The Ultimate Fall Guide to Vermont: Part II
Welcome to PART II of my Vermont fall roadtrip travel guide.
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Vermont for peak foliage. It was my first time traveling there and we covered A LOT of ground. Our timing was spot-on because the leaves were already changing, the air was brisk, and it was nice to escape the City for a little while.
I decided to split the travel guide into two separate blog posts. Today’s blog post covers a few leftovers from DAY TWO and DAYS THREE AND FOUR. If you haven’t checked out the first part yet, click here.
DAY TWO (leftovers): Stowe and Waterbury
After driving through Smuggler’s Notch, Bingham Falls was next on our itinerary. We were planning to just stop by the waterfalls, but didn’t realize it was a little ways away to get there. The website notes it’s 0.5 miles — however, this supposed “forest stroll” seemed steeper, slicker, and more challenging than I thought.
I unfortunately did not wear the proper shoes for this “little trip” down to the waterfalls. There were hikers walking past us eyeing my shoe choice, and one of the guys said jokingly, “I see you got your hiking boots on today.” LOL.
Tip: make sure you wear sneakers, hiking shoes, or anything that is comfy to walk in when visiting the waterfalls.
The waterfalls were pretty nice and relaxing.
After the Bingham Falls, we headed to the Ben & Jerry’s main factory in Waterbury to end the night on a sweet note. Since I’m lactose intolerant, I ordered the non-dairy cookie dough and Ryan ordered the regular cookie dough version.
FUN FACT: This was their first factory that was built in 1985, and it continues to manufacture approximately 350,000 pints per day.
Even though the Factory Tours were closed due to COVID restrictions and limitations, the Scoop Shop was still open. The lines were socially-distanced 6-feet apart, and we waited for about 25-30 minutes in line.
The Flavor Graveyard was also open and we popped in to see the old, buried flavors from years past. RIP.
DAY THREE: Burlington, South Hero, and Colchester
I mentioned in the first travel guide post how much we loved Penny Cluse Cafe.
We ordered the same breakfast from yesterday, took it to-go, and ate alongside the Burlington Waterfront.
He got the Basic Breakfast — (no literally, that’s what it was called) which was two eggs with toast and homefries. I ordered the Avocado Toast that came on toasted bread and olive oil and salt. I’m a huge smoothie person, so I also ordered their fruit smoothies — banana, mango, oat milk, and matcha powder. If you’re ever in Burlington, I definitely recommend this spot!
After breakfast, we drove about a half hour to Hackett’s Orchard in South Hero. We had originally decided to go apple picking there, but their Pick Your Own season ended the previous week. Then, we also tried to get apple cider donuts but the elderly woman in front of us in line got the last three donuts for the day. It was okay, considering that we overheard the woman excitedly rush out and gush over the donuts to her family in the car.
It was the sweetest thing — we were honestly so happy for her.
In pursuit of the nearest apple orchard, the cashier told us there was another farm down the road that we could try instead.
We drove down the street to Allenholm Farm. Luckily, they still had plenty of apples to pick from.
On their website, they offer lots of apple varieties and other information that’s good to know for future visits.
I’m a big Gala and Fuji apple kind-of-girl, but there were basically three types of apples left on the orchards. I picked a lot of Cortland and Empire apples and a couple of mini ones to take home. ☺️
We were about to head out after apple picking, but then we saw the ponies near where we parked. There was a feeding station where you were allowed to feed and pet the goats, sheep, and ponies — also in the area.
These were actually candid shots that Ryan captured. I was trying to pet the ponies but they kept rejecting me. The above photos are probably the split-seconds before the pony turned away. 🤣
After the orchards, we headed back to the Burlington Waterfront area to rent bikes. We stumbled across this spot in the morning and I wanted to snap a couple of shots by this pastel staircase.
a *COUPLE* of shots.
This is definitely bucket-list worthy: rent a bike at Local Motion Bike Rentals at the Waterfront Park in Burlington and bike the Colchester Causeway bike path.
It started to rain while we were biking, but it stopped shortly when we reached the bridge.
The bike ride from the rental shop to a little more than a quarter way along the Colchester Bike Path, was about 20 miles round-trip. I remember in the beginning, we were really pumping our legs and trying to hustle to ensure we’d be back before the bike rental closed at 6pm. Just remember to keep track of time when you’re on the bike path!
A pit stop / selfie moment at the bridge.
FUN FACT: the Colchester Causeway bike path was previously a railroad line. After the right-of-way was bought from the state, it was converted from a rail bed to a bike and walking trails.
At the end of the bike path, there is a cut-off point where you can hop on the Local Motion ferry.
Learn more about the history of the Colchester Causeway bike path here.
It was a trek to get to the bike path, but it’s definitely worth it. The views overlooking Lake Champlain are just breathtaking. I’ve never biked on a more beautiful and scenic path.
After biking for nearly 20 miles, we were hungry and exhausted. We made our way back to Church Street in Burlington where we had dinner reservations at Farmhouse Tap & Grill.
I definitely recommend this place for a good dinner spot in Burlington!
After dinner, we walked around Church Street before heading home.
DAY FOUR: Middlebury and Rutland
For our last day, we made a quick drive-through / stop at Middlebury College. The college was blocked off to students and staff ONLY. Because visitors were not permitted to enter the campus, we just drove through the area and found a road by the Le Chateau to snap a few photos.
FUN FACT: Le Chateau aka ‘The Chateau’ was once the first and largest continuous "language house" in the country, where students were pledged to the use only of the foreign language of their study.
Now, it serves as a junior / senior residential housing on campus.
Location: The Chateau its located near Atwater Dining Hall and the E lot student parking.
We had been wanting our apple cider donuts and apple cider fix before heading home, and found a pit stop along the way. We made another pit stop at The Sandwich Shoppe in Rutland before hitting the road. In Ryan’s words, the Sandwich Shoppe is ‘elite.’ Ryan had visited the last time he was in Vermont and had been raving about it before the trip. It is a local family-owned establishment ran by the kindest souls. I’ve never felt more appreciated as a customer — the family was enthusiastic, friendly, and the buffalo chicken wrap I ordered was delicious!
[Location: 56 1/2 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701]
Thanks for reading!
I know this travel guide was pretty lengthy, but I hope this was helpful for anyone planning to travel!
A couple of things: if you’re planning to travel to any of these places in Vermont in the near future, it is mandatory to quarantine for 14 days before entering the state. Learn more about the travel restrictions here.
Have you been to any of these places before? I’d love to hear from you!