Vermont is one of the best autumn destinations in North America and these are the best places to visit in Vermont in fall. Every bit of the state transforms into a magical wonderland of reds and russets and bright oranges at the turn of the season, creating the image of an ideal and perfect autumn.
There is not a single spot in Vermont that looks less than stunning in the fall. That is why most leaf peepers come by the state by late September to mid-October for fall foliage drives. But there’s certainly more to Vermont than just driving by to see its changing colors. And quite frankly, that does not give you the best of what the state can offer in this surreal time of the year. Fall in Vermont is meant to be experienced and lived!
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On this list, we have taken the recommendations from popular travel websites like TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet, About Travel, as well as Fodor’s Travel to find the best places to visit in Vermont in fall. Because we believe that there’s more to Vermont than meets the eye, we have ranked these popular destinations not just according to the autumn scenery and foliage they offer; we have ranked these places according to the number and kind of activities they offer the guests. We gave big points for places that offer outdoor activities because after all, that’s the best way to enjoy Vermont: outdoors.But, if you are more of a traveler who likes to visit some cultural sites then don’t miss our article about Historical places to visit on the East Coast, too.
Now, let’s head on to best places to visit in Vermont in fall.
11. Camel’s Hump
Score: 5
Camel’s Hump in Montpelier VT is the third highest peak in the state. There are basically three things that earned this undeveloped peak a spot on our list: (a) it is dog-friendly, (b) it is inexpensive, and (c) it offers fall foliage views like no other. Just imagine a bird’s eye view of the rest of Montpelier in all its glorious autumn colors and you’ll know why this is a must-visit – and you can enjoy it with your furry friend/s too! Frequent autumn hikers advise on bringing wind jackets because the wind can be rather brutal at this time of the year.
10. Hildene – The Lincoln Family Home
Score: 6.5
Hildene is the family home once owned by Robert Todd Lincoln, the only surviving child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Located in Montpelier VT, this beautiful Georgian Revival home was built in 1905 and was home to the Lincoln descendants until the 70s. Despite being mostly a year-round destination, Hildene made it to our fall must-sees because, aside from offering its guests the fascinating Lincoln memorabilia, guests also get to enjoy the unique foliage through the walking trails, the grounds, and enjoy the warm fall harvest from its own farm.
9. Quechee Gorge
Score: 7.5
Dubbed as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”, Quechee Gorge’s viewing deck is located 168 feet above the Ottaquechee River so you’ll see not only the foliage that grows around the gorge but also the beautiful falls and river below. Whether you’re looking for a great foliage drive stopover or a hiking spot, the Quechee Gorge is a perfect choice. Aside from sightseeing, the Quechee Gorge Village nearby is full of all sorts of knick knacks, snack choices, and practically every little Vermont souvenir that you can buy is in this village.
8. Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park
Score: 8
The autumn season at this historical park ends earlier than most, closing by October 31st, but there’s a lot to see and do at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park in the fall before it completely closes for the season. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller is Vermont’s ONLY national park and without a doubt is one of the state’s best places to experience fall foliage. Throughout the fall, the park offers guided tours, as well as 2-hour fall foliage, walks with the park rangers. Aside from the outdoors, the park’s centerpiece is the Carriage Barn. The house was built in 1895 and exhibits memorabilia that gives a peak of the history of the park and the communities around it.
7. Billings Farm and Museum
Score: 9
Billings Farm and Museum, located in Woodstock VT, calls itself the “Gateway to Vermont’s Rural Heritage” – and fall is one of the best times of the year to experience this heritage. Their usual fare at the farm is allowing their guests to experience living in its fully operational dairy farm (and sample the produce too!) as well as learn about the history of Vermont from the museum exhibits. In the fall, they add picturesque wagon rides throughout the farm – a kind of rustic fall foliage drive.
6. Shelburne Farm
Score: 9.5
There’s nothing like a good fruit picking trip for fall and in Vermont, Shelburne Farm is one of the top notch choices for fruit picking. Pick your own apples, Asian pears, peaches, and pumpkins while surrounded with the colors of premier Vermont fall foliage. Aside from fruit picking, Shelburne also provides countless activities especially for kids including scenic autumn hayrides and farm animal petting activities.
5. Sugarbush Cheese and Maple Farm
Score: 10.5
Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock VT is one of the most popular destinations in Vermont all year round, but it is just magnificent in the fall. A trip to the Farm includes sampling their famous waxed cheeses and maple syrup, a tour of the processing areas for the syrup and the cheeses, and a guided walking tour for a close-up of some of the most incredible fall foliage views in all of Vermont. Food and foliage are always a great idea to celebrate fall in Vermont.
4, Trapp Family Lodge
Score: 11
If it’s located in Stowe VT, it is bound to be breathtakingly beautiful. This Austrian-inspired mountain villa was actually the family home of the Von Trapp family of ‘The Sound of Music’ fame and it has now become a favorite autumn and winter destination in Vermont. For leaf peepers, this is one of the best places to check out the beautiful foliage of the world-famous Stowe Mountain. For activity-seekers, there is not a shortage of it at the Trapp Family Lodge. They have carriage rides through the mountain, outdoor concerts in early autumn, hiking the beautiful trails, sampling their wide selection from their own brewery, wine cellar and farm-fresh food for anyone from all ages.
3. Lake Champlain
Score: 11.5
Lake Champlain will always be on every list of the best places to visit in Vermont in fall, and practically all year round. But autumns around Lake Champlain are magical to say the least. Lake Champlain is massive and several towns in Vermont are located on its shores, so there really are many points from where the lake can be accessed. And there are as many ways to enjoy it as well. In autumn, the water is too cold for paddle boarding and swimming, so the best way to enjoy the water is on a sightseeing cruise on the Lake Champlain Ferry which is accessible via the Burlington Water Park. The Water Park also offers a great place for biking, scenic walks, or a nighttime stroll to watch the Northern Lights if the weather permits it. Plus there are tons of hotels and resorts situated along its shores that offer different fall activities and festivals. The Lake Champlain Byway is also a popular choice for a foliage drive route along the glistening waters of the lake. Look out for Champlain’s own mythical creature Champy!
2. Smuggler’s Notch Resort
Score: 12
Like the state park that it is named for, Smuggler’s Notch Resort in Stowe is a prime destination for hiking in the fall. But hiking is not the only way they are going to offer their guests a way to see the foliage. They offer zipline canopy tours – a more exhilarating, adrenaline pumping way of seeing the colors of fall in Vermont. They have a full lineup of activities for adults and kids alike, and their lodging options are pretty impressive.
1. Stowe Mountain Resort
Score: 14
One of Vermont’s most popular winter vacation destinations is also one of the best places to experience fall. Mt. Mansfield transforms into a golden fiery wonderland, packing the punch for this mountain resort as far as views of fall foliage are concerned. What makes this top the list is the impressive ways they let their guests experience the foliage. They have scenic Gondola SkyRide, Zipline adventures, Treetop adventures, and their own take on fall foliage drive: Auto Toll Road. With Auto Toll, guests drive around the beautiful and exciting winding roads around Mt. Mansfield.
Vermont is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful states in the US. It may be one of the smallest, but it never goes short on places to see and things to do. When you want to experience one of the best autumn destinations in America, keep the names listed here as the some of the best places to visit Vermont in fall as part of your itinerary and you’ll never go wrong.
