Top 5 Reasons Why Fall in Vermont Should be on your Bucket List

Vermont is one of those places that’s on everyone’s fall travel bucket list and it definitely should be! Here are the best reasons to prioritize a visit to this ever-so-charming state.

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Vermont in the Fall

Vermont in the fall is something everyone should get to experience. We’ve been fortunate to be there twice during the fall season and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The autumn colors are spectacular but that’s not all there is to see there. Today I’m sharing our favorite sights and hope to inspire your visit there.

Favorite Small Towns in Vermont

We’ve covered most of the state during our visits and adore the old small towns that are full of character. There are no Walmarts or McDonalds, so you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time here. These are our favorites:

• Woodstock
• Burlington
• Montpelier
• Stowe
• Bristol
• Greensboro
• Middlebury
• Quechee
• Brandon

Best time to visit for fall color

The fall colors are at peak late September through early October. The red leaves on the maple trees really are as vibrant as you’ve seen them in pictures. I always thought the pictures must have been edited to make the reds brighter, but they truly are a bright red.

Vermont in the Fall: What to See

Although there are many reasons to visit Vermont in the fall (and winter if you ski), these are some of the highlights of our trips.

Covered Bridges

We don’t have many covered bridges here in Tennessee and loved seeing them in Vermont. The one below is in the charming town of Woodstock, Vermont, which is a town that you’ll definitely want to have on your places to visit.

On our most recent visit to Vermont we stayed near the quaint little town of Warren and got to see this small covered bridge. Warren has a few shops and a couple of good restaurants and is a great place to stop during your visit.

The Cornish-Windsor covered bridge spans the Connecticut river and connects Vermont to New Hampshire. It’s a fairly busy road but there’s a nice place to pull off if you want to take a picture.

Th AM Foster covered bridge was built in 1988 as a reproduction and crosses over a small stream on private property. We visited it at sunset and were able to capture some amazing photos from the side of the very rural road.

Old Barns in the Vermont Countryside

Sleepy Hollow Farms is one of the most photographed sites in Vermont. It’s very picturesque with the pond and barn, especially when the fall colors are showing off. NOTE – during peak seasons this road is now limited to residents only. I photographed it several years ago before the closure was enacted.

Along route 100 near Hancock is this stunning old red barn. The way they used so many old windows on the front makes it even more endearing.

Maple Grove Farm is a quaint little farm on a gravel road. It used to be open to the public but is now private. You can still drive by and stop for a picture of this beautiful scene.

Centuries-Old Architecture

So many little towns and cities in this area of the country have beautiful old homes and buildings. They’re literally everywhere. I snapped a photo of this pretty house with the colorful maple tree near Barnard.

A stroll down the streets of Woodstock will allow you to see all kinds of stately old homes like this one. It’s such a classic.

And there are so many small old churches nestled in the valleys. This is a pretty famous one in Stowe.

Quaint Local Shops

One of the best things about Vermont is all of the small locally-owned shops. And a favorite of ours was Blake Hill, a shop full of yummy preserves.

They have so many varieties including some savory and sugar free varieties. The merchandising was reminiscent of an old store, but it’s a new building.

They even let you do a tasting so you know what your favorite flavors are.

The Vermont Country Store

We couldn’t skip a visit to the Vermont Country Store. It’s such an icon and we’ve gotten their catalog for years.

There are two locations and both of them are chock full of vintage inspired items that you can purchase. We visited the one in Rockingham.

The store displays are reminiscent of an old country store with antique ice boxes and Hoosier cabinets.

Would you believe that I have this exact same Hoosier cabinet? It was my grandmother’s and she used it in the 1930’s and 40’s. Mine isn’t painted but it’s the same model. I use it in my craft studio.

Maple syrup, anyone? You MUST buy maple syrup when in Vermont. It’s the home of some of the best, and you can find several varieties at the Vermont Country Store.

Allen Brothers Farm Store

We stopped at this nice farm store in Westminster one afternoon while driving through the state. It was a welcome site and we got sandwiches and apple cider doughnuts while we were there. They also had ice cream, pumpkins, and all kinds of plants in their garden center.

Farmhouse Pottery

The Farmhouse Pottery shop in Woodstock was another favorite stop of ours. As am amateur potter, I really appreciate all of the beautiful handmade items here. In addition to pottery they have wooden items, candles, knives, and textiles. You can definitely see the quality of workmanship in everything they offer.

The pottery is made on site by local potters. And you can take a workshop and learn how to make your own masterpiece.

Clover Gift Shop

Clover Gift Shop is one of many charming little shops in Woodstock. It really is a must-see town. It’s quintessential Vermont, for sure.

Woody’s Mercantile in Woodstock

One of my favorite little shops in Woodstock is Woody’s Mercantile. They have gifts, clothing, jewelry, and much more. I bought a gorgeous plaid wool ruana that is so cozy in cool weather.

Simon Pearce

In the little town of Quechee is Simon Pearce, and visiting there is such a treat. You can purchase some of their handmade glass items and even take a little tour of the factory.

There’s a second floor balcony walkway around the outer edge of the factory above the glass blowers and you can get a birds-eye view of their work. It’s fascinating, to say the least.

Breathtaking Scenery in Vermont

Lake Willoughby is in the Northeast Kingdom area of Vermont and is a must see if you love beautiful scenery.

Also in the Northeast Kingdom, way up near the Canadian border, is a little town called Newport. We stopped here and snapped a few pictures at the Prouty Beach campground. The views were so nice.

Moss Glen Falls is just off the road between Warren and Hancock and is a nice little stop. It’s a short walk and the scene is gorgeous.

This is actually the view from one of the homes we rented. I shared this just to show you another beautiful scene. Pretty much anywhere you go in Vermont in the fall, your eyes are in for a treat.

Where to Stay in Vermont

There are lots of quaint inns and houses across the state. We rented a home near Woodstock on our first trip. It was just a short drive to town.

During our second visit, we rented this cozy farmhouse out in the country near Warren and loved the peace and quiet there.

We love old houses and the original part of this home was full of charm and character. Just look at this kitchen!

Where we ate

Whenever we travel we try to save money and eat breakfast before we go out, and often pack a lunch and carry it in our collapsible, packable cooler. But we also usually splurge on a couple of nice dinners during each trip. Here’s where we ate while in Vermont:

• Ben & Jerry’s – A must when visiting Vermont, Ben & Jerry’s is arguably the best ice cream and has so many incredible flavors. You can get a cup or cone of any of their flavors and take a factory tour. Visit their website to book a tour ahead of time here: Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour.

• American Flatbread. We had amazing flatbreads (pizzas) from the Waitsfield location during our stay in the Granville home. There are several locations throughout Vermont and neighboring states. You’ll want to order early because they sell out. You can eat there or get it to go.
• Maple Soul. – Located in Rochester, this was probably the best meal we had on either trip. They use fresh local ingredients and serve local craft beers. I had the shrimp and grits and it was almost as good as what I’ve had in Charleston, SC.

• Creek House Diner – If you like comfort food then you’ll love this place. We ate here multiple times for brunch. Located in Bethel.

That pretty much covers most of the highlights from our trips to Vermont. Have you ever been, or is it on your bucket list? Leave me a comment below and let me know!