Northwest Vermont in the Fall

The final stretch of the Missisquoi River is at the heart of a colorful scene every autumn that goes beyond just foliage. Covering more than 6,700 acres at the point where the river meets Lake Champlain, the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl. It welcomes mallards, wood ducks, green-winged teals, and less common species such as the black tern—all in all, the largest concentration of waterfowl in Vermont. Though mostly wetland, the refuge also includes grassland habitat that’s crucial for birds such as meadowlarks and bobolinks, while eagles and ospreys circle above river and marsh. Explore the wildlife-rich landscape on your own, or sign up for one of the monthly bird walks led by the Friends of Missisquoi NWR.

Hudak Farm’s produce, plants, and cut flowers can be found at the Burlington Farmers Market and several local shops, but for the full experience, there’s no substitute for a trip to the source. The farmstand in Swanton is an eye-catching wooden barn filled with ornate carved details, and the freshness of what it sells is often measured in hours rather than days. The harvest season at this family-run farm extends well into October, with fall highlights including corn (both sweet and ornamental), pumpkins, Swiss chard, squash, decorative gourds, fresh-pressed apple cider, and, of course, cider doughnuts.

As small cities across New England plot their economic comebacks, St. Albans offers an inspiring look at what’s possible. A $3 million reimagination of downtown has brought wider sidewalks, more trees, and the kinds of pedestrian-friendly areas that feel welcoming to visitors and locals alike. See for yourself how a Main Street community can thrive by taking a whirlwind shopping trip downtown. Rail City Market has anything you’d want from a neighborhood market, along with local honey and maple syrup, while housewares and kitchen goods await at As the Crow Flies. Browse shelves filled with 35,000 new and used books, including many by local authors, at The Eloquent Page (check out the shop’s Facebook page for signings and events, too). Or take home a bit of the region’s artistic inspiration from the Artist in Residence Gallery, which showcases sculptures, paintings, pottery, and more by nearly 40 local artists.