There might not be a more beautiful place than Vermont to visit during the fall foliage season.
A Vermont fall foliage itinerary is less about where you will stop and more about the journey you will take. Color chasing will be your number one priority on this trip, so don’t stress too much about planning activities and itinerary items. While towns and scheduled stops serve as anchor points in your day, the absolute best part about Vermont in the fall is the roads you will drive through, the random trails/hikes you will discover, and hidden photo-ops that you will find.
If you only have a few days to visit this beautiful state, here is a great 3 day, 2-night itinerary/road trip that you can follow (South to Central and back) to take in some of Vermont’s best sights during the fall!
Vermont Day 1
- Wilmington
- Wilmington is a cute old-school town that feels as if it has not changed for the last 100 years. Enjoy walking around its old-school streets and talking to locals as you store hop.
- Weston
- Check out the Vermont Country Store, one of the coolest stores I’ve been to!
- Head over to the Old Mill Museum for a hidden-gem photo-op!
- Ludlow
- We found some nice photo-ops during our drive through this town.
- Plymouth (Drive)
- Our favorite moment of the trip came on the quiet and peaceful roads of Plymouth. We saw a perfect empty field with trees surrounded by gorgeous colors and pulled over immediately to enjoy its beauty (cover photo).
- Woodstock
- Vermont’s famous Woodstock is worth a visit! A vibrant town surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.
- Walk around Central and Elm Streets.
- Head to Sleepy Hallow Farm to photograph one of Vermont’s most famous sights!
- Ottauquechee River Trail
- Lodging
- Clear River Inn and Tavern in Pittsfield (not far from Killington) is where we stayed. There are plenty of other towns and lodging options for you to choose from.
Vermont Day 2
- Montpelier
- This is a beautiful town surrounded by mountains and trees (Unfortunately, peak season had passed when we visited)
- Head up to Hubbard Tower for top of the city views.
- Ben & Jerry’s Factory/ Cold Hollow Cider Mill
- Great spots to take a break from the fall color chasing. Enjoy some good food and happy vibes at either/both of these locations!
- Stowe
- One of Vermont’s most popular spots during the fall foliage season.
- Mount Mansfield
- Smuggler’s Notch
- Burlington
- If you have any energy left, spend the evening in Burlington and enjoy their world-famous breweries or roam along the city’s beautiful waterfront.
Vermont Day 3
- Rutland
- Some great breakfast spots to start your day. (Johnny boy’s pancake house is where we went)
- Drive around town and enjoy its stunning and colorful mountain backdrop.
- Green Mountain National Park
- Emerald State Park
- A small hidden park that was very peaceful and offers some lake and color views.
- Manchester
- High-end stores in old school Vermont buildings.
- Lake Shaftsbury State Park
- Offers a nice view of a big lake and surrounding colorful trees.
- Bennington
- Wrap up the end of your trip with some beer, amazing tomato soup, and Vermont grilled cheese at the Madison Brewing Company!
Vermont Fall Foliage Reaction
The beauty of Vermont rests in its small rural towns, its beautiful nature, and its scenic drives. Seeing these things during the fall foliage only amplifies the experience when visiting this picturesque state. When following the itinerary above (or any fall itinerary), remember that some of your best moments in Vermont will come in the spots you least expect it. Don’t stress too much about what you cover during your visit, and instead, just enjoy the ride and marvel at the colors. Vermont, during its fall season, is beautiful, and I hope you get the chance to enjoy this amazing natural spectacle as much as we did!
