The Best Vermont Towns to Visit This Fall
September 05, 2026
Vermont’s fall foliage season is all about scenic drives, apple picking, hiking and exploring small towns.
Here are some of the best Vermont towns to visit this fall foliage season, and where you’ll find easy access to the outdoors, scenic views, and fall events.
Peacham and Groton
Once you’ve visited the town of Peacham for the first time, you’ll want to return every fall. The village center showcases historic New England homes, mountain views, a classic white steepled church.
To the south and west of Peacham is Groton State Forest, where you can find excellent hiking and paddling opportunities on 26,000 acres of state land spread out over several towns, including Peacham and Groton.
Owl’s Head Mountain in Groton State Forest is an easy, rewarding and easy hike with gorgeous views from the top.
Worth checking out: Peacham Fall Foliage Day and the annual Groton Chicken Pie Supper
Craftsbury and Greensboro
In the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is the town of Craftsbury, home to the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, the Craftsbury General Store and Craftsbury Common.
Vermont foliage season typically gets a head start in the Northeast Kingdom compared to other parts of the state, but you’ll still be able to enjoy nice fall colors in Craftsbury in early October.
Not far from Craftsbury is the town of Greensboro, where you’ll find Willey’s Store, Hill Farmstead Brewery, and the Highland Center for the Arts.
Worth checking out: Harvest Festival of Ales and Lagers at Hill Farmstead Brewery
Chittenden
Chittenden is tucked away in the Green Mountain National Forest with many scenic locations, including the Chittenden Reservoir, Lefferts Pond and the Mountain Top Inn & Resort.
Chittenden has a small population of about 1,230 residents. However, the size of the town is 74.2 square miles—or 46,000 acres—making it the largest town by area in Vermont.
The Green Mountains run along the entire eastern half of the town, creating a mood that feels secluded and wild, which is perfect for fall foliage viewing and outdoor exploration.
Worth checking out: Killington Brew Fest at Pico Mountain and Harvest Faire at Killington
Newbury
In the upper Connecticut River Valley is the town of Newbury. With a town green, historic homes, and the Newbury Village Store, Newbury is an ideal town to visit in the fall.
Head outdoors to Tucker Mountain Town Forest, which includes trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more.
The top of Tucker Mountain was cleared in 1808, creating a beautiful 360-degree view that’s hard to beat in the fall.
Worth checking out: In nearby West Newbury, the annual turkey supper in October is the event of the season. Find more Upper Valley fall events.
Warren, Waitsfield and Fayston
Travel along Route 100 to the scenic Mad River Valley region. Warren is home to The Warren Store, The Pitcher Inn and Sugarbush Resort. Fall foliage season is perfect if you’re mountain biking at Blueberry Lake, hiking around Lincoln Gap, or taking a scenic chairlift ride at Sugarbush Resort.
Mad River Glen in nearby Fayston also offers scenic chairlift rides, and the Appalachian Gap at the crest of Route 17 features gorgeous views and access to The Long Trail.
In Waitsfield, visit shops and cafes on Bridge Street (where there is a one-lane covered bridge) or take a scenic drive along East Warren Road.
Worth checking out: SIPtember Fest and Foliage Weekends at Mad River Glen and Oktoberfest at Sugarbush Resort.
Ripton, Goshen, Salisbury
This part of Vermont is home to the 16,000-acre Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. It includes more than 70 miles of trails for hiking, biking, camping, and fishing.
In Goshen, head over to the Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center (next to the Blueberry Hill Inn) for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running.
In Ripton, stop by the Ripton Country Store or drive along Route 125, which is also known as Middlebury Gap. For mountain views, head over to Lake Dunmore in Salisbury, or take a hike up to Silver Lake.
Worth checking out: The Middlebury Car Show and Fall Festival or the annual Ripton Ridge Run
Montgomery and Jay
Montgomery in northwestern Vermont is known for its six historic covered bridges. This small town is in Franklin County, an area of Vermont known for dairy farming. But Montgomery, located not far from Jay Peak Resort, has a mountain-town feel.
A few miles from Montgomery’s Main Street is Hazen’s Notch, a scenic, dirt road mountain pass. About 10 miles of the Hazen’s Notch trail network are open for walking and hiking in the summer and fall.
The trails are located at the High Ponds Farm, a privately owned nature preserve located in the Hazen’s Notch Area of Montgomery.
You can also try hiking at Jay Peak or take a drive on Route 242, one of the most scenic drives in Vermont.
Worth checking out: Jay Peak’s Scenic Route Weekends
Woodstock and Quechee
Woodstock is another popular town that lives up to the hype, especially in the fall. Stop by the historic Billings Farm & Museum, explore the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, or hike up Mount Tom for scenic views.
Stroll through downtown Woodstock and visit the The Yankee Bookshop or the F.H. Gillingham and Sons general store. Grab coffee and a pastry at the Farmer and the Bell, a cocktail at Au Comptoir and or dinner at the Woodstock Inn & Resort.
A few miles away in nearby Quechee are Simon Pearce, the Vermont Institute for Natural Science, and Quechee Gorge.
Worth checking out: Forest Festival at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park and the Harvest Festival at Billings Farm & Museum
-A view of Mount Snow’s ski trails from East Dover in early fall.
Wilmington and Dover
Near the Vermont-Massachusetts border is one of the most scenic regions of Vermont—the Deerfield Valley. Wilmington and Dover are at the heart of the area, and visiting foliage season is a perfect time to visit.
Main Street in Wilmington—the intersection of Routes 100 and 9—includes locally-owned shops, cafes and restaurants.
Try Bartleby’s Books, Dot’s of Vermont restaurant, Alpenglow Alpine Bistro, and Jen Violette Glass Studio.
Take a hike in the Dover Town Forest, the Wilmington Trails network, to the fire tower on Mount Olga, or soak up the foliage as far as the eye can see at the 100-mile view at Hogback Mountain.
Worth checking out: Wine and Harvest Festival in Wilmington and Mount Snow Octoberfest
Manchester and Peru
In southern Vermont, the town of Manchester and the surrounding area are a must-see during fall foliage season.
Manchester is home to the Northshire Bookstore, Equinox Valley Nursery and Hildene – The Lincoln Family Home.
Some of the best places in Manchester can be found outdoors at places like Equinox Pond and the Equinox Preserve, a protected area near the base of Mount Equinox with 11 miles of trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking.
Prospect Rock is another gorgeous hike with views of Manchester and the Taconic Mountains. If you’re up for a steep and scenic mountain drive with panoramic views at the summit, head up to Mount Equinox Skyline Drive.
In nearby Peru, stop by Hapgood Pond in Peru, which is located on U.S. Forest Service land and is a nice spot to soak up the fall colors. Peru is also where you’ll find Bromley Mountain, J.J. Hapgood General Store, and Seesaw’s Lodge.
Worth checking out: Stratton’s Harvest and Brew Fest and Merck Forest’s Leaf Peep & Aperitif
Stowe
Stowe is one of the most popular towns to visit in the fall. It’s easy to understand why.
Route 108, also known as the Notch, is a beautiful area for hiking and sight-seeing. The Notch is closed in the winter, and the road’s twists and turns make Route 108 an interesting drive through the mountains.
From the Notch, you can hike up to Sterling Pond or explore other trails. Stowe Pinnacle, located near Stowe Hollow, is another popular hike that’s a popular favorite.
If you’re looking for an alternative to hiking, take a gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort to the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak. If strolling around town is your thing, Stowe’s Main Street is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Worth checking out: Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival and Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. Or raise money for a good cause at the Copley Gravel Grinder in nearby Morrisville.