Solsite Co. Creative

Author: Tracy Blowers

Best Of Stowe, Vermont

We absolutely love Stowe, Vermont. It has everything that we look for while traveling; recreation, delicious local food, dog-friendly, walkable, and surrounded by beautiful views. Stowe is a charming village located in a valley at the base of Mount Mansfield which is the highest peak in Vermont at 4,395 feet above sea level. In Stowe, you are also surrounded by other peaks of the Green Mountains. It’s a convenient home-base location to explore all of Vermont. Here is our Best of Stowe, Vermont.

Lodging in Stowe, Vermont

Sun & Ski Inn and Suites is the only hotel in New England that has a bowling lounge, indoor pool, and miniature golf. We appreciated the huge open grassy area in the back for dogs (and humans) to play and the beautiful river views. It’s an easy location – close to anything that you need. Some of the rooms have patios off the back to take in the views. That’s where we stayed and really enjoyed being able to sit outside and take it all in.

View from the back of Sun & Ski Inn and Suites

Top Restaurants Stowe, Vermont

I acknowledge that we barely scratched the surface during our stay but here are a few of our favorites. The made from scratch biscuits at Stowe Bee Bakery are legendary. The pizza at Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge made with fresh dough and the perfect amount of sauce, melts in your mouth. I would suggest dining in because of the groovy vibe. The service and sandwiches at Live Forever Foods food truck are beyond. You will find the truck parked at Stowe Cider.

Stowe Breweries

We checked out the von Trapp Brewery and Idletyme Brewing Co. We also had lunch and dinner a few times at Idletyme. I didn’t get pictures of the food but it is very good! Terry loved the burgers and I love the salads (huge portions) and salmon. Their outdoor patio is right off the Recreation Path. It was so great to take a nice stroll from Sun & Ski Inn and Suites to the brewery. Another special thing about Idletyme is they have apple trees that you can pick fresh and enjoy. The von Trapp Brewery is located up Mount Mansfield so the patio is surrounded by lovely views of the foliage. We had the grilled bratwurst sandwich with bacon apple sauerkraut and fries. The sauerkraut is unique and tasty! Both are dog-friendly and Allen gives them a paws up.

After visiting the von Trapp brewery, make sure to head up to the Trapp Family Lodge. It’s a little piece of Austria in Vermont. We stopped here for breakfast and to pick up homemade granola. This is another location to capture all the colors of fall and Mount Mansfield. They offer von Trapp family history tours which we didn’t do but heard great reviews.

Covered Bridges in Stowe, Vermont

We visited Emily’s Bridge (also know as Gold Brook Covered Bridge and Stowe Hollow Bridge) and the Red Covered Bridge. There is a haunting story about Emily’s Bridge dating back to the 1800s. A young girl named Emily was supposed to meet her lover and elope at the bridge. He never showed and Emily took her own life at the site. There are many stories of “angry” Emily while vehicles and people cross the bridge. Thankfully, we didn’t experience Emily while we visited. 🙂 This is a popular site so be prepared to wait and for traffic.

The Red Covered Bridge has a beautiful backdrop and not as much attention. We were the only ones there and it was so fun to walk around, take pictures, and listen to the water bubbling by.

Hiking and Walking Trails in Stowe, Vermont

The Recreation Path in Stowe was a nice surprise. The Recreation Path is a 5.3 mile path that runs through the village up to Top Notch Resort on the mountain side. It’s great for exercise, to walk the dog, to visit restaurants and shop, and awesome views of Stowe.

Smugglers Notch is in the top five of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever been on. If you’re traveling in the fall, make sure to hit this trail. You can also take a scenic ride on the Gondola Skyride or drive the Historic Toll Road to the top. Both are on our list for next time!

Please let me know if you have any questions in comments and see more places to visit in Vermont HERE.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

Orginally posted in 2021.

©Tracy Blowers

September 23, 2025
Best Places To Visit In Vermont

Vermont is truly something special to see in the fall. The colors are glorious especially the amount of bright red maple trees. They seem to be in high definition as you drive the curvy country roads and around every next turn is a spectacular view. Enjoy our list of best places to visit in Vermont.

Best Cities to Visit in Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

First stop, Burlington. Burlington is our kind of town. It’s the perfect size, not too big and not too small. It is walkable and dog-friendly. Plus, it is located on Lake Champlain offering panoramic lake views. We stayed at Hotel Vermont and wished we could have extended our reservation. Our advice, stay at least two nights in Burlington! We loved the downtown location yet close to nature. You can walk to Battery Park by the lake and then head to Church Street in the middle of town.

Hotel Vermont is an independent hotel and authentic Vermont, including the locally made flannel robes in the rooms. Their onsite restaurant, Juniper, is awesome. I got the charcuterie and salad to go. Plus, there is a great patio in the back of the hotel with hanging lights, a fire pit, and music.

Jay, Vermont

Next, we drove up to Jay, and visited Jay Peak Resort. The views from Jay Peak are incredible! This is a great spot to stay with the whole family and is so much more than a ski resort. Jay Peak offers skiing, snowboarding, a huge water park, championship golf, ice haus indoor arena, athletic fields, hiking, mountain biking, spa, arcade, indoor climbing gym, a movie theater. Even after all that, I’m sure I’m forgetting things. Plus, it’s a wonderful spot for lunch by the bonfire.

Stowe, Vermont

After visiting Jay Peak, we made our way down to Stowe, Vermont. I loved Stowe so much, I dedicated a full blog post about it HERE. The fall colors seem unreal and impossible to capture which is what makes it magical. We highly recommend this drive. Below are Stowe highlights.

In Stowe, we stayed at Sun and Ski Inn and Suites. This is a great location, walking distance to restaurants, activities, and the recreation path. The Sun and Ski Inn and Suites offers so much fun, they are the only hotel in New England that has a bowling lounge, indoor pool, and miniature golf. We appreciated that they are dog-friendly with a huge open grassy area in the back for dogs to play and river views.

Views from the back…

One of our favorite things about Stowe is the Recreation Path. It’s a 5.3 mile path that runs through the village up to Top Notch Resort on the mountain side. It’s great for exercise, to walk the dog, to visit restaurants and shop, and views.

There are many other options for dog-friendly hikes. Below are views from Smugglers Notch which we highly recommend, the fall views will take your breath away. Stowe offers delicious food, breweries, and plenty to see and do including finding the covered bridges. All of this and more on the dedicated Stowe post HERE.

Waterbury, Vermont

A couple of must stops just minutes from Stowe, in Waterbury, are Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Waterbury Center State Park. Go to Cold Hollow get an apple cider slushy with a side of fresh, warm, apple cider donuts and then head over to the state park for a picnic. The 90-acre day-use state park is located on the Waterbury Reservoir in the Mount Mansfield State Forest. The way the colors of the trees were reflecting in the water was so beautiful.

I’m still dreaming of this day and the apple cider slushies.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is filled with amazing gifts, maple syrup, honey, and there is a hard cider tasting room. You can also shop online including ordering their apple cider donuts! I’ve ordered since we’ve been back in Minnesota and it’s so nice to have a taste of authentic Vermont.

Other best places in Vermont and stops in Waterbury Center are Ben & Jerry’s Factory (super busy so expect to wait in line), Danforth Pewter of Vermont, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Cabot Farmers’ Store, and Smugglers’ Notch Barrel House Tasting Room.

Quechee and Woodstock, Vermont

Our last stop in Vermont, was the Quechee/Woodstock area. We stayed at the Quechee/Pine Valley KOA. This is a beautiful location next to the Quechee Gorge (great hiking spot) and 10 miles to Woodstock. The KOA owners go above and beyond including awesome decorating!

We got up early to go visit the iconic Sleepy Hollow Farm, Sugarbush Farm, and Vermont Flannel in Woodstock. On our way to Sleepy Hollow Farm, we went under the Taftsville covered bridge. It looked so cool on this spooky, foggy, morning. Same with Sleepy Hollow Farm which has become a social media sweetheart. There are so many beautiful homes/farms to capture but this one really gets the attention, when we arrived there were at least 10 photographers there with their tripods ready to go. The main house was being worked on when we were there, it was also still very foggy, so I took a bit of a different angle. The Sleepy Hollow Farm has interesting history so make sure to click it to read more. It was once owned by Aerosmith guitarist, Joe Perry. The whole area is worth driving through.

I loved Sugarbush Farm and doing the cheese and maple syrup tasting. It all was so good!! I recommend adding this to your itinerary.

On our next trip, we will definitely stay in Woodstock for a night. The town is absolutely adorable. But, what Vermont town isn’t? 🙂 You can’t really go wrong and it’s so easy to day drive the state. We had breakfast at Mountain Creamery and I can’t say enough about this cute unassuming off the highway spot. Look at that piece of ham! The bread was gluten free and was the best I’ve tasted. Make sure to stop at F.H. Gillingham & Sons too for any grocery needs – they also sell individual cans of beer if you want to try a variety of local beers!

We can’t wait for our next visit! Please let me know your best places in Vermont.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

Originally posted in 2021.

©Tracy Blowers

September 22, 2025
North Shore & Grand Marais Minnesota

North Shore Minnesota Road Trip

It has been far too long since we visited the North Shore in our home state of Minnesota. As with most of the country, it’s been sweltering in Minneapolis, so we couldn’t wait to feel the cool air by beautiful Lady Lake Superior. And, the best part, I got to visit my long-time friend, Sara, with Urban Wild Media. We hit the popular spots on our way to Grand Marais and found some hidden gems too.

We’ve never been to the New Scenic Cafe or the world-famous Betty’s Pies, so those were both high on our list! We enjoyed the burrata with roasted tomatoes as an appetizer from the New Scenic Cafe. The cafe is so cozy and they also have tons of outdoor seating, which is really nice when traveling with our dog, Allen. He loved all the space to walk around and stretch his legs.

Then it was off to Betty’s for some burgers. We didn’t get any pie. I know, I know, we’re crazy, but we will try it next time. The burgers were fantastic and they offer gluten-free buns. Thank you, Betty! We laughed so hard when we saw the staff wearing t-shirts that said “I’m not Betty” – I’m sure they get asked that question ALL THE TIME.

Things to Do and See on the North Shore Minnesota

We tried stopping at Gooseberry Falls along the North Shore, but it felt too busy and chaotic with the dog. So, we headed to Iona’s Beach to see the pink/red rocks (watch for Iona’s Beach at mile marker 42). Then, Sara recommended that we drive up to see the Palisade Head overlook. We are so glad that she did! It is technically in Tettegouche State Park but has its own turn-off and signage, so keep a lookout for that – it can sneak up on you. This is a definite must-do. The steep hill going up to the overlook is fun and exciting; you can either walk or drive -it’s only about 1/2 mile. The views are spectacular.

We also made a quick stop at the adorable Schroeder’s Baking Company for a root beer float.

Lodging and Restaurants in Grand Marais

We were so excited to arrive in Grand Marais, our final destination for a few days. This was the first time visiting for both of us. In fact, before this trip, the furthest we had driven up the North Shore was Lutsen. We fell in love with Grand Marais. Again, I know, I know – who doesn’t, right? We stayed at the Best Western Plus – Superior Inn. This location is excellent, everything we needed was within walking distance, and the lake views are unbeatable. Allen loved our little patio.

View of Artist’s Point

The first night we had trouble finding food-to-go. Across the country, the restaurants are short-staffed, so if they are slammed, don’t expect to-go food. A reminder to think ahead and be respectful, hospitality teams are working so hard and doing their best.

These are always the fun moments that I remember because we end up doing something different. The Cook County Co-op is right next to the Best Western. We went there for some snacks (local insider tip from Sara – they have the best cookies!), and then we remembered that the hotel offers a nightly happy hour with pizza, salads, and more. They even have gluten-free crusts. This pizza was delicious!!

Grand Marais Things To Do

The next day, we explored the town, and Sara took me to some of her favorite spots. Did you know that this lighthouse was constructed and first lit in 1922? There is so much history here and a lot to learn about Minnesota’s roots. I loved the views of the Sawtooth Mountains from the lighthouse. Well, I should say ALL the views. The town, Lake Superior, each direction offers a beautiful view. The town is filled with charming local shops and art galleries. Plus, so many unique historic buildings and fun murals.

Of course, I had to stop at World’s Best Donuts. They have yummy gluten-free muffins and one of the best gluten-free trail cookies I’ve ever tasted. Plus, they make cute tail waggin’ dog treats! I was over the top excited when I saw that Java Moose had huckleberry lemonade. If you read my Glacier National Park blog post, you know how I feel about huckleberries. 😉

A few other favorite restaurants – Gunflint Tavern (awesome ribs and mouthwatering mashed potatoes) and Sydney’s for frozen custard (Thank you, Sara!). Next time, I want to try the wood-fired pizza at Sydney’s – it looked amazing.

Before we left the next morning, I had to get one more cup of Alakef Coffee (locally roasted in Duluth) from Java Moose and take in this beautiful sunrise over Lake Superior. I miss her and Sara already!

Next, we headed up the Gunflint Trail and stayed at Poplar Haus. We can’t wait to visit again! Read more about our Poplar Haus stay: https://solsiteco.com/2021/08/09/gunflint-trail-minnesota/.

Visit the Cook County website for more information – https://www.visitcookcounty.com/.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

Published August 2021

©Tracy Blowers

September 20, 2025
Patio Season! Top 5 Chisago Lakes, Minnesota

Spring is springing! In Minnesota, the moment the temp is over 30°F, we are ready for patio season. 😉 Chisago Lakes in East Central Minnesota includes five small towns; Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Schafer, and Taylors Falls. It is 35 miles northeast of downtown Minneapolis, so it’s a great day road trip from the Twin Cities.

Top 5 Patios in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota

Winehaven Winery

A Winehaven Winery slushy is a must! The flavor profiles are always creative and refreshing. Plus, there’s just something about that big straw that makes you feel like a kid. ha! There is a ton of wide open space to enjoy and take a stroll through the vines. We love stopping in for pizza and charcuterie and appreciate the dog-friendly patio. 🐾

Nordic Harbor Rooftop

The rooftop is the perfect spot to relax and take in lake views. It is so cozy with couches and shaded areas to truly unwind. They always offer fun specialty drinks, both alcoholic and non. You can also stop in the market for snacks to build your own charcuterie or make a Burnett Dairy pizza. Keep an eye on their calendar because they offer live music and other fun events throughout the year.

Plus, if you want to spend the night or weekend, Nordic Harbor is the place! This new, adorable lakeside boutique motel offers 6 rooms plus a luxurious vacation house. Located in Center City, it is conveniently in the heart of Chisago Lakes.

Uncommon Loon Brewing

Excellent craft beer and a super-friendly, fun atmosphere. The brewery always has entertaining events happening, including live music. Dogs are very welcome inside and out! 🐾 We love to hang out, play cards or board games, and grab food from either the food truck or local restaurant.

The Northern Lake Tavern

Awesome pub comfort food. The Reuben is my favorite sandwich at the Northern Lake Tavern. The patio is on the smaller side, but there is a picnic table and plenty of grass and space by the lake. Watch out for Bigfoot!

Jakes on the Lake

Jake’s is a great spot in the middle of it all in Center City. Perfect to hit for breakfast before a day on the lake!

If you’re looking for more fun, here is a 1-Day Itinerary for Chisago Lakes: https://solsiteco.com/explore-local-together-episode-1-chisago-lakes-itinerary/

Cheers to warmer weather! ☀️

©Tracy Blowers

March 14, 2025
One Night in Livingston, Montana

Do you only have one night to spend in Livingston, Montana, on your way to or from Yellowstone National Park or further west? I got you!

One Night in Livingston, Montana

After a long day of driving, Chico Hot Springs is the perfect spot to unwind and relax.

Chico’s 100% natural geothermal pool is fantastic. Get a Day Pass for $14 and enjoy an afternoon of soaking in mineral-rich waters! Plus, you can purchase pool-side appetizers and drinks. You can also visit the Chico Saloon for Happy Hour.

Lodging in Livingston, Montana

Stay at the historic Murray Hotel. Anthony Bourdain rated the Murray Hotel as one of his TOP TEN Worldwide favorite hotels. Built in 1904 in the heart of downtown Livingston, you have easy access to everything you need. There is even an outdoor shop on the block for your fishing, hiking, biking, and skiing needs. If you watch the Yellowstone spinoff 1923, keep an eye out for the Murray! We loved taking the 1905 Otis cranked elevator that is still in service to our floor!

The suites are spacious and comfortable with a sitting area, excellent WIFI, and kitchenette amenities.

Restaurants in Livingston, Montana

Enjoy dinner downtown at the Fainting Goat or The Mint. Both restaurants are walkable from the Murray Hotel. We love the Fainting Goat Pub‘s atmosphere, food, and service. The outdoor patio is cozy and comfortable, with great music playing. My favorite menu item is the Apple Walnut Salad with a Hot Bacon Vinaigrette! We recommend the burgers, too. We haven’t been, but we heard fantastic things about The Mint. It’s part of the downtown historic district and was once the Montana Hotel.

Treat yourself to dessert at Yellowstone Valley Grill. They offer farm-to-table delicious food with the BEST views of the Yellowstone River.

End the night with live music at Pine Creek Lodge. If you love live music, you have to experience Pine Creek Lodge. It feels like a family backyard party up close with the musicians. And the quality of the bands that play is top-notch.

The next day, rise and shine and hit the park!

Yellowstone National Park is approximately 60 miles from Livingston, making it a great base camp. It’s a beautiful drive along the Yellowstone River. That’s how it started for us, but now we make it THE destination!!

If you prefer camping or rustic lodging, see our blog post about the Livingston Paradise Valley KOA.

Life is crazy and everything can change in an instant. Find what stirs your soul! ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

March 4, 2025
Explore Local Together Ep. 9 – Chisago Lakes

It’s time for Explore Local Together Episode 9! In this episode, we chat with Jill Behnke, Mayor of Center City, Minnesota! Hear about things to do and what makes visiting and living in beautiful Chisago Lakes special from lifelong resident Jill Behnke. If you’re visiting from the podcast, thank you for listening. If not, please join us! At Explore Local Together, we share local gems in Minnesota, the Midwest, and Road-Tripping the USA.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Things To Do in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota

Chisago Lakes, Minnesota, is made up of five communites; Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Schafer, and Taylors Falls. We chose to move to this area because there is always something fun happening, beautiful scenery, and outdoor recreation. As you will hear in our interview with Jill, there is a ton of fun events in the summer! From strawberry picking and farmers’ markets to festivals, live music, and theater. Plus, lake recreation including fishing, pontooning, and paddle boarding, or shopping and antiquing, hiking at a state park, and stopping at one of the many wineries in the area or our favorite brewery, Uncommon Loon. Cheers!

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Adopt a Rescue Dog – Ruff Start Rescue

We partnered with Ruff Start Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society to feature one adoptable dog each month. We are passionate about rescue dogs and have two of our own, the Explore Local Together mascots, Allen and Carol.

Meet Hoover!

Hoover is so cute! He is also very affectionate-once you are his person he will crawl into your lap and rest his head. He is very cautious of strangers and will bark, but when introduced with treats he quickly becomes your best friend. Hoover loves his walks and slips right into his harness so his walk can begin. He would love to find an active family for hikes and walks! Meal time for Hoover is his absolute favorite! He’ll rush to his crate so he can dive into his kibble.

Hoover’s ideal home would be a quiet home in a rural setting. We’re looking at you, Chisago Lakes!

If you want to adopt Hoover, click HERE.

Let’s Explore Local Together!

©Tracy Blowers

June 14, 2024

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