Vermont in fall is the most magical time of the year for New Englanders and leaf peepers. Here is my list of the best things to do in Vermont during the fall! My name is Meghan and I’m a New England travel blogger hoping you’ll fall in love with Vermont as much as I did while living there for 4 years. You can use the guide below to help you plan your next fall Vermont getaway!
Vermont is famous for its vibrant fall foliage. Year after year thousands of people travel to Vermont to see the colors change and experience New England fall to the fullest. Picture a gorgeous fall day amongst exploding colors of red, orange, and yellow leaves when you look across a mountain valley. You celebrate with apple cider, freshly baked cider donuts, and even go apple picking at a local orchard.
Top tip: In years past the brightest fall foliage in the Green Mountain region occurs October 1st-October 12th (sometimes even the last week of September). This is the most popular two-three weeks out of the entire year to try and see the fall foliage.
Table of Contents
Vermont Hotels
Locals and those from around the world travel to Vermont in hopes of seeing the bright foliage colors so the best course of action is booking your accommodations well in advance. If you can only pick one place to base out of for your Vermont fall getaway then Stowe is going to be your top choice due to its proximity to the mountains.
Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown – Burlington, VT
Hotel Champlain- Burlington, VT
DoubleTree by Hilton – Burlington, VT
Shelburne Farms Inn – Shelburne, VT
The Lodge at Spruce Peak – Stowe, VT (4 star)
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa- Stowe, VT
Woodstock Inn & Resort – Woodstock, VT
Von Trapp Family Lodge – Stowe, VT
Equinox Golf Resort & Spa – Manchester, VT
The Essex Resort – Essex Junction, VT
Mountain Top Inn & Resort -Chittenden, VT
Castle Hill Resort & Spa – Proctorsville, VT
The Pitcher Inn & Wellness Center – Warren, VT
The Mountain Inn at Killington
Twin Farms – Barnard, VT (the only 5 star hotel in VT)
Vermont Fall Road Trip Musts
- Track the foliage in real time by following the Yankee Magazine Peak Fall Foliage Map
- Go apple picking at an orchard like Shelburne Orchards
- Grab some apple cider & apple cider donuts at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill (close by you’ll also have the Ben & Jerry’s Factory)
- Shop local and grab some high quality flannel at Vermont Flannel Company (or order ahead of time to wear on your fall road trip)
- Get outdoors! Go on a fall foliage hike in one of Vermont State Parks or learn to rock climb with one of the outdoor programs through Petra Cliffs
- Travel to Burlington: Walk Church Street and shop local at spots like Common Deer, go to the farmer’s market, and watch the sunset along the waterfront
- Visit a corn maze
- Champlain Valley Fair
Vermont Tea & Coffee Shops
This time of year I recommend hot apple cider or a maple latte!
Vermont Fall Hikes
Walking Paths: The Intervale, Colchester Pond, Bulington Bike Path, Indian Brook Park Reserve, Niquette Bay State Park, Shelburne Farms
Easy Hikes: Mt. Philo, Snake Mountain, Stowe Pinnacle
Moderate Hikes: Mt. Hunger, Mt. Abraham
Difficult Hikes: Mt. Mansfield (personal favorite is Sunset Ridge), Camel’s Hump
Favorite Vermont Brands & Shops
I am a huge advocate for shopping local and supporting small businesses as much as I can during my travels. Check out these shops if you’re looking for a great Vermont gift or souvenir!
Outdoor Gear Exchange (it’s like the local REI)
Vermont Bike Paths
Burlington Bike Path
Stowe Recreation Path
For experienced mountain bikers you can check out the Northeast Kingdom: Kingdom Trails in East Burke, VT
Where to go Mountain Biking in Vermont
Kingdom Trails
You can find trails for adaptive riding here.
Leave No Trace Principles
One of the special parts of Vermont is it’s natural beauty. Do your part while visiting the Green Mountain state and follow the leave no trace principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
Vermont’s Top Spots for Live Music, Comedy, and Theatre
Theatre: Flynn Center, Northern Stage,
Comedy & Improv: Vermont Comedy Club
Music Venues: Radio Bean (intimate), Higher Ground (typical concert venue)
Where To Get a Vermont Cremee
If you want a soft serve ice-cream in Vermont it’s called a cremee! They have lots all around Vermont.
This blog post contains affiliate links so I may earn a commission if you book directly from the links below at no additional cost to you. This is a huge help as I balance being both a full time photographer while also pursuing my musical theatre dreams in NYC – so big thanks in advance! If you are a Vermont business interested in working together on a brand collaborations, you can contact me here.
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