Unique Vermont Fall Vacation Ideas

One way to enjoy Vermont’s autumnal splendor while simultaneously getting in a workout is by mountain biking! There are plenty of trails to enjoy, ranging from easy to difficult depending on your skill level.

Rated as the number one mountain biking trail in all of Vermont, Kingdom Trails is located in East Burke VT, is graded as intermediate, and offers a little bit of something for everyone. Be sure to arrive on the earlier end of fall however, as this trail closes at the end of October. The trail is a grand total of 110 miles long and provides family and beginner trails for those who want a smoother ride.

The Killington Mountain Bike park located in the Killington Ski Resort is another great spot to go for a ride. The park is the largest ski resort on the east coast, and offers a range of trails for varying skill levels with three new beginner trails added recently.

If you’re looking for a more curated experience, fall bike tours are an excellent way to enjoy the fall foliage. These trips are for seasoned bikers, however, as they last six days long and cover an impressive amount of mileage in that time! The trip, which can be booked through Trek Travel, starts in Middlebury, Vermont and ends in Stowe. Bikers are treated to unforgettable rides through the dense Vermont forest, along winding rivers, and through quaint town squares to sample local maple syrup.

Riders will stop overnight at the Green Mountain Inn in Stowe Vermont, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been in operation since the mid-1800s. This quaint, historic inn offers 103 cozy guest rooms, and will provide a much needed respite after all that biking.

Hikes are one of the best ways to enjoy fall in Vermont at a slow and comfortable pace. If you plan on hiking with kids, there are several easy trails that are short and provide great views at the end.



The Mount Olga trail at the Molly Stark State Park in Willmington is just 1.7 miles round-trip, and ends at a fire tower offering a sweeping 360-degree view of southern Vermont.

Mount Philo in Charlotte is another easy trail that is 2-miles long. It starts at the center of Mount Philo State Park, and rises high above the Champlain Valley for some spectacular views.

If a scenic drive is more your style, you’ll be in great company, as visitors travel from around the world just to drive through Vermont’s dazzling fall displays.

The trees typically start to change color in mid-September, and the beautifully colored leaves remain until approximately mid-October. Hop into the car and onto the “Scenic Route 100 Byway,” which runs alongside the eastern edge of Vermont’s Green Mountains and is known as one of the most scenic drives in New England.

The byway is 146 miles long and is home to a variety of historic, scenic, and natural resources. Plenty of restaurants dot the route, so be sure to stop and grab a bite to eat when you’re hungry.

For a place to stay along the way, The Liberty Hill Farm Inn in Rochester offers a charming and quaint retreat. Owned and operated by owners Bob and Beth Kennett, this inn offers delicious home-cooked meals, interactions with the farms animals, and a generally peaceful ambiance, making this a stay you will not soon forget.

Take a brief break from the great outdoors with this unique Vermont fall foliage vacation idea.  Located in Shelburne, Vermont, the Shelburne Museum is home to a number of exciting rotating exhibitions that are both classic and contemporary. If you’re coming with kids, there are activities for all ages during the day including “Webby’s Art Studio,” which provides kids the chance to create a specialized art project inspired by temporary and permanent exhibits.

The museum’s grounds are equally as stunning as its interior, and feature more than 20 specialized gardens including the “Hat and Fragrance Garden,” and the “Apotecary Garden,” among others.

Located in Woodstock, the Billings Farm & Museum offers a slightly more rustic and rural museum experience. This museum takes visitors on a trip back in time to experience Vermont’s rural history firsthand through visits with sheep, dairy cows, and a trip to the museum’s 1890 Farm House.

All of the museum’s exhibits are housed inside of four, original, historic barns. Be sure to visit the museum’s country store, traditional farmhouse, and farm workshop to get an idea of what it was like to live and work on a farm in Vermont more than 120 years ago!

Apple and pumpkin picking are two of the most quintessential autumnal activities, and fall in Vermont poses no exceptions to this rule.

There are plenty of orchards and patches spread across the state so you can fill your basket and pick out the plumpest, roundest pumpkin available!

If you’re in southern Vermont, The Equinox Valley Nursery in Manchester is a great option for some family fun pumpkin picking. Open from mid-August through early November, this nursery offers a whimsical patch featuring fun fall decorations, cider donuts, hot and cold cider, pumpkin bread, and other delicious treats. The annual pumpkin carving festival occurs typically after Columbus Day, and features a full day of activities, local foods and crafts.

For some apple picking, The Douglas Orchard & Cider Mill in Shoreham is a local favorite featuring a variety of apple based products including applesauce, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and pumpkins. Bring the whole family for a classic fall experience, and be sure to indulge in some sweets.

Continuing on with the theme of delicious treats, a trip to the Cabot Creamery is an excellent way to round out your culinary tour of Vermont. The Cabot Creamery visitors center in the city of Cabot is where the famous creamery got its start in 1919. Tours are available at specific times throughout the year (check the website for more info), and provide visitors with the opportunity to sample cheeses and other Cabot dairy products.

With all of these great options, you'll be sure to create a vacation that is packed-full of memory making activities. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next fall getaway in Vermont today!