One of our favorite things about Vermont in the fall is how easy it is to turn a simple outing into a full afternoon. Pick up a few apples and some cheese, and you’re on your way to a pretty great picnic. Spend the morning on horseback, then stop for a Vermont treat. Visit a pumpkin patch, and you’re already halfway to a scenic drive. Or head out for a hike with a picnic packed from the local farmers market. And with our Vermont lodging as your home base, you can spend the day exploring without having to go far.
Rather than giving you another list of things to do, we’ve put together some of our favorite fall pairings in the Mad River Valley: two stops that work especially well together. Some are classic Vermont combinations, while others are simply fun ways to fill a cool autumn day.
1. Foliage Lift Ride + Stark’s Pub
The Pairing: Mad River Glen Single Chair + Stark’s Pub
One of the best ways to see Vermont fall foliage from a different perspective is from the top of Mad River Glen’s famous Single Chair. During select fall weekends, the chairlift carries visitors above the mountain for sweeping views of the surrounding Green Mountains.
Once you’ve made your way back down, head to Stark’s Pub at the base of the mountain. Grab a Vermont craft beer and something warm to eat before settling in for a little more mountain scenery. With the ski area in full fall mode, it’s a fun way to experience Mad River Glen outside of ski season.
2. Apple Picking + Cider Donuts
The Pairing: Hunger Mountain Orchard + Cold Hollow Cider Mill
For a straightforward apple-picking outing, Hunger Mountain Orchard in Waterbury Center is an easy addition to a day along Route 100. Make your next stop Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can pick up fresh apple cider and warm cider donuts. If the cider press is running, you can also watch the apples being turned into fresh cider.
But if apple picking is your main goal of the day, we recommend making the drive to Shelburne Orchards near Lake Champlain. The 60-acre family-run orchard has pick-your-own apples, hot apple cider, weekend wagon rides, live music during the fall season, cider donuts, and an apple-brandy tasting room.
Burtt’s Apple Orchard in Cabot is also a great choice if you want more than a quick stop in the orchard. Along with pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, there’s a corn maze, apple slingshot, Golden Apple Hunt, cider donuts, cider slushies, and a public walking trail through the farm.
3. Pumpkin Patch + Covered Bridge Drive
3. Pumpkin Patch + Covered Bridge DriveThe Pairing: Hartshorn Farm + Pine Brook Covered Bridge
Nothing says Vermont in October quite like pumpkins, farm stands, and a country road lined with changing leaves.
Start at Hartshorn Farm in Waitsfield, where you can visit the pumpkin patch and pick up seasonal Vermont goodies. Once you’ve had your fill of pumpkins and farm-stand browsing, get back in the car and head toward the Pine Brook Covered Bridge.
The historic bridge dates to 1872 and sits along North Road in Waitsfield. In the fall, the surrounding trees make the drive there just as enjoyable as the stop itself. Make the Pine Brook Covered Bridge your only stop, or keep driving and turn it into a full tour of the covered bridges in the Mad River Valley. Our covered bridge tour follows a scenic 39-mile loop through Waitsfield, Warren, and Northfield, with eight historic covered bridges along the way.
4. Icelandic Horse Ride + A Vermont Treat
The Pairing: Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm + Village Grocery
Trade the car for a saddle and spend a crisp fall morning exploring the Mad River Valley on an Icelandic horse.
A ride at Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm is one of our favorite ways to see Vermont fall foliage in the Mad River Valley. Their guided rides travel along quiet back roads and, seasonally, through meadows and woods on the slopes of the Green Mountains. The horses are matched to each rider’s experience level, so no need to worry if it’s your first time riding.
After your ride, head back toward Waitsfield and stop at Village Grocery. If it’s a chilly day, grab a hot coffee or a hot meal from the deli. If it’s a warmer day, or you’re just in the mood for something sweet, a creemee makes a pretty good post-ride treat, especially if they have a seasonal flavor like pumpkin spice on the menu.
5. Fall Hike + A Picnic With a View
5. Fall Hike + A Picnic With a ViewThe Pairing: Wu Ledges + Local Picnic Provisions
Fall’s cooler weather means you can take your time getting out on the trails. If it’s a Saturday, start your morning with coffee and a little browsing at the Waitsfield Farmers Market, or stop at Von Trapp Farmstead for some local cheese and other picnic provisions. Then pack it all up and head to Wu Ledges for an afternoon hike.
The trail is relatively short, and once you reach the ledges, you’ll have a beautiful view across the Mad River Valley and the surrounding mountains. Find a spot to spread out your picnic and enjoy some of the local cheese, bread, fruit, cider, or whatever else you picked up that morning.
Make the Most of Vermont in the Fall
Whether you’re picking apples in Waterbury, riding the Single Chair at Mad River Glen, filling the trunk with pumpkins, or simply wandering through Waitsfield with a coffee in hand, there’s plenty to enjoy around the Mad River Valley in the fall.
And when you’re ready to call it a day, you’ll have a warm place waiting for you at Mad River Lodges. Our properties throughout the Valley make it easy to spend your days exploring and your evenings enjoying everything that makes a Vermont fall getaway special.