Trapp Family Lodge & Niagra Falls...things to do?

[2rebecca]

We are heading to Trapp Family Lodge (June 9-16) and then heading to Niagra Falls for 3days. Can anyone recommend things to do at either location? We will be driving between the two places, so if there is anything we should see in between, that would be great too!

Is the Snowflake Bentley Exhibit worthy of a visit?

The kids want to do some mountain biking at Trapp. Should we rent bikes from the resort, or a local bike place? How advanced are the trails? I looked at the map and saw different levels, but can someone shed some light on what "easier" really means? My kids are 11, 12 & 13. They all know how to ride bikes, but two have never been mountain biking and the other only a couple of times. Are the "easier" trails easy enough for someone without mtn bike experience?

 

[callwill]

Which side of the Falls are you visiting? There are some great trails on the American side leading to different views. There are many that recommend the Canadian side stating its better, but i have not been over there since they started requiring a passport or enhanced license. Did the Maid of the Mist a few years ago, that was fun on a hot day. I think they illuminate the falls at nite in varying colors. Up the road from NF is Lewiston and "Art Park" ...

 

[2rebecca]

Which side of the Falls are you visiting? There are some great trails on the American side leading to different views. There are many that recommend the Canadian side stating its better, but i have not been over there since they started requiring a passport or enhanced license. Did the Maid of the Mist a few years ago, that was fun on a hot day. I think they illuminate the falls at nite in varying colors. Up the road from NF is Lewiston and "Art Park" ...

Thanks! We are staying on the Canadian side. I think we will do Maid of the Mist. It is one of the few things my husband hasn't already done/seen. I don't want this to turn into a "been there, done that" trip for him!

 

[chapjim]

e are heading to Trapp Family Lodge (June 9-16) and then heading to Niagra Falls for 3days. Can anyone recommend things to do at either location? We will be driving between the two places, so if there is anything we should see in between, that would be great too!

Is the Snowflake Bentley Exhibit worthy of a visit?

The kids want to do some mountain biking at Trapp. Should we rent bikes from the resort, or a local bike place? How advanced are the trails? I looked at the map and saw different levels, but can someone shed some light on what "easier" really means? My kids are 11, 12 & 13. They all know how to ride bikes, but two have never been mountain biking and the other only a couple of times. Are the "easier" trails easy enough for someone without mtn bike experience?

In Vermont, the granite quarry (at Barre), Cabot Creamery, Ben & Jerry's, some of the dozens of maple products outlets, try some of the abundant craft breweries, day trip to Mt. Washington if the weather is clear, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch.

Those are all nice things to do. However, if you can only do one thing, go to the Shelburne Museum (https://shelburnemuseum.org/) on US 7 just south of Burlington. It is an open air museum with quite a few buildings housing the various collections. The founder, Electra Havemeyer Webb, was a collector of collections. A relentless collector of collections. We spent a day there a couple of years ago and found out from a shuttle driver that we had missed some things and went back the next day and spent most of that day there as well.

The museum is about an hour from Trapp Family Lodge.

 

[missyrcrews]

The Snowflake Bentley museum is tiny, but interesting. We LOVE the Shelburne Museum, and Shelburne Farms is another favorite place. Lake Champlain Chocolates. Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Walking around in Stowe. The Stowe Bike Path. I have only stayed on the Smuggs side of the Notch, but we venture through to Stowe while we are there. This is a favorite area, and we always seem to find lots to do! A little bit envious!

 

[rboesl]

On the American side of the Falls there is a power boat ride up the Niagara River rapids. The power of the boat is very impressive. The ride is a lot of fun and you WILL get wet.

There's also a cave (Cave of the Winds) that will take you right next to the lower portion of the American falls. They provide you with a poncho because, again, you WILL get wet.

 

[2rebecca]

Thank you all for the suggestions! For those of you who have been on Maid of the Mist, how loud is it when you're near the falls? My son has high-functioning autism. I'm wondering if discreet earplugs will be sufficient, or if he needs his overear ear muffs.

 

[rboesl]

Thank you all for the suggestions! For those of you who have been on Maid of the Mist, how loud is it when you're near the falls? My son has high-functioning autism. I'm wondering if discreet earplugs will be sufficient, or if he needs his overear ear muffs.

The falls themselves aren't too bad on the noise. But, the engine noise can get up there a bit. It takes some pretty powerful engines to be able to go up stream and stay there so you can see the falls up close. With that combination you may want to bring the ear muffs just in case it's the kind of noise that bothers him. I know when my son went on it when he was young (6 or 7) that combined noise scared him pretty good.

 

[WinniWoman]

Stowe has a really nice, scenic paved bike and walking trail and you can rent bikes in a couple of locations off the trail. Highly recommend. About 10 miles round trip. Also- the Burlington bike trail and Colchester Causeway, which goes out into Lake Champlain to South Hero Island, in particular is another possibility if you want to drive that far.

Definitely drive through Smugglers Notch and explore in there. Maybe do the Mt. Mansfield auto road if your brakes can handle it on the way down. The gondola does not go all the way up but it is scenic and there’s a restaurant up there.

There’s also Arbor Trek Ziplining in Smugglers Notch/ Jeffersonville.

Have fun!

 

[jorcus]

Since you are going to NF Canada I recommend the Niagara Falls Park Pass. https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-niagara-parks/plan-your-visit/deals-packages/

It is a must for a number of reasons. First is it gives you access to the busses that take you too the attractions. Parking is crazy expensive in Niagara falls so you don't want to move your car if you don't have to. Just about all the attractions are worth doing. The new power plant attraction is very cool. You take an elevator down to the old water out flow and walk though the tunnel that comes out with a very cool view of the falls. The butterfly conservatory is nice if not too crowded. The three day pass is quite a deal for what you get to do with it.

You can buy the pass online and they day you get there go to the visitor center and they give you the wrist bands.

 

[WinniWoman]

In Vermont, the granite quarry (at Barre), Cabot Creamery, Ben & Jerry's, some of the dozens of maple products outlets, try some of the abundant craft breweries, day trip to Mt. Washington if the weather is clear, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch.

Those are all nice things to do. However, if you can only do one thing, go to the Shelburne Museum (https://shelburnemuseum.org/) on US 7 just south of Burlington. It is an open air museum with quite a few buildings housing the various collections. The founder, Electra Havemeyer Webb, was a collector of collections. A relentless collector of collections. We spent a day there a couple of years ago and found out from a shuttle driver that we had missed some things and went back the next day and spent most of that day there as well.

The museum is about an hour from Trapp Family Lodge.

Mt Washington in New Hampshire is quite a trip from Stowe.

 

[2rebecca]

Stowe has a really nice, scenic paved bike and walking trail and you can rent bikes in a couple of locations off the trail. Highly recommend. About 10 miles round trip. Also- the Burlington bike trail and Colchester Causeway, which goes out into Lake Champlain to South Hero Island, in particular is another possibility if you want to drive that far.

Definitely drive through Smugglers Notch and explore in there. Maybe do the Mt. Mansfield auto road if your brakes can handle it on the way down. The gondola does not go all the way up but it is scenic and there’s a restaurant up there.

There’s also Arbor Trek Ziplining in Smugglers Notch/ Jeffersonville.

Have fun!

Thanks for the tips! We will be staying a couple of days on Isle la Motte before going to Stowe, so we will try to check out the Burlington bike trail then.

Since you are going to NF Canada I recommend the Niagara Falls Park Pass. https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-niagara-parks/plan-your-visit/deals-packages/

It is a must for a number of reasons. First is it gives you access to the busses that take you too the attractions. Parking is crazy expensive in Niagara falls so you don't want to move your car if you don't have to. Just about all the attractions are worth doing. The new power plant attraction is very cool. You take an elevator down to the old water out flow and walk though the tunnel that comes out with a very cool view of the falls. The butterfly conservatory is nice if not too crowded. The three day pass is quite a deal for what you get to do with it.

You can buy the pass online and they day you get there go to the visitor center and they give you the wrist bands.

Thanks for the link!

 

[chapjim]

Mt Washington in New Hampshire is quite a trip from Stowe.

Two and a half hours each way to/from the Toll House.

 

[WinniWoman]

Two and a half hours each way to/from the Toll House.

Yes. Kind of a far trip just for a day when you’re going in the opposite direction. ( Vermont to NY)

 

[chapjim]

Yes. Kind of a far trip just for a day when you’re going in the opposite direction. ( Vermont to NY)

It's a day trip -- you end up where you started. Next destination is irrelevant.

It depends on what one likes to do. Some people like to go hiking, some like to drive to the top of the highest mountain in the northeastern US (and happily drive 2½ hours each way to do it).

 

[WinniWoman]

It's a day trip -- you end up where you started. Next destination is irrelevant.

It depends on what one likes to do. Some people like to go hiking, some like to drive to the top of the highest mountain in the northeastern US (and happily drive 2½ hours each way to do it).

Sure. But I mean they’ll be right next to Mt. Mansfield so…….

 

[chapjim]

Sure. But I mean they’ll be right next to Mt. Mansfield so…….

So you go to the top of one mountain and you're set for life. Seen one, you've seen 'em all. Good that Sir Edmund Hillary didn't think like that.

 

[WinniWoman]

So you go to the top of one mountain and you're set for life. Seen one, you've seen 'em all. Good that Sir Edmund Hillary didn't think like that.

I just look at NH as a totally separate trip/vacation. So much to see and do in that region. (for all we know the op might have already been there). Anyway, the OP’s inquiry was regarding Stowe, Vermont and Niagara Falls, but sure, if she wants to drive to MT Washington also she certainly can! It just seems out of the way to me for what she is doing.

 

[chapjim]

I just look at NH as a totally separate trip/vacation. So much to see and do in that region. (for all we know the op might have already been there). Anyway, the OP’s inquiry was regarding Stowe, Vermont and Niagara Falls, but sure, if she wants to drive to MT Washington also she certainly can! It just seems out of the way to me for what she is doing.

Since we don't really know what OP likes to do, we just throw some ideas and potential spots to visit and let OP decide what is appealing, even if you think it is too far to go.

Edit: We're going to be at Smuggs this summer and I hope to get to Mt. Washington. Haven't been there since I was a kid. Last time at Smuggs, we had one nice day (went to Mt. Mansfield) and six days of almost continuous rain. Last time to Lincoln, NH, folks at the Toll House said the road was closed - road at and near the summit was too icy.

 

[WinniWoman]

Since we don't really know what OP likes to do, we just throw some ideas and potential spots to visit and let OP decide what is appealing, even if you think it is too far to go.

Edit: We're going to be at Smuggs this summer and I hope to get to Mt. Washington. Haven't been there since I was a kid. Last time at Smuggs, we had one nice day (went to Mt. Mansfield) and six days of almost continuous rain. Last time to Lincoln, NH, folks at the Toll House said the road was closed - road at and near the summit was too icy.

Taking the Cog Railway up there is a good option. Especially if you get the coal fired steam car- it just makes one run up there per day- usually the first one of the day.

I live in NH in the lakes region and have a timeshare in Lincoln so very familiar. Plus we owned at Smuggs for 22 years.

 

[chapjim]

Taking the Cog Railway up there is a good option. Especially if you get the coal fired steam car- it just makes one run up there per day- usually the first one of the day.

I live in NH in the lakes region and have a timeshare in Lincoln so very familiar. Plus we owned at Smuggs for 22 years.

We stayed at The Village of Loon Mountain on an exchange. Kind of rustic but we weren't there a whole lot. Loved Common Man! Saw Smuttynose IPA on the beer menu and with a name like that, I had to try it. It was great and I even found it here in a Total Wine store although they don't have it all the time. I think I still have a half-case.

We were there in October 2020. I had to look it up. I remember we were wearing masks and maintaining "social distance." It all seems so silly now.

 

[WinniWoman]

We stayed at The Village of Loon Mountain on an exchange. Kind of rustic but we weren't there a whole lot. Loved Common Man! Saw Smuttynose IPA on the beer menu and with a name like that, I had to try it. It was great and I even found it here in a Total Wine store although they don't have it all the time. I think I still have a half-case.

We were there in October 2020. I had to look it up. I remember we were wearing masks and maintaining "social distance." It all seems so silly now.

Nice! Our timeshare week is at Innseason Pollard Brook right down the road from Loon. We’ve owned since 2015 week 31.

 

[chapjim]

Nice! Our timeshare week is at Innseason Pollard Brook right down the road from Loon. We’ve owned since 2015 week 31.

Pollard Brook was my first choice for an exchange back in 2020. Had to settle for Village of Loon Mountain.

 

[beejaybee]

What about a cruise on Lake Champlain? I ditto the Shelburne Museum. DH and I also did a covered bridge driving quest and found 12 of the 16 or so. Also, a day trip to Montreal is quite doable.
Enroute to/from a visit this could be fun: https://whiteface.com/todo/whiteface-veterans-memorial-highway/

 

[chapjim]

What about a cruise on Lake Champlain? I ditto the Shelburne Museum. DH and I also did a covered bridge driving quest and found 12 of the 16 or so. Also, a day trip to Montreal is quite doable.
Enroute to/from a visit this could be fun: https://whiteface.com/todo/whiteface-veterans-memorial-highway/

Decades ago, I uttered The Skier's Prayer on Whiteface Mt. "Lord, get me down off this mountain and I'll never go skiing again!"