Vermont is a beauty to behold in fall as the colors of orange, pink, scarlet, and yellow foliage saturate its outdoor scene. From mountains and vineyards to waterfalls, covered bridges, lakes, and rivers, the colors are everywhere. Like most states in the country, the foliage in Vermont typically peaks in mid-October, making it the best time to visit. Thankfully, visitors can always find a variety of ways to explore the state and soak in its autumn glory, ranging from festivals and apple picking to wine tasting, scenic drives, and hiking, among others. Without further ado, here are the top destinations to visit in the Green Mountain State this fall for unforgettable experiences.
Mount Philo State Park, Charlotte
Autumn colors in the Champlain Valley, as seen from Mount Philo State Park in Vermont.
Mount Philo State Park is Vermont’s oldest state park and a prime destination for relishing foliage scenery. This beautiful park sits atop the 968-foot Mount Philo, offering mind-blowing views of Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondack Mountains in New York with foliage colors around them. There is an access road to the mountain’s summit to take in these sensational views. However, a 1.2-mile hike to the same summit is more rewarding. Additionally, there are picnic benches, campsites, and restrooms at the top.
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
View of Mount Defiance in Fort Ticonderoga, NY, as seen from Shoreham, VT. Editorial Credit: PunkToad via Flickr
Champlain Orchards is one of the oldest running orchards in the state and a lovely destination to visit for apple picking in the fall. Once here, visitors can explore the orchard to pick some apples or traverse the farm to see its over 175 varieties of fruits. Some notable fruits available for picking here include pears, raspberries, cherries, currants, plums, and peaches. As for apples, the orchard has about 146 varieties, many of which are available for picking in October. Meanwhile, a Cider Garden is open in the Orchard from Friday to Sunday every week and offers cider-tasting opportunities, games on the lawn, and picnic areas. The garden also features a scenic walkway with views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains framing it.
Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge
The Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge connects VT and NH. Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
Vermont is renowned for its hundreds of covered bridges which are often surrounded by spectacular foliage in autumn. The Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge is one the state’s most iconic bridges crossing the Connecticut River and connecting Windsor in Vermont to Cornish in New Hampshire. The bridge is about 160 years old, making it one of the oldest-covered bridges in the country and its 449 feet length also makes it the second-longest of its kind in the US. Visit this iconic bridge this fall to marvel at its history and also appreciate the surrounding gorgeous foliage as it reflects in the calm waters below.
Great Vermont Corn Maze, Danville
Aerial view of a fall corn maze in Vermont.
Fall is a perfect time to embark on unique adventures like exploring a gigantic corn maze. So, this fall, visit the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville for an adventure of a lifetime. This corn maze is the largest in New England at 24 acres and also the most complex, making it incredibly epic. The maze takes about two hours to completely navigate and it has bridges and other unique surprises to entertain visitors. The smaller Scenic Maze is also in the cornfield and is less challenging as it can be completed in less than an hour. Additionally, there’s a play area featuring a hay bale castle and a mini golf course for children to enjoy.
Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, Stowe
Aerial view of Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont.
The Stowe Foliage Arts Festival is one of the most iconic festivals in Vermont for art lovers, featuring 150 selected artists and artisans. It is a time to enjoy the finest crafts and artworks of the region at the peak of the foliage season while enjoying other fun activities. There will be plenty of good eats at the festival, live music, draft beer to sample, fine wines, and specialty foods like maple and syrup, alongside a demonstration of craft works during the art fiesta. The festival is a three-day event that usually takes place from Friday to Sunday. The 2024 edition of the event is set to take place from Friday 11 to Sunday 13, October, and it’s not limited to art lovers. Plus, the event is usually held outdoors, complemented by foliage views and crisp air.
Green River Reservoir State Park, Hyde Park
Green River Reservoir State Park, featuring a serene lake surrounded by dense forests and natural landscapes.
The Green River Reservoir State Park is a top-notch leaf-peeping destination in Vermont, where visitors can cherish the scenery of foliage while enjoying water sports. The park is home to a 653-acre stunning lake, which is the main highlight here, and it never fails to dazzle when autumn calls. During the season, the foliage around the lake is soaked in shades of yellow, orange, and red, serving as a visual treat for visitors to this park as the colors reflect on the water. Visitors are invited to swim, boat, and fish in the water or enjoy picnics and camping on its shores.
Lake Willoughby, Northeast Kingdom
Lake Willoughby in Vermont during autumn.
Lake Willoughby is the deepest lake in Vermont and one of the best places to visit in the fall. This magnificent lake is flanked by Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor on both sides, creating a postcard-perfect travel magazine picture. Since both mountains are heavily forested, their foliage is a collage of beautiful and bright colors in the fall, and the scenery becomes more striking. Boating and swimming on the lake’s beaches are typical activities to enjoy the fall season here. However, hikers can explore the north and south trails leading to Mount Pisgah’s 2,751-foot summit to savor the panoramic views of the lake and its beautiful foliage.
Lye Brook Falls, Manchester
Tall fall trees at Lye Brook Hollow in Manchester, VT, USA.
If chasing waterfalls to capture foliage colors in fall sounds like fun, then Lye Brook Falls is the best place to be when autumn peaks in Manchester. Typical of waterfalls, there is a trail that leads to this cascading natural splendor, and it’s the 4.5-mile out-and-back Lye Brook Falls Trail. This is a moderate trail that even kids can hike along with their parents, making it more family-friendly and exciting. The trail takes about 2 hours of walking, with uphill climbs, to arrive at this waterfall, and the rewards come in the abundant foliage surrounding it. At 125 feet, this is one of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont, making it more appealing to visit.
Scenic Route 100 Byway
Main Street in Manchester, Vermont, during fall, lined with trees displaying vibrant orange and red foliage.
The Vermont Scenic Route 100 Byway is one of the most naturally and historically endowed routes in the state worth visiting in October. As one of the most famed routes in the state, it flaunts the nickname – Vermont’s Main Street and stretches for 216 miles, covering nearly the entire length of the state. The fall foliage scenery here is as stunning and lovely as they come. From lucid, charming lakes and dense forests to snaking rivers, mountains, ponds, and valleys, the route is decorated with natural attractions adorned in colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold. For history buffs, the President Calvin Coolidge Site, the birthplace of America’s 30th president, is along the route, including Weston – an entire village registered as a historic town.
Smuggler’s Notch Route 108 Scenic Drive
Winding Smuggler’s Notch Road in Vermont.
The 3.5-mile Route 108 Scenic Drive through Smuggler’s Notch State Park offers enchanting views of fall foliage and can take about an hour to complete. Simply head to Stowe, take Route 108 as it heads north, drive through Smuggler’s Notch, and meander into Jefferson and Route 100 in Morrisville before heading back to Stowe. Be prepared for a visual treat, as the route is not only filled with colorful foliage on display but with tons of natural attractions like mountains, forests, and boulders. Additionally, the Stowe Recreational Path runs parallel to the route for 5.5 miles, adorned with cornfields and meadows. The route also courses through Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak, where tourists can either drive or hike to its summit for sweeping views of fall foliage.
Mount Mansfield, Stowe
Scenic ropeway on Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont.
Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont at 4,393 feet and one of the few places in the state with an authentic alpine tundra ecosystem. Views from this peak are dreamy, offering one of the best foliage scenery in Vermont. In the valley below, various plants dazzle in picturesque colors of orange, red, yellow, and gold, and the foliage around Lake Champlain (the state’s largest lake) is all the more enchanting. Thankfully, tourists can easily drive to the summit of Mount Mansfield from Stowe Mountain Resort. For adventurous leaf peepers, the 5.1 miles Sunset Ridge Trail in Underhill State Park leads to the top but is a bit challenging since the track is unpaved. However, hiking offers a more rounded foliage-color experience as hikers enjoy the views from various viewpoints of the trail, starting from its trailhead.
Lake Champlain, Burlington
Autumn leaves surrounding Lake Champlain.
Lake Champlain is the largest lake in Vermont and one of the largest in North America. A typical day at the lake spoils visitors with incredible views of the Green and Adirondack Mountains overlooking it. But a bright day in the middle of October means tourists will enjoy not only mountain and lake views but also the dazzling foliage sights in a riot of colors as they fence the lake. The best way to enjoy this scenery is by boating or kayaking. For hikers, the 1.6-mile Baldwin Trail and the 0.2-mile Southern Defenses Trail offer sweeping views of the foliage reflecting on the lake’s shimmering waters.
Why Fall in Vermont is a Must-See Experience
Fall in Vermont is an invitation to explore the great outdoors and soak in the charming colors of the season. While autumn scenery can be seen almost everywhere in the state, these destinations offer some of the best views along with exciting activities for everyone, including families with kids. Visit these stunning spots in the Green Mountain State this fall to experience vibrant foliage, seasonal festivities, and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
This letter is from Suzanne Kenyon, a resident of St. Albans City.
I am writing today to announce my intention to run for State Representative, Franklin 3 and to graciously ask for the support of our community.
I am a mother, local photographer and have been recently re-elected to a second term on the Maple Run School District’s Board Of Directors.
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With a nest that has grown almost empty, I have have chosen to spend my time continuing to serve my community. Service where you live is the backbone of making a place somewhere that you want to stay.
We still live in a place where neighbors look out for one another. Where an honest day of work matters. I admire that. This City is hometown to many of us, myself included. I would be proud to represent us.
If elected, I will work for the best interests of my constituents, when it comes to matters of Taxes, Education Reform, Housing, Crime and Equality, to name a few. I intend to be a listening ear to every voice and make common sense decisions, the Vermont way.
We deserve practical leadership that puts the needs of the community and its members over party affiliations.
I humbly ask for your support and vote in November.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
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Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at April 21, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from April 21 drawing
01-36-43-56-58, Mega Ball: 07
Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Gimme 5 numbers from April 21 drawing
02-05-06-18-22
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 21 drawing
Day: 1-9-8
Evening: 6-4-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 21 drawing
Day: 2-7-2-6
Evening: 8-4-4-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
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For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
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When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Vermont’s small towns deliver postcard scenery in every season, and you don’t have to travel far to find one. Stowe has gondola rides at Stowe Mountain Resort and paddleboarding at the Waterbury Reservoir. Montpelier, the state capital, fits a statehouse, a walkable downtown, and a hilltop park into a population of just over 8,000. Richmond anchors the Winooski River valley around an unusual 16-sided church. Seven towns stand out as Vermont’s prettiest.
Bennington
Springtime Scene in Bennington, Vermont.
Often cited as the first town chartered in what became Vermont (1749), Bennington pairs a red-brick downtown with the hills of the Green Mountain region in southern Vermont. Streets fan out from the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-foot stone obelisk that marks a pivotal Revolutionary War engagement. Covered bridges and Victorian architecture like the Park-McCullough House give the town visual range across the year. Bennington is best known for its autumn colors, but winter brings snow-dusted pines and a quieter version of the same scenery.
Montpelier
Winooski River at Montpelier, Vermont.
Montpelier is Vermont’s capital but also the least populous state capital in the country, with just over 8,000 residents. That scale is the point. The Greek Revival State House sits at the edge of a compact downtown of locally owned businesses, and Hubbard Park climbs the hill behind the capitol with trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Montpelier is also the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s. The Winooski River runs through town, and you can walk from a statehouse tour to a riverbank bench in about ten minutes.
Richmond
The Old Round Church in Richmond, Vermont, in the fall.
Vermont gets most of its attention in autumn, and Richmond is no exception, but the town is arguably better in winter. Cochran’s Ski Area, a small family-run hill just outside downtown, has been a community fixture since 1961 and still runs on affordable lift tickets. The Winooski River bisects Richmond, and the surrounding trail network turns quiet and cinematic under snow. The town’s signature building is the Old Round Church, which despite the name is a 16-sided meetinghouse from 1812.
Stowe
Aerial view of Stowe, Vermont, in fall.
If any Vermont town has a reputation for winter, it’s Stowe. Stowe Mountain Resort is the state’s most famous ski destination, and the gondola runs year-round for aerial views of Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains. In warmer months, the Stowe Pinnacle trail climbs to one of the most photographed viewpoints in the state, with the summit sitting at roughly 2,660 feet above sea level. The village has a small but active art scene, with galleries along Main Street showing regional painters and craftspeople alongside traveling exhibitions.
Waitsfield
Aerial view of Waitsfield, Vermont, and the Mad River on Scenic Route 100.
Waitsfield sits along Scenic Route 100 in the Mad River Valley and bills itself as a year-round outdoor destination. Sugarbush Resort, just down the road, is the draw in winter, with skiing and snowboarding on Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen. The trail network is just as active in summer for hiking and mountain biking. The town itself keeps things low-key: a covered bridge on Bridge Street, a few restaurants along Route 100, and the Mad River running through the middle of it all.
Wilmington
Street view in Wilmington, Vermont. Photo Credit: danf0505 via Shutterstock
Route 9 through southern Vermont, also known as the Molly Stark Scenic Byway, runs straight through Wilmington in the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest. The Hogback Mountain Conservation Area nearby covers roughly 600 acres of protected land with wide views across southern Vermont. Mount Snow handles most of the local skiing and has an active summer mountain-biking program. The best-known spot in town is Dot’s Restaurant, a diner that was washed out by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and rebuilt with community funding. It reopened in 2014 and still serves the same blueberry pancakes.
Woodstock
Taftsville Covered Bridge in Woodstock, Vermont.
Woodstock plays the same showpiece role for central Vermont that Bennington plays for the south. The Federal-era downtown wraps around a town green, and the Middle Covered Bridge carries foot and vehicle traffic over the Ottauquechee River right at the edge of it. Billings Farm & Museum operates as a working Jersey dairy and runs seasonal demonstrations of traditional farm work, including sheep shearing and plowing with draft horses. Just up the road, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is the only national park dedicated to conservation history.
Vermont’s Prettiest Small Towns Reward A Slow Visit
For scenic small towns, Vermont covers a lot of ground. The seven above offer historic architecture, mountain access, and enough variation in season and setting to make repeat visits worthwhile. Drive between them on Route 100 or Route 9 and you’ll pass a dozen more that could just as easily have made the list.
