Capital Region in the Fall
Top Picks in the Capital Region
Vermont is world-renowned for its bright, colorful fall foliage, making the season a celebration. Hand-picked by the editors of Yankee Magazine, these 5 highlights are just some of what the Capital Region offers in autumn.
Montpelier, Vermont
Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits
Caledonia Spirits began making small batches of its signature Barr Hill Gin from organic juniper and raw honey in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in 2011. Fast-forward to today, and Barr Hill is being produced in a state-of-the-art distillery in downtown Montpelier and hailed as one of the most award-winning gins in America. Fans of the brand’s offerings—which now include Barr Hill Vodka and the barrel-aged Tom Cat Gin—can visit the distillery for tours and classes, and stock up at the on-site shop. But even those who’ve never had Caledonia Spirits’ creations will want to make a beeline for the adjacent distillery bar, which serves locally sourced snacks and small plates alongside craft cocktails, Vermont beers, and international wines.
Woodbury, Vermont
Nichols Ledge
For much of spring and summer, peregrine falcons rule the roost at this 1,707-foot-tall cliff overlooking Nichols Pond, since trails are closed to hikers during nesting season. But by autumn, the path is clear to one of the best foliage views you can get in under an hour. At less than half a mile, it’s a short (but steep) climb to the ledge and the sight that awaits: a sparkling 171-acre pond cradled in thick woodlands blazing with autumn color, with Woodbury Mountain and the Worcester Range rising in the distance.
Bonus: you may be able to time your hike with a visit to nearby Cabot for its annual Fall Foliage Festival, held in late September in the town known far and wide for its namesake cheese.
Barre, Vermont
Morse Block Deli & Taps
To earn coveted “Gold Barn” status from local-food booster Vermont Fresh Network, a restaurant needs to have partnerships with at least 15 Vermont farms or food producers. Morse Block Deli has more like 25—no surprise for a sandwich mecca that really likes to pile it on. Owner and executive chef Stefano Coppola is forever coming up with creative ways to take Green Mountain State goodness to new heights (and lengths, with footlong sandwiches big enough for two). Specials might include a ramp sausage sandwich with fermented jalapeno mayo, or a panini stuffed with strawberries, Brie, and house-cured turkey. But you can’t go wrong with standbys like the Craft Grilled Cheese, loaded with cave-aged cheddar from Jasper Hill Farm and two kinds of Cabot cheese, topped with a Vermont IPA honey mustard.
ARTISANS HAND CRAFT GALLERY
– Montpelier, Vermont
To walk along Montpelier’s Main Street is to stroll through a vibrant history of independent retail. There’s Capitol Stationers, purveyor of fine paper since 1950. The music shop Buch Spieler Records sits in the block opposite Bear Pond Books, both of which opened their doors in 1973. And then there’s Artisans Hand, a labor of love for the 19 local artists who founded it in 1978. In the years since, it has grown into a showcase for more than 140 Vermont potters, painters, woodworkers, fiber artists, and other creative residents of the Capital Region and beyond. The selection of talent is so deep, in fact, that Artisans Hand is one of only five designated Vermont State Craft Center Galleries, representing “the best of craft in Vermont.”
ROCK OF AGES
– Barre, Vermont
When you take an autumn tour of the world’s largest deep-hole dimension granite quarry, be prepared for a foliage display like no other: Flanked by plunging walls of bright white granite, the quarry’s otherworldly turquoise waters make a striking contrast to the blazing red and yellow leaves of the surrounding landscape. Rock of Ages was incorporated in Barre in 1925, and rather than deterring curious road-trippers with “Keep Out” signs, it built a visitor center and welcomed them in. Thousands still flock here to take guided tours, browse historic photos and exhibits, and shop for natural stone gifts.
More to See and Do
Places to Visit In Fall
Yankee Magazine’s editors hand-picked 5 places to visit in each Vermont region. Explore things to do in autumn statewide.
