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Plan a visit to Vermont—the greenest state

By Ellen Sussman, Special to the Green Valley News
Published: Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:22 PM MST


As the heat of summer continues, one very pleasant way to think cool is to plan an idyllic and scenic getaway to Vermont for the fall foliage season from mid-September to late October when Mother Nature is at her best.

The state’s reputation as a picturesque, organic, agricultural and recreational paradise is one that’s attractive to all ages for an easy autumn getaway.

The word “Vermont” means green mountain in French and the state is surrounded by the Green Mountains. It is viewed as a unique state within New England and tourism is a key industry.

Arriving in Albany, N.Y. and renting a car, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Bennington and Manchester in the southwestern part of the state. The alternative is to arrive in Burlington in the north and begin the drive south.

Driving the scenic country roads, it’s easy to pick out an itinerary that would cover several of Vermont’s 251 charming towns. A number of roads stand out for their historic, recreational and natural beauty and have easy access parking for photo opportunities or impromptu rest stops.

  • Scenic Route 108—the Smuggler’s Notch Road attracts hikers and rock climbers as it passes through Mansfield State Forest near the Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort.


  • Scenic Route 131—Cavendish Road runs through the town of Cavendish and follows the well-stocked Black River where anglers can be found casting for fish.

  • Scenic Route 125—Middlebury Gap Road is an ideal location to view autumn colors as it passes through the Green Mountain National Forest.

  • The Lake Champlain Byway offers outstanding views of the state’s largest lake, surrounding Green Mountains and Adirondacks, as well as the area’s working landscapes.

    Everywhere in Vermont—from cheeses to maple syrup to fine chocolates—the Vermont “brand” is firmly established and tourists eagerly seek out gifts to bring home with the Vermont signature.

    Autumn also offers an abundance of fun farmer’s markets and apple and pumpkin festivals. Vermonters take great pride in dressing up the outside of their inns, businesses and homes with fall-themed gourds, pumpkins, corn stalks and the like.

    The state has carved out a reputation for itself as the place to come for scenic covered bridges. Spanning 465 feet, the longest—and one of the rare two-lane covered bridges—is the Windsor-Cornish Bridge, which crosses the Connecticut River and connects with Cornish, N.H.

    Home to more than 100 covered bridges, each one has a story to tell; there’s at least one bridge in 13 of the state’s 14 counties.

    It’s no surprise that Vermont has the highest percentage of maple trees of any New England state. Maples—with foliage that turns from green to vibrant orange, red and gold in the fall—is stunning en masse. Foliage progresses from the north to south and from higher to lower elevations.

    Therefore, the earlier in the season that a visit is planned (September) the more northerly to begin the visit. Come later in October and the splendor is in the mid- and southern part of the state, where peak foliage usually coincides with the bustling Columbus Day weekend.

    Director of Communications of Vermont’s Department of Tourism and Marketing Erica Houskeeper says, “Vermont’s tourism Web site www.vermontvacations.com plays a highly effective role in attracting tourists to the state’s diverse opportunities. It offers a Travel Planner that guides visitors to lodging, dining, events, attractions, recreations and shopping opportunities. Other options lead to Vermont arts and culture, nature and Vermont products.

    Detailed information is available at vermontvacations.com/seasons/fall.asp where suggested drives, foliage reports and a foliage forecaster will help to strategically plan when and where to visit the many scenic areas. For those who have never been to Vermont before or come from an area where the foliage doesn’t change so dramatically this is a handy tool.

    A special stop to plan is the Simon Pearce restaurant in Quechee. More than a unique dining experience is the view of the up-close waterfall, the glass-blowing studio and the fine retail shop of exceptional hand-blown glass.

    Other stops to consider include a tour of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream plant in Waterbury, the Cabot cheese farm in Montpelier and the fine dining Trapp Family Family Lodge—of the Sound of Music fame—in Stowe.

    Lastly, Vermont’s countryside is dotted with a treasure trove of collectibles and antiques. Given the richness of history, Vermont has an abundance of artifacts and unique bric-a-brac. Pieces are often displayed on the roadside to lure visitors inside where hunting among the rooms and rafters is part of the experience.

    No matter what one’s individual interests may be, there’s plenty of opportunity for a relaxing and scenic visit providing rooms are booked early for the busy and exquisite fall foliage season.

    Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.



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