The best places to shoot photographs in Stowe, Vermont!
Vermont, You Stowe My Heart
Vermont, you Stowe my heart in many ways. It has been on my Wonder List to visit New England during the peak season of those beautiful fall colors and I couldn’t think of a better time to go than this past weekend, just after the colors peaked in Stowe, Vermont. My parents used to travel every fall to New England to see the colors in all their glory (it’s one of my father’s favorite places to go) so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. They used to bring my sisters and I these majestic leaves and they were smart enough to preserve them, tucked between the pages of a magazine or book so they wouldn’t shrivel up. I had heard about a few places in Vermont but I really wanted to go to Stowe. I flew into Boston and drove a little over three hours on one of the prettiest drives in the country to see it with my own eyes. Somewhere between the covered bridges, the falling maple leaves, and the smell of the crisp, autumn air, I lost myself in one of the prettiest places in the country. I can see why the Von Trapp family, best known from The Sound of Music, decided to settle there after leaving Austria. If you are looking to go on the hunt for some gorgeous fall foliage, look no further than magnificent Stowe, Vermont. Here are the places you want to check out when you go as well as the best places to capture some magical foliage. The place was Unbeleafable!
Covered Bridges
It’s been a dream of mine to capture an old, historic covered bridge for a long time and it was the first place I wanted to shoot when I arrived in Stowe, on a cold and rather rainy morning. When I think about New England in the fall, I envision books like “Sleepy Hollow” or “The Bridges of Madison County”. Sappy, I know, but I am a classic romantic. The idea of living in a beautiful fairytale-like place has always played with my imagination. I dream of it often during these months, especially since I live in Florida where the climate stays pretty hot all year round. Whisk me away to anywhere that’s old and haunted and I’ll be your best friend forever. Hence, when I stumbled upon this Red Covered Bridge, it was everything my cheesy heart desired. When I look at these photos, it gives me Sleepy Hollow vibes and it was magical. Vermont is home to numerous bridges including this one, you just have to search them out. The best ones can be found down the back dirt roads that are lined with old maple trees. Here are some other bridges you can find throughout Stowe:
Wonder Tip: If you are planning on shooting pictures during the peak season, go before 8am. Some of these places get filled with tourists and it will be harder to capture pictures with people everywhere.
The Trees of Stowe
Trying to find the best trees with the prettiest colors around Stowe comes easily to everyone. Again, it depends on the time of day you go, and what the weather forecast is like for that day. I drove around Stowe for quite a bit before finding some empty roads that just screamed beauty, like the one above. A local had told me that I had just missed the peak of the season the week before but as you can see, the colors were still extraordinary, at least in my book. These photos are giving me “Beauty and The Beast” vibes and I am obsessed with them. Stowe has an unpredictable weather pattern so we were lucky to snag some shots when the sun was still out. It often can get rainy and cloudy there so your best chances to see the sun are in the early afternoon which is when these were taken. Suffice it to say, you won’t have trouble grabbing some eye-catching photos during the season here. It is one of the best cities to come to during a fall foliage tour.
WonderTip: Many of you have asked me where this dreamy dress is from and you can order it on Selkie.com
I’ve been a longtime fan of cider since I was a young child so when I heard that Vermont was known for it’s cider mills, I had to go grab some! In Stowe, they have The Cold Hollow Cider Mill and it was epic to say the least. I originally intended to go on a Saturday but that was a terrible idea considering how busy it was. The line to get your hands on some delicious homemade cider and cider donuts wrapped around the building so I changed my mind and went on Sunday early morning instead, right when they opened at 8am. Much better idea considering there was no line and I was able to bring home donuts to my husband and children. They were so yummy but not what I expected. Cider donuts actually taste like muffins, not as heavy as one would think. They were the perfect treat for this autumn trip and I’m so happy I was able to visit!
WonderTip: If you’re planning on going to check out Cold Hollow Cider Mill, the earlier in the day, the better. It is packed with tourists on the weekends.
Who doesn’t remember The Sound of Music? It was one of my all-time favorite movies growing up and I was thrilled to find out that Stowe was the place that they settled in after escaping to America. It reminded them of their homeland in Austria. Some of the family members still reside in Stowe and loved the area so much, they built a beautiful lodge high on the mountain top where you can stay with your friends and family. They also have a Brewery on top near the old-world resort and many activities you can participate in on the property. Since I booked my trip in the last minute, everything was sold out and I wasn’t lucky enough to stay there. I did manage, however, to go up and check out the grounds which visitors are allowed to do. The views of the Stowe valley from the top are incredible and when you look out at the trees that line the mountains, it looks like a patterned quilt lined with many colors. It is truly a sight! I did my rendition of Julie Andrews in front of the hotel as I was clearly in my element lol!