Stowe, VT, in april???

[mtemm]

I posted another thread asking for alternatives to stowe, vt, for a mid-april getaway, but so far nothing is really standing out for my MIL. She wants to go away for a long weekend for her 60th birthday (april 16), along with us (dh, me, kids 9, 7, 7). Her thought was the trapp family lodge in stowe, but dh was wondering if the weather would just be lousy while there because it is really too early for spring, guessing there will be snow on the ground or very muddy.

am wondering for those who KNOW vermont, especially the stowe area, will this be the case? dh and I have been in the winter, and in the summer, but never in the spring.

if we do go there, any suggestions on activities? the ben and jerry's tour will be a must, but what else? if it isn't nice enough for hiking and such, what else can we do during the day?

also, any recommendations for restaurants would be wonderful! family friendly, but then mil/her boyfriend, and dh and I will each take a night to go out for a couples night, so something a little nicer and/or romantic, or just really good food, would be good, too.

thanks!!!!!

 

[joyah]

MUD!!!! it's the 5th season here

Cabot Creamery, rock of ages (may not be open for tours yet) Echo on lake champlain are some other places that pop into my head.

Resteraunts I can't help with I'm an hour south.

 

[onyx8]

We went to southern VT last April, it was very muddy. We did go hiking anyway and as we got into higher elevations, it was snowing and there was alot of snow on the ground. We had a great time, but you just need to know what to expect.

 

[goofyernmost]

I posted another thread asking for alternatives to stowe, vt, for a mid-april getaway, but so far nothing is really standing out for my MIL. She wants to go away for a long weekend for her 60th birthday (april 16), along with us (dh, me, kids 9, 7, 7). Her thought was the trapp family lodge in stowe, but dh was wondering if the weather would just be lousy while there because it is really too early for spring, guessing there will be snow on the ground or very muddy.

am wondering for those who KNOW vermont, especially the stowe area, will this be the case? dh and I have been in the winter, and in the summer, but never in the spring.

if we do go there, any suggestions on activities? the ben and jerry's tour will be a must, but what else? if it isn't nice enough for hiking and such, what else can we do during the day?

also, any recommendations for restaurants would be wonderful! family friendly, but then mil/her boyfriend, and dh and I will each take a night to go out for a couples night, so something a little nicer and/or romantic, or just really good food, would be good, too.

thanks!!!!!

Man, it had better be nice enough by then or everyone will possibly leave the state and you can have the whole place for yourself.

We have had a lot of snow this year so I'm sure, unless we get a massive heat wave, there will be piles of the white stuff here and there.

What most people do not realize is that the non-snow season is bigger, tourist wise than the ski season is. By mid April just about all the ski areas are locked up tight and the summer season begins. Stowe itself has a lot of shops and places to explore. You mentioned Ben & Jerry's but that isn't a day thing it is a few hours at best.

Montpelier, the capital is only about 20 miles away from Stowe and Burlington is about 30 in the opposite direction. There are more restaurants in the area then one can keep track of but since I don't frequent Stowe much anymore I really don't remember the names. Trapp Family Lodge is a destination in itself from what I have been told. There are plenty of secondary roads that are mud free and low traffic so walking on them can afford some really amazing things to see. The deer should be out doing their spring foraging and they are pretty used to people being close by. If the snow melts quickly enough the Road through Smugglers Notch is worthy of investigation as well.

So I guess I cannot answer your question about condition. It really depends on what happens between now and mid April but most of mud season is usually in the end of March. It is a great spot if one is just looking for relaxing vistas and feeling laid back.

 

[mrsksmithvt]

There are lots of things to do in Vermont. Check out the website for Stowe: www . gostowe . com

Church street in Burlington, Echo Aquarium (I see you are from MA, do you have a annual pass to the Boston Children's Museum or Science Museum? If you do you can get in for free at the Echo Aquarium.) Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, the Cabot Annex, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters at the Train Station.

Also the Trapp Family Lodge will have lots of Brochures and suggestions for you.

Mud Season it is the fifth season in Vermont, if you stick to the main roads you will be fine.

 

[goofyernmost]

Mud season is pretty iffy as well. It really depends on how deep the frost is in the ground. Mud season happens when the ground below is still frozen and the surface has thawed. The frozen part cannot absorb the water from the melting snow so it turns the top to mud. If the frost didn't go deep then mud season is much, much shorter. Again, we are all slaves to the weather.

 

[crispychicky]

Unfortunately, April (and November) are probably the worst times to visit Stowe as far as the weather goes. Unless we have an unusually warm March, I can guarantee that there will be snow on the ground up at Trapps, and probably mud too. The notch usually doesn't open until May due to snow cover and v. narrow roads.

That being said, it shouldn't stop you from visiting everything else in Stowe. I'd recommend Ben & Jerry's, visit The Cider Mill in Waterbury, Cabot store in Waterbury. Also, Echo in Burlington, and maybe the Teddy Bear Factory in Charlotte (although that may be a bit of a drive). Stowe has lots of boutiques and artisan shops to check out too.

As for places to eat, with the kids, I'd recommend McCarthy's for breakfast. Piecasso and Pie in the Sky both have wood-fired pizza ovens (I personally prefer Piecasso). There's the Malt shop right in town (50's style diner) which has good burgers and frappes. Gracie's is also one of our favorite restaurants. I'd also recommend Foxfire and Trattoria La Festa for good Italian. Harrison's is nice and so is Michael's on the Hill (in Waterbury).
Actually, the main dining room at Trapps has very good food too! The Shed has good beer (micro brewery), but the food is marginal at best.

I second the suggestion of looking at gostowe.com. They have an events calendar for different activities goin on in and around town.

PM me if you want any more info.

 

[mickeyboat]

Contact the Von Trapp Lodge and see what kinds of activities they offer during the time you will be there.

We were in Stowe at the beginning of June last year, and we had a great time. We drove through the notch, did some hiking ate at some great restaurants, and did a little shopping.

We ate at Harrisons (where we had to make a reservation) and the Green Mountain Inn. We also ate at a really awesome Irish restaurant for breakfast - yum!

Right off Main St. there is a great walking / bike riding path. It is quite long.

If I was to go to Stowe again, I would probably not choose to go in June. But Stowe is a great place for a fun weekend!