Best Place to See Fall Colors in Vermont

Leafers will feel right at home at the quaint and quiet Pettigrew Inn in Ludlow in southern Vermont. The elegant inn offers 15 tastefully appointed guest rooms with King or Queen beds, a fireplace and a relaxing whirlpool tub. Plush suites are also available. The inn is only a mile from the Okemo ski area, and there are lots of wonderful spots to see the colors pop up and down the valley.

When you’re not soaking in the color spectrum, you can easily walk to the nearby village restaurant and shops for a little R&R. In addition, the region offers a plethora of cultural, historical and natural attractions that are worth a closer look. For more adventure, head out for biking, hiking, fishing or antiquing. There’s no shortage of things to do.

You don’t have to travel far to catch some awe-inspiring colors at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort. Situated on 60 acres in the heart of iconic Stowe, the inn is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the area. The hotel is chock-full of outdoor adventure possibilities and offers a world-class on-site spa and renowned sports and wellness center.

Near the hotel, guests can hit the Stowe Recreation Path to link up with nature, hit the links for some championship golf, hike or bike the area’s many trails, take to the water for some epic kayaking or canoeing, or explore all the many nearby boutiques, galleries and restaurants in historic Stowe. When it’s time to eat, you don’t have to go far. Charlie B’s Pub and Restaurant is a Stowe institution – offering an eclectic menu of quintessential Vermont favorites, craft brews and creative cocktails.

The Mountain Top Resort in Chittenden provides a bird’s-eye view of the seasonal colors from atop 700 private acres in the Green Mountains of central Vermont. With sweeping views and a 700-acre recreational lake, the 32-room inn is a popular spot for fall colors aficionados.

When you’re not soaking in the full spectrum of colors, you can spend your time swimming or sunning on the private beach, paddle boarding, clay bird shooting, hiking, biking or playing a round of disc golf. There’s also ample fishing, boating and shopping opportunities, as well as the state’s only equestrian center. In between, make time to check out Chittenden’s numerous wineries, breweries and delectable dining options. At the inn, guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner in the Dining Room or lunch and dinner in the more casual Mountain Top Tavern.

At the Dorsett Inn on the Green, they’ve been watching the colors change seasonally for more than two centuries. The charming country inn harkens back to New England’s simpler times but welcomes visitors with all today’s convenient and modern amenities. Take a step back – but not too far back – at this classic bed and breakfast.

The 19th Century inn’s 25 individually appointed rooms have a rich décor, plush furnishings and contemporary touches like flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The hotel’s historic red dining room and casual tavern serve up quintessential New England fare that is all locally sources.

Taste the flavors of the region, then head out for a sampling of its rich culture. When you’re not taking in the beautiful fall foliage, make time to visit the Southern Vermont Arts Center, Dorset and Weston playhouses and the Hildene, the former summer home of Richard Todd Lincoln (Abe’s son) and his wife.

East-central Vermont is known for its amazing food and spectacular scenery. The quint village of Woodstock is an ideal location for fall leafing in Vermont, and 506 on the River provides a rustic riverside destination that’s both comfortable and inviting as the weather begins to cool in late September.

Relaxing on the banks of the Ottauquechee River, the bucolic inn has comfy and cozy accommodations that effortlessly complement the charming farmhouse kitchen that serves up a tasty homemade breakfast each morning. For dinner, the 506 Bistro steps it up a notch with home cooking at its finest – the succulent menu favorites like Yankee Pot Roast, perfectly grilled organic burgers and farm-fresh strawberry shortcake.

On this Vermont fall getaway you can explore the western part of the state can head to Middlebury for a stay at the Swift House Inn, a former Governor’s mansion that’s been converted to a 20-room classic country bed and breakfast at the foot of the Green Mountains in the Champlain Valley. The inn sits on four acres of plush land only a short walk from all the local shops, museums, Town Hall Theater and Middlebury College.

There are plenty of great biking and hiking trails in the area, so leafers and view the colors on foot or by bike. By car, there are plenty more opportunities to explore the area’s mountains and skiing areas that are only a short drive from the B&B.

At the inn, guests can relax in accommodations that feature two-person jetted tubs and intimate fireplaces in each room. The hotel’s restaurant and bar – Jessica’s – has a robust menu and one of the best wine lists in the area.

At the Rabbit Hill Inn in the charming village of Lower Waterford, romance takes center stage. The romantic bed and breakfast offers impeccable service, warm hospitality and guest rooms that range from traditional to country and transitional to modern. Room options include whirlpool or hydro-massage tubs for two and large spa showers that are perfect for lovebirds.

Outside your guest room, explore more than 15 acres of trails and White Mountain countryside at the height of colors season – late September or the first couple of weeks of October. When you’ve worked up an appetite, sit down at the inn’s sophisticated on-site restaurant for an innovate Modern American menu paired with a meticulously crafted wine list. It’s something foodies, leafers and lovebirds shouldn’t miss. The relaxed Snooty Fox Pub is a great spot to kick back and count all the likes from that day’s Instagram posts.

Don’t let the name fool you. Sun and Ski Inn and Suites in Stowe should be a lock for your next Vermont fall foliage getaway. Situated perfectly from the nearby mountain resort and Stowe Village, the hotel has recently updated lodge rooms that put you right in the heart of leaf country.

The family-friendly hotel keeps your schedule full during your stay. First, the hotel’s unique eight-lane bowling venue – Stowe Bowl – is something that shouldn’t be missed. Sure, it’s a bowling alley, but it’s so much more. It’s swanky, cozy, loungy and downright fun. Its state-of-the-art technology puts a new twist on an old favorite, and with fun cocktails ranging from White Russians to Shirley Temples, there’s a little something for everyone.

At the inn, guest can relax in ground-level rooms with a patio facing a large, private lawn with views of Little River and the surrounding mountains. The on-site glass-enclosed pool and hot tub is a relaxing respite after a long day out exploring.