Vermont in the Fall: Come for the Foliage, Stay for the Cider Donuts

The leaf-spotting, cider-sipping, sweater-wearing Vermont fall escape that deserves a spot on your autumn bucket list.

There’s fall—and then there’s fall in Vermont. Think winding roads covered by canopies of crimson and gold, tiny general stores, apple orchards, mountain hikes, maple everything, and the kind of sweater weather that makes you want to romanticize your entire life.

If an autumn escape is calling your name, consider this your Splendid Shopper-approved cheat sheet for what to do, what to eat, and—obviously—what to pack.

What to Do in Vermont

1. Drive the Green Mountain Byway

Sometimes the activity really is just the drive. Follow Route 100 through the Green Mountains for postcard-worthy foliage, mountain towns, and plenty of reasons to pull over for photos.

2. Go Apple Picking

Make your main-character fall moment official with an afternoon at a Vermont orchard. Pick your own apples, grab fresh cider, and absolutely leave room for a cider donut.

3. Take a Foliage Hike

Vermont's trails turn technicolor in autumn. Head toward Smugglers’ Notch State Park or the surrounding Stowe area for trails framed by red, orange, and golden leaves.

4. Explore Stowe + Waterbury

Pair Stowe's mountain scenery with a stop in nearby Waterbury. Cold Hollow Cider Mill brings the cider-and-donut energy, while the Ben & Jerry's Factory delivers a very Vermont dessert detour.

5. Have Lunch at Hill Farm Inn — Sunderland

Come for lunch, stay for the pastoral Vermont views. Hill Farm Inn brings together seasonal food and quintessential countryside charm, making it an idyllic midday stop between fall adventures. Think cozy, unhurried, and exactly where you want to be when the leaves are showing off.

What to Eat in Vermont

Apple Cider Donuts

Warm, cinnamon-sugary and best eaten immediately. Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one classic stop, but farmstands and markets across the state serve their own versions.

Maple Creemee

A Vermont creemee is essentially soft serve—but the maple version is the one we're ordering. Rich, creamy and made for anyone who believes maple syrup deserves its own food group.

Maple Everything

Maple candy. Maple cream. Maple syrup. Maple baked goods. Vermont produces more maple than any other U.S. state, so consider this permission to lean fully into the theme.

Farm-to-Table Comfort Food

Vermont's agricultural culture translates beautifully to its restaurants. Look for menus built around local vegetables, cheeses, meats, apples and maple—basically autumn on a plate.

Fresh Apple Cider

Cold on a sunny orchard afternoon; hot and spiced when temperatures drop. Either way, it's non-negotiable.

What to Pack

Vermont fall packing is all about layers + weather-proofing + pieces you'll actually want in your photos.

[box-b: holland-sweater-alpaca-blend]

Vermont fall is made for a great sweater. This cozy alpaca-blend crewneck is an easy layer for crisp foliage walks, long lunches, and wandering through small towns—warm without sacrificing that effortlessly put-together fall look.

[box-b: cropped-charles-trench]

Plaid and Vermont fall are basically meant for each other. This cropped, belted trench brings a polished layer to foliage-filled days while the rich navy and brown palette feels perfectly at home among the autumn colors.

[box-b: womens-classics-585]

Vermont involves dirt paths, farms, wet leaves and a lot of walking. A sturdy Chelsea boot handles all four while looking infinitely cuter with fall outfits than technical hiking footwear.

[box-b: organic-cotton-cropped-cardigan]

A cozy cardigan is a Vermont fall essential, and this organic cotton version is made for layering as temperatures shift throughout the day. The creamy neutral pairs effortlessly with denim, trousers, and boots.

[box-b: buckle-chunky-heeled-knee-high-boots]

A rich chocolate-brown boot feels practically made for a Vermont wardrobe. The knee-high silhouette and buckle detail bring a little polish to cozy fall layers, while the chunky low heel keeps the look relaxed enough for a day exploring town.

[box-b: womens-og-detroit-jacket]

This is the kind of layer Vermont fall calls for—sturdy, relaxed, and easy to throw over a sweater when the temperature dips. The classic workwear silhouette and warm tan color also nail that effortlessly outdoorsy New England look.

[box-b: featherlight-weekender]

A quick Vermont getaway calls for a bag that keeps things easy. This lightweight weekender has room for those bulkier fall layers while still feeling streamlined enough for a road trip or long weekend.

Vermont in the fall is all about embracing the season: taking the scenic route, stopping for cider donuts, layering up in your favorite knits, and pulling over whenever the foliage is simply too good to pass by. Pack cozy, leave a little room in your itinerary for spontaneity, and enjoy autumn exactly as it was meant to be—slow, colorful, and just a little bit magical.

See you on the scenic route, Splendid Shoppers.

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