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Made in Vermont: Discover the Flavors, Makers & Traditions of the Green Mountain State

There is something special about knowing where something comes from. In Vermont, that connection is everywhere, from the maple syrup poured over your breakfast to the beer brewed down the road, the cheese made on a family farm, and the artwork inspired by the surrounding landscape.

A strong tradition of craftsmanship, agriculture, and creativity has shaped Vermont for generations, and a visit to Stowe offers countless ways to experience it firsthand. Spend time discovering local producers right here in town, then make Stowe your home base for exploring some of the farms, makers, and iconic Vermont brands found throughout the region.

Steam rises from hot liquid pouring into a metal bucket in a wooden room.

A Sweet Vermont Tradition

Few products are as synonymous with Vermont as maple syrup. Generations of sugarmakers have tapped the state's maple trees each spring, transforming sap into the pure maple syrup that has become an enduring part of Vermont's identity.

Maple is easy to find throughout a visit to Stowe, and it goes far beyond the traditional bottle of syrup. Maple candy, maple cream, baked goods, specialty foods, and maple-inspired dishes offer plenty of ways to taste this local tradition. Visitors can also seek out sugarhouses and maple producers throughout the surrounding region to learn more about the process and bring a little Vermont sweetness home.

While sugaring season happens in the spring, maple is very much a year-round Vermont experience.

Draft beer being poured into a pint glass from a tap.

Raise a Glass to Vermont Craft

Vermont's craft beverage culture has earned a reputation far beyond the state's borders. Independent breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries combine local ingredients, creative approaches, and plenty of personality to produce beverages that reflect the places and people behind them.

Stowe is home to and surrounded by an impressive collection of craft beverage producers, making it easy to sample Vermont-made beer, cider, wine, and spirits during your stay. Tasting rooms and guided tours offer an opportunity to learn more about what's being made, meet the people behind the process, and discover something new along the way.

Venture a little farther and you'll find even more producers throughout north-central Vermont, making a craft beverage tour an easy addition to a day trip from Stowe.

Sunset over a farm with vibrant wildflowers and distant silos.

Fresh from the Farm

Vermont's agricultural traditions extend well beyond dairy and maple. Farms throughout the state produce everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to flowers, meats, eggs, honey, and specialty products, connecting communities to the land and the people who work it.

Farmers markets offer one of the easiest ways to experience that connection firsthand. The Stowe Farmers' Market brings together farmers, food producers, artisans, and craftspeople throughout the warmer months, giving visitors an opportunity to shop directly from local vendors while discovering what's in season.

Beyond the market, farm stands and local shops throughout the region make it easy to incorporate Vermont-grown and Vermont-made products into your trip. Keep an eye out as you explore. You never know when a roadside farm stand might become one of your favorite stops.

Say Cheese

Vermont's dairy farms have played an important role in the state's agricultural heritage, and today that tradition can be tasted in an incredible variety of locally produced cheeses. From classic cheddars to artisan varieties crafted in small batches, Vermont cheesemakers have helped put the state on the map as a destination for food lovers.

Look for Vermont cheeses on restaurant menus, at local markets, and in specialty shops throughout Stowe. Better yet, make a day of it and explore nearby farms, creameries, and producers.

Pair your finds with other locally made products and you've got all the ingredients for a picnic or a delicious souvenir from your travels. For an easy place to sample the best of the region, Commodities Natural Market offers a wide selection of Vermont-made products, including local cheeses and other specialty foods perfect for enjoying during your stay or bringing home.

Wall display of winter landscape paintings in a cozy gallery space.

Inspired by Vermont

Not everything made in Vermont belongs on the table. The state's natural beauty and creative spirit have long inspired artists and craftspeople working across countless mediums.

Galleries, studios, and shops throughout Stowe showcase paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, and other handcrafted pieces created by Vermont artists. Some capture the landscapes and places that define the state, while others reflect generations of craftsmanship and a distinctly individual creative vision.

Purchasing a piece from a local artist or maker offers something no mass-produced souvenir can quite replicate: a tangible connection to the place you visited and the people who call it home.

Make Stowe Your Home Base

Some of Vermont's most iconic makers and producers are within easy reach of Stowe, making the town an ideal home base for exploring more of what the state creates. Head out for the day and follow your curiosity to creameries, sugarhouses, breweries, cideries, farms, artisan studios, and specialty food producers throughout the surrounding region.