Fall in New England is pure magic, and in the small state of Vermont you will find the best fall foliage in all of the United States. Even though Vermont is beautiful during all seasons, it really is best to visit Vermont in the fall. If you’re looking to plan your next trip, keep reading for the most comprehensive guide you’ll ever need. Just a heads up- because it’s the only guide you’ll ever need it’s a tad long! As a Bostonian and New Englander, I have personally visited most of these locations and would highly recommend them all. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Vermont in the fall or the best places to visit in Vermont in the fall for foliage, keep reading!

Vermont in the Fall: 50+ Best Things to Do

Known as the Green Mountain State, Vermont is packed with adorable small towns and scenic landscapes. Here’s a breakdown of the best towns for fall foliage in Vermont. They also offer some of the best things to do in the fall in Vermont.

If you’re looking for more New England fall foliage locations, here’s a comprehensive guide on the best things to do in New England in the fall!

Best Towns to Visit in Vermont

Stowe: A trip to see the fall foliage in Stowe Vermont is one of the most popular for tourists. This town is quite small, but there are plenty of outdoor activities and hiking trails. It is one of the best places to visit in Vermont in the fall, and it’s popular for good reason!

Bennington: This town is even smaller than Stowe but packs a punch. It has the most beautiful marbled sidewalks in the main square and is worth a visit. If you’re debating whether to make a stop here, it’s not far from the popular Manchester which should be on your Vermont fall itinerary.

Dorset: Similar to Bennington, this town is quite small. It’s right down the road from Manchester, and has a lovely common and is quite picturesque!

Weston: Straight out of the Gilmore Girls movie, this is one the best places to see Vermont fall foliage. Read about its hidden gem listed below.

Burlington: Burlington is Vermont’s largest city, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to visit. It also offers plenty of things to do in the fall in Vermont.

Pomfret: Another small town, it’s home to Moore’s Orchards and the idyllic Maple Grove Farm. This farm offers the most scenic Vermont fall foliage photo opportunity.

Montpelier: The capital city of Vermont and home to one of Vermont’s largest maple syrup suppliers, it’s worth a visit!

My absolute favorites!

Manchester: Manchester is one of the best places to visit in Vermont in the fall. It has one of the most beautiful estates and the former home of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln! Experiencing Vermont fall foliage here, especially at the Hildene Estate is magical!

Woodstock: Always saving the best for last, this is another one of the most popular towns to see Vermont fall foliage. It is my absolute favorite and must be on your epic itinerary. Don’t stress about planning your itinerary, keep reading for all the best information on how to visit Vermont in the fall!

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When’s the best time to visit Vermont in the Fall

To experience the best of Vermont’s fall foliage, if I’m being honest this can be a tough question to answer. Vermont’s fall foliage, including when colors peak and even the intensity of the color, varies from year to year based mostly on weather conditions. Throughout different areas of the state and New England, the foliage will also peak at different times.

Vermont’s fall foliage starts to change first in Northern Vermont (Stowe, Burlington). The foliage will continue like a ripple effect as you head south in the state. There are multiple predictors each year for Vermont fall foliage. The best rule of thumb is the foliage will start at the beginning of October and the leaves will continue changing towards the end of the month. Since Vermont is very popular in the fall, plan your trip in advance! This will allow you better rates for rental cars, accommodations, and bookings. Keep reading for the best places to stay in Vermont.

How to get around Vermont in the Fall

Do you need a car?

Unfortunately, you need a car to get around Vermont. If you’re taking an international flight to Vermont, the best airport would be Boston but if you’re traveling domestically you can also fly into Burlington Vermont.

Are you spending time in Boston and looking for the best day trips from Boston? Here’s a list to get you started!

Where to stay in Vermont

There are plenty of wonderful places to stay in Vermont. I would choose your accommodations based on your itinerary. Here are some of the most iconic and best places to stay in Vermont.

Best Places to Stay in Stowe

Trapp Family Lodge $$$ • The Lodge at Spruce Peak $$ • Topnotch Resort $$ • Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge $$

Best Places to Stay in Manchester

Equinox Resort $$$$ • Kimpton Taconic Hotel $$$

Best Places to Stay in Dorset

The Dorset Inn $$$ • Barrows House $$

Best Places to Stay in Woodstock

Woodstock Inn & Resort $$$ • The Village Inn $$ • 506 On the River Inn $$ • Woolbridge Inn Bed & Breakfast $$

Vermont in the Fall: Ultimate Guide by Town

Find fall foliage in Stowe Vermont

A trip to see the fall foliage in Stowe Vermont is one of the most popular for tourists. This town is quite small, but there are plenty of outdoor activities and hiking trails. It is one of the best places to visit in Vermont in the fall, it’s popular for good reason!

Drive Smuggler’s Notch

Start your drive in Stowe on Route 100, and when you’re in the center of town take the exit for Route 108. This turn will take you toward Jeffersonville and Smuggler’s Notch ski resort. Continue on this very winding road, but be advised not to drive RVs or large trucks as they can’t pass the many bends in the road. There will be multiple warnings before starting the drive as a reminder! A fun fact, this road follows the Long Trail which traverses Massachusetts to Canada!

Visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of the most iconic places to visit in Vermont in the fall. They are best known for their delicious cider donuts. You can also buy other treats and souvenirs in their store. Even though this place can get busy, their lines move quickly!

The Von Trapp Family Lodge

Another iconic spot to experience fall foliage in Stowe Vermont, this is one of the best places to stay in the area and all of Vermont. Does the Von Trapp family name sound familiar? This is THE actual family that fled Austria and nestled in this part of Vermont. They chose this spot to settle as it resembled the landscapes of their beloved Austria. If you don’t have time to stay at the lodge, you can visit their restaurant and brewery. This is about the closest you’ll get to Austrian food in the area!

Percy Corn Maze

This spot is a perfect family-friendly activity. Check out their website for more details.

Stowe Community Church

This is another icon in Stowe and one of the most photographed churches in Vermont.

Stowe Gondola

The Stowe Gondola is one of the best things to do in Vermont in the fall, you will be able to experience Vermont fall foliage with a bird’s eye view. It doesn’t operate during the entire fall season and closes somewhere in mid-October. If you’re willing to brave the ride, you can make a reservation at their restaurant to dine in the clouds!

Take a carriage ride

Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride with these gentle giants through fall foliage in Stowe Vermont.

Grand View Farm

This farm is so idyllic and could be on a postcard. It’s a private farm but offers the perfect photo opportunity and a scenic drive!

Hike to Moss Glenn Falls Vermont for fall foliage in Stowe

The hike to Moss Glenn Falls is relatively easy and only takes around twenty minutes. There’s a full loop trail around the waterfall that won’t take you more than a few hours!

Visit the small town of Bennington

The Old First Church

This church in Bennington is the apple of Bennington’s eye. This historical landmark with marble sidewalks adorning the front makes it so idyllic surrounded by Vermont fall foliage. The famous author and poet, Robert Frost, is buried in the cemetery of this church.

Armstrong pumpkin farm

This is one of the best pumpkin farms in Vermont. They sell multiple varieties and even spell out ‘Vermont’ with pumpkins on the front lawn. They also have a small farm store. Check their website for the best times to visit.

Manchester

Make a reservation at Copper Grouse

Make a reservation at this popular spot inside the Kimpton Taconic Hotel. They have the largest wrap-around porch I’ve ever seen, perfect for enjoying the beautiful Vermont fall foliage.

Visit the Hildene Estate

The Hildene Estate is the former home of the Lincoln family and the home of Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert Todd Lincoln. Plan to spend some time touring the house and the grounds, the gardens overlooking the Green Mountains are incredible. The Vermont fall foliage is quite breathtaking from this view.

Stroll the Square near The Equinox

This spot could be used as a quintessential postcard of Vermont in the fall. This square also has a beautiful historic white church with wonderful colors surrounding it. Have a drink at the nearby luxury Equinox Resort. Find out how to book your next stay here.

Visit Bellows Falls Vermont

The Bellows Falls Canal was the first canal built in America in 1802. This town is also quite famous as it has the first covered bridge! Check out the Waypoint Center on Depot Street for its historical train station. You can spot some beautiful Vermont fall foliage along the Connecticut River. This location is around an hour outside Manchester on the New Hampshire border.

Shop the original Orvis store

Founded in 1856 by Charles Orvis to sell fishing tackle, Orvis originated in Manchester. You’ll find a retail and outlet store here (with great prices!). You can find their associated fly-fishing school across the street. My husband took a class here and loved it!

See the Dorset Green

Visit the Dorset Union store

Grab a cider doughnut and a coffee and walk around the Dorset Green. There are picnic tables for you to enjoy your breakfast or lunch. They also have delicious deli options for sandwiches for the road! This is a beautiful place to see foliage in Vermont in the fall.

Walk the Dorset Green

Dorset is a small town; the main green space is only a few blocks long. The beautiful marble sidewalks resemble the ones you can find in Bennington. You can find beautiful Vermont fall foliage here. The houses that line the Green are usually impeccably decorated for the season!

Take a scenic drive to Shaftsbury

Only about thirty minutes from Dorset is the very, very small town of Shaftsbury. It really only has a historical museum and an orchard, but the drive is worth the views!

Visit a real-life Gilmore Girl set in Weston

The Vermont Country store

The one and only, don’t miss a visit to this store in Vermont!

Old Mill Museum

This historic building overlooks a picturesque mill pond and waterfall. The Vermont fall foliage here is stunning.

There are many other Gilmore Girl-esque locations in New England for beautiful fall foliage. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started with some of my favorite New England fall foliage locations!

Burlington Vermont in the Fall

A Burlington favorite Shelburne Museum

This is one of the best things to do in Vermont in the fall. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to visit.

See the stunning Lake Champlain

Burlington is nestled right along this beautiful lake. If you’re looking for the best views, head to Shelburne Museum where you can overlook Lake Champlain or Causeway Park.

Visit a Burlington brewery

Burlington is known for its breweries. Here’s a comprehensive guide on which ones to visit.

Whitcomb’s Pumpkin Patch

This spot has quite an assortment of pumpkin varieties available. They also have a corn maze, which is perfect for families!

Go apple picking

Champlain Orchards is a bit outside Burlington but is a beautiful orchard. You can also check out Shelburne Orchards close to Shelburne Farm. Going apple picking is one of the best things to do in the fall in Vermont.

Morgan Horse Farm

The Morgan Horse Farm is just south of Burlington. Operated by the University of Vermont, this farm cares for the many rare Morgan horses you will find here. You can meet the horses and take a guided tour of this beautiful complex listed on the National Historic Register.

The tiny Pomfret

Moore’s Orchards

This spot is close to Woodstock and even recommended by the Town of Woodstock. They write ‘In the quiet countryside of North Pomfret you’ll discover a picture-perfect family-run farm overflowing with fresh summer blueberries and a variety of PYO apples (think Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Macoun, Cortland, Empire, Northern Spy, and more)’. They also have a farm stand!

The idyllic Maple Grove Farm

Even though this is a private farm, the Vermont fall foliage surrounding it is so beautiful. It’s perfect for a photo opportunity and a scenic drive!

Vermont’s capital city Montpelier

Try maple syrup at Bragg’s

A family-owned farm, this spot has a 300-year-old tree! This tree is one of their most productive trees for maple syrup and helps make it one of Vermont’s largest producers of maple syrup!

Burtt’s apple orchard

The cutest apple orchard with quite a variety. You can also find cider donuts and pumpkins here. The perfect Vermont fall activity!

A personal favorite for visiting Vermont in the fall is Woodstock

Billings Farm & Museum

The cows on this farm will eat right out of your hand, they are very friendly! We loved touring the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller mansion and gardens right across the street from the farm. Stop inside the museum for more family fun.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

This spot is right across the street from Billings Farm and is free to visit. Take a walk around their garden area, or find the map with the plenty of walking trails it offers.

Sleepy Hollow Farm

Even though the view of this farm won’t disappoint, the mobs of people will. The road leading to this farm was closed in 2023 due to the crowds. Check Vermont’s town website before you try to visit for up-to-date visitor information.

Quechee Gorge

This spot is quite beautiful, especially with the Vermont fall foliage in the background. Make sure to also stop at the Simon Pierce store and restaurant overlooking this gorge.

Have dinner at Simon Pierce

The view from this restaurant is worth a visit just as much as the food is! Arrive just as the sun’s setting, and the reflection against the water will be stunning.

Downtown Woodstock

Stroll around downtown Woodstock. It’s consistently named one of the best small towns in America. Try the iconic maple creemee (Vermonter for ‘soft serve’) at Woodstock Scoops or shop in one of the many boutique stores.

Sugarbush Farm

One of the most popular farms in Vermont, I distinctly remember the picture-perfect Vermont fall foliage with the farm’s horses in the foreground. You can buy cheese and all varieties of maple syrup here.

The Woodstock Inn Spa

This iconic and luxury resort is right in the heart of downtown Woodstock. I’ve visited the spa and even had a Christmas dinner here, and this iconic hotel never disappoints. After your spa treatment make sure to wander, they have two wonderful heated pools and relaxation areas.

Always wander down the back roads

Coming into Woodstock on the S Road that continues into South Street near The Woodstock Inn makes for picture-perfect views.

A few more out-of-the-way Vermont sights…

Nichols Ledge, New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Cog Railway

Here are a few other posts you may enjoy:

14 Things to Do in New England in the Fall

Best Boutique Hotels Vermont: 10+ Best Places to Stay in Vermont

Best Vermont towns to visit: Burlington, Stowe, and more!

Where to find New Hampshire Fall colors: A Weekend Itinerary

Best Day Trips from Boston: A Summer in New England

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