Outdoor Center at von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort — Attraction in Stowe

If you are a Sound of Music fan, I definitely recommend taking the Trapp Family History Tour to learn more about the real people that inspired the classic musical…it’s riveting. Our expectations were subdued knowing how we often lose interest when we take tours. But I think what sets this one apart is that it really isn’t a tour in the traditional sense. Rather, it’s more like a cozy campfire story told outside next to a grove of trees and the family cemetery where Maria, Georg, and most of the children are now interred. Our guide, Patty, was without a doubt one of the best I’ve ever seen. She spot-on knew her family history and weaved a fascinating account of the events that unfolded in Austria and how the family ended up in Vermont. I honestly could have listened to her for hours more. Once Patty was done with the history portion, she opened the gate to the cemetery and spoke more about its design and each of the grave markers. It’s very cheerfully decorated and looks more like a botanical garden than final resting spots. The last portion of the tour was inside to see a 15-minute movie of Maria telling her story in her own words as she visited Salzburg for the first time in the 1980s after fleeing her former home. Once the movie concluded, Sam von Trapp, one of Maria and Georg’s grandchildren, answered questions for several minutes. At the conclusion, Sam stayed outside the gift shop so people could chat with him, get pictures, and/or ask him to autograph materials. Along with the tour, you also get a grounds pass so you can walk trails throughout the property, which we did for a few hours. We originally planned to be at the Trapp Family lodge for two hours tops, but we ended up spending nearly five. It’s a beautiful place. Of everything we did on our week-long trip to Vermont, this was by far our favorite! We hope to visit again some day and stay at the lodge to chill and enjoy the experience of being there instead of just...

Outdoor Center is located in a separate building located to the left of the parking lot (main Lodge located to the right) where you can get tickets to access activities/tours offered by the Lodge. Equipped with Restroom facilities, snacks, gifts, maps and answers to your questions about any of the activities the lodge offers. You can purchase individual tickets and I believe day-passes are also offered. As a resort guest, we were free to roam the property. Some activities were free to us as well.

We also took historical tours of the Lodge and grounds which included the chapel as well. Tour guides were all knowledgeable and most had direct interactions with Maria von Trapp herself!

Over and above the excellent tours and guides for all our tours, Chris Pocher gave us two of the most memorable tour experiences from the smallest plants (in Wildflower Walk) to the largest animals (in Meet the Cows), he brought interactive humor, vast knowledge, respect and kindness for all flora and fauna to...

We booked the Von Trapp History Tour for $18 per person. We went at 9am to get tickets for the 11am - you have to get tickets the day of; especially if you are not a hotel guest.

The tour was underwhelming. The tour guide talks to you about the family in a ballroom and then you go see the graveyard. This was then followed by watching a BBC documentary about Maria .

My biggest complaint is that this wasn't a tour at all. There was no tour of the grounds or explanation of when things were built or where the original farm was.

Moreover, the initial part significantly needs improvement. Why weren't there visual aides? You see all of these pictures in the hallways- why aren't they shown during the "tour"?!? Also, the guide discussed all of the memoir books which are available in the gift shop, why didn't she show us the books?!? Or read excerpts?

This tour seriously needs an update. Consider adding...