctic-plants and dramatic out-croppings is to walk the trail
to the top. The first day of a two-day hike to the summit is a difficult
climb over sometimes very steep terrain and will take you to Taft Lodge,
a log cabin built in 1920.
If you're hiking in the area you may also be interested in the Mount
Mansfield Hostel, a legendary bunkhouse offering bunk-style
accommodations. A touch more rugged is The Stone Hut, open from November
through April and accessible only on foot or, during ski season, by
chair lift. The hut sleeps 10 to 12. Both facilities are within 1 mile
of The Long Trail.
Smugglers'
Notch - A Must See! Last, but certainly not least,
you'll want to visit Smugglers Notch. It earned its colorful name
during the War of 1812 when Vermonters found the 2,162-foot-high pass a
nifty place to hide supplies before smuggling them into Canada for
the sustenance of the British army as it waged war with the American
army. A steep, narrow, twisty road which wends its way through the pass
and is open from May to December is not to be missed . A state
Forests and Parks Department Information Booth and turnoff offers
motorists a welcome break from the challenging road as well as a picnic
area and chance to appreciate the surrounding scenery. The Parks staff
there can direct you to trails to Smugglers Cave; the Hunter and His Dog, and the Great
Spring.
Johnson, Cambridge,
Jeffersonville, Morrisville:
Johnson depicts
two sides of this rural area. The Johnson Woolen Mill's thick woolen
pants and jackets are beloved by residents of cold climates from coast
to coast and north to Alaska, while Johnson State College in the same
town hosts performing artists, including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra
at its performing arts center, while the Vermont Studio Center in
Johnson offers exhibits of 50 professional artists as well as studios,
lectures and critiques.
The dramatic drive from Stowe through Smugglers Notch brings
travelers to Jeffersonville and to the Lamoille River Valley, a lovely
area off the much-beaten path of the more popular tourist area
surrounding Stowe. In Jeffersonville the Smugglers Notch Chamber
of Commerce offers a directory of this area, rich in
recreational resources.
Lake
Elmore, Wolcott, Worcester, Woodbury and Morristown:
The
town of Lake Elmore is bounded by the towns of Wolcott, Worcester,
Woodbury and Morristown. Northwest of the town, Elmore
State Park features a 500 acre lake, campground, beach, picnic area
and boat rentals.
Waterbury, Waterbury
Center: Close to Stowe and not to be ignored
is Waterbury. The presence of a state office complex marks Waterbury as
the region's center for local residents to attend to practical matters,
and the town is the transportation hub for bus, plane and train travelers headed for the Stowe area. But getting to Stowe can be
half the fun as northbound travelers head up Route 100 where Ben &
Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, arguably the top tourist attraction in the
state, is located just north of Waterbury, And in the same vein Cold
Hollow Cider Mill welcomes visitors to watch cider being pressed and to
try samples. Food factory outlets in Waterbury include the Cabot
Creamery Annex Store, which shares a building with the Green Mountain
Chocolate Company and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
Local
Attractions & Places of Interest
Listings
Are In Alphabetical Order
Ben & Jerry's (Northern
Vermont)
Description: Tours and tastings.
Location: Route 100
Town: Waterbury
Phone: 866-258-6877
Cold Hollow Cider Mill (Northern
Vermont)
Description: New England's Most Famous Cider Mill
Location: PO Box 420, Route 100
Town: Waterbury Center
Phone: 802-244-8771
Mount Mansfield Toll Road (Northern
Vermont)
Description: Vermont's Highest Mountain [ 4393'] - Historic Auto
Toll Road Zig Zags To Summit Ridge & Views of Lake Champlain & New
York Adirondack Mountains.
Location: Route 108
Town: Stowe
Phone: 802-253-3000
Stowe Mountain Resort - Summer Attractions (Northern
Vermont)
Description: Mt. Mansfield Toll Road, Gondola Skyride, Alpine Slide, Skate Park
Location: Mountain Road
Town: Stowe
Phone: 802-253-7311
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