Beat the Heat at Stowe this Summer

By Caitlin Conner, Marketing + Communications Manager

With temperatures rising to the 90s and humidity thickening the afternoon air, I often find myself running for the nearest building with air conditioning. Naturally, planning a day outdoors might not be at the top of your list when you can’t step outside without sweating.

But what if I told you that you could spend the day at Daniel Stowe Conservancy this summer without feeling like you want to melt? With last year’s upgrades to the property, there are more ways than ever to stay relaxed and cool while still enjoying a day out in nature. Here are my top five tips to beat the heat at Stowe this summer and fill your path to nature with shade and spots to splash.

Creekside Room 

The opening of the Adventure Trail last year unlocked brand new ways for kids to explore the outdoors. This half-mile trail spanning from the Lost Hollow children’s garden to the Prairie Castle Playground introduced five outdoor “rooms” along the way, each with different themes. The Creekside Room, the second room on the trail, is particularly popular in the summer. This room contains a man-made creek of running water over cool rocks that gives kids (and adults!) the chance to splash and play. Some kids make a big splash and even wear their swimsuits, while Mom and Dad cool off by sticking their toes in.

The water in Creekside isn’t swimmable (it’s just a couple of inches deep), but it provides a great, safe way to take a break from the sun and cool off on the Adventure Trail.

The Adventure Trail

Speaking of the Adventure Trail, it’s probably the most shaded space on our property! The dense tree cover protects walkers from the sun for the entire half-mile trail. If the kids are getting hot during your visit, a break on the Adventure Trail is probably just what you need. The five outdoor rooms will also keep them entertained for hours, including:

• The Ramble Rocks Room for jumping and climbing on boulders and building sand castles.
• The Creekside Room for splashing through running water.
• The Habitat Room to explore life-sized animal homes like fox dens and a spider web.
• The Woodwind Room to play bamboo musical instruments and perform on-stage.
• The Secret Room to uncover the home of Willow the Dragon.

The Tunnel Fountain 

One of the most iconic spots in The Gardens at Stowe is the Tunnel Fountain right at the beginning of the Perennial Gardens. The jet-stream fountains shoot up to a spectacular water arch display over the walkway. If you could use a cool down, walk through the tunnel of water for a nice cooling sprinkle. If you feel like getting a true splash, stand directly in the walkway while the fountain is off and wait for it to turn on. That will cool you off quick!

Meadowood Walk 

While it’s not quite as shaded as the Adventure Trail, Meadowood Walk provides an extra half mile of tree-covered trail around the perimeter of our Piedmont Prairie and savanna grassland. You can reach Meadowood Walk directly from the Adventure Trail or enter the other side of the loop when you reach the Conifer Garden at the boundary of the formal botanical gardens just before the Prairie Castle. Meadowood provides a serene walk in nature with plenty of opportunities to spot native birds like the brown-headed nuthatch and the red-bellied woodpecker.

Indoor Spots for Snacks + Shopping  

After your walk through The Gardens or on the trails, you might be ready for some AC and relaxation. Thankfully, there are plenty of place on the property to kick back with a drink, browse a curated selection of plants and decor and take a moment to yourself after a peaceful day in nature.

• Big Leaf Café + Shop in the Garden Pavilion provides tasty grab-and-go salads, desserts, wraps, sandwiches, chips and more, along with beer, wine, soda and other cold drinks. You can also browse Stowe merch and a wide range of garden-themed gifts.
• The Trailhead Store is our cozy coffee cabin in The Village at Stowe. Stop by for delicious lattes and teas crafted by our baristas, or treat yourself to a cold beer or wine. Trailhead also offers a similar selection of snacks and grab-and-go meals as Big Leaf. The seating area outside Trailhead includes a shaded porch as well as several shaded picnic tables and chairs that overlook our scenic ponds.
• The Farmhouse Garden Center gives you an air-conditioned space to shop for plants and cute, vintage-inspired home decor. Recently, Farmhouse began selling fresh, local produce courtesy of FreshList, so you can also stop by to pick up your seasonal produce, eggs, jam and more! (Pro tip – for true relaxation, head down the back hallway at Farmhouse for a cozy couch you can kick back on to cool down in the summer!)

Not only are our retail shops a great spot to take a break from the sun, they also offer cold treats of their own! Grab an iced coffee from Trailhead or Big Leaf, a canned cocktail from Farmhouse or delicious Friyos popsicles from Trailhead.

This may not count as one of the cooler spots on the property in the summer, but we’re excited to announce that the Prairie Castle Playground (one of the sunniest spots on the property) now has brand-new sun shades and benches for seating so that parents can stay cool while their kids play!

The Carolinas get hot, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beautiful blooms of The Gardens at Stowe in the summer. Be sure to pack water, hats and sunscreen on your next visit and follow this guide to stay cool as you find your path to nature at Stowe!