2 days of a lake town, a farm shore and the Green Mountains

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   Morning

   Mount Mansfield

   The highest mountain in Vermont, 4,393 feet, with trails on several sides, the Long Trail along the ridge and one of the few patches of alpine tundra in the state. A steep, mostly unpaved auto road also climbs from the Stowe side. Weather changes fast, and trails can be wet and steep, so check ahead on the road, the trail and the sky, and turn back if it turns bad.

   Go when Morning, in clear weather and not in a storm.

   Local tip The mountain has trails and an auto road, and the weather changes fast, so check ahead on both and on the sky. Trails can be wet and steep, the ridge is windy and cold, and fog can hide the way. Turn back if it turns bad.

   

   About 22 min walk1.1 mi
2. 2
   Midday

   Smugglers' Notch State Park

   A state park in the narrow pass beside Mount Mansfield, named for smugglers who used the notch in the early 1800s. Steep cliffs rise on both sides of the road, with talus caves at their base. The road through the pass is closed in winter, usually from late October to May, so check ahead.

   Go when Midday, in daylight and in dry weather.

   Local tip The road through the notch is narrow, steep and winding, and it is closed in winter, usually from late October to May. Check ahead on the road, drive slowly and pull off only where there is room.

   

3. Lunch

   Soup and bread

   A bowl of vegetable or squash soup with a slice of fresh bread, an easy lunch after a morning on the mountain.

   Local tip Pick the soup of the day, since it is made from what is in season.

   About 29 min by car or transit8.2 mi
4. 3
   Midday

   Stowe Community Church

   A church on Main Street in Stowe village, completed in 1863 and said to be one of the most photographed churches in the country. It is non-denominational and a working church, so keep to the outside during services and be respectful.

   Go when Midday, outside the hours of services.

   Local tip Look at it from across the street, since the steeple against the hills is the view people photograph. It is a working church, so stay quiet and respectful.

   

   About 16 min by car or transit3.7 mi
5. 4
   Afternoon

   Stowe Recreation Path

   A 5.3-mile greenway in Stowe, built in two phases in the 1980s, for walking, running and cycling. You can walk any stretch and turn back when you like, which suits a day with no plan.

   Go when Afternoon, on dry ground.

   Local tip Walk any stretch and turn back when you like. Wear layers, keep to the right for bikes, and check ahead after snow or heavy rain, when parts of the path can be wet or closed.

   

6. Dinner

   Sugar on snow

   Hot maple syrup poured over a bowl of clean snow so it turns to chewy taffy, eaten with a plain donut and a pickle, a Vermont tradition of the sugaring season. Out of season, ask for a maple dessert.

   Local tip It is a late winter and spring treat, so check ahead, and have the pickle.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from Stowe Recreation PathAbout 47 min by car23.1 mi

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   Morning

   Church Street Marketplace

   The pedestrian street at the heart of Burlington, four blocks of shops and cafes with no cars, laid out in the early 1980s. Walk it end to end, then wander the side streets.

   Go when Morning, before the street fills, or in the evening (about 7:03 PM) when the lights come on.

   Local tip Walk it end to end, then turn down a side street. There are no cars on the street itself, so you can stop where you like. Prices and hours vary, so check ahead.

   

   About 27 min by car or transit7.5 mi
3. 2
   MiddayIndoor

   Shelburne Museum

   A museum of art, design and Americana on about 45 acres near Lake Champlain, with exhibits in dozens of buildings, many of them historic and moved to the grounds. Allow plenty of time, wear walking shoes and check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Midday, as an indoor and outdoor stop.

   Local tip The grounds are large and spread across many buildings, so pick the ones that catch your eye and walk the paths between them. Wear comfortable shoes, and check ahead on the opening.

   

4. Lunch

   Farmhouse cheddar and crackers

   A block of farmhouse cheddar with crackers, apple and pickles, a picnic lunch for a day along the shore.

   Local tip Ask for a cheese aged a little longer if you like a stronger bite.

   About 27 min by car or transit7.5 mi
5. 3
   Afternoon

   Lake Champlain

   A long natural lake that lies mostly between Vermont and New York and reaches north into Quebec. Burlington is its largest city on the Vermont side. Sit or stroll in Waterfront Park, and look across the water to the Adirondack hills.

   Go when Afternoon into evening (about 7:03 PM), as the light softens on the water.

   Local tip Sit by the water in Waterfront Park and look west to the Adirondack hills. The lake is cold, wind can come up fast, and swimming and boating depend on the season and the conditions, so check ahead.

   

   About 24 min by car or transit6.2 mi
6. 4
   Afternoon

   Shelburne Farms

   A working farm of about 1,400 acres on the shore of Lake Champlain, now a nonprofit education center and a National Historic Landmark, with Gilded Age buildings and landscaping. Walk the paths and look at the lake. Check ahead on access.

   Go when Afternoon, on dry ground.

   Local tip A working farm and education center, so keep to the paths and respect the animals and the fences. Check ahead on access and on what is open to visitors.

   

7. Dinner

   Apple cider donuts

   Cake donuts made with cider, rolled in cinnamon sugar and eaten warm, with a cup of cold cider, a sweet supper for the lookout.

   Local tip Eat them the same day, when they are soft.