Vermont is a great destination year round, but is probably best known for its fall foliage and winter sports, and with good reason.  Vermont in fall is simply beautiful.  Columbus Day Weekend you’ll be greeted by harvest festivals, cheese and apple pie tastings, roadside maple syrup stands, and tent sales to get you ready for ski season. 

The first stop on your Southern Vermont road trip should be the Vermont Welcome Center (first exit off of 91N).  Here you will find friendly greeters who can provide you with all sorts of information about activities and events for your Vermont adventure.  The Welcome Center itself is a beautiful building with museum-like displays and a terrace that overlooks a picturesque Vermont landscape.  Although there isn’t usually food at the welcome center, on holiday weekends, you will find local treats such as apple cider doughnuts served by local volunteer fire stations as a fundraiser.  From there, you should head to the Vermont Country Deli (exit 2 off of 91N) for a variety of delicious hot dishes, sandwiches, and desserts, plus locally made cheese, chocolate, and other treats. Their famous macaroni and cheese is a must try. 

Now that you’ve oriented yourself to Vermont and filled your belly, you are ready to take a scenic drive along Route 30.  Recommended stops include:  cheese tasting and children’s farm at the Retreat Farm; a glass-blowing demonstration; covered bridges and fall foliage scenery photo stops; and the Harvest Festival in Newfane. If you are lucky enough to have warm weather in October, you also have the possibility of checking out the river along the way, which flows adjacent to Route 30. 

For those who can spend the night, head to Manchester for some outlet shopping, a walk by the river, and your choice of restaurants.  Gringo Jack’s is one of our favorites, featuring Mexican, traditional and with a twist, plus burgers.  Their homemade chips and salsa are both available for purchase to enjoy again at home.   Depot Street Burgers is a great lunch spot with a counter service burgers – including shrimp, lamb, and tuna, a variety of concoctions of fries, and local craft beers. 

If you enjoy shopping, in addition to the vendors at the festival, the ski shops close to Stratton hold tent sales in October that feature both summer and winter sale items. The Manchester Designer Outlets feature 40 stores in restored VT structures, making for a pleasant afternoon of walking and shopping.  Stores include Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, and Vineyard Vines.  Or, to stick with the more quintessential Vermont experience, head to Weston for a visit to the Vermont Country Store, and hit some antique shops and roadside stands along the way.  For those who prefer to enjoy the outdoors, there are superb hiking trails at the many state parks, from the base or summit of Stratton, and even the Appalachian Long Trail is accessible just before Manchester.

No matter what you choose, an autumn trip to Vermont is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and recharged.

Click on the photos below to scroll through some Vermont Fall scenery.