Under $100: Stowe, Vermont

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, Waterbury, Vermont © Madeleine Deaton | Flickr

Stowe is best known as a ski resort town in Vermont, and while a one-day lift ticket will make a dent in your wallet, a day spent in this quaint New Englandvillage comes with plenty of affordable alternative adventures for visitors.

Go for breakfast at the Green Goddess Cafe, where the menu is promised to be comforting, homemade and always evolving. Try one of their scrambles, made with three eggs and a mixing of delights like maple sausage and mushrooms. They come with a side of rosemary fries and homemade toast, all for $10.

But be sure not to fill up too much before a snowshoe hike through the Ben & Jerry’s Factory grounds in nearby Waterbury. Trek through the woodlands behind the factory and see the “flavor graveyard” before enjoying a look at the factory itself. The 45-minute tour costs $20 for an adult, and you can make a reservation through Umiak Outdoor Outfitters.

For lunch, you must stop by the Matterhorn Restaurant, where you’ll run into the post-slopes crowd. They serve a little bit of everything, from pizzas to steak tips to fresh sushi rolls, and have great lunchtime deals on certain days of the week.

Speaking of the slopes, check out the The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum for a crash course in local lore at only $5 per person. Afterward, exploring any of the nearby free art centers like the Helen Day Art Center or West Branch Gallery and Sculpture Park.

Since you’ve been so good up until this point, why not splurge a little at Plate Restaurant. The owners are Vermont transplants hailing from Los Angeles, and have brought with them some California style. You won’t want to miss the half-roasted chicken, maple brined and served with sweet potato mash and Brussels sprout hash.