Vermont in the fall means vibrant forests bursting with reds, yellows, and oranges. It means nature, mountains, and all things apple cider. But there is even more to this pristine part of New England that includes historic covered bridges, maple syrup, and an abundance of hiking trails. Vermont has many charmingly beautiful small towns to explore during the fall season. Keep reading for the top 8 Vermont towns to visit in the fall.
Best Time To Visit Vermont For Fall Foliage
While peak foliage is different every year, Vermont reliably sees its best fall colors beginning in late September in the northern part of the Green Mountain state. The leaves slowly transition through mid-October in the southern part of the state.
Check Out the Vermont Fall Bucket List
Top 8 Vermont Towns To Visit In Fall
8. Burlington
The beautiful lakeside town of Burlington is bustling with outdoor activities and fantastic urban culture. Not to mention, it is surrounded by the most impressive fall foliage. You will find everything from apple picking to art galleries to live concerts in Burlington, there is truly so much to see and do. Check out the long bike path for the perfect place to go riding or take a stroll among the spectacular foliage. Or get a different vantage point and take in the beautiful leaves from the eastern shores of Lake Champlain.
7. Waitsfield
If you are looking for a storybook town for your fall foliage escape to Vermont, you will love Waitsfield. Nestled in the Mad River Valley, Waitsfield is located between the Northfield Mountains and Green Mountain Range, and it offers some of the most spectacular fall foliage in Vermont. Waitsfield is also home to some of the Green Mountain State’s famous covered bridges.
This includes the beautiful Pine Brook and Big Eddy bridges. Make sure to take a laid-back stroll along the Mad River Path for truly epic autumn scenes. Take the 9-mile path to the south of the town, where you can feast your eyes on a gorgeous waterfall. As an added bonus Route 100 is the main road through town (backlink to the Guide To Driving Route 100 article in the PLR pack).
6. Peacham
Peacham is located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and is filled with quaint cottages and charming stories. Peacham is one of those places where if you’ve been in the fall once, you just keep wanting to come back for more. One of the best ways to explore the town’s most impressive fall trips is catching Peacham’s Fall Foliage Day, usually held in early October (but this varies every year). This is a sleepy small town that is surrounded by epic fall colors. Head to the Peacham Fire Station and explore the field behind the station. You can enjoy the magnificent foliage views from any one of the hills, gorgeous mountains, or rolling fields.
5. Brattleboro
If you are looking for a quintessential Vermont experience, you will absolutely love Brattleboro and its location in the middle of vibrant and flourishing forests. The town offers many fall experiences and activities. There are several amazing hikes and walks through the gorgeous forests, and rolling hills, or you can visit one of the beautiful historic farms that surrounds the town. If you are looking for magnificent vistas and amazing wildlife you’ve come to the right place. Make sure to check out Pisgah State Park, and Mount Wantastiquet, to get panoramic views of the town and the river valley during your time in Brattleboro.
4. Grafton
In the rolling hills of southern Vermont, you will discover the must-visit town of Grafton. Fall in Grafton means gorgeous foliage, rich history, incredible dairy, and a fantastic art scene. There is so much to experience during the fall thanks to the spectacular nature that surrounds the town. This includes beautiful gardens and hiking trails leading to stunning forests and parks. Start your adventure at the Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center where you can enjoy over 2,000 acres of natural beauty bursting with fall colors. Make sure to visit the Nature Museum to enjoy some of the most breathtaking fall views in Grafton.
3. Manchester
You will find Manchester nestled in the southern Great Mountains, the town offers some truly spectacular fall foliage, as well as fall activities. The entire town is surrounded by mountains, making it a perfect leaf-peeping paradise. The picturesque rolling hills offer a magnificent display of vibrant colors, and beautiful trails with 360-degree views of the Green Mountains, the Manchester Riverwalk, and the Taconic Mountains. Of course, you do not want to miss the seasonal favorites cider donuts, apple pies, or pumpkin-inspired desserts.
2. Woodstock *My Second Favorite*
Do you want to feel like you’ve walked into an episode of Gilmore Girls? How about Practical Magic or a Halloween Hallmark movie? Welcome to charming Woodstock, a town offering the quintessential fall experience. From the historic Billings Farm & Museum to the Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Historic Park there is no shortage of things to do in Woodstock. Fall is the perfect time to see Mount Tom ablaze in beautiful colors, and there is no better way to experience foliage than hiking this mountain. Don’t forget to stop a few of the town’s idyllic-covered bridges along the way.
1. Stowe *My Favorite*
Located on the slopes of the state’s highest peak, is the picturesque village of Stowe – the perfect spot for a fall getaway. Plan your trip from late September to mid-October and enjoy the town’s colorful blanket of leaves while grabbing some fantastic cider donuts at the famous Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Stowe is brimming with vibrant colors and breathtaking views. The village of Stowe boasts over 45 hiking trails and over 65 miles of biking trails to allow for an epic fall adventure. Make sure to drive through Smuggler’s Notch for the amazing foliage views.
To read more about Stowe check out my Stowe Vermont: A Charming New England Day Trip
Whether you want to explore Vermont’s great outdoors, shop in charming small towns, or learn about the rich history of the quintessential Green Mountain State, you will surely leave a small piece of your heart in Vermont during the fall. With brilliant foliage, quaint B&Bs, covered bridges, and panoramic mountain views the Vermont towns listed above truly exemplify everything the region has to offer.
Have you been to Vermont? Which of these small towns is your favorite?
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