written by Timothy Palmer-Benson
Editor and Publisher of Scenes of Vermont
Stowe makes an ideal "base" for a winter vacation and for summer and fall. It also has a very active real estate market. So if you are looking for a new home or a second home, buying in Stowe can be an excellent investment. There's always something going on in Stowe, from the annual Mozart Festival and Antique Car Show in the summer to the Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski races in winter.
Stowe is within easy driving distaance of at least five cross country centers and these ski mountains:
But, with ski tickets now hovering around $80.00 per day on weekends, it pays to look for a package. Many of the inns and b&bs listed on this site can offer you savings on your ski tickets if you stay with them.
Don't rule out small inns and bed and breakfasts on the outskirts of town. If you are prepared to drive 10 or 15 minutes from the downtown area, you may find a bargain and a ski package to go with it. Don't forget to check on conditions too by subscribing to No Bull Ski Vermont.
On the other hand, there is something to be said for being right in the center of things, especially for the night life. There's a lot of fun to be had during the evenings at Stowe and being within walking distance of your room can be very convenient.
As you have probably heard, Stowe is Vermont's finest vacation resort. It is classy, somewhat genteel and quite expensive. Despite its somewhat rustic look, make no mistake that this is an area of million dollar homes owned by some of America's highest paid corporative executives. As well, you will find a community of wealthy, mostly English speaking Montrealers, who have for years escaped to Stowe rather than headed up into the Laurentians north of Montreal.
Of course, you don't see this on Main Street. You see a quaint little Vermont mountain town with some trendy stores, the venerable Green Mountain Inn, and Stowe's most dominate landmark, the 50 foot spire of the congregational church.
The Mountain Road, in the middle of town leads off to the Stowe Area Ski Resort. Along the way, you'll pass some of the area's top lodging and dining establishments such as "Ye Old England Inne", "Top Notch." and the Stoweflake Inn and Resort.
Opposite Ye Old England Inne, by the way is a small mall. Here you'll find a movie theatre, a bagel shop and a great place to have breakfast, called Mulligans, but beware, they don't take credit cards. Further up the road, just past the Texaco station, as you head towards the mountain is my favourite place. It's on the opposite side of the road and looks like a converted gas station. It's now a delicatessen and in here you'll find all kinds of goodies, including frozen shepherds pie for $12.95. Actually, I think the price may have gone up a bit!
There are literally hundreds of places to stay in the greater Stowe area, which by the way extends way out into the country. Thanks to some good planning, there is no urban sprawl and no little boxes dominating hillsides.
An important feature of the community are the cultural resources. Including the local theatre group, the Helen Day Art Centre, a plethora of Art galleries and a restaurant community who boast more "Wine Spectator Awards" than any New England community with the exception of Boston.
Site developed and maintained by PB Publishing - Scenes of Vermont