Vermont in the Fall | Your Guide to the Perfect Vermont Fall Getaway

Vermont may be a year round destination, but there’s one season that stands out more than any other. Grab some hot apple cider and your coziest sweater. We’re heading to Vermont in the Fall, where small towns glow under golden leaves and every turn feels like a scene from a movie.

In this guide, I’m sharing how to plan the perfect Vermont Fall getaway… from where to eat and drink, to the best scenic drives, towns to visit, and places to stay.

If you’re a guy, Fall’s your excuse to break out the flannel, head to a brewery, and sample a flight of seasonal brews… maybe even bring your dog along for a scenic drive.

And if you’re a girl… well, as the Queen of Millennials, Iliza Schlesinger, once said, we don’t need a calendar to know it’s officially pumpkin spice latte season. We can smell it. ☕️🎃

🥾 Need fashion inspo? Check out my full Fall wardrobe guide for men and women. I even include outfits for “his & her” to match your babe.

Why Visit Vermont in the Fall

Whether you’re hiking the Green Mountains through beautiful foliage, strolling small towns like Stowe or Woodstock with a cider donut, or roadtripping through covered bridges with your favorite playlist, Vermont is pure Autumn magic.

There’s something about the covered bridges, rolling hills, and charming towns that slows life down just enough to make you feel again.

Quick Resources:

• ✈ Closest airports are Burlington (BTV) or Boston (BOS) if you’re doing a roadtrip.
• 🏨 Stay at a cozy cabin or boutique inn (Check availability & pricing for your Vermont stay here)
• 🍺 Don’t miss a local brewery tour or scenic foliage tour

When to Visit Vermont in the Fall

Timing is everything in Vermont. The leaves usually start turning in late September and peak around mid October, especially in higher elevations like Stowe or the Northeast Kingdom.

By late October to early November, the bright colors fade into softer golds. Still stunning, but with fewer crowds (and often cheaper stays).

Days are crisp and sunny (50s – 60s°F), while nights get chilly enough for bonfires and cider by the fire. Pack layers, waterproof boots, and your coziest jacket.

🚗 Pro tip: Book your rental car early. They sell out fast during peak season! And for what to pack on the road, check out my Fall Road Trip Packing Guide.

Where to See Peak Foliage in Vermont

If you’re taking a road trip through Vermont, Start your drive on Route 100, the most scenic highway in New England. It winds through postcard towns like Stowe, Waitsfield, and Ludlow.

For stunning views, take the Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road near Stowe. From the top, the Green Mountains look like a watercolor painting come to life.

Stop at Quechee Gorge, the “Grand Canyon of Vermont,” for misty river views and that perfect fall photo op.

Vermont’s foliage peaks at different times depending on elevation. Use the Vermont Fall Foliage Tracker to plan your trip around peak color!

Ready to Plan Your Vermont Fall Getaway?

From charming small towns, farm to table restaurants, and breweries to scenic drives, cozy lodges, and fun local activities, here are some of the best places to experience the best of Vermont in the Fall.

Travel Tip: Compare the best deals on hotels or cabins prices in these towns through Hotels.com or Expedia, especially during foliage season when prices climb fast.

Where to Go in Vermont in the Fall

Stowe

If Vermont had a Fall capital, it’d be Stowe. Think red barns, winding roads lined with foliage, and cozy cafes.

🍽 Eat & Drink: For a slightly upscale dinner, try Harrison’s Restaurant in historic Stowe village with creative dishes using seasonal Vermont ingredients. For a more casual, relaxed spot, try Doc Ponds, which has local, seasonal craft beers, good food & apres ski vibes.

🚠 Don’t Miss:
Take the Stowe Gondola SkyRide up Mount Mansfield for sweeping views of the fiery foliage below. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch that golden hour glow that photographers chase all season.

🏨 Where to Stay:

Trapp Family Lodge
Yes, that Trapp family… as in The Sound of Music. Their lodge overlooks the valley with Austrian inspired charm, cozy fireplaces, and mountain trails right out the back door. Check out their seasonal events like Oktoberfest.

Best for: Couples, families, or anyone who secretly wishes they could twirl through a field singing about edelweiss.

Field Guide Lodge
Modern, fun, and a little quirky. Think rustic chic interiors, breakfast baskets delivered to your room, and a location close to downtown Stowe’s cafes and boutiques.

Perfect for: Solo travelers or girlfriends’ weekends. It’s stylish but still homey.

Woodstock

This one’s pure New England magic… covered bridges, white church steeples, and country stores that sell homemade maple butter (you’ll want to stock up).

🍽 Eat & Drink: Start the day at Mon Vert Cafe, a charming little cafe in the village known for maple lattes, pastries & brunch by the window. ☕ Then, grab a seat on the porch at Worthy Kitchen for a locally sourced farm to table lunch paired alongside a seasonal cocktail or one of their 18+ craft beers on tap. At 🍷Au Comptoir, enjoy a nice yet relaxed dinner, visit for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine in a cozy space.

🏨 Where to stay:

Woodstock Inn & Resort
A cozy splurge that feels like living in a Hallmark movie with fireplaces, spa treatments, and strolls to the village green just outside your door.

Perfect for: Couples’ getaways or anyone who loves a classic New England resort vibe.

The Village Inn of Woodstock
This charming B&B feels like stepping back in time with vintage trunk suitcases collected by the owner. Take a look around. The inn is filled with quirky art pieces and curiosities. Their breakfast is delicious and changes daily. (I had pumpkin French toast with local Vermont syrup and sausage)

Manchester

Elegant yet outdoorsy, Manchester is a quieter, luxe country escape where you can shop cute boutiques & get outlet deals and hike to waterfalls in the same day.

🍸Eat & Drink: Sip craft cocktails at The Copper Grouse& dine at Silver Fork. Upscale but intimate, with locally inspired dishes.

🏨 Where to stay: The Kimpton Taconic Hotel
Stylish but relaxed, this boutique spot has porch swings, fireplaces, and a restaurant that’s a local favorite. You’ll get those Vermont country vibes without giving up modern comfort.

Perfect for: Friends’ getaways or solo travelers who love design forward, pet friendly hotels.

Burlington

Vermont’s waterfront city on Lake Champlain has that perfect mix of lake views, local brews, and college town energy where sunset cruises and craft beer make a good combo.

🚲Then wander the Church Street Marketplace… think farmer’s market finds, live music, and maybe a sunset bike ride along the Burlington Bike Path to end the night.

🍺 Where to Eat: I liked Leunig’s so much I went back twice in one day. Sit outside for a cozy Fall lunch, then come back for dinner inside.. After, grab cocktails at The Whiskey Room next door. For something a little more local, try The Farmhouse Tap & Grill for craft beer and farm to table bites.

🏨 Where to stay: Try Hotel Vermont. Modern meets rustic, and right by Lake Champlain. Cozy rooms, local art, and great cocktails at Juniper Bar.

Or, browse Vermont’s best lakeside lodges.

Top Things to Do in Vermont in the Fall

Once you’ve had your fill of golden leaves, it’s time to see what else makes Vermont in the Fall so special.

Think: sipping warm cider after a morning drive through foliage, getting lost on backroads that smell like wood smoke and maple, and stumbling into some tiny farm stand that sells the best pumpkin donut of your life.

Here are some of my favorite things to do that’ll make you want to move there.

Hunt for Vermont’s Covered Bridges

You can’t come to Vermont in the Fall and not see a covered bridge. Make it a Covered Bridge Scavenger Hunt and see how many you can find.

Start with the Woodstock Middle Covered Bridge. It’s right in town. Then there’s Quechee Covered Bridge, where you can grab a maple creemee (Vermont’s version of soft serve) and watch the water rush beneath you.

If you’re up for a little adventure, take a mini roadtrip through Bennington County, which has 5 historic covered bridges all within a few miles of each other.

Catch a Vermont Fall Festival

Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival has you covered with wine, beer, spirits, cider and plenty of delicious, locally sourced food.

Beer lovers, why go all the way to Germany, when you can do Oktoberfest in Vermont? In between sips, there’s dancing, keg tosses, a Sam Adam’s Stein Holding Competition, Best Dressed Contest, and axe throwing.

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Beer, Cider, Spirits & Wine Lovers’ Trail

Vermont does small batch better than almost anyone… cider, craft beer, wine, spirits, you name it. Let’s toast to the perfect Fall day.

🍷For wine, Shelburne Vineyard (Shelburne) is the perfect Fall spot, overlooking rows of grapes and colorful trees in the vineyard. They also have themed flights named after characters from Friends or Schitt’s Creek. Try their lavish charcuterie spreads with local cheeses and their signature Marquette reds.

🍏 For hard cider, Cold Hollow Cider Mill (Waterbury) is a classic. You can enjoy tastings in their cozy taproom, watch them press cider, & snack on their famous cider donuts. Then pop over to Stowe Cider, where you can sip creative blends like their dry hopped cider while listening to live music.

🍻 Beer lovers, you’re in luck. Vermont’s beer scene is legendary. Hill Farmstead Brewery (Greensboro Bend) is world famous but still humble. People drive hours for their farmhouse ales, and the farm setting is half the fun… While Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Waitsfield) and Foam Brewers (Burlington) both serve up incredible small batch brews with mountain or lake views to match.

🍸 Prefer spirits? Try some of the smoothest spirits you’ve ever tasted at Vermont’s oldest distillery, Vermont Spirits (White River Junction), where they have award winning maple bourbon. Vermont Distillers (Marlboro) is known for their honey, fruit & maple infused liqueur and cocktails with a view. For something unique, WhistlePig Whiskey’s distillery barn in Shoreham is worth the detour. You can even taste rye straight from the barrel! 🥃

🎃 Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

These farms offer everything from corn mazes, hay rides, petting zoos and Fall festivals to Halloween happenings, homemade baked goodies, and farmstand produce.

Start at Hathaway Farm in Rutland for a 12 acre maze (one of the best in New England), a cozy wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, and a stop at the farm store for local treats. Down south, Gaines Farm in Guilford mixes wholesome fun with spooky thrills. 👻

Think haunted hayrides, “Twilight Walks,” and a 7 acre maze. If you’re near Colchester, don’t miss Sam Mazza Farms for fresh bakery goodies, Fall Harvest Weekends, and Vermont’s only 3 mile corn maze… 🌽 finish it, and you could even win a prize.

🥾 Outdoor Adventures & Fall Magic

Ride the Stowe Gondola: Not into hiking? Take the gondola at Stowe Mountain Resort instead. You’ll get to the top of Mount Mansfield for panoramic photos without breaking a sweat.

Scenic Chairlift Ride: Visit Okemo or Sugarbush Resort to see the mountains from above (bonus: they usually sell cider at the top).

Explore Quechee Gorge: Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Vermont,” it’s especially beautiful at sunrise when the fog lingers over the river. Pack a thermos of coffee and just sit with it.

Zipline Canopy Tour at Smugglers’ Notch: Fly through the treetops of sugar maples and oaks on this epic zipline adventure viewing gorgeous foliage with an adrenaline rush. 👉 Book on Viator

🛶 Lake Champlain By Kayak: Rent one in Burlington or Shelburne and paddle through still, mirrored waters surrounded by fall color. Sunset here hits different.

🐎Horseback Ride in Stowe: Enjoy a lovely ride through the Green Mountains’s stunning Fall foliage surrounding you. Local stables like Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm (Fayston, VT) offer trail rides, lessons and even tack equipment.

🎈Hot Air Balloon Ride: For a once in a lifetime view, float above the Green Mountains as the sunrise hits the foliage. Totally worth the early wake up. They have one in Essex and Quechee.

🚴‍♀️ Bike the Stowe Recreation Path
Rent a bike and cruise the 5.3 mile Stowe Rec Path that winds past rivers, meadows, and cafes where you can stop for pumpkin lattes and local pastries.

🍎 Apple Orchards & Farm Fun

Nothing says Vermont Fall like roadside farm stands in the countryside using wooden cash boxes and the honor system for fresh apples or flowers. Stop by Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks for maple everything and Fat Toad Farm for their dreamy goat’s milk caramel.

Craving cider doughnuts? Burtt’s Apple Orchard in Cabot has some of the best, while Allenholm Farm on South Hero (Vermont’s oldest orchard) serves up warm pies, wagon rides, and jugs of fresh cider to go.

Cozy Experiences

🐄 Visit a farm: In Woodstock, Billings Farm & Museum gives you a taste of old Vermont charm with farm animals, apple cider, and seasonal events. Shelburne Farms near Burlington lets you meet the animals, sample cheese, and explore their stunning property. You can also feed alpacas and shop for sweaters, coats and hats made of alpaca wool at Living the Dream Alpaca Farm (Quechee).
📚 Head into a bookstore like Bear Pond Books (Montpelier) or The Yankee Bookshop (Woodstock) for some rainy day browsing.
🍰 Warm up at a bakery like Woodstock Farmer’s Market for cider doughnuts or King Arthur Baking Co. in Norwich where you can watch them make homemade bread and pastries, devour a maple latte and a pecan sticky bun, or take a baking class.

Take a Scenic Drive or Hike

Fall in Vermont is made for getting lost in the best way. Drive Route 100, stop at Quechee Gorge for a quick walk, or hike Mount Mansfield (the tallest peak in Vermont) for some of the best foliage views in the state. If you want something quicker, Stowe Pinnacle is a moderate climb with killer foliage views.

Or, Mount Philo State Park for easy peasy views over Lake Champlain or Smugglers’ Notch for something a little more dramatic. For more Fall hikes, check out my Vermont Roadtrip blog.

Ride a Fall Foliage Train

🚂 Prefer to sit back? Ride the Green Mountain Railroad’s foliage train: cozy seats, cider in hand, endless views. You can even enjoy a 3 course dinner or brunch aboard.

You might also like:

A Local’s Guide to Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire

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🍂 Where to Eat & Drink in Vermont

I don’t know about you, but I travel with my taste buds leading the way. Luckily, Vermont in the Fall is a dream for food lovers: farm stands on every corner, warm maple treats, cozy cafes, and restaurants that take “farm to table” to heart.

🍽️ Restaurants with a View

If you can’t get enough of Vermont’s foliage, dine where the view is part of the menu.

Simon Pearce Restaurant (Quechee)
Lunch overlooking a waterfall? Yes, please. This 19th century mill turned glassblowing studio and restaurant is pure Vermont magic. Sit outside if you can, order the Old Fashioned in a flask (trust me), and enjoy the sound of the Ottauquechee River beneath you.

Thyme Restaurant (White River Junction)
Bistro style and delightfully unpretentious. Sit on the patio for that small town Vermont feel, order the crispy fries (you’ll thank me later), and finish with the apple almond tart… it’s dangerously addictive.

Pangaea (North Bennington)
A sweet little spot with a tranquil pond view. I sat watching a duck family paddle by while I ate… total Fall movie moment.

🌾 Farm to Table Favorites

Vermont practically invented the term “farm to table.” Everything here tastes fresher, earthier, and somehow more honest.

Michael’s on the Hill (Waterbury Center)
The kind of place where every bite tastes like fall. Think roasted squash soup, smoked maple glazed pork shank, and truffled mushroom gnocchi. Splurge on the chef’s tasting menu if you can.

Solo Farm & Table (South Londonderry)
Run by a husband & wife chef duo, this spot serves elegant, hyper seasonal tasting menus in a cozy farmhouse. Reservations required.

Parker Pie Company (West Glover)
Small-town pizza heaven. Local ingredients, hand stretched dough, and creative combos like The Bangkok Disco or Malibu Barbie. Bring friends, share a few pies, and try the local cider.

Whetstone Beer Co. (Brattleboro)
A casual riverside gem. Grab a beer flight, some pub bites, and a table on the balcony for epic views over the Connecticut River.

Adventure Dinner (Various Locations)
For something totally different, join a themed dinner party in a secret location, from candlelit barns to mountaintop picnics. You’ll meet locals, eat incredible food, and never forget it.

Where to Stay in Vermont

From mountain lodges, historic inns, and glamping yurts, to treehouses, cabins and farmhouses, Vermont has every lodging option imaginable.

The Inn at Shelburne Farms (Shelburne): Perfect stay if you love rustic farm charm with a touch of elegance.