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Fall Foliage in Vermont 2024

Vibrant Color Takes Over the Green Mountains


Much of the brilliant red, orange, and gold color is from native sugar maples, which are abundant in Vermont (the flip side of fall foliage is the sugaring season in late winter, when maple sap begins to flow). Plan ahead to see fall foliage in Vermont, because people from around the world flock here. Best option: reserve lodgings in a mountain resort or sweet inn for a romantic getaway and stay awhile.

Essential Information:

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Fall Foliage in Vermont - Stowe and Northern Mountains Loop Drive Tour

Foliage Driving Routes in Vermont


Route 100 from Wilmington to Waterbury (140 mi.)

The route travels north-to-south between the towns of Wilmington and Waterbury, VT through the center of the state. Route 100 – sometimes called “Vermont’s Main Street” – skirts the Green Mountains and offers picturesque views of valleys, farms & old barns, and sweet towns. It also passes many state and local parks, along with Mount Snow, Stratton, Okemo, Killington and Sugarbush ski areas. Lots of activities, including walking, mountain biking, and enjoyment of foliage, happen at ski areas during no-snow seasons. Waterbury, the northernmost town on this drive, is one of many VT towns with a historically significant downtown.
Route Map

Points of Interest:

  • Vermont Country Store in Weston, VT: This nationally-known store is stocked with household goods, clothing, toys of every description, and lots of nostalgic items from generations past. The kids will love the old-fashioned candy selection!
  • Jamaica State Park: Located on a bend of the West River, it's a great spot for relaxing, walking, swimming, fishing, & camping. Nearby Hamilton Falls is a beautifully photogenic waterfall where the waters of Cobb Brook leap 125ft. down a steep rock face.
  • Covered Bridges: The Pine Brook / Wilder Bridge (build 1872) and the Big Eddy Bridge (built in 1833) are in the town of Waitsfield, VT. Also in Waitsfield, enjoy a satisfying walk on the Mad River Path, starting at the General Wait House and heading south to Mad River Green. The path through Waitsfield is 1.7mi. - See More VT Covered Bridges
  • Weston is a beautiful and cultured town, and also designated as a National Historic District. The charming gazebo in a public park in the town center draws photographers like a magnet. Check out the three galleries in town and visit with local artists & craftsmen. Weston hosts live theater at the Weston Theater Company.


Fall Foliage in Vermont - Country Inn

Side Trips:

  • Grafton, VT: Viewed from the rocker-lined porch of the Old Tavern and Grafton Inn, the village center is straight from central casting for a sweet Vermont town. Old Tavern and Grafton Inn, Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, and Grafton Cheese Co. are among the favorite stops for visitors.
  • Artisans Park in Windsor, VT: This charming cul-de-sac is a collection of 8 unique Vermont businesses clustered near the Path of Life Sculpture Garden. Here visitors will find Harpoon Brewery, SILO Distillery, Blake Hill Preserves, and Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company Market.

Dining:

  • At Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, visitors can watch cider being pressed the old-fashioned way and taste it from a sample tank. Enjoy lunch at the Cafe at Cold Hollow. You will be surrounded by glorious views of all sides.
  • Homestyle Hotel in Ludlow, VT. Welcoming atmosphere and friendly service at this inn and restaurant. Diners praise the cornmeal crusted artichokes, curry cauliflower, arugula salad and lemon poppy seed ice cream and lemongrass sorbet. Cocktails are unique and delicious.
  • Country Girl Diner in Chester, VT serves classic diner fare, 100 percent fresh, much of it sourced from Vermont farms. Doors open at 7 a.m. for breakfast and lunch.

Fall Foliage in Vermont - Cold Hollow Cider in Waterbury Center, VT

Manchester to Bennington to Williamstown, MA (74 mi.)

The Vermont towns of Manchester and Bennington are cherished for their classic New England beauty structures, and for their fine museums, dining and shopping. This drive also dips into northwestern Massachusetts to visit the delightful town of Williamstown. Take all or a part of the drive, which includes a very outdoorsy side trip to the pristine Somerset Reservoir. This drive has lots of digressions for dining and wining. Choose and enjoy!
Route Map

Points of Interest:

Side Trips:

  • The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA: Simply the best in art museums, in New England or anywhere. Gorgeous grounds & lots of public entertainments.
  • Somerset Reservoir and Somerset Reservoir Trail near Wilmington: This is a very secluded lake. There are no shops, ranger stations or private residences around. People use this lake for kayaking & canoeing.

Dining and Shopping:

  • Blue Benn Diner in Bennington: Love diners? We do, too. Old-school diner with easy access to blueberry pancakes with local maple syrup.
  • Once you're done exploring at The Clark, consider dining at the nearby Mezze Bistro + Bar in Williamstown.
  • Honora Winery & Vineyard in Jacksonville, VT: This side trip 12 miles southeast of Searsbury, VT takes you to an in-town wine tasting room or outdoors along a lake with heron and tall pines nearby.
  • Take another quick side trip to West Dover, VT for a meal at the The West Dover Inn and 1846 Tavern & Restaurant. The name conveys the atmosphere: informal and down-to-Earth. Solid wines and hearty food.

Fall Foliage in Vermont - Manchester to Bennington to Williamstown Scenic Drive

Brattleboro to Whitingham through Mount Snow (100mi.)

This loop drives starts and ends at the bustling, hippie-period-redux town of Brattleboro, VT, with lots of good dining, fun shops, and a circus school, and travels on and around Route 9, also called the Molly Stark Byway. The drive passes through the Mount Snow ski area, which offers scenic chair life rides on the Bluebird Express daily during foliage season. You will pass through delightful towns like Newfane and Whitingham, VT, and the views all along the way are guaranteed to be spectacular if the weather cooperates.
Route Map

Points of Interest:

  • Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in Brattleboro: Art is presented in an old train station, with the old ticket windows still intact and marble steps worn by generations of travelers.
  • Newfane Common. Get out of the car and take a stroll through this classic Vermont town green.
  • Mount Snow: Scenic chairlift rides take you to the summit of this ski resort even in the off-season. Enjoy beautiful surrounding views with highlights like Somerset Reservoir and Mount Monadnock. If a mealtime is near, grab lunch and a craft beer at The Bullwheel.
  • Adams Family Farm in Wilmington: This is a working farm that welcomes visitors. The petting farm and farm store are open year-round, daily except Mondays.
  • Molly Stark State Park in Wilmington: Hiking trails lead to the Mount Olga fire tower for magnificent mountain views. - Trail Guide (PDF)

Dining and Shopping:

  • Royal Diner in Brattleboro: Fill your personal fuel tank at the start or end of your drive at this vintage 1938 diner. Daily specials, generous portions, and easy pricing. Take-out is available for every item.
  • Saxtons River Distillery in Brattleboro. Maple liqueur? We’re in Vermont, aren’t we? Just off I-91, Saxtons River Distillery invites you to see how handcrafted spirits are made and to take home some samples of these unique liquors.
  • Dot’s Restaurant in Wilmington: Nothing less than “a national treasure,” according to no one less than Gourmet Magazine. A favorite of locals with solid American food.
  • Readsboro Inn in Readsboro: Good for the groaning farmers breakfast. Brace yourself for excellent pizza, sweet potato fries and the catfish (yes, catfish!) special.
  • Town Hill Pottery in Whitingham: The studios of Aysha Peltz and Todd Wahlstrom - Peltz’s pots are porcelain, evoking natural forms and architecture. Wahlstrom’s pots are dark stoneware clay or white clay and have richly patterned surfaces.
  • J’ville Craft Brewery in Jacksonville: Come in for a small-batch craft beer, a five-cheese grilled cheese sandwich, and genuine hospitality.

Fall Foliage in Vermont - Brattleboro to Whitingham Scenic Drive - Photo Credit VT Dept of Tourism and Marketing

Lakes Bomoseen and St. Catherine Loop (55mi.)

This drive is actually two intersecting loops, forming a figure eight, so you can shorten or lengthen the entire drive as you see fit. The loops travel around Lake Bomoseen, Birdseye Mountain, and Lake St. Catherine. A neat side trip takes you to Proctor, where you can learn about and marvel at the state’s historic marble quarrying industry. Also, tour a real castle!
Route Map

Points of Interest:

  • Bomoseen State Park in Castleton, VT: Lovely lakeside park in the state’s slate-producing region. Notice quarry holes & slate buildings.
  • Lake St. Catherine State Park in Poultney, VT: Once a children's summer camp & farmland, this popular park has tent and lean-to sites, grassy open areas, woods, and a lovely lake.

Side Trips:

  • Vermont Marble Museum and Gift Shop in Proctor, VT: Learn the history of this classic stone, and how Vermont quarrymen & masons turned in into an industry and art form.
  • Wilson Castle in Proctor, VT: Castle and estate are a blend of European architectural styles and home to five generations of the Wilson family. Public tours are offered.

Dining:

  • Birdseye Diner in Castleton, VT: Originally the building was a 1940’s Silk City Dining Car. Today, the Birdseye chow is a staple of the community.
  • Mendon Mountain Orchards in Rutland: This family-owned orchard welcomes you for pick-your-own apple harvesting, and there's the bakery too.

Fall Foliage in Vermont - Lake Bomoseem and St. Catherine

Upper Connecticut River Valley Loop (115mi.)

This loop is a large north-south oval in east-central Vermont, starting and ending in the beautiful town of Woodstock, VT and passing through Killington Ski Area. A small side trip takes you to the dramatic Quechee Gorge, also known as Vermont’s "Little Grand Canyon", with fun souvenir shopping right nearby. You can shorten the drive easily by doing only pieces of the loop.
Route Map

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Upper-Connecticut-River-Valley-loop

Spotlight on: Killington Resort


Ski areas don’t limit their activities to the snow seasons. At Killington Resort you can enjoy great vistas with bright foliage, plus great dining and shopping. Come up for one of the many fall outdoor activities including mountain biking, camping, golfing, or great events including mountain sports competitions, the Brewfest and Harvest Faire.

One of the highlights of the mountain in fall is the awesome scenic gondola ride, which puts you above the treetops on a ride to the mountain summit at 4,241 feet. It's a view the whole family will remember.


Foliage Gondola Ride - Killington Resort - Killington, VT

Points of Interest:

  • Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock: Picturesque working farm & museum re-creates the culture and folkways of Vermont farming before the machine age. Fun for kids.
  • Simon Pearce Glass in Windsor, VT. This world-famous maker of glass artworks & functional glassware welcomes visitors for shopping and to view glassblowing. Call ahead for demonstration times.
  • Plymouth Cheese Company in Plymouth, VT: Open daily for self-guided tours, historic museum & factory gift shop with informational cheese tastings and local VT made products.
  • Quechee Gorge and Quechee State Park in Quechee, VT: Visitors can look down at the Ottauquechee River, 165 feet below, from Route 4.

Dining and Shopping:

  • Babes Bar in Bethel, VT: located in a former train depot in the center of town, this is the place to find a signature Chicago-style hot dog.
  • Harpoon Taps and Beer Garden in Windsor: Taste a full selection of Harpoon beers straight from the brewery and take a guided tour of the brewery Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Windsor Station Restaurant and Barroom in Windsor: Located in a historic train station, this eatery craft beer, farm-to-table Vermont food. It’s part of the Vermont Fresh Network, promoting local foods.
  • Quechee Gorge Village in Quechee: This collection of stores features a Cabot Creamery shop, an enormous antiques shop, Vermont Spirits Distilling Co., and many other interesting businesses.

West-Central Mountains & Appalachian Gap Loop (100 mi.)

This route meanders through the Green Mountain National Forest and skims Lake Dunmore, passing through the towns of Middlebury, Ripton, Lincoln, Jerusalem, Irasville, Granville, Hancock, Goshen, Brandon, Leicester, and Salisbury, VT, before returning to Middlebury.
Route Map

Points of Interest:

  • Sheldon Museum in Middlebury: This museum serves up the memory of Addison County history through tours, exhibits, & programs that enrich the understanding of Vermont’s past.
  • Danforth Pewter’s Workshop and Store in Middlebury: This pewter maker has a gallery of one-of-a-kind pieces and viewing windows into the workshop.
  • Robert Frost Interpretive Trail in Ripton, VT: This easy, one-mile trail commemorates Frost’s work; several of his poems are mounted along the trail in the woods and fields.
  • Texas Falls in Hancock: East one-mile trail meanders through the forest along Texas Brook towards picnic grounds.

Fall Foliage in Vermont - West & Central Mountains Scenic Drive

Northern Mountains and Lake Champlain Islands Loop (165mi.)

The centerpiece of this beautiful drive is the long, north-south string of the Lake Champlain Islands, where almost every twist and turn of the roads towns reveals both countryside views and vistas across the lake and out toward distant mountains. A unique and impressive mix.
Route Map



Spotlight on: Stone Hill Inn


Discover the serene and inviting Stone Hill Inn, a picturesque retreat set on 9.5 wooded acres near Stowe, VT. Each finely appointed guest room features a fireplace, a two-person whirlpool tub, and direct access to the Inn’s lush gardens. Indulge in a three-course breakfast in the sunny dining room or relax next to the fireplace in the cozy game room.

The Inn is just minutes from the charming village of Stowe, which is home to crafts, foods, wines, and more. Massage treatments and outings like micro-brewery tours and scenic hikes are sure to enhance your fall experience. Plan your visit and see why Stone Hill Inn is consistently ranked among New England's most romantic destinations.


Fall Foliage in Vermont - Northern Mountains and Lake Champlain Islands Loop


Fall Foliage at Stone Hill Inn in Stowe, VT

Points of Interest:

Dining and Shopping:

  • Moog's Joint in Johnson, VT: The second restaurant opened by Tom Moog, the place opened in August 2019 to bring elevated pub food, microbrews, creative cocktails, and live music.
  • Blue Paddle Bistro in South Hero, VT: Located on the Lake Champlain Islands in an older clapboard house, where each dining room is small, quiet, and drenched with light. Décor is lakefront-style nautical and the food is fresh and delicious.

Northeast Kingdom Loop (150mi.)

Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is a paradise for people who love outdoor summer and winter sports. The major towns are St. Johnsbury and Newport, VT. The region is also home to Jay Peak - a wonderful ski resort with a huge indoor water park for year-round family fun.
Route Map





Spotlight on: Discover Newport - VT's Lakefront Downtown


Newport, Vermont has it all: deep lakes, majestic mountains, a vibrant downtown, and year-round fun. This September 27-28, attend Discover Newport VT's Downstreet Business Expo to experience the beauty and opportunity that Newport has to offer. Explore the outdoors and fall in love with the independently owned shops, local breweries (and a cidery!), and regional cuisines. Tour thriving businesses in the heart of Newport’s downtown district and hear about the specific resources available to businesses that make Newport their home. Pop in and out of the stores along Newport's walkable downtown, enjoy live music, and celebrate the arrival of fall at the Newport Fall Festival.


Fall Foliage in Vermont - Northeast Kingdom Loop



Fall Foliage Aerial View of Newport, VT

Points of Interest:

  • Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury: 150 acres on a private mountaintop where people and dogs are welcome to come and place at all times of the year, especially and many seasonal celebrations there.
  • Museums in St. Johnsbury include the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Fairbanks Museum, and Maple Grove Maple Museum.
  • The southernmost point of the loop drive is Danville, VT, but if you divert a little farther south you will be rewarded with a drive on beautiful Mack Mountain Road, between Peacham and East Cabot, VT. Stop for lunch or coffee at the wonderful Peacham Cafe

Dining:

  • Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, VT: Just a bit south of St. Johnsbury, is a romantic country inn, perfect for a couple to stop on a foliage drive to enjoy a quiet dinner with a special cocktail. The warm dining room of chocolate and copper hues has a fireplace. Food is fresh and delicious.
  • Riley's Fish Shack in St. Johnsbury: A casual fish shack with indoor and outdoor seating. Open for lunch and dinner, Riley’s serves fried and broiled seafood, lobsters and lobster rolls, chicken, Angus beef burgers, beer and wine, and ice cream. Kids meals, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
  • Essex House & Tavern in Island Pond, VT: A little outside the northeastern curve of this drive route, this is high-caliber, meaty tavern food that covers all the bases, including the influence of nearby French Canada, represented by the classic dish poutine. Beef steaks, salmon, chicken – you won’t drive away hungry.
  • Saint J Brewery in St. Johnsbury is a brewery and brew pub with a small range of hearty food: hoagies (submarine sandwiches), soft pretzels, vegetarian or hot chicken chili. Beverages include three house brews, other Vermont-made beers, ciders, sodas, kombucha and coffees.

Stowe and Northern Mountains Loop (60mi.)

This drive starts & ends at Stowe, VT, where you board a gondola and see the foliage from above as you warm up the seat for wintertime skiers. Nearby are two waterfalls, where adventurous people may hike, take photos or have a picnic. The drive also passes one of the state's parks with a beautiful mountain lake. Prepare for classic images of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Also, a quick, 6-mile side-trip down Route 100, directly south of Stowe like a tail on this drive loop, is Waterbury Center, VT, a sweet place, partly because of the presence of Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
Route Map

Points of Interest:

* Our thanks to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.


Fall Foliage in Vermont - Stowe and Northern Mountains Loop Drive Tour