Vermont Road Trip – Eat Your Way Through the Green Mountain State

Fill up your gas tank and get ready to fill your belly as you eat your way through the Green Mountain State with this delicious Vermont road trip! Drive through forests and past picturesque vistas and covered bridges, as you make your way to each mouth-watering stop. We’ve got a thing for craft beer, in addition to a sweet tooth, so Vermont was definitely the state for us!

Granted, this guide doesn’t cover the whole state. We spent several glorious days eating our way through Vermont during peak fall foliage. This guide is comprised of the places we stopped, mostly in and around Stowe, and all the way down to Green Mountain National Forest.

We traveled along both Route 100 and Route 7, two of the best scenic drives in the state! They are both insanely gorgeous in the fall. We’ve got some great tips for you on the BEST places to visit in Vermont in the fall. But, no matter the time of year you set out on this delicious Vermont road trip, you will have a satisfying and filling journey!

Delicious Vermont Road Trip Guide

Allow yourself at least 2 days for this scrumptious journey. It’s the perfect weekend Vermont road trip. Though truth be told, there’s so much to see, do, and eat along the way, you’ll probably want more than just 2 days! Buckle your seat belt, but loosen your belt… there’s a lot of yummy stops along the way. We’ll start in the northern part of the state with a visit to Vermont’s most famous creamery and head south from there.

Cabot Creamery Visitors Center

2878 Main Street, Cabot, VT 05647

Open Daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)

Cheese lovers rejoice! At the Cabot Creamery Visitors Center, you’ll get the chance to sample a wide variety of award-winning Cabot cheeses for FREE! While at the center, learn about the history and production behind this world-renowned creamery. Sadly, tours of the facility are no longer offered. However, an informative video goes into great detail about production at Cabot.

Cabot cheddar has won every major award for taste. These include the US Championship Cheese Contest and World Championship Cheese Contest to name a few. Their cheeses are made with pure, rich ingredients and are completely free of additives and preserves. Oh, and did we mention that cheese samples are FREE?! We did, but we wanted to make sure you knew.

von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall

1333 Luce Hill Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Open Monday-Sunday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm

The von Trapp name sounds familiar doesn’t it? That’s because the Trapp Family Lodge and Bierhall is run by the von Trapp Family. As in the von Trapps who fled from Austria in 1938 and toured the world as the Trapp Family Singers. Their story is famously (and a slightly fictitiously) told through the now classic 1965 movie, the Sound of Music. The family settled in Vermont, because it was reminiscent of the beauty they left behind in Austria.

Johannes von Trapp had always dreamed of brewing crisp clean lagers like the beers back in Austria. In 2010 that dream became a reality when the family opened their first humble brewery in a retrofitted bakery. The response to the beer was tremendous and the operation has since grown into what you see in Stowe today! No matter your palate, chances are you’ll find a beer you love at von Trapp Brewing. They follow the German purity law Reinheitsgebot, meaning that they only use hops, barley, water, and yeast in their lagers. The water they use is pure Vermont spring water sourced right from their family property.

Von Trapp Bierhall has an impressive beer list, including seasonal flavors like their summer session ale and Oktoberfest lager. However, beer isn’t the only thing served here! Check out this Austrian-themed menu with bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, strudel, and more. Don’t fill up too much on Cabot cheese samples, because you’ll want to save room for a hearty meal at the von Trapp Bierhall.

The Alchemist

100 Cottage Club Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Open Monday – Saturday 11 AM – 7 PM  & Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM

There’s another famous brewery in Stowe to check out, as we continue along on our tasty Vermont road trip! If you’re into hoppy beers, you will LOVE The Alchemist. Most renowned for their Heady Topper American Double IPA, The Alchemist has a full line of hop-heavy brews. Their beers have become so popular, there is a limit on how many you can purchase at one time.

But, here’s a bonus for stopping by the brewery – sample tastes are FREE! You also have the option to buy pints (and some pretty neat merchandise) at the brewery. Interested in learning about the production of The Alchemist beers? Tours are offered Monday-Friday at 4pm and Saturday & Sunday at 11am and 3pm. The cost is $10 and includes a souvenir glass and all samples. Tours are limited to 15 people and are first come first serve.

Stowe Cider

17 Town Farm Lane, Stowe, Vermont 05672

Open Monday & Thursday 12-7 pm | Friday 12-8 pm | Saturday 11 am-8 pm | Sunday 11 am-7 pm

So, maybe beer isn’t your thing. Or maybe you also like cider. Either way, you’ll definitely want to add Stowe Cider to your Vermont road trip itinerary. Enjoy a sampler tray… or two, and then grab some cans to go! Stowe Cider has several flavorful options ranging from super dry to deliciously sweet.

With 24 draft options in their tap room, no doubt you’ll find something you love! For a cross between beer and cider, try their dry hopped Safety Meeting cider. It’s not bitter, but rather it is full of tropical and citrus flavors. The Tips Up was our personal favorite, so we purchased some for later! Please note, the Stowe Cider Tap Room is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Stowe Craft Beverage Trail

Stop by the Stowe tourism office (51 Main Street) to learn more about Stowe Craft Beverage Trail. For one small price ($10 as of Fall 2019), you’ll receive exclusive access to special deals at local breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries (including 50% off a tasting at Stowe Cider). You’ll also get a commemorative corkscrew, sunglasses, and complimentary chocolate tasting, which is probably worth more than $10 itself!

Stowe VT Lodging

Stowe sure does have a lot of options for eating and drinking. You’ll be spending quite a bit of this appetizing Vermont road trip in Stowe. Therefore, we recommend you get a room in town for at least one night, along with a designated driver! We stayed in Stowe for two nights, which is why so many of our recommendations are located within this charming mountain town.

Stoweflake Mountain Resort

1746 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa is located in the heart of Stowe on 60 beautiful acres. With 120 rooms, 60 condos, and 1 private home, there are plenty of great options to accommodate your traveling group. While on your Vermont road trip, carve out some ‘you time’ and relax in Stoweflake’s full-service spa. The luxurious spa features 30 treatment rooms and over 150 signature healing and anti-aging remedies for the mind, body, and soul.

>> CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PRICES FOR STOWEFLAKE MOUNTAIN RESORT HERE <<

NOTE: You can walk to the Alchemist Brewery from Stoweflake Mountain Resort, as the brewery is on property purchased from the resort. They’re practically next door neighbors! Idletyme Brewery is located across the street from the resort. And Stowe Cider is only a 0.7-mile drive/walk from Stoweflake. So much so close!

Trapp Family Lodge

700 Trapp Hill Rd, Stowe, VT 05672

With 96 rooms, 100 guest houses, and 20 villas set on 2,500 acres, this Austrian-inspired mountain resort is another popular lodging option in Stowe. (We did not personally stay here, but as you can see, we did visit the Bierhall.) The Trapp Family Lodge offers hiking trails, mountain bike trails (trail passes required), garden tours, concerts in the meadow, and a fitness center. In addition to the Bierhall, there are 3 other on-site dining options offering mouth-watering European-style cuisine. Whether you stay at the lodge or not, be sure to stop by to see why their slogan is “A little Austria, a lot of Vermont”.

>> CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PRICES FOR TRAPP FAMILY LODGE HERE <<

Stowe Restaurants

If you are planning to stay in Stowe, we’d also like to make two restaurant recommendations to you (in addition to the von Trapp Bierhall, which we suggested earlier).

Doc Ponds

294 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Open Friday-Monday 11:30 – Midnight | Tuesday-Thursday 4 pm – Midnight (Kitchen closes at 10 pm)

Doc Ponds has a fun and eclectic menu complete with starters, salads, sides, small plates, and large entrees. With so many unique and drool-worthy items on their menu, it’s hard to decide! Choose from fish, chicken, steak, tacos, burgers, and more.

And with over 100 beers and ciders to choose from, the decision-making doesn’t get much easier when it comes to beverages. Though, their daily draft specials may make the process a little easier if you’re looking for a great deal! (Wine and cocktails are also available at Doc Ponds.) Tip: Be sure to save room for a milkshake!

Harrison’s

25 Main St, Stowe, VT 05672

Open Monday-Thursday 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Friday & Saturday 4:30 PM -10:00 PM | Closed on Sundays

It is strongly recommended for you to make a reservation at Harrison’s. Otherwise, you might miss out on the opportunity to dine at one of Stowe’s best restaurants. Harrison’s is only open for dinner and offers an impressive menu of seafood, steaks, pastas, and salads. Choose from an extensive wine list designed to pair perfectly with whatever entree you choose. Again, save room for dessert. You do NOT want to miss out on one of their delicious home-made desserts!

Now, that you’ve had a filling meal and a good night’s rest in Stowe, it’s time to continue on with our appetizing adventure through Vermont! And what better way to start your day than with a delicious doughnut?! First up is a visit to Cold Hollow Cider Mill, located in Waterbury just 10 minutes from Stowe.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

3600 Waterbury Stowe Rd, Waterbury

Open Daily 8 am – 6 pm

At the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, see their legendary apple cider doughnuts being made right before your eyes. During the fall season, their Donut Robot cranks out over 800 dozen donuts per day! That’s almost 10,000 fresh donuts a day! Don’t leave without trying one… or more! You can also witness fresh apples being pressed to cider at the mill.

Pop next door to their tasting room and sample some of their own real Vermont hard ciders and maple cream liqueur. The Apple Core Luncheonette serves up freshly made salads and soups, along with paninis and sandwiches made with freshly baked bread from their on-site bakery. So, whether you visit in the morning or afternoon, there are many yummy options at this stop!

Ben & Jerry’s Factory

1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road  Waterbury, VT 05676

Open Daily, except for on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Check their website for hours and tour information

No food-focused Vermont road trip is complete without at stop at the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. The factory is located a quick 5-minute drive from Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Take a 30-minute factory tour to see just how they’re able to produce 200 pints per minute (96,000 pints per day)! As of Fall 2019, the tour costs $4 per adult (13 years old and older) and $3 per senior. Children 12 and younger are FREE! Tours conclude with some delicious samples.

Browse the gift shop and grab a cone or cup of your favorite flavor at the Scoop Shop. Ben & Jerry’s now offers several dairy-free options. So, if dairy doesn’t treat you too well, they’ve got something for you to enjoy! While at the factory, be sure to visit the Flavor Graveyard. Here you can pay your respects to flavors that weren’t so well respected by the general public.

Upon leaving Waterbury, we’re going to take a 30-minute detour west over to Burlington. This detour is only recommended for those who enjoy craft beer. In fact, if you’re really into craft beer, check out the Vermont Brewers Association. Follow one of their pre-designed beer trails or create your own! FUN FACT: Did you know that Vermont has more breweries per capita than any other state in the US? 

There are so many great breweries in Burlington, Vermont. Zero Gravity Brewery, Foam Brewers, Switchback Brewing, Burlington Beer Company, and Queen City Brewery all come to mind. However, the main brewery we went to Burlington to visit was the Magic Hat Artifactory & Brewery.

Magic Hat Brewery

5 Bartlett Bay Road, South Burlington, VT 05403

Open Sunday-Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm | Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11 am – 9 pm

We have long been BIG fans of Magic Hat’s #9 (Not So Pale Ale). Of course we had to give a try straight from the tap. Absolute perfection! Their growler prices were insanely cheap, so we got some to go as well! We sampled several of their other brews and we were not disappointed!

If you want to see what goes into producing close to 175,000 barrels of beer each year, take a guided tour of the Artifactory. As of Fall 2019, tours are $3 and includes 3 samples of beer. 2 of the samples are pilot beers only available on the tour! Book your Artifactory tour HERE. See where “ancient alchemy meets modern day science” to create what Magic Hat so humbly calls “the best beer on the planet”!

If you’ve taken the Burlington beer detour, you’ll want to head south from here on Route 7. However, if you’re still in Waterbury, head south on Vermont Route 100. Both Route 7 and Route 100 are popular scenic drives in Vermont, so you can’t wrong, no matter which route you choose. Maybe take one route there and the other route back, if you’re heading back toward Stowe.

Well, it’s time to take a break from beer for a while. Let’s head south toward the Green Mountain National Forest and satisfy our sweet tooth once again. Besides beer, Vermont is also well known for its maple products. Get your maple fix with syrup, cookies, lollipops, and even maple soft serve, locally known as maple creemee.

The Vermont Country Store

657 Main Street, Weston, VT 05161

Open Daily 9 am – 6 pm (with extended seasonal hours) | Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

So, where you can get all things Vermont (and so much more)? Why, at the Vermont Country Store, of course! This classic Vermont road trip stop first opened in Weston in 1946. The store is neatly packed to the rafters with both practical and hard-to-find products. The Orton Family, who now owns the country store says they “go to great lengths to find products that aren’t sold anywhere else.” 

At the Vermont Country Store, shop for clothing, home decor, kitchenware, toys and games, personal care products, beauty items, and so much more stuff you didn’t know you needed! The reason we’ve added this iconic stop to our Vermont road trip itinerary is because they also sell a wide variety of food. Be sure to check out their FREE samples stationed throughout the store. Their unique food offerings include Vermont delicacies made right down the road and hard to find products, like international chocolates and nostalgic candy you used to be able to buy for a penny!

Located right next door to the country store is Mildred’s Dairy Barn. Try a signature maple creemee cup or cone. Or indulge in some home-style snacks, sweets and meals, including their award-winning burger. There is a second Vermont Country Store location about 30 minutes away in Rockingham (1292 Rockingham Road). Here you will find Mildred’s Market offering soups, sandwiches, salads and snacks – all ready to go; perfect for your Vermont road trip! During the summer, they also have a walk-up window for maple creemees, milkshakes, sundaes and more. Mmmm!

Sugar Shack

118 Sugar Shack Ln, Arlington, VT 05250

Store hours vary by season | Check the Sugar Shack website for opening hours

The final stop on our delectable driving experience through Vermont is the Sugar Shack, located in Arlington. They make their own pure Vermont maple syrup, offering 4 grades ranging from delicate to robust. You can sample the different types of syrup at the shack, so you can see which one you like best. There’s also an in house bakery at the Sugar Shack. We simply couldn’t resist a cider doughnut with maple ice cream – the perfect Vermont fall treat!

There’s also a neat exhibit at the shack worth checking out, featuring the work of Norman Rockwell (famous Saturday Evening Post artist). The exhibition focuses on his work from 1939-1953, as that’s when he was a resident in Arlington. He used over 200 local residents as models for his work. These SEP covers serve as the centerpiece of the exhibit.

If you’re driving along Route 100, we hear that the Green Mountain Sugar House in Ludlow (820 Route 100 N) is also worth a stop. Though, we did not personally stop there on our drive.

So, are you full? You certainly should be if you visited all or most of these tempting stops! If you haven’t already, download our Tasty Vermont Road Trip Guide to print out and take with you. This guide covers everything included in this post, along with bonus stops and nearby hiking trails to help you stretch your legs and burn off some of the calories you’re consuming! Wishing you a wonderful and delicious road trip through the Green Mountain State!

Looking for more fun things to do during your visit to the northeast? Check out this incredible list of 101 Things to Do in New England by our friends at From New England with Love!