Vermont is perched within the gorgeous northeast United States, and is a stunning state to explore. There are so many things to do in Vermont, including exploring quaint little villages, beautiful hiking trails, maple tasting in farms and of course experiencing fall foliage during fall. Visiting Vermont feels like you’re stepping back in time a little bit, especially as you road trip your way through the smaller towns. The places feel untouched, landscapes are stunning and the locals are kind and friendly. In this guide, I’m sharing all my top tips on things to do in Vermont during fall.
When to Visit Vermont
To experience fall in Vermont you have to keep an eye on the fall foliage forecast. Every year states put out a foliage forecasting map that will show you when peak fall is expected to hit. You want to time your visit just right to be able to catch these colors going into peak. Ideally you want to target the week of October 5th-October17th plus or minus few days depending on weather conditions. For example, if there is a rain-storm then the colors can be really vivid. But depending on the wind and rain levels, it can also blow away the leaves. Thus, it’s important to monitor the weather and book your trip accordingly so you can maximize all the things to do in Vermont during fall.
How Many Days to Spend in Vermont
I would highly recommend spending a week in Vermont, so that you can slow travel your way through the state from north to south and also make sure you catch the colors as they turn into peak. However, if you only have 72 hours then there’s still plenty of things to do in Vermont. Here’s a breakdown of what to do in 72 hours.
What to Do in Vermont
Vermont has something for everyone. From epic summit hikes to maple tasting in farms to nature parks to waterfalls to fly fishing, this state is a gem for outdoors lovers.
Day 0
Where to stay
I based my stay in the Holiday Inn Resort at Mt Ascutney in the town of Windsor. This is a timeshare vacation rental so the rooms are like condos. They come with a large sitting room, dining table, kitchen, bathroom and a bedroom. The property itself is absolutely stunning and boasts the quintessential New England architecture. During fall, it’s surrounded by lush foliage that is just brilliant as you can see in my photograph below.
Relax & unpack
If you’re coming from the West Coast like me, chances are you will only get into Vermont by evening as there are currently no direct flights from San Francisco (where I flew in from). After check in – enjoy the property for the rest of your evening– they have a restaurant on-site that will require reservations during the busy fall season. Tip: The restaurant doesn’t serve breakfast, only dinner.
Day 1
Breakfast
Just a few minutes away from the hotel is a darling little spot called the Butcher & Pantry that serves great coffee, delicious breakfast sandwiches and pastries. It’s also a store. This is one of the things to do in Vermont as the vibe is super cozy and welcoming. Tip: Get the Egg Sandwich with hot sauce mayo if you like spicy and the Ricotta Pancakes, they are delicious.
Morning Hike
One of the things to do in Vermont is hiking in Mt Ascutney State Park. This state park is conveniently located just minutes away from your hotel. The state park has an entrance fee of $5 per person. The drive up to the entrance is absolutely stunning with lots of fall foliage to enjoy and photograph so get your cameras ready. Once you pay the fees, drive up all the way to the top where there is a large parking lot at 2,800ft. The park has four trailheads and more than 12 miles of hiking trails. Here are some of the trails to try:
- Slab Trail: If you’re short on time, one of the best things to do in Vermont is this one-mile Slab trail. This trail is the shortest and will take you right up to the summit. At the summit of 3000 feet, you’ll see a tower that you’ll need to climb to get to the 360 views from Mt Ascutney, which is the second highest peak in Windsor.
- Slot Trail: This is a slightly longer and steeper trail that will take you to the same summit as the Slab Trail.
- Futures Trail: If you have the time and are up for a longer hike, I highly recommend the Futures Trail. It starts along campsite #22 and is a total of 9.2 miles. Highlights on this trail include the Bare Rock Vista and the Steam Donkey – a steam powered machine used for cable logging in the early 1900s.
- Brownsville Trail: The trail head parking (maintained all year) is located off Route 44 in Windsor. Highlights here include North Peak Lookout and Brownsville Rock. The total distance of this hike is 6.4mi and the views from the summit at simply stunning.
- Windsor Trail: The trail head parking (maintained all year) is located off Route 44A in the town of Windsor, 1.6 miles north of the park entrance on the left. Total distance from trail head to summit is 5.4 miles. Trail highlights include Gerry’s Falls , Castle Rock and Brownsville Rock.
Lunch
One of the best things to do in Vermont is to check out the Artisans Park, a cool area that’s home to a collection of eight unique, local businesses including a distillery, cheese market, and adventure outfitter. Both Harpoon and Artisan Eats have classic American fare, such as burgers, grilled cheese and more, while SILO Distillery has some awesome barrel-aged gin, spiced whiskey and lavender vodka! This is the perfect spot post hike!
SILO Distillery
One of the things to do in Vermont is to visit the SILO Distillery at Artisans Park. A classic farm to barn to bottle distillery, they source grains from local non-gmo Vermont farms.
The Process:
The grains are delivered to the distillery at which point the team mills them, then builds the mash which is used to construct the spirit. So for example if the spirit is Vodka then that would entail a corn mash. Once the mash is cooked, it is fermented after which the mash goes into the pot column still. Then the first distillation is done which is called the stripping run. The liquid is stripped from the corn and is referred to as low wine, which means having a very low alcohol content. The mash is then spent so it’s sent to a local farmer after which the low wines are put back in a clean still and distilled for the second finish run. Those spirits (the alcohol has to be taken to 190 proof) result in vodka which then has to be charcoal filtered after which its ready to be proofed down with reverse osmosis water and then bottled.
What to try:
The most popular so far are the darks like maple whiskey during fall. Lavendar vodka is also very popular and the lavender is grown in Vermont. I tried the lavender vodka and highly recommend it. I could taste the subtle lavender flavors and it was quite smooth.
Blake Hill Preserves
I loved visiting this place, they have 60 different variety of sweet, spicy, and savory preserves. The most popular items are their pie fillings, and their unique selection of fall variety jams. I was quite taken aback by the variety of unique flavors. I had some incredible jams like French Onion with Rosemary, Orange 10 Yr Single Malt (great with cheeses), and the Roasted Garlic. The combinations are just out of this world, don’t take my word for it, visit and find out for yourself and thank me later!
Walk around Artisans Park
Once you’re done noshing on some food and snacks, head over to the cheese shop, sculpture garden, glass factory, pottery and the river outfitter. The fall colors are stunning around this park and it’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
Visit the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge
Post lunch, I recommend a short drive to and through the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge. This is actually a historic 1800s wooden bridge that connects Vermont & New Hampshire. Tip: Drive through and stop in the parking lot on the New Hampshire side and walk around the area to fully appreciate this historic bridge and its surrounding fall foliage. This is definitely one of the things to do in Vermont during fall!
Dinner
For dinner I would recommend trying the Maple Kitchen restaurant at the Holiday Inn Resort at Mt Ascutney (be sure to make reservations) OR try the Bistro Midva in Windsor.
Bistro Midva
You might be wondering where that name is from. It’s actually Slovenian for “the two of us”. Newly opened in 2021, the cuisine gives off of French countryside vibes. It was probably my favorite spot to dine in Vermont. The space is small, intimate and cozy. The food is interesting and delicious.
Day 2
Fly Fishing
One of the things to do in Vermont during fall is fly fishing in the White River. The river is lined with fall foliage during this time and is an absolute delight to explore. The fly fishing activity can be arranged at the Activity center at the iconic Woodstock Inn. My guide was Sam Aronson who was absolutely fantastic in her knowledge of fly fishing. It can be cold so wear layers. Tip: You won’t get your clothes wet as you’ll also be wearing waders. Know that this fly fishing is a catch and release so you will release the fish once you catch it. Fly fishing in the United States has historically been a male dominated sport. This was my third time fly fishing and I can honestly say it’s such a meditative experience communing with nature, the river, the fish and my guide.
Explore downtown Woodstock
Once you’re done with fly fishing, explore downtown Woodstock and grab a bite to eat. I actually recommend the Red Rooster inside the beautiful Woodstock Inn. Then walk around to the Woodstock Middle Covered Bridge right across from the inn and wander your way down the streets of what I think might be the most quintessential New England town.
Billings Farm & Museum
This farm is a working farm and is just a stroll away from the village center of Woodstock. It’s actually one of the finest outdoor history museums in the country. The entrance fee is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors 62+ and $8 for children aged 4-15. The entrance fees will give you access to the museum including the barns where you can meet the animals, the 1890 farm manager’s house, the farmstead gardens, the sunflower house, and various other exhibits. I saw the cutest 2-day old calf in the barns and then got to watch the horses outside as they grazed. Plan your visit by checking out their calendar of events which include storytime and various exhibits.
Sugarbush Farm for Maple Tasting
This farm is just about 10 minutes away from the Billings Farm & Museum. Surrounded by Maple trees, the Sugarbush Farm is great for …you guessed it, Maple tasting! I tried the Amber Rich Maple which is great for pancakes. It has a dark color with a robust taste for cooking. If you head down to the Sugar house you can take a small tour to see the equipment they use to process the sap. There’s also an 8-minute video that illustrates the process. Don’t forget to walk outside and through the Maple trees from where they gather the sap. The farm is home to goats, cows and beef cattle and is a working farm.
Dinner
Try the Mon Vert Café – a casual eatery with the cutest outdoor patio or make reservations at the Prince & the Pauper – a more upscale establishment that absolutely gets booked during the fall season. I fell in love with this restaurant and the name!
Day 3
On your last day here’s what I recommend:
VINS Nature Center
The VINS Nature Center is well known throughout New England. It serves as a rehab center for injured birds. People throughout this region bring injured birds to this facility like the Turkey Vulture, Owl, Northern Harrier, Ravens, Red Tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. You can also walk through the Songbird Aviary which is a 2,160 square-foot exhibit that provides a more extensive space for non-releasable songbird residents. Last ,but not least, the highlight of this center is the forest canopy walk where at the highest points, visitors are over 50 feet above the forest floor getting eye-to-eye with tiny warblers, woodpeckers, and squirrels. The walk provides an opportunity to move from the forest floor to treetops without a climb. The canopy walk is incredible as you’re surrounded by lush nature, fall foliage at its best, and depending on which tower you choose to climb, vast views across Vermont.
Quechee Gorge State Park Hiking
After the VINS Nature Center, drive over to the Quechee Gorge State Park. After you get your fill of the views from the bridge of the gorge surrounded by brilliant fall foliage, head through the park entrance and opt for some trails. The trail to the Dam Overlook is short and sweet and incredibly pretty with all its fall colors. You can also go down to the river.
Quechee Gorge Village for Vermont product shopping
Stop by the Gorge Village to pick up your local Vermont souvenirs, antiques, cheese, wine, and spirits tasting, clothing, restaurant, live alpacas, Vermont artisans all in one convenient location just minutes off I-89. Taste Vermont at Cabot Cheese Quechee Store, Putney Mountain Winery, Public House Diner, The Ice Cream Machine, The Vermont Spot – free fudge tastings, and Vermont Spirits Distilling Company are all wonderful options. Marvel at the work of Vermont artisans at Deirdre Donnelly Jewelry Art and Green Mountain Blacksmith Shop. Find a special item to take home from the Vermont Antique Mall, Quechee Home, Artifactory, the Vermont Alpaca Store, and Vermont Toys & Games Gift Shop. Relive your childhood at the Vermont Toy Museum and take a tour with the founder of this amazing museum.
Lunch at Simon Pearce Restaurant and Mill at Quechee
Finally if you’re starving by now, a great stop would be the Simon Pearce Restaurant and Mill. Voted one of “America’s Most Romantic Restaurants” by Travel and Leisure and recipient of the Wine Spectator “Best Award of Excellence” – the dining room at the Mill is a wonderful way to experience the place. Using fresh local ingredients, thoughtfully prepared creative American cuisine is served with the backdrop of the Ottauquechee River waterfall and covered bridge.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap for things to do in Vermont during fall! You’re just in time to drive to Burlington airport, return your rental car and get ready for your flight home later that evening. Vermont is an incredible gem and is a bucketlist destination for anyone wanting to experience New England, especially during fall season. From scenic, rolling farm landscapes, to the friendly locals and incredible hiking trails, there’s nothing quite like Vermont. I hope you found this guide helpful and as always, let me know if you have any questions.
