Planning a getaway to Vermont in the fall? It's the perfect time of year to admire all of the beauty the state has to offer!
My husband and I recently took a trip to Vermont to celebrate our 25th anniversary, and what a great time we had! The fall foliage was absolutely gorgeous! I'm so excited to share with you our recommendations on where to stay, things to do, and where to dine.
Tinmouth, Vermont
We rented this lovely cabin in the small town of Tinmouth which is located in the Taconic Mountains. Click here to see the listing on VRBO. It was a beautiful and peaceful setting, and nights by the fireplace were so tranquil. One afternoon we decided to trek the backroads in hopes of maybe seeing some deer. No such luck however we did get spooked by a grouse and ran into a couple of cows! 😂
Tinmouth is a very quiet town and some driving is required if you want to venture out to restaurants or attractions. We were only in town for a couple of days and decided to head to Killington for a hike. What better way to view the foliage!
Deer Leap Trail
Deer Leap Trail is a 2.2 mile intermediate out and back trail located in Killington, Vermont. The entrance can be found at the Inn at Long Trail, 709 US Route 4. It took us about an hour to reach the top.
The hike was challenging as it had rained the night before, and the trail was quite muddy. There were lots of slippery rocks and tree roots, and we had our share of slips and trips. Hiking boots and trekking poles would have been helpful! Just keep your eyes on the ground, and you'll be fine. I'm also pretty sure I heard a timber rattlesnake- no joke, but I hear they're harmless so long as you don't step on or provoke them.
The view from the top was breathtaking and so worth the effort! Just look at all that vibrant color! I'm totally loving Vermont in the fall!
Where to dine
Vermont has some really cool places to dine, however most of them were closed mid-week when we visited. 😭 No worries though, we did find a couple of taverns that didn't disappoint!
Lookout Tavern serves soups, salads, and sandwiches and is located in Killington, Vermont. They even have outdoor seating on the rooftop deck which offers a nice view of the mountain. My husband enjoyed his burger, and my French onion soup was amazing!
Taps Tavern is located in Poultney, Vermont. I just LOVED the rustic atmosphere and cozy, small-town feel. It seemed like everyone there knew each other. I had a VT bean crafters burger served with a lemon & herb aioli on a pretzel bun. For dessert, peaches & cream cheesecake. Everything was delish!
Where to shop
There are lots of shops on the 14 mile stretch of Route 4 between Killington and Rutland. Our favorite was the Rocking Horse Country Store! It was such a fun place with a little something for everyone. We were elated to find Vermont Sweetwater Bottling Company's natural root beer which we discovered at Taps Tavern and hadn't been able to find at any of the grocery stores. They checked their stock out back, and we went home with a case!
Prospect Mountain
If you are staying in western Vermont, I'd highly recommend a day trip to Lake George, NY. It's just an hour away and so beautiful!
Prospect Mountain was our first stop and we conquered this mountain via car. The entrance is located at 2175 State Route 9, Lake George. The drive is just under 6 miles and has 3 overlook stops. We did see some eagles circling overhead at one stop. My husband even found a little note tucked in one of the rocks that said, "read me" and on the inside read, "you are beautiful and loved". There are such kind people in this world, and they surely made our day! A parking lot is located at the top with restrooms and plenty of picnic tables should you like to bring a lunch. From the parking lot, it is just a short walk to the summit.
The scenery was magnificent!
Lake George Village
Lake George Village is a fun place to spend the day with shops and restaurants galore. We dined at Christie's (how could I not when it shares my name 😉) on the outdoor deck overlooking the lake.
There is a small park with plenty of benches to relax and small beach area too. You can walk out onto the pier and admire the boats and view of the mountains - so pretty!
On our trip home we saw wooden covered bridges and hot air balloons, drove by Quechee Gorge, and passed through outside fall festivals. There really is so much to explore in the Green Mountain State! I'm thinking it just may warrant another trip back!
Have you been to Vermont? What are some of your favorite places to visit? Leave me a comment below so I can start planning my next trip! 😃
Check out some of my other travel adventures: