7 Reasons We Love Fall in Vermont

And Why Fall Is Such A Beloved Season In New England

I’m definitely biased when it comes to loving Fall. I grew up in New Hampshire, went to school in Boston and work in Vermont now. I bleed New England Yankee and wouldn’t have it any other way. That includes having a special place in my heart for all four seasons. But, not so secretly my favorite is Fall.

Aside from the obvious reasons Fall is so fantastic, pumpkin spice latte jokes aside, another reason I love the season is because I was born in November, so naturally I feel like autumn is my season. And, Thanksgiving, anyone? I don’t really need an excuse to inhale pumpkin, pecan, apple and blueberry pie, but that beloved holiday is really when I excel. And, since I can’t buy into the tanning until you’re a raisin gimmick with my porcelain white skin, I’ve embraced Fall as my season to shine.
But enough about why I love Fall, here are some reasons we all love Fall in Vermont and across New England.

1. Apple Picking

   
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From school trips, to tractor rides and juicy treats, what’s not to love about apple picking. Scattered across New England, apple tree farms are not hard to find. If you haven’t been, we recommend picking your own. Thinking of making treats with your bounty? Check in with whoever is working to see what varieties they recommend! If you get excited and pick too many, don’t worry, it’s the perfect excuse to make homemade applesauce. Yum! We recommend Green Mountain Orchards in Putney, VT.

2. Pumpkin Picking

   
   

Sure you can grab a pumpkin or two at the grocery store to adorn your front steps with, but where’s the fun in that? If the apple farm you’re at doesn’t also have pumpkins to choose from, chances are there’s somewhere else not far down the road. If you have young kids, this is a great family outing opportunity. Most farms will have corn mazes, livestock to pet and actual pumpkin patches you can pick your pumpkin from. We recommend Stonewall Farm, just over the Vermont border in Keene, NH.

3. Leaf Peeping

   
   photo via unsplash

There really isn’t anything quite like leaves changing. It’s something we New Englanders don’t take for granted, even if we curse when our roads are clogged with tourists trying to get a look. There’s always that moment driving, walking, hiking, or kayaking that suddenly you look around and your breath is literally taken away from the beauty of this change in color. We recommend taking a drive through Vermont’s Route 100 or New Hampshire’s Kancamagus highway for some truly awe-inspiring sights.

4. Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, Hot Cider and Thanksgiving

   
   photo via unsplash

Okay, so those are all things you can get anywhere, but there’s something special about going apple picking and later baking a pie with the apples you pulled from a tree. And you can’t go apple or pumpkin picking without getting a cider donut and/or hot cider. Thanksgiving you may argue is the most American holiday there is, and don’t get me wrong, I agree. But, New England is the birthplace of the holiday so I’m throwing that on the list for principle.

5. Sweater & Boot Season

By October most people in Vermont can be seen wearing flannel, boots and thick sweaters. If you come visiting pack strategically though. It’s not uncommon for us to see freezing temps suddenly in September and October and then Summer like weather in the same day.

6. Festivals

Most towns have some version of a “Fall Foliage Festival”. Whether it’s in a homecoming celebration, Oktoberfest or celebrating pumpkins, Vermont and New England have festivals for everyone. Give yourself some extra time traveling and see if any of the towns you’re traveling through this Fall have fun festivals. We promise it will be worth your time.

7. Reading on a cold, dreary day

photo via unsplash
Reading with a good book, thick socks and a blanket pulled over you is a great way to spend those bone-chilling rainy Fall days (also known as November). If you’re visiting family this holiday season in Vermont, we recommend bringing a raincoat and boots in case you finish your book (or can’t seem to start it) you can take a walk outside and enjoy the crisp air and unique smell of fallen leaves that you can only experience on a dreary day.
photo via unsplash
This list may be a little different than you were expecting. I didn’t fill it with covered bridges to see or hiking trails you have to try in the Fall. Instead I hope I helped instill a sense of what makes Fall, New England’s season and how you can embrace it as your own, too!
Is there something I missed that you think everyone should know? Let me know in the comments!