Autumn in New England unfolds with the richest of colors as fall foliage decorates the mountain ranges. If you find yourself visiting Vermont, the Green Mountain state has plenty to offer for a lengthy vacation or long weekend. Either way, cozying up in Vermont means quaint inns, friendly locals, fresh brewed Green Mountain coffee, delicious maple syrup and enjoying the blissfully quiet nature that abounds among the leaves.
My husband, Bryan, and I headed up this way in October for a long weekend. Our first stop was Waterbury, home to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and quite close to the popular winter retreat of Stowe, where many families come to ski and go dog sledding during winter retreats. While foliage is in full swing with bright hues of reds, yellows and oranges, Vermont usually sees its first snowfall in November.
As we traveled up the byway, we stopped at Palmer Lane Maple for a real taste of maple syrup. You cannot visit Vermont without trying the nectar of the gods and heading home with at least 10 bottles for souvenirs.
Read all about Palmer Lane Maple
From there, we headed into the Lake Champlain Islands, a very popular spot during the summer time, but much more quiet during the autumn and winter.
A quaint stay at North Hero House on the lake in this peaceful town—which is anything but cookie-cutter—was the perfect way to break up all of the sites and attractions. The inn’s owner Walter Blasberg is a venerable fountain of information about the Champlain Islands and is proud of the beautiful country house that many people make memories at.
Read all about the accommodations at North Hero House
From North Hero, we took a drive back down to the bustling city of Burlington, a youthful vibe proud of it’s foodie and beer scene. It was all aboard the Burlington Brew Tours evening Pub Crawl Tour for a taste of downtown Burlington’s nightlife and beer culture, which was not only informative, but very delicious as well. The next morning was spent meandering Church Street Marketplace, a beloved shopping district in the city that features everything from art, jewelry, clothing and coffee shops to several restaurants and cafés.
Other highlights of this youthfully vibrant town included a walk along the Burlington Waterfront Park and a visit to Echo Lake Aquarium, a very popular destination for families with young children.
Read all about the best activities to do in Vermont
If you take anything away from a northeastern road trip through Vermont, let it be this: Stop for a minute a soak in the illustrious landscape of this beautiful region, because not everywhere in the world looks like it.
As you plan your trip, visit www.vermont.org for additional resources and information.
