Our First Van Weekend in Stowe

There are few places we return to again and again, but Stowe is one of them.

When we finally finished our van conversion, there was never really a question of where we'd take it first. Vermont has always felt like our happy place, a mix of incredible food, beautiful scenery, and the kind of pace that encourages you to slow down and enjoy where you are.

The drive into Stowe feels like a reset every time. The mountains are impossibly green this time of year, the roads wind through farmland and forest, and somehow the air even feels different. After weeks of projects, planning, and finishing touches on the van, it was exactly what we needed.

One of the things I was most excited about adding to the van was our espresso machine. It might sound a little excessive, but those who love coffee will understand. There's something special about waking up, opening the doors to a mountain view, steaming fresh milk, and making a really good latte before the rest of the world feels awake. Some of my favorite moments from the trip weren't planned at all. They were just quiet mornings with coffee in hand, parked somewhere beautiful.

As much as we love cooking and making coffee in the van, food is one of the main reasons we keep coming back to Vermont. We like finding a balance between eating out and sourcing great local ingredients to cook ourselves, and Stowe makes that incredibly easy. The local markets are full of fresh Vermont products, and the Stowe Farmers' Market remains one of the best we've ever visited. Every stand feels like a reminder of how much pride people here take in what they grow, bake, brew, and create.

Of course, there are a few places that have become non-negotiable stops whenever we're in town.

A trip to Stowe isn't complete without a stop at Piecasso. The secret is skipping the dining room and heading straight for the takeout window. Grab a couple slices, find a spot at one of the picnic tables outside, and enjoy one of the simplest and most satisfying meals in town. It's become one of those traditions we look forward to every time we visit.

We also spent plenty of time exploring Stowe's brewery scene. Von Trapp Brewing is always worth the visit, and their summer beer lineup this year might be my favorite yet. Sitting outside with a cold beer and mountain views feels quintessentially Vermont. We also made our way to Idletyme Brewing Company, where the beer garden is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. And yes, the fried pickles are every bit as good as everyone says they are.

Then there's The Alchemist. Even if you've never been to Vermont, chances are you've heard of Heady Topper. Visiting the brewery has become part of the ritual whenever we're nearby.

What I love most about Stowe isn't any one restaurant, brewery, or coffee shop. It's the feeling that comes with being there. It's mornings spent drinking espresso with the van doors open to a mountain view. It's browsing farmers' market stalls with no particular plan. It's grabbing pizza from a takeout window and eating outside because the weather is too nice to be indoors. It's ending the day with a local beer and watching the sun dip behind the Green Mountains.

For the first trip in our newly finished van, I can't imagine a better destination. Stowe reminded us exactly why we built it in the first place, not to go farther, but to experience our favorite places a little more fully.

And somehow, every time we leave, we're already planning the next trip back.