Best Things to Do in Stowe, VT With Kids
Stowe's family days: the Stowe Mountain Resort Gondola SkyRide in summer, the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour ten minutes away in Waterbury, biking the flat Stowe Recreation Path, a paddle on the Waterbury Reservoir with Umiak Outdoors, and Spruce Peak tubing in winter. This is a low-key mountain town, not a theme-park destination.
Want a resort shortlist for your Stowe trip too?
60-second match. Free. No email required to see picks.
1Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsStowe Mountain Resort Gondola SkyRide (Summer)
An eight-passenger gondola runs June through October up to the Cliff House at 3,625 feet, with Mt. Mansfield (Vermont's highest peak) views and a handful of easy trails to stretch legs at the top. It's the least effort possible for real mountain scenery.
Watch out: Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekend afternoons. Weather changes fast at elevation — bring a layer even on a warm valley day.
2Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsBen & Jerry's Factory Tour
A short, well-run guided tour of the working factory floor (on production days) ending with a scoop sample and a walk through the 'Flavor Graveyard' for discontinued flavors. Ten minutes from Stowe in Waterbury and one of the most consistently requested stops in the whole region.
Watch out: The line doesn't run on weekends, holidays, or maintenance days — call ahead if seeing actual production matters, since the tour still runs (with video instead) but is a different experience. Gift shop exit is aggressive.
3Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsStowe Recreation Path Bike Rental
A flat, paved 5.3-mile path running from Stowe village along the West Branch river past covered bridges and farmland. No cars, gentle grade, and multiple bike shops in the village rent by the hour or half-day, including kid bikes and trailers.
Watch out: Gets crowded midday in peak foliage season (late September–early October). The path isn't fully shaded — sun protection matters more than the flat terrain suggests.
4Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsUmiak Outdoor Outfitters Waterbury Reservoir Paddle
The Waterbury Reservoir is calm, uncrowded, and surrounded by forested state land — a good low-drama paddling day for families who want water without ocean logistics. Umiak, based in Stowe, handles gear and gives a real launch-point briefing.
Watch out: Reservoir water levels drop late in the season, exposing more shoreline mud at the launch. Afternoon wind can pick up on open stretches — a morning paddle is calmer.
5Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsSpruce Peak Tubing Park (Winter)
Dedicated tubing lanes with a lift back up, run separately from the ski hill at Spruce Peak — no lift ticket or ski gear needed, which makes it the go-to for younger kids or a family with mixed skiing ability.
Watch out: Timed sessions sell out on weekends and holiday weeks — book ahead rather than walking up. Minimum height/age requirements apply for the fastest lanes.
Frequently asked
Is the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour worth it if the line isn't running?
Still worth a stop for the free sample and Flavor Graveyard, but the tour itself is shorter and video-based rather than a real production-floor walk. Call ahead if watching actual manufacturing is the point of the visit.
What is there to do in Stowe if we don't ski or snowboard?
Spruce Peak tubing, snowshoeing on the Rec Path, and a quiet village day are the main winter non-ski options. Stowe leans harder into summer/fall activities — gondola, biking, paddling — if avoiding ski logistics matters.
How far is Stowe from Ben & Jerry's?
About 10 minutes south in Waterbury — close enough to treat it as a quick stop on the way in or out of town rather than a dedicated day.
Is the Stowe Recreation Path stroller-friendly?
Yes — it's paved and flat for its full length, and a common route for jogging strollers, though some sections narrow near the covered bridges.
Same destination, where to stay
Booking these activities? Pick the right resort first.
Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Stowe family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
Best Family Resorts in Stowe →Things to do in similar destinations
Same family-activity angle, different destination.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Cancun
Xel-Há All-Inclusive Eco Park · Xcaret Park (Plus Pass) · Chichen Itza + Cenote + Valladolid Day-Trip
Things to do in Cancun →
FL, United States
Orlando
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Day · Gatorland — Florida's Original Attraction · Discovery Cove (Reserved-Day, All-Inclusive)
Things to do in Orlando →
Plan a full Stowe family trip
Tell the Advisor your kids' ages, your budget, and your travel window. We'll match a resort, an activity stack, and the booking-window math that beats peak pricing.