The Best Things to Do in Vermont in the Fall
Vermont is a beautiful state located in the northeastern United States. It is known for its picturesque scenery, quaint towns, and friendly people. The state is also home to some of the best skiing in the country.
Fall is a great time to visit Vermont. The leaves start to change color in late September and October is a perfect time to see the full array of colors. The weather is cool and crisp, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. In this blog post, we gathered together the best things to do in Vermont during the fall season.
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Take a Hike Near Stowe
One of the best things to do during a trip to Vermont in the fall has to be to hike near Stowe. Stowe is one of the cutest towns to visit year-round, but in the autumn months, it really comes to life.
Vibrant fall foliage, beautiful mountain views, and crisp beers make Stowe the perfect fall destination. But to really enjoy those fall colors, hiking is the best option.
For a truly unique hike, explore the Sterling Pond trail early in the morning. Spot the fall foliage as you climb up to Vermont’s highest elevation stocked pond. Going early ensures fewer if any other tourists and the views of the mist rising from the pond are incredible.
From here, you can continue on the Long Trail for a bit as it snakes its way around the pond.
Another fabulous Stowe hiking trail is Stowe Pinnacle. Start early here for a hike up to the top of a mountain, where you’ll be greeted with the most gorgeous views of the foliage in the mountains and valley floor below.
And for more hiking trails, you could explore the iconic Trapp Family Lodge estate, with its many hikes to explore. The lodge itself is situated right in the mountains with incredible views. So hiking here will ensure gorgeous fall foliage delights.
After all of that hiking, definitely reward yourself with some brews from The Alchemist or Stowe Cider, both of which are crisp and delicious!
We recommend this popular experience HERE.
Written by Kat from World Wide Honeymoon
Rent a Cozy Cabin
Vermont is a great destination all year long, but it is during the fall in Vermont that the magic happens. With approximately 75% of the State covered by forest, and also, it has a higher number of vibrant maple trees, Vermont explodes with colors during fall.
One of the best things to do during fall is rent a cozy cabin in Vermont, that offers you breathtaking views of the marvels of the color of autumn from your window. It is one of the best ways to explore Vermont, and also, to have a secluded gateway and free of the busy everyday life for a relaxing stay.
With many options to choose from, you will find cabins for every travel style and budget. If you are looking for the most romantic cabins for a quiet gateway, renting a cabin in Vermont during the fall is just perfect! Or if you are traveling with a group of friends or family, you will have the opportunity to enjoy your trip, as Vermont will be surely fulfilled with amazing outdoor activities, and wonderful experiences to last a lifetime, just outside your door.
If you are looking for a charming place to stay, you can find a perfect cabin for you in the Woodstock area. Or if you are looking for outdoor activities and some action, the Stowe area is where you can find a large number of options for cabins for rental.
Written by Paula from Paula Pins the Planet
Visit Lake Willoughby
The Lake Willoughby area in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is the perfect fall destination. The fall foliage shimmering over the deep fjord like lake is worth a visit. The spectacular orange, red,and yellow leaves reflect off the crystal clear water. To catch the colors at their peak, mid to late September is the best time to visit.
Lake Willoughby is located in Westmore, Vermont, a short distance from Canada. Besides swimming and voting in the chili waters, hiking the surrounding mountains is possible. Camping in the crisp fall air is available at a campground right by the lake. Enjoying a campfire under the endless starry skies of the Willoughby Gap is delightful.
Mount Pisgah, on the east side of the lake, is one of the most popular hikes in Vermont. The 4 mile round-trip hike brings you to scenic overlooks to see the fall colors. The hike gains 1650 feet in elevation over 2 miles so it’s consistently steep.
The first viewpoint at Pulpit Rock is an exposed cliff overhanging the lake. As you continue up the mountain, you will find three more exposed overlooks with panoramic views of Mount Hor and Wheeler Mountain. You can also see as far as the mountains of Quebec. From the top of Mount Pisgah, the fall foliage contrasting with the blues of the lake is worth the steep hike up the mountain.
Awesome Tours to Book in Vermont:
Written by Karen of Outdoor Adventure Sampler
Go To Church Street in Burlington
Burlington is a small, vibrant city in northwest Vermont and an absolute must-see for anyone visiting the state. The city itself is jam-packed with fun activities year-round, but Church Street, in particular, should be the first activity on your list.
Church Street, or Church Street Marketplace, has been a commerce hub since way back in the 1800s. Nowadays, the wide, pedestrian street is still filled with a wide variety of local and commercial shops- and yes, of course, a Ben and Jerry’s! In fact, the ice cream brand’s first ever shop was out of a gas station right off of Church Street. Other shops have homemade candy and chocolate, outdoor gear, artisan goods, clothes, antiques, and so much more.
The street is also frequently decorated for the season, and you’ll often find musicians strumming guitars or playing music along the street. The ambiance paired with Vermont’s natural foliage it’s a perfectly picturesque way to spend an afternoon strolling along and window shopping.
If it starts to get chilly as the sun sets, hop into one of the many bars or restaurants to experience Burlington’s nightlife. The nights get especially fun with a combination of visitors, locals, and students from the nearby University of Vermont popping into the local bars and breweries to try a flight of beer or craft cocktails.
Burlington is also an easy hub for travel in Vermont, with a small international airport providing flights and a station for Flixbus US for intercity buses.
Written by Rachel from Bucketlist Places
Visit the Covered Bridges
One of the best things to do in Vermont in the fall is to visit covered bridges. These bridges are not only beautiful and provide a great way to see the fall foliage, but they are also a great way to learn about Vermont’s history.
There are over 100 covered bridges in Vermont, and many of them are located in rural areas. It’s practically impossible to visit them all but the good news is that many of the most scenic ones are close to the popular towns in Vermont, making it easy to visit them if you’re staying in one of these towns.
One of the most popular bridges is the Woodstock Middle Covered Bridge, located in the heart of Woodstock VT. This bridge is one of the oldest covered bridges in Vermont and it’s also one of the most photographed. Other great bridges to visit around Woodstock are Taftsville Covered Bridge and Queeche Covered Bridge.
If you’re visiting Stowe VT, make sure to check out Gold Brook Covered Bridge, which is one of the most picturesque covered bridges in Vermont. It’s located just a short drive from Stowe and it’s definitely worth a visit.
Legend says that the bridge is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who died in the 1800s. People have reported seeing her ghostly figure walking across the bridge or even sitting on the edge of the bridge, looking out over the water.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, visiting covered bridges is a great way to spend a day in Vermont during the fall. So make sure to add this activity to your list of things to do when you’re visiting Vermont!
Written by Krisztina from She Wanders Abroad
Visit Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory
Ben and Jerry’s is a famous ice cream brand from Vermont that is loved throughout the whole world. Founded in Burlington Vermont in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream is synonymous with Vermont.
Today you can visit Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury Vermont and see how they formulate their celebrated ice cream flavors.
There are tons of things to do at the Ben and Jerry’s Factory for any ice cream enthusiast. Tours have been open to the public since 1986, and Ben and Jerry’s keeps the tradition going by running daily tours at their Waterbury, Vermont location.
The tour includes a 30-minute walking excursion of the factory as well as a movie (or what Ben and Jerry’s calls, a “Moo-vie”) detailing the companies rich history in Vermont from humble beginnings to world-wide brand recognition.
After your walking tour you’re welcome to sample some very fresh ice cream and tour the grounds and visit the famous Scoop Shop where they sell old favorites like Phish Food, Chunky Monkey, and Cherry Garcia, as well as new inventions such as Chewy Gooey Cookie, and Gimme S’more!
If you’re a fan of ice cream , or just a lover of Vermont history, the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is a not-to-miss destination!
Written by Katie from Katie Caf Travel
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Final Thoughts
Vermont is a beautiful state to visit in the fall, and there are plenty of things to do to make the most of your trip. Whether you’re looking for scenic covered bridges, stunning fall foliage, or delicious ice cream, Vermont has something for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Vermont today!
