Vermont Fall Bucket List

So, you are thinking of visiting Vermont this fall? Vermont is nothing short of spectacular during the fall season. It’s one of those states that makes you want to come back time and time again. Incredibly clean, stunningly beautiful, and friendly, there really isn’t anything about Vermont that isn’t amazing. Honestly, there isn’t a more magical time to visit Vermont than during fall, and there are so many awesome things to do! But what should be on your Vermont fall bucket list?

The Basics: 

Where Is Vermont?:

Vermont is in the northeastern United States, and is known for its natural landscape. Part of the New England region, Vermont is the only state in New England that does not touch the Atlantic Ocean. 

What Is Vermont Known For?:

It’s known for being home to more than 100 19th-century covered wooden bridges, as well  as being a major producer of maple syrup.

How Do I Get To Vermont?:

Air: The largest airport is in Burlington, Vermont. They service major air carriers including JetBlue, United, American Airlines, and Delta. 

You will need a rental car. 

Drive: Vermont is an easy road trip for much of the east coast. I highly recommend visiting this way because you need a car to get to all of the awesome things Vermont has to offer. 

When Is Fall Foliage At Peak?:

This differs every year but typically the first and second week of October are peak for foliage in Vermont. 

Vermont Fall Bucket List

1. Stay In A Cozy Cabin 

Is there a better way to enjoy your fall trip to Vermont? Nope! Just imagine a homey log cabin, flannel, a steaming cup of coffee in the morning, and a crackling cozy fire at night. Perfect, right? I love these options: Dream Log Cabins, Cozy Rustic Cottage,Rustic Retreat.

2. Drive Route 100 

Running along the eastern edge of the Green Mountains, the Scenic Route 100 Byway is located in south-central Vermont. It’s been recognized as one of the most scenic routes in New England, and for good reason. This route is particularly scenic during the fall season and the foliage is epically gorgeous. 

3. Have At Least 20 Cider Donuts 

There are many options for cider donuts in Vermont, but arguably the best can be found at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. 

• 3600 Waterbury Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
• Daily 8 am – 6 pm

In case it needs to be said – DO NOT skip cider donuts especially at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. 

4. Visit Covered Bridges 

There are more than 100 19th-century covered bridges in the state of Vermont. Historic, beautiful, and unique some of these bridges date back to 1820. 

5. Drive To The Top of Mt. Mansfield In Stowe, Vermont

Another great scenic drive is Stowe Mountain Toll Road. 

• Cost: $33 for the two people and 2 dogs
• They accept both cash and cards
• Dogs are allowed at the top parking lots as long as they are on a lead 

The drive itself is gorgeous and takes about 20 minutes to arrive at the top with a max speed of 15 mph. Once you reach the 3rd parking lot at the Mount Mansfield Visit Center it’s an easy 5 min walk to gorgeous 360-degree views. 

Check Out: Stowe, Vermont: A Charming New England Fall Day Trip

6. Try True Vermont Maple Syrup 

Did you know that Vermont is the nation’s leading producer of maple syrup, the state produced more than 2 million gallons last year. So, you’ve gotta try some maple syrup during your fall trip to Vermont. Spring is the season to visit sugar houses but you can still purchase pure Vermont maple syrup during fall. 

Check Out: 

Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm – 

• 591 Sugarbush Farm Rd, Woodstock, VT 05091

7. Visit A Working Farm 

Check out Shelburne Farms. It’s a nonprofit educational organization that inspires  learning for a sustainable future. The farm is  located on a 1,400-acre, that include:  forest and National Historic Landmark along the shores of Lake Champlain, on the ancestral land of the Abenaki.

• 1611 Harbor Rd
• Shelburne, VT 05482
• Find more HERE

8. Eat So Much Cabot Cheese 

In case you didn’t know, the famous Cabot Cheese is made right in Vermont. You will find cabot cheese on many Vermont restaurant menus. There are also two retain shops of Cabot products…

Cabot Farmers’ Store

• 2657 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 

Cabot Farmers’ Village Store

• 3075 Main Street, Cabot, VT 05647 

Or have lunch or dinner at…

Prohibition Pig

• 23 S Main St, Waterbury, VT 05676
• Find Out More HERE

Prohibition Pig is one of my absolute favorite restaurants, and I love their Cabot mac-n-cheese 

9. Visit As Many Breweries As You Can 

Vermont is craft brewery heaven and you have to visit as many as you can during your fall visit! 

Von Trapp Brewing

• 1333 Luce Hill RD, Stowe, VT 05671

The Alchemist

• 100 Cottage Club Road, Stowe, Vermont 05672

Fiddlehead Brewing Co

• 6305 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont

Prohibition Pig 

• 23 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont

10. Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour 

1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Vermont Rte 100, Waterbury Village Historic District, VT 05676

Take a tour of the famous Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, Vermont. It’s such a fun experience and you get a free sample at the end of the tour. Don’t forget to try some of these famous crazy concoctions afterward. 

And don’t miss the Flavor Graveyard where retired flavors reside.   

11. Take A Hike And Enjoy The Foliage 

There is no better way to take in all of those fall colors than hiking in Vermont. 

Quechee – Quechee Gorge 

• 6800 Woodstock Road, Quechee, Vermont 05049 
• Daily 9 am – 7 pm 
• Distance: 2.7 Miles 
• Rating: Easy 
• Elevation Gain: 200 ft

Pittsford – Bald Mountain 

• Distance: 3.3 Miles 
• Rating: Moderate 
• Elevation Gain: 849 ft

Woodstock – Mount Tom 

• Mount Tom via Faulkner Trail 
• Distance: 4.2 Miles 
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 669 ft

Groton – Owlshead Mountain Trail 

• Distance: 3.2 Miles 
• Rating: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 475 ft

Stowe – Stowe’s Pinnacles Trail 

• Distance: 3.7 Miles 
• Rating: Hard 
• Elevation Gain: 1,604 ft  

12. Try Some Cider

There are so many great ciders to try in Vermont, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. 

Stowe Cider 

• 17 Town Farm Lane, Stowe, Vermont, 05672
• Daily 12-8 pm 

Vermont Hard Cider 

• 1321 Exchange St, Middlebury, VT 05753
• Wed-Fri: 11 am – 5 pm, Sat-Sun: 11 am – 6 pm 

Boyer’s Orchard And Cider Mill 

• 1823 Monkton Rd, Monkton, VT 05469
• Daily 9:30 am – 5:30 pm 

13. Enjoy The Foliage From A Ski Lift 

To get a different perspective, marvel at the red, orange, and yellow leaves from the sky (or closer to it). Check out the foliage from one of these awesome ski lifts – 

Smugglers’ Notch Resort 

• 4323 VT-108, Jeffersonville, VT 05464

Stowe Mountain Resort 

• 5781 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
• Mon-Fri: 8 am – 4 pm, Sat-Sun: 7:30 am – 4 pm 

14. Have Fun At A Fall Festival 

There are so many fun fall festivals in Vermont that you don’t want to miss! Check out…

Smugglers Notch Applefest 

• Sept 17 – Oct 3rd 
• Find Out More HERE

Stratton Harvestfest Weekend 

• Oct 9-11
• Find Out More HERE

Wagon Ride Weekend – Woodstock 

• Sept 9-10 
• Find Out More HERE

Stowe Foliage Art Festival 

• Oct 8-10
• Find Out More HERE

There are so many amazing things to do in Vermont in fall! No matter what you end up doing on your fall trip to this gorgeous state, you can’t go wrong. Have you been to Vermont in fall? What was your favorite? 

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