If you’re planning a fall vacation, Vermont should be at the top of your list. The Green Mountain State – named after the French words for green (vert) and mountain (mont) – is beautiful at any time of year. It’s popular in the winter with downhill skiing and the Gondola SkyRide at Smugglers’ Notch. There are hiking trails in the summer and more than 100 covered wooden bridges that are fun to see in the spring. But if you really want to see Vermont, then the fall months are the time to pencil in a holiday. Here are 4 reasons to visit Vermont in autumn.

1. Vermont Fall Foliage

Of course this would be at the top of any list about the northeastern state that borders Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and the Canadian province of Quebec. Vermont is renowned for the stunning colors of autumn, when the leaves of the green mountains transition to vibrant shades of orange, yellow and red.  During the months of September and October, “leaf peepers” are common around Vermont. Those are tourists who venture around the state to enjoy all it has to offer.  The state government site for the Vermont Department of Tourism suggests a visit in late September through mid-October, and even into late October. If you stay long enough, you’ll even see changes to the trees during your visit. 

2. All Things Apple

Autumn is also the height of apple season, and you’ll be one smart apple if you take advantage of the fresh fruit in all the forms it’s offered in Vermont. The Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association boasts that Vermont growers produce around 1 million bushels, or about 40 million pounds of apples, and grow more than 150 varieties. How about them apples? You can visit a pick-your-own orchard, stop in any grocery store, find a local apple stand, or delight in any number of ways to eat apples. There’s apple juice and apple cider of course, including sweet, hard and ice ciders. The Vermont Cider Association calls the state the “Napa Valley of the Cider Industry.” Visit a cidery to try the variations. There’s even wine made from a process called co-fermentation of apples and grapes.  And eating a fresh-picked apple is just one way to enjoy it. Apple pie is a classic. How about an apple cider donut? This is an autumn delicacy that must be tasted – again and again – to be appreciated. Bet you can’t have just one!

3. Mmmmm Maple Syrup

This is another Vermont staple, as the state has more than 3,000 sugarhouses and generates over 50 percent of maple syrup in the United States. That was a record of 2 million gallons in 2020. While it’s true that harvest is in the spring, and the Vermont Maple Festival is an excellent reason to visit in April, the Vermont Maple 100 is an autumn event that celebrates all things maple syrup. This annual event is a month long, allowing you plenty of time to plan a trip from the middle of September through the middle of October.  Enjoy the maple-inspired products available across Vermont, from farms, food businesses, sugarmakers, restaurants, lodging establishments, and other businesses. As Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture urges: “Explore Vermont’s sweetest export and see that there’s more to maple than just pancakes!” 

4. Trade the Rat Race for a Corn Maze

Getting out and enjoying the autumn weather is a great escape during your holiday. So how about getting lost in a corn maze? The Great Vermont Corn Maze located in Danville, Vermont has a few options for family fun. If you’re up for a good walk, the Big Maze covers 24 acres and is approximately a three-hour hike. You’ll also traverse 100 feet of bridges on the route. Or, choose the smaller maze contained within, known as the Scenic Maze, which takes about 40 minutes. If you’re around in early October, and you like to be scared, then head to the maze for Dead North, the Farmland of Terror. This popular haunted event is held the first two Friday and Saturday nights in October. Take a mile long walk through a haunted cornfield and buildings and get ready to be entertained by live actors, animatronics and special effects. Reservations are required for this spooky special event. 

Living In Vermont

You can also enjoy all this gorgeous state has to offer year-round if you live in Vermont! The Bateman Group can walk you through the process of buying a home and then provide the best real estate listings for your needs. With the housing market moving away from the frenzy of the past year, now may be the time for you to buy a home in Vermont. Contact this Top Realtor® in Vermont today to discuss all our state has to offer, in the autumn and all year round.