Greater Burlington in the Fall
Top Picks in Greater Burlington
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 Greater Burlington area offers in autumn.
Shelburne, Vermont
Shelburne Day Trip
Come winter, many tourists flock to Vermont’s ski areas. But Shelburne is a can’t-miss destination year-round, especially in fall. This pretty little town of roughly 7,000 residents is chock-full of ways to fill an autumn day, starting with northern New England’s largest art and history museum, Shelburne Museum. Situated on 45 acres, its wide-ranging collection includes French Impressionist masterworks, hundreds of antique quilts and horse-drawn vehicles, and a 220-foot steamboat. Nearby Shelburne Farms offers 10-plus miles of walking trails, an on-site cheesemaking operation and bakery, and a farm store. More local flavor is found at the family-owned Shelburne Orchards, bursting with apples ripe for the picking, and at Shelburne Vineyard, where you can sample their wines by the glass or in a tasting flight, and enjoy live music during one of the frequent concert nights.
Huntington & Duxbury, Vermont
Camel’s Hump State Park
One of Vermont’s five highest mountains—and the biggest that hasn’t been developed as a ski area—rises above Vermont’s largest state park. At more than 21,000 acres, this park expansive enough to be shared by two regions, Greater Burlington and the Upper Green Mountains. Hiking trails climb from valleys and woodlands to rare alpine tundra, and in fall they offer prime foliage-viewing spots along the way. The famed Long Trail crests the Camel’s Hump summit, while more than half a dozen other notable footpaths crisscross the state park and adjacent private lands. On the Huntington side of the mountain, taking the Forest City Trail will lead you to the Green Mountain Club’s Montclair Glen Lodge: A cozy log cabin favored by Long Trail overnighters, it might just inspire your own thru-hiking dreams.
Burlington, Vermont
South End Art Hop
The first-ever Art Hop, held in 1993, was a three-hour event attended by about 300 artists, collectors, and culture hounds. Today, it spans a three-day weekend—the first after Labor Day—and draws upward of 30,000 attendees, making it Vermont’s largest exhibition of visual art. Visitors can stroll through open studios and galleries, vote for their favorite artwork in the juried show, and shop at the Saturday Artist Market. But while artwork is the main attraction, the overall vibe definitely leans more “party” than “museum.” On Friday night, a mile-plus stretch of Pine Street closes to traffic and fills with revelers listening to live bands and DJs and sampling food and drinks from local vendors, restaurants, and bars.
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY DINNER TRAIN
– Burlington, Vermont
Time machines aren’t real, as far as we know. But the Champlain Valley Dinner Train comes pretty darn close. Departing from the Amtrak platform in Burlington, this three-hour round-trip excursion to Vergennes allows passengers to experience a taste of first-class travel during the golden age of rail. From your reserved seat in a refurbished 1930s dining car, you can take in the scenery—which in autumn includes a stunning show of foliage color—while enjoying a three-course meal prepared on board. And you’ll be back in Burlington in plenty of time to sleep in your own 21st-century bed.
DOWNTOWN WINOOSKI
– Winooski, Vermont
Winooski has been called “the Brooklyn of Vermont,” and if you spend any time here you’ll understand why: Less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Burlington, this city feels a lot like a cool outer borough. At the center of the action is a rotary park encircled by blocks of must-visit shops, restaurants, and bars. Discover first-class craft beers at Four Quarters Brewing, or pick up something chic for your wardrobe at the clothing boutique Rhoan. Hungry? Head to Onion City Chicken & Oyster for (you guessed it) fried chicken and oysters, or enjoy creative American fare in a historic mill building at Waterworks Food & Drink. Before you leave, don’t miss a chance to stroll the charming River Walk along the Winooski River Falls.
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.
