October 2, 2014

Vermont-bound! Top places to visit for Fall in Vermont

Personal

Phew! It’s almost here!

Tomorrow, for the first time in 3 years (!!) I get to go spend a nice long OCTOBER weekend in Vermont. The past 3 years have consisted of spending most of Oct. & peak foliage season in Maryland, and I have really missed my favorite time of year in my home state.
What’s even better, is that during my long weekend home, I get to see a bunch of old friends and clients and do some updated portrait sessions for them! There’s some really great variety in this weekends photoshoots – so next week will be full of super fun blog posts!

Today though, I though it’d be fun to share a few of my favorite spots in Vermont to enjoy this amazing time of year. For my friends here in Rhode Island, Vermont is only a short drive away! It’s perfect for a little weekend get-away, and trust me, you’ll be happy you did it. From what I’ve heard, the foliage has changed from near-peak to FULL-ON color at the moment, all throughout the state. So, the next few weeks will be breathtaking. If you’re totally booked up and thinking to yourself there’s NO way to take a leisurely weekend away..definitely bookmark this post and re-visit it for next year. There are tons of helpful websites focusing solely on the foliage progress and predictions. 
Enter: full-fledged leaf-peeper tourist mode.

1) Route 100. This road is the major north-south route that runs through pretty much the middle of the state. It’s the route of choice that my dad and I used to take for weekend drives to take photos (see attached). It’s also very underdeveloped, so you can be sure that you’ll be seeing tons of nature, and a variety of landscapes.
2) Stowe & Mount Mansfield. Duh. You can take the Mount Mansfield toll road and drive up to the top. Drive through the village of Stowe & Middlebury, it’s very Vermont. Grab a Heady Topper IPA too, it’ll change your life.
3) Mount Pisgah – North & South trails. Why not get your heart beating with a nice hike? Mount Pisgah is a gorgeous mountain with plenty of hiking and views in the Northeast Kingdom. At the summit, you’ll see breathtaking views of Willoughby Lake and surrounding mountains.
4) Lake Champlain & the Islands. This is the area that has my heart. Lake Champlain is beautiful, and when you drive out toward North Hero, South Hero & Grand Isle, you’ll see why.
5) I-91. Yes, it’s an interstate and I do prefer backroads. BUT, this interstate stretch from Newport to White River Junction is pretty impressive. You may prefer your leaf-peeping viewing to be on the fast road too, as to not get stuck behind the slow moving tourists.
6) What’s fall without some apple picking thrown in there? I highly suggest visiting Chapin Apple Orchard if you’re up in Chittenden County. Not up that way? Here’s a list of other great pick-your-own orchards.

www.foliage-vermont.com <– This website is clearly put together by someone who fully devotes their life to trees. On the main page,  there’s a drone video flying over the trees that really gives you an idea of the beauty. There’s also a chart of Vermont, that shows you what area is at peak during each week of October.

Obviously, I am very excited to be in Vermont this weekend : ) I hope some of you are able to get up there and experience what it’s all about. For now, here’s a few photos from years past to give you a taste.

  
   


 

 

SHARE
Related Posts
Featured
Sunset view in Providence, Rhode Island ©Meagan Emilia Photography
Providence on Fire: Sunsets from the Crows Nest: Rhode Island
Callie In Wonderland – Essex, Vermont
error: Content is protected !!