A Family Friendly 4th of July
Independence Day is all about the kids, and we’ve got a star-spangled weekend in store that’ll thrill both toddlers and teens. Pack up your tribe and hit the road!
Friday, July 2
2pm › You’re finally here! Change into your bathing suits so the kids can let off some steam in the pool after the long car ride.
7pm › Arrive for your dinner reservation on the deck of the Club at Spruce Peak for a custom prix-fixe menu and tix for KT Tunstall’s concert on the Village Green. After polishing off dessert, head down to the VIP area on the lawn to see the show up close and embarrass your kids by busting a move or two.
Saturday, July 3
9am › Swing by the Alpine clubhouse for breakfast en route to the Mountain Course for a casual round of family golf.
1pm › Fill those hungry bellies with local ham and cheddar crepes at the Skinny Pancake. Then visit a local swimming hole, like Bingham Falls on Mountain Road or Foster’s, right off Notchbrook Road. Take it easy the rest of the afternoon—you need to save your energy for the long night ahead.
5pm › Head over to the Cottage for family mini golf on the putting green. Sip an icy mojito while jamming to live folk music and catching up with Club members you haven’t seen since there were five feet on Mansfield.
6pm › Time for the big festivities! Follow the music of local fave Chad Hollister and the mouth-watering aroma of barbecue up to the ninth fairway, decked out with glammed-up safari tents, classic lawn games and tremendous down-valley views. Chow down on an elevated version of backyard barbecue, complete with a competition-grade smoker, sustainably sourced Vermont meat, and a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck. (Hint: We can’t name names, but expect a surprise musical appearance from a celebrity guest!)
7pm › Hop on a paddleboard or kayak as the sun sets over Peregrin Lake. If you were organized enough to stash your bathing suit in your bag, dive in.
9:30pm › Find a comfy spot to take in Spruce Peak’s epic fireworks show. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—last year a bear moseyed across the fairway!
10pm › If you’ve got teens or tweens (and you’re not totally wiped yet), hit up the Village Green for legendary turntablist DJ Logic’s last set—and earn serious “cool parent” props.
11pm › Were you one of the lucky winners who scored a safari tent in the Club raffle? You get to glamp with your fam while the mountain comes alive with nighttime sounds. If you’re tucked in your own beds tonight, doze off knowing you’ve made new family memories.
Sunday, July 4
8:30am › Fuel your day with a yummy brunch spread at the Cottage.
9:30am › Stake out your spot to view the quirky, laid back, hyper-local Moscow Village Parade, at the intersection of Moscow Road and River Road. Known as “The World’s Shortest Parade,” you’ll see plenty of decked-out tractors and lawn mowers—and be sure to look out for the famous All Ladies Lawn Chair Drill Team.
11am › Stroll along the rec path and grab a bite at Idletyme restaurant, alongside the path. They have the prettiest outdoor dining space in town, complete with corn hole while you wait.
1pm › Head over to Spruce Peak Outfitters for a guided kayak and canoe excursion on Green River Reservoir. It’s hands-down one of the most gorgeous, pristine, and secluded places in Vermont. (Sign up in advance, and check out page 66 for more about this one-of-a-kind spot.)
6pm › Make the short drive to Stowe Country Club, on Cottage Club Road. A grill will be serving up all-American bites like burgers, dogs, and pulled-pork sandwiches. Practice on the putting green to the tunes of a local folk band or play a round or two of ladder golf.
9:30pm › Give in to your exhausted but happy kiddos: It’s round two of fireworks, set off by the town of Stowe. The Country Club has a primo view.
Monday, July 5
11am › Time for a much-deserved break! Arrange for a sitter to watch the kids for a few hours. While they hang out at the Enchanted Forest playground, you can treat yourself to a couple’s massage and lunch at the Spa. This way, you’ll wrap up your action-packed trip feeling refreshed and relaxed for the week ahead.
A Golf Lover’s Getaway
If you spend more hours on the fairway than you do in the office (or wish you did!), put this trip on your calendar—and invite your favorite golfing buddy to come along!
Friday, August 6
2pm › Take a deep breath—it’s R&R time at last! Drop your bags and make your way over to the Mountain Course for a fun, casual round of family golf on one of the most beautiful par 3 courses in the world.
6:30pm › Dinner time! Enjoy live music with your meal at the Cottage.
9:30pm › Grab a blanket and make your way to the Village Green for a familyfriendly movie night.
Saturday, August 6
7am › Rise and shine with a sunrise hike up Big Spruce to show your guests what you love most about living up here—besides the unparalleled golf, of course.
10am › Refuel with breakfast sandwiches and coffee at the Beanery.
1pm › Tee off at the Mountain Course’s annual Member-Guest Tournament—you can bring up to three friends. (If you’ve got a more laid-back approach to the fairway, the 9-hole rounds begin at 3pm.) Eat a boxed picnic lunch in your golf cart and be sure to take a group pic at the panoramic 15th tee box.
6pm › When you finish your game, get your happy hour on at the Cottage. The winning team will be awarded a custom one-of-a-kind trophy.
7pm › Dig into our famous New England lobster bake, featuring heaping platters of lobsters, clams, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Notable this year: The meal is paired with pours from women-owned and operated Staglin Family Vineyard in Napa, which produces some of the most soughtafter cult wines in the country.
Sunday, August 7
9am › For a change of scenery, take a few swings at Spruce Peak’s sister course on your way out of town. Stowe Country Club (located on Cottage Club Road off Mountain Road) has rolling terrain and a bucolic vibe. While it’s not as dramatic as the Mountain Course, the fairways and greens are more forgiving!
A Farm-to-Table Food-cation
If food is your love language, then Vermont is your soulmate. And you won’t want to miss our A Taste of New England weekend, packed with unforgettable meals, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, and more!
Friday, September 3
2pm › On your way up to the mountain, check out wine and provisions at local favorites Cork, The Butchery, and Dedalus.
5pm › Make your way over to the Green for a cocktail reception, complete with delectable hors d’oeuvres and live music. You can mix and mingle with the incredible chefs from all over New England who will be cooking for you this weekend (one to look for: Richard Chen, the only chef in North America awarded a Michelin Star for Chinese cuisine).
Saturday, September 4
9am › Better work up an appetite for the feast tonight! Rent mountain bikes and get out on the trails at Cady Hill or Trapp’s.
12pm › Book a guided tasting tour of Vermont breweries and distilleries. The gorgeous scenery along the way is almost as enjoyable as the microbrews and craft spirits you’ll get to sample. The best part: Someone else does the driving!
6pm › Give your mouth a night to remember. Nibble on some apps before sitting down to a dinner under the stars on the Village Green. It’s a culinary collaboration, with each chef preparing a different course.
Sunday, September 5
9am › At The Beanery, sip maple lattes along with freshly made pastries from featured pastry chef Jessica Quiet.
10am › Stock up on wood-fired maple syrup and local honey and jam at the Stowe Farmer’s Market on Mountain Road.
12pm › Indulge your inner foodie! All afternoon long, we’ll have a smorgasbord of food and beverage tastings and cooking demonstrations around the Spruce Peak campus plus panel conversations and book signings with the chefs.
6pm › Grab an outdoor table at the WhistlePig Pavilion and enjoy the new Spruce Pit by Traeger, a brand-new barbecue joint on the Village Green. Afterward, play bocce on the grass until the sun drops behind Mansfield.
9pm › If you have an in, meet up with friends for a nightcap at the Linehouse, our hidden invite-only speakeasy.
Monday, September 6
8am › Take a mellow nature walk along the pretty Spruce Peak pathways before you pack up the car. Skip stones and dip your toes in the stream.
10am › Leave a good taste in your mouth on the way back home. Stowe-ites swear by Woodland Coffee and Baking on Mountain Road. Their breakfast burritos are out of this world.
12pm › Pick up to-go sandwiches from Woodstock Market in Waterbury en route to the highway. Then stop into the Ben & Jerry’s Factory to see how they make their ice cream and preview the newest flavors. The experience never gets old!