Discover Vermont’s peaceful escapes and fall colors

In Vermont, seasons change like clockwork, but early fall feels different. The warmth of late summer lingers, yet the hills begin to glow with the first hints of color. Green slowly fades into yellows, oranges, and soft reds that bring life to quiet country roads and small-town greens.

Walking through these towns in September feels like slipping into a storybook. Church steeples rise over crisp air, maple leaves rustle underfoot, and the scent of apple cider drifts from roadside stands. Everything feels familiar yet fresh, as if nature prepares the stage for its grand October show.

Here, fall arrives gently. Days carry golden light, evenings cool quickly, and every corner whispers a promise of the peak season ahead. This early foliage charm makes Vermont’s towns feel both peaceful and magical.

Ready to explore? Let’s dive in!

Manchester quiet charm

Manchester is a southern Vermont gem where early fall feels cozy and inviting. This town rests in a valley surrounded by the Taconic and Green Mountains, both of which catch the season’s first golden tones. You’ll find boutique shops, covered porches, and historic inns framed by changing leaves.

The streets are walkable and lined with local cafés, perfect for sipping coffee as the morning air sharpens. Trails around the Equinox Preserve start to sparkle with soft yellows before the full blaze of October arrives. Farmers’ markets sell fresh produce, cider donuts, and homemade jams, giving you a taste of the season.

Step beyond downtown and explore winding back roads. They lead past barns, rolling meadows, and quiet stone walls covered in ivy. This gentle landscape makes Manchester a beautiful place to catch Vermont’s early fall colors before crowds gather elsewhere.

Woodstock idyllic escape

Woodstock feels like it was designed for autumn. Early in the season, porches brim with pumpkins and cornstalks while the streets smell of maple syrup and mulled cider. The historic town green sits at the center, where leaves flicker in shades of yellow and orange.

Sugarbush Farm, set on a hillside just outside town, gives visitors sweeping countryside views. The farm is known for its cheese and maple syrup, but it also offers a front-row seat to the first sparks of fall in September. Walking trails weave through trees that glow faintly as the season settles in.

Covered bridges and winding roads frame Woodstock’s edges. The Middle Covered Bridge is a perfect spot for photos with the Ottauquechee River flowing beneath. In early fall, the setting feels quiet, timeless, and almost cinematic, making Woodstock one of Vermont’s most beloved escapes.

Stowe Mountain allure

Stowe is a town where fall meets adventure. Surrounded by mountains, it begins showing early foliage in September, when maples around the village green shift to golden hues. Shops, cafés, and art galleries sit beneath the backdrop of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.

The Stowe Gondola offers breathtaking rides up the mountain. You’ll see the first hints of orange spreading across treetops from the cabin windows. Smugglers’ Notch, the mountain pass nearby, also starts to show its palette early, with winding roads framed by cliffs and color.

Stowe’s Recreation Path is another highlight. This 5.3-mile trail weaves through meadows, streams, and woodlands. In early fall, the walk feels calm and intimate, surrounded by trees just beginning to turn. It’s an ideal way to enjoy Vermont’s mountain beauty without the full tourist rush of peak season.

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Montpelier

Montpelier’s the smallest state capital in the U.S., and guess what? It’s the only one that doesn’t have a McDonald’s.

Kinda wild, right? But there’s plenty to see.

You can’t miss the Vermont State House—the 24-carat gold leaf dome is stunning. Even the floors contain real fossils from the ancient Chazy Reef.

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Grafton

Grafton has that 19th-century look and feel. It’s pretty evident when you come across the historical Post Office. The Greek Revival style design is impressive.

For hiking or biking, head over to Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center. Try the cheddar at Grafton Village Cheese. We’ve heard people raving about it.

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Burlington Suburbs

Burlington’s got more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. Check out Vermont Pub & Brewery. It’s been around since 1988, one of the oldest pubs in Vermont.

Not bad, right? The suburbs have a different vibe, though. There’s Battery Park—it’s got a panorama of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, plus summer concerts.

Ludlow’s hidden beauty

Set near Okemo Mountain, Ludlow offers a quieter take on fall foliage. Early in the season, its streets glow with color while retaining the charm of a lived-in village. Small shops and local diners provide a welcoming stop before heading to nearby trails.

Okemo’s summit is a perfect spot for early leaf-peeping. Visitors can hike or ride the gondola to the top, where the surrounding hills shimmer with soft yellows and light oranges. On clear days, the views stretch across rolling countryside that feels vast and peaceful.

Nearby, Buttermilk Falls provides a gentle escape. The short hike leads to waterfalls surrounded by trees that start to change in late September. Plymouth Notch, the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge, also rests close by. Its historic setting adds depth to the season, as leaves brighten the village’s quiet corners.

Shelburne farmland hues

Shelburne is where Vermont’s farm country meets Lake Champlain. Early fall brings warm tones to rolling fields, framed by the lake and distant Adirondack Mountains. The scene feels open and inviting, perfect for long drives or relaxed afternoon walks.

Shelburne Farms is a highlight. This 1,400-acre working farm offers trails through meadows and woodlands that slowly shift to autumn hues. The historic barns and lakefront provide postcard views, especially when touched by early color. It’s a place where nature and history blend seamlessly.

Apple season also begins here. Shelburne Orchards offers apple-picking and cider tastings, set against rows of trees starting to change. Families enjoy crisp afternoons gathering fruit and eating cider donuts, while the countryside hums softly with the start of fall.

Peacham’s timeless grace

Peacham is a Northeast Kingdom treasure known for its unspoiled beauty. Early autumn highlights its historic village, where church steeples and white clapboard homes rest quietly among the hills. The town feels untouched, holding onto a timeless New England character.

In September, Peacham’s fields and back roads begin to show the season’s glow. Barns and stone walls sit beneath trees just starting to warm with color. The effect is soft but striking, like a painting brought gently to life.

The Peacham Fall Foliage Festival draws visitors with music, crafts, and food, all set against a backdrop of early color. It celebrates tradition, community, and the natural beauty that defines Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

TL;DR

• Vermont’s early fall shows soft golds and oranges across small towns, creating peaceful escapes before the peak season rush of October arrives.
• Manchester offers cozy streets, boutique shops, and countryside drives framed by barns, rolling hills, and mountain views touched by autumn.
• Woodstock feels like a postcard with its green, covered bridges, and farms, all wrapped in early color and the scent of maple and cider.
• Stowe blends mountain allure with gondola rides, scenic passes, and trails where the first sparks of foliage appear under clear September skies.
• Ludlow pairs Okemo Mountain’s broad views with waterfalls and Plymouth Notch’s historic village, glowing gently with the start of fall.
• Shelburne shines with farm trails, apple orchards, and Lake Champlain reflections that glow softly with Vermont’s earliest autumn tones.
• Peacham carries timeless grace with its steeples, barns, and quiet festival spirit, glowing with the Northeast Kingdom’s first foliage touches.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.