Colin and Amanda

AMANDA + COLIN'S WEDDING

Where to stay

places are booking up fast, please book your place soon and call us if you need more specific recommendations...

The Green Mountain Inn - This is the closest hotel to Seven Springs Manor.
They are having their own wedding though, so book soon.

The Stowe Inn and Tavern - The next closest place to stay. Also, pet friendly.

Goldilocks Cottage - The perfect setting for a romantic stay or for small families. The cottage is nestled on 4 wooded acres and located just over 1 mile from the venue. They are pet friendly too.

Stowe Hollow Farmhouse - Great three bedroom- two bath home in Stowe about 1 mile from the venue and near the covered bridge.

Private Stowe House- - This is a large house that can sleep up to 15 people. Might be good for a group of friends or a large family.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge - This is the furthest place to stay in Stowe, but it is on Mt. Mansfield. If you want to make a special weekend of it, it's higher end and a great place to stay. Not to mention, Colin's dad, Rob, planned it's development.

You can also stay any where on the Mountain Road in Stowe, VT. It's all within 8 miles of the venue.


What to do in Stowe

Alpine Slide/Gondola Ride/etc.

Stowe Mountain Resort offers a number of family-friendly activities including a gondola ride up Mount Mansfield, an alpine slide, and an attractions park (climbing wall, bungee trampoline, obstacle course). See Stowe Activities Website for more info or just drive up to the resort and see for yourself.

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory Tour

Take a tour to learn about the ice cream production business and enjoy ice cream straight off the line! You probably saw the factory on your way into town, but from Stowe, follow RT 100 south towards I-89 – it will be on your right a mile or so past Waterbury Center and is difficult to miss.

Biking (road/mountain)

If you brought your bike, get out and ride. There are numerous MTB trails to choose from and most Vermont roads are great for road biking. If interested, grab one of the locals Friday night for some suggestions. The Trapp Family Lodge rents mountain bikes and has 50 miles of trails to choose from. Most sports stores in town including AJ’s Ski & Sports, Skiershop, Pinnacle Ski & Sports will rent road bikes.

Hiking

Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont at 4,392’ and there are numerous hikes in the area, including:

Shorter Hikes

Sterling Pond
Distance: 2.8 miles, Time: Estimate 2 hours.
This very popular hike is accessed from the scenic Smuggler’s Notch highway (Route 108), just about a 15 minute drive from the Village. The Sterling Pond Trail leaves from the north side parking area at the top of the Notch. The trail is steep and rocky for the first ½ mile, then flattens as it traverses Spruce Peak. In another ½ mile, you will reach Sterling Pond.

Moss Glen Falls Trail – to a spectacular waterfall!
Distance: 1 mile, Time: Estimate 45 minutes.
Follow Route 100 three miles north from the center of Stowe and bear right onto Randolph Road. Take the first right turn at .3 miles to a small parking area. This is a very short, but very scenic hike to a spectacular waterfall. Although the trail is not well marked, the route is obvious. Follow the brook upstream to the falls. Be very careful at the falls! Loose debris at the edge of the trail can be slippery and dangerous. Inexperienced hikers should stay to the left, above the falls.

Moderate Day Hikes

The Pinnacle Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles, Time: Estimate 2.5-3 hours
super-fit hikers have been known to complete the round-trip in 50 minutes! This 2,740’ summit on the Worcester range appeals to hikers of all abilities due to the fantastic rewards for a relatively short hike. The trailhead in Stowe Hollow is a 2.8-mile drive from the village on mostly paved roads. The trail is fairly gradual for the most part, though there is a short rocky section as you near the top. At the summit, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the town of Stowe and the Green Mountains to the west (including Camel’s Hump, the Bolton Range, the Nebraska Notch, Mt. Mansfield and the Sterling Mountain Range) and the Worcester Range.

Cotton Brook Loop
Distance: 9 miles, Time: Estimate 4.5 hours.
This moderate hike in the Mt. Mansfield State Forests will take you on old-logging roads and trails, by a number of old farm and saw mill sites, and affords nice views of the Bolton Range and the Waterbury Reservoir.

Nebraska Notch on the Lake Mansfield Trail
Distance: 3.2 miles round-trip, Time: Estimate 2.5 hours.
Tucked amidst beautiful Nebraska Notch, you will enjoy a beautiful view of a large glacial cirque (a rounded “scooped out” valley) at the trailhead. The Lake Mansfield Trail goes from the Lake Mansfield Trout Club, where it follows an old logging road for a while before crossing a brook and ascending to the Long Trail at the Taylor Lodge. This is a great family hike, with good views along the trail, beaver dams and a waterfall. Taylor Lodge has an open faced “porch” with picnic tables that afford beautiful views of the notch and a great spot for a trail lunch or snack.

Swimming

Vermont’s best kept secret and our favorite summer spots are the swimming holes. We want everyone in one piece Saturday night so take care and use your best judgment if you decide to go cliff jumping.

A few suggestions:

Waterbury Reservoir
1. If you are looking for family friendly swimming, from Stowe travel south on VT Route 100 thru Waterbury Center and take a right on Reservoir Road. You will be able to swim at the beach or rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards from Umiak Outfitters on-site. There is a small fee to park at this location.
2. If you are looking for moderate cliff jumping, travel south on VT Route 100 to Gregg Hill Road (directly across from Michael’s On the Hill restaurant), from Stowe take a right and proceed approximately ¾ mile on dirt road. There is a natural parking area at a bend in the road where you will likely see cars. Park, walk thru the gate and follow the trail (not the overgrown road). Note that the trail turns right at the wood-chipped hill and may be slightly overgrown. It is an approximate 5 minute walk to rocks where you can dive, jump, or slide into the water. Another minute or two further and you will be at an approximate 25’ rock that you can jump off into the water. This is a favorite of ours and is highly recommended.

Cady’s Falls
Beautiful spot for moderate cliff jumping. This spot gets little sun so the water may be cold…From Stowe, take RT 100 north to Morrisville. From Morrisville, follow RT 100 south from the center of Morrisville for approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Morristown Corners Road. At the four way intersection, take a right onto Stagecoach Road. Follow Stagecoach Road north; the parking area will be approximately 0.5 miles on the left. Park and hike about 0.5 mi upstream. Take care to jump far to clear the rocks below.

Bolton Falls
A little further of a drive, but a local cliff jumping scene. There are multiple cliffs to jump at this spot ranging from 10’ to 35’. You will likely see backflips and gainers from all heights. If you don’t make it here Saturday, it might be worth a stop on your way home. From Stowe, follow RT 100 south to Waterbury, take a right at the intersection of RT 100 and RT 2, follow RT 2 west approximately 6.5 miles from the intersection of RT 2 and RT 100 in Waterbury. Take a right onto Bolton Valley Road. The parking area is 0.25 miles on the right. There will be cars parked along the road. Another favorite.

For additional information on things to do, where to eat, and places to stay- check out this Stowe Website