Autumn in Vermont: Where to Go? What to See?

There’s something magical about autumn in Vermont. It’s like stepping into a cozy Hallmark rom-com movie, where all trees are in perfect shades of red, orange, and gold.

I had my first Vermont autumn last year, and let’s just say: I get the hype now.

Here’s a little guide from my own trip, so you know where to go and what to see when Vermont is at its autumn best! 🍂

But first, trip details! When did we go?
🍁 We went in mid-October 2024. The trees were full and vibrant.

Alrighty, let’s go!

What’s the nicest part of Vermont?

1. Stowe

Stowe was our basecamp during our Vermont roadtrip. We stayed in an Airbnb house, which was great, full story here. The town itself is charming— cute coffee shops, scenic hike, and a stunning rolling mountains backdrop, on fire with autumn colors.

📍 What are the things to do in Stowe?

🍏 Stop by Cold Hollow Cider Mill for fresh apple cider and warm cider donuts. Tbh, I don’t really recommend it because it was super crowded and food was just okay for me. I recommend visiting a family orchard near Waterbury instead– see #3)

🍏 Quick stop at Cabot Creamery. Get a free round of cheese (and some wine) tasting. My favorite is their Horseradish Cheese. It’s like eating wasabi and cheese. Very interesting cheese selections!

🍏 Take the Stowe Mountain Gondola up Mount Mansfield for a bird’s-eye view of the foliage. Highly recommend!

🍏 Take a short hike up at Sunset Rock and you’d get to see the town centre, a nice sight!

2. Woodstock

Woodstock has this autumn Hallmark movies kinda charm. This town is too cute with white picket fences and historic homes.

Just walking around downtown with a hot drink felt like being a main character in a Hallmark movie.

We didn’t plan on spending the night at Woodstock, so we just drove by the town. It was on a weekend….. and therefore, finding a parking spot was a nightmare.

So, consider arriving early in the morning or spend the night here. There’s so many cute coffee shops and brunch places, but we didn’t have enough time to explore.

About 30-min driving east from Woodstock, you can find Sugarbush Farm. Highly recommend visiting this spot, not only because of the sweeeet and woody maple syrup, but also the story behind this family business. It’s a beautiful place too!

3. Waterbury

Yes, the Ben & Jerry’s. If you’re a fan of Half Baked (my ultimate favorite), Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, The Tonight Dough, or any of their legendary flavors, this is a must-visit. They offer factory tours (check waay ahead for availability, we missed it! 🥲).

Even in sweater weather, ice cream just hits different here.

📍 Things you can do at Ben & Jerry’s:
– Factory tour
– Visit their Flavor Graveyard, where they “retire” old flavors.

Next, you can head to Peck Farm Orchard and enjoy the farm ambience. It’s a huge apple orchard where you can pick your own apples.

They’ve got corn maze and lots of family with children were visiting. Most of the license plates were from Vermont, so I’m guessing it’s a well-loved spot among the locals.

We couldn’t resist trying their cider donuts and warm apple cider— absolutely heavenly. The donuts were soft and fluffy, and paired with a warm cup of cider, it was the perfect treat for a chilly, windy day.