Things to Do in Vermont in Fall
With 70% of the state forested, and the highest concentration of sugar maple trees in the U.S., it’s no surprise Vermont is world-renowned for its brilliant, colorful fall foliage. As late summer shifts to early fall, the changing temperatures and daylight hours trigger the trees to drop their leaves like confetti. Before they fall, they erupt into a display of red, orange, and yellow, gilding hillsides and decorating downtowns.
Fall foliage is often pictured from striking summit views. While Vermont has plenty of those, there are so many things to do in Vermont in the fall to take in the splendor of the season, even if you aren’t a peak-bagger. You could opt for a seat on a train as it chugs through vividly colored forests and downtowns, take a scenic cruise to see the foliage reflect on the lake, or simply stroll a historic downtown crunching through leaves. Whatever your favorite way to explore, these Vermont vantage points will inspire you to plan to see one of the state’s most beautiful seasons.
From Road or Rail
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to see Vermont’s foliage is to get in the car and drive through it. Scenic drives in Vermont in the fall can be a great way to explore the season because different parts of the state often see peak saturation at different times. Driving through a few geographical areas or regions can help you see foliage at different stages.
Vermont’s road network is diverse, and with such a high percentage of forested landscape, even major routes and interstates can offer some spectacular views. Venturing off the beaten (or paved) path and opting for back roads can mean touring Vermont’s gap roads, often some of the most picturesque views in the state. Winding and often rural, these roads wrap around mountains and climb steeply in elevation, and many have scenic pulloffs so you can snap those stunning peak shots without climbing the mountain yourself. Some of Vermont’s famed gap roads include Smugglers Notch (scenic route 108), the Lincoln Gap, home to the steepest paved mile in the U.S., and the Appalachian Gap.
Vermont is also home to 100 picturesque covered bridges, many of which still connect road systems today. They make for beautiful sights amid bright fall leaves.
For more higher-elevation vantage points, try auto toll roads at Burke Mountain or Stowe Mountain Resort. Equinox Skyline Drive and the road to the summit at Mount Philo, as well as the Mt. Ascutney Parkway, part of Vermont’s state parks network, also make for beautiful and accessible foliage viewing, as well as the chance to spot other mountains from the top.
Chugging along iron rails in a train makes the journey just as spectacular as the foliage you’re viewing. Discover St. Johnsbury runs a fall foliage train ride for one weekend per year in the fall, and the Champlain Valley Dinner Train welcomes guests on a 1930s train for a two-and-a-half hour ride from Burlington to Vergennes.
Statewide, Vermont’s historic rail routes have been reimagined as trails for cycling, walking, and more, perfect for gentle time outdoors taking in foliage views.
From the Water
Lakeshore foliage viewing offers the chance to see the leaves twice – once on trees and again as they reflect off the water. Several boat tour operators tour lakes in Vermont on larger cruise ships or sailboats; check out the Spirit of Ethan Allen to cruise Lake Champlain or Northern Star to explore Lake Memphremagog on the Canada border. In Burlington, charters like Whistling Man Schooner Co. takes small groups on sailboat tours of Lake Champlain, or rent a boat from Woodard Marine on Lake Bomoseen to cruise Vermont’s largest lake entirely within the state’s borders.
You don’t have to book a cruise or private charter to see the colors from the water, though. Canoeing or kayaking through the leaves’ rippling reflection makes for a serene and beautiful day in the Green Mountains. Many of Vermont’s 55 state parks are located on lakes or ponds, and many of those offer boat rentals on-site. Stand-up paddleboarding makes for another great way to take in the views.
From Near Downtown
Vermont is home to 252 towns and cities. The state’s downtowns are known for their classic New England charm. Wander historic architecture and discover local dining, independent shopping, world-class museums and access to outdoor recreation and scenic beauty at nearby rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Some towns, like Rutland, Barre, Brattleboro, and Montpelier, are home to vivid, colorful murals and dynamic sculptures that decorate the streetscape and bring the arts downtown; see them whilst crunching through bright leaves on sidewalks. Historic architecture looks even more beautiful with the bright background of leaves erupting in color overhead, all around, and on the ground. As you explore downtown, leave time to pop into museums that explore everything from Vermont’s ski and snowboard heritage to the ecosystems and species that call Lake Champlain home. Museums and galleries are a great destination if the fall weather turns rainy or chilly, as are independent shops downtown.
Besides the brilliant fall foliage, autumn is harvest season in Vermont, celebrated statewide at events from country fairs to harvest festivals, tastings, pick-your-own events, and more. Every year, Vermont Signature Events draw crowds during this colorful time of year, and the events calendar is always stacked with fall festivals in Vermont.
From the Air
The many shades and hues of Vermont’s fall foliage can be seen from above, looking like a red carpet covering mountains and shading in valleys. A glider ride offers soundless and stunning views of the Green Mountains as they’re gilded by autumn. Riding in a hot air balloon couples a spectacular experience with equally incredible sights. And don’t miss the immersive experience of a fall foliage chairlift ride.
Not a fan of flying? Fall foliage chairlift or gondola rides are another way to view the foliage from above without hiking a mountain or booking a flight. Unlike riding the lift or gondola to the top of a ski trail and getting off, a foliage lift ride can be round-trip, offering beautiful views of brightly colored trees lining cut ski trails going both up and down the mountain. Many ski areas offer foliage rides, from Mad River Glen’s single-chair lift to the Sunburst Six chairlift at Okemo Mountain Resort.
There are so many ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of Vermont’s renowned fall foliage. Whether you see the leaves change from downtown, from the air, from the water, or from road or rail, start planning your Vermont fall visit.