I Spent a Week in Vermont During Peak Foliage Season, and It Was Absolutely Worth the Hype

Vermont has become the poster child for an idyllic autumn with its rolling farmland, gentle mountains, rustic barns, and vibrant foliage. I recently traveled to Barnard, a quiet town just outside of Woodstock, with my family for a week during the near-peak foliage season and can agree that it absolutely lives up to the hype — albeit with a few caveats. Here's more on why fall foliage in Vermont is simply unparalleled, and how best to enjoy a visit while respecting local life and venturing off the beaten path.

New England is an obvious choice for leaf-peepers, and Vermont has become its shining capital. Each year, it's estimated that over two million travelers descend upon the Green Mountain State for their fill of foliage. The local economy benefits greatly, and residents on the whole are welcoming and eager to share their corner of the country.

This October, I ventured to a small town just north of Woodstock with my husband and two children. After braving two flights and a heavy dose of Boston traffic, we arrived in Vermont amazed by the fall color that had only just barely begun to show itself back home in Virginia.

Our home base for six nights was an adorable Airbnb in the heart of Barnard that can only be described as a personal retreat. The picture-perfect A-frame is an easy twenty-minute drive from Woodstock yet feels worlds away from the busy town center. The design of the home is mid-century modern, and it's meticulously decorated and spotless. Upstairs are two main bedrooms with two smaller additional spaces to sleep downstairs. The main bathroom is also downstairs, but it's roomy and includes a sauna. While everything about the inside space — from the fireplace to the cozy kitchen and luxurious bed — impresses, the outdoors steal the show.

Step onto the back deck and a postcard-worthy view reveals itself. The neighbors operate a small farm, so you may even spot some friendly pigs. Enjoying coffee on the porch in the mornings and hot tea at night under a blanket of stars was an experience I won't soon forget.

The cabin offers an entire binder of local recommendations, from the Barnard General Store to the upscale dining options in downtown Woodstock, there is simply no shortage of convenient options.

With fall in full swing, there were a few bucket-list items my family and I wanted to embrace. First up was a trip to Abracadabra Coffee, a hyper-local coffee shop specializing in single-origin coffees. The roastery is built around a '64 Shasta Trailer, lending an effortlessly cool air to the space. Abracadabra is known for its signature drinks, made-in-house syrups, liége waffles, and donuts. I wanted to try just about everything on the menu but after sampling the iced maple latte and a waffle, I could not bring myself to order anything else on subsequent visits.

Next on our list was a trip to the Vermont Institute of Nature Science (VINS) in Quechee. We have a little owl enthusiast in our crew, and he was gob-smacked to meet a few of these raptors up close. VINS is open daily between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., offering bird encounters, interactive talks, and immersive exhibit experiences. In addition to the birds-of-prey exhibit, we loved the Forest Canopy Walk complete with a stunning view of Vermont's finest foliage. Of course, that's not the only place to observe animals in Woodstock.

Equally as family-friendly is Billings Farm & Museum, one of the most picturesque outdoor museums in the country. The fully operating farm offers guests an up-close look at Jersey Dairy cows and other farm animals, gardens, and a historic farmstead, all surrounded by the picturesque Vermont countryside. The museum requires an admission fee; however, there are a few nearby trails that can be enjoyed for free.

And now, the food. Vermont has been practicing farm-to-table techniques long before they were popular, and it shows. One of my favorite stops was the Woodstock Farmers' Market, a year-round destination for fine produce and local goods. We managed to stop in on three separate occasions during our visit, lured in by the freshly prepared sandwiches, local apples, organic produce, and enough cookies and apple cider to last a lifetime. There are even picnic tables out back by the water where you can enjoy some of your purchases. I'd highly recommend it!

We visited a handful of restaurants during our visit, including Worthy Burger. This off-the-beaten-path, nonpretentious restaurant is an ideal spot to enjoy a hearty burger, local beer, and great company. The food was delivered quickly and did not disappoint (especially the parmesan truffle fries).

My favorite meal out, however, had to have been from Ramunto's Brick & Brew in Bridgewater. It was a last-minute decision and with two hungry kiddos in our car, we had to act quickly. My husband ordered a sampling of pizza by the slice and we ate our dinner outside overlooking the Ottauqueechee River. If ever there was a moment from the trip that stood out to me as our quintessential Vermont experience, it was this: enjoying a few slices of exceptional pizza outside with my family.

In summary, Vermont in the fall is just as splendid as advertised. However, it's important to be mindful of the local way of life if you do visit. More than a few times I noticed well-meaning tourists snapping photos while crossing an intersection, or even pulling off on the side of a road to capture the leaves. A crucial part of being a thoughtful traveler is being aware of your surroundings, especially when, as is the case for Vermont, those surroundings can be distractingly beautiful!

Lastly, don't be afraid to venture to the lesser-known, hidden gems in town. I'll end with one final must-visit: a 24-hour market known as Kiss The Cow, where you step into a tiny organic farm store and take your pick of thoughtfully stocked cheeses, ice cream, soups, and some produce. There's no cashier, so you'll use the honor system to tally up your total and Venmo the owners. I can think of no better way to support such an inviting community.