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Vermont
8 unforgettable fall destinations in Vermont, according to Boston.com readers
Readers Say
Vermont has spectacular fall views “that even the best painter can’t duplicate,” wrote a reader.
Vermont was ranked the best state in the country for fall foliage by Airbnb, so we asked Boston.com readers for help crafting a fall itinerary in the Green Mountain state.
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Why you should visit Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom
Ahead, check out seven reader-recommended destinations:
Franklin County’s rail trails
The 93-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and the 26.4-mile Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, both in Franklin County, are well worth exploring this fall season, wrote John B. from St. Albans, Vermont.
“Franklin County’s amazing rail trails would make for an extraordinary bike ride, walk, or longer hike,” he wrote.
Scenic Route 100 Byway
For a scenic drive full of iconic fall foliage, travelers should set their GPS for the Scenic Route 100 Byway, wrote Mike P.
The 146 mile-route runs through Stowe and Waterbury and continues all the way down to West Dover.
Route 100 was named one of the best places in North America to see autumn leaves by Architectural Digest.
Stowe
Fall travelers can’t go wrong in Stowe, wrote Jason J.
Stowe, known as a leaf peeping utopia, is often ranked among America’s best foliage destinations.
“Stowe is the best,” he wrote. “Plus it’s near Ben & Jerry’s.”
The Ben & Jerry’s Factory in nearby Waterbury is the only Ben & Jerry’s Factory open to the public and offers daily guided tours, a retail shop, a full service Scoop Shop, playground, and Flavor Graveyard.
Discover what it was like in Stowe during peak foliage last season.
The town of Morgan in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom
Morgan, a town in the Northeast Kingdom, a region in northeastern Vermont comprised of the state’s three most rural counties, is “breathtaking” in the fall, wrote Jason from Andover.
“The vibrant foliage reflects off the waters of Seymour Lake. Seymour is Vermont’s second largest lake wholly inside the state, at 1,700 acres. The quiet backroads and rolling hills make every drive or hike a picture-perfect experience. It’s the ideal place to slow down, take in the crisp air, and enjoy Vermont’s most colorful season. Cell service is spotty too — a plus for me!”
Check out more places to eat, stay, and play in the Northeast Kingdom.
Lake Champlain
Reader Lori W. loves going to Lake Champlain in Vermont.
“Lots of cabins to rent on the lake, great antique shopping and farms. Very close to the Canadian border as well,” she wrote.
USA Today readers named Lake Champlain one of the most “amazing” lakes in America.
The town of Bridgewater
Reader Linda from Roslindale enjoys visiting Bridgewater.
“It’s smack dab between Killington and Woodstock and is usually a bit cheaper for Airbnbs,” she wrote. “You can find a lot of great riverside spots to enjoy in Bridgewater.”
The Sun Lodge at Bromley Mountain in Peru
John from Boston raved about the Sun Lodge at Bromley Mountain in Peru.
“You’ll have views that’ll blow you away,” he wrote. “It won’t break the bank like other locations. Driving up there will also provide for views that even the best painter can’t duplicate. Mother Nature’s paintbrush will be on fire! Take this advice from this former Vermonter.”
Take a look inside the 50-year-old Sun Lodge, which debuted a new name and look in 2025.
The town of Brattleboro
Brattleboro is great for foliage and also for a bite to eat, wrote Mark O, who has a favorite restaurant there.
“Brattleboro is a nice few hours,” he wrote. “Go to Yalla Vermont for lunch. Best homemade pita, falafel, hummus I’ve ever had.”
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
