Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Vermont In Fall

Vermont transforms into a natural masterpiece each autumn, with destinations like Stowe, Woodstock, and the Green Mountains offering some of New England's most spectacular foliage. From Lake Champlain's shoreline views to Mount Equinox's summit panoramas, the state delivers unforgettable fall experiences.

Discover the best places to visit in Vermont in fall as we explore ten destinations where golden maples and crimson oaks create memories that last a lifetime.

1. Stowe: The Postcard Village

Stowe sits in a valley surrounded by mountains that blaze with color each October. The village green becomes a focal point where locals gather, and the white church steeple pierces through a canopy of gold and red.

I remember standing on Mountain Road at dawn, watching mist rise from the valley while Mount Mansfield's slopes glowed amber in the early light. That moment captured why Stowe remains Vermont's most photographed fall destination.

The recreation path offers four miles of level walking through meadows and forests. Skip the crowded overlooks and follow the path behind the village—you'll find solitude and better photos.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late September to mid-October
  
• Access: Route 100 north from Waterbury
  
• Parking: Free at village green
  
• Suggested stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-see: Mount Mansfield, Stowe Recreation Path, Cold Hollow Cider Mill
  

2. Woodstock: New England Elegance

Woodstock radiates quiet sophistication with its covered bridge, village green, and Federal-style architecture. The Ottauquechee River flows through town, reflecting maples that turn brilliant orange against white clapboard buildings.

The Middle Covered Bridge frames perfect foliage photos, but arrive early morning when soft light filters through the trees. Locals know the best views come from River Street, not the main tourist spots.

Walk the village streets before 8 AM when shop owners sweep their stoops and morning coffee steam mingles with crisp autumn air—pure Vermont.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Early to mid-October
  
• Access: Route 4 west from White River Junction
  
• Parking: Municipal lots downtown
  
• Suggested stay: 2 days
  
• Must-see: Billings Farm, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Middle Covered Bridge
  

3. Manchester: Mountain Town Charm

Manchester sits beneath Mount Equinox, where marble sidewalks and historic inns create an atmosphere of understated luxury. The town's elevation keeps fall colors vibrant longer than lower elevations.

Equinox Skyline Drive winds to the mountain's summit, offering views across three states. The road climbs through hardwood forests that glow like stained glass windows in afternoon light.

For the best foliage walk, follow the Lye Brook Falls trail. The path leads through old-growth forest where sugar maples create natural cathedrals of color.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late September to early October
  
• Access: Route 7A from Bennington
  
• Skyline Drive fee: From $20 per vehicle
  
• Suggested stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-see: Mount Equinox, Hildene Estate, American Museum of Fly Fishing
  

4. Green Mountains: Vermont's Backbone

The Green Mountain range runs north-south through Vermont, creating the state's most dramatic fall displays. Route 100, known as Vermont's most beautiful road, follows the mountains through continuous foliage corridors.

Along this route, pull off at any overlook between Warren and Hancock. The mountains roll away in waves of red, orange, and gold that stretch to the horizon.

Drive slowly and stop often. Small dirt roads lead to abandoned farms and maple groves where you can walk among trees without crowds.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late September to mid-October
  
• Access: Route 100 runs the full length
  
• Parking: Roadside pulloffs throughout
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days touring
  
• Must-see: Mad River Valley, Sugarbush, Cold River
  

5. Lake Champlain: Water Meets Fall Fire

Lake Champlain stretches 120 miles along Vermont's western border, creating a dramatic backdrop for fall foliage. The lake's blue waters contrast sharply with hillsides painted in autumn colors.

At Charlotte Beach, maples lean over the water's edge, their reflections doubling the color display. Early morning brings glass-calm conditions perfect for photography.

Take the ferry to New York's side for perspective shots of Vermont's foliage-covered shoreline. The short crossing offers unique views impossible from land.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Early to mid-October
  
• Access: Route 7 follows the shoreline
  
• Ferry fees: From $8 per vehicle
  
• Suggested stay: 2 days
  
• Must-see: Shelburne Farms, Button Bay State Park, Charlotte Beach
  

6. Burlington: City Meets Nature

Burlington combines urban culture with natural beauty, sitting on Lake Champlain's eastern shore with the Adirondacks visible across the water. Church Street Marketplace bustles with fall festival energy while nearby parks offer quiet foliage viewing.

Walk the waterfront path from Oakledge Park to North Beach. Maple and oak trees line the route while the lake provides constant scenic backdrop.

You'll find Burlington's best fall secret at Ethan Allen Park—trails wind through old-growth forest overlooking the lake and mountains beyond.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Early to mid-October
  
• Access: Interstate 89 to downtown exits
  
• Parking: Metered downtown, free at parks
  
• Suggested stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-see: Church Street Marketplace, Waterfront Park, Ethan Allen Homestead
  

7. Killington: Ski Town Fall

Killington transforms from summer green to autumn gold across six peaks that comprise Vermont's largest ski area. The K-1 Express Gondola operates during foliage season, carrying visitors to 4,241-foot elevations for panoramic views.

From the summit, you can see five states on clear days. The ride up passes through distinct elevation zones—each displaying different stages of fall color progression.

Hike the Bucklin Trail for ground-level foliage experience. The path winds through hardwood forests where yellow birch and red maple create tunnel-like corridors.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late September to early October
  
• Access: Route 4 to Killington Access Road
  
• Gondola fee: From $30 per adult
  
• Suggested stay: 2 days
  
• Must-see: Killington Peak, Pico Mountain, Appalachian Trail
  

8. Mount Equinox: The Southern Sentinel

Mount Equinox rises 3,848 feet above Manchester, offering Vermont's highest driveable summit. The Skyline Drive climbs through deciduous forest that explodes with color each fall.

At the summit, walk the short trail to the overlook where three states spread below in autumn splendor. On clear days, you can see New Hampshire's White Mountains and New York's Adirondacks.

The drive down provides different perspectives as switchbacks reveal new vantage points of the valley floor carpeted in fall colors.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late September to early October
  
• Access: Skyline Drive from Route 7A
  
• Drive fee: From $20 per vehicle
  
• Suggested stay: Half day
  
• Must-see: Summit overlook, Carthusian Monastery, Equinox Pond
  

9. Shelburne: Lakeside Heritage

Shelburne sits on Lake Champlain's shore where historic farms and museums preserve Vermont's agricultural heritage. Fall adds golden frames to red barns and white farmhouses that define the Vermont landscape.

Shelburne Farms spreads across 1,400 acres of rolling pastures and woodland. Walk the farm trails where prize-winning trees display textbook fall colors above grazing sheep and heritage cattle.

The Coach Barn overlooks the lake where sunset light ignites maple trees while the Adirondack Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop across the water.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Early to mid-October
  
• Access: Route 7 south from Burlington
  
• Farm entry: From $12 per adult
  
• Suggested stay: 1-2 days
  
• Must-see: Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum, Lake Champlain shoreline
  

10. Montpelier: Capital Charm

Montpelier, America's smallest state capital, nestled in a valley where the Winooski River winds between foliage-covered hills. The gold dome of the State House rises above maples that turn brilliant red each October.

Walk State Street where Victorian houses sit beneath century-old sugar maples. The trees form natural arches over quiet neighborhoods where residents rake leaves into perfect piles.

Hubbard Park climbs the hill behind downtown, offering trails through hardwood forest and a stone tower with views across the valley to distant mountains.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late September to mid-October
  
• Access: Interstate 89 to Route 2
  
• Parking: Free street parking available
  
• Suggested stay: 1-2 days
  
• Must-see: Vermont State House, Hubbard Park, North Branch Nature Center
  

Your Vermont Fall Adventure Awaits

Vermont's fall foliage creates some of nature's most spectacular displays, transforming ordinary landscapes into extraordinary memories. Each destination offers its own perspective on autumn's artistry—from Stowe's mountain valleys to Lake Champlain's waterfront vistas.

The best places to visit in Vermont in fall reward those who venture beyond roadside overlooks. Pack comfortable shoes and explore the trails where maples whisper overhead and fallen leaves crunch beneath your feet.

Your perfect Vermont autumn waits among these ten destinations, ready to paint memories in shades of gold, crimson, and amber that will last long after the last leaf falls.