Vermont in Fall
Use our wedding as an excuse to spend a little time exploring VT in September! Here are a few ideas for things to do and places to go, focusing mostly in and around Burlington—where we live and play—and the greater Weston metropolitan area. (This is a non-exhaustive list; please contact The Internets for additional inspiration.)
Burlington Area
A few ideas for those flying into/out of Burlington:
Church Street Marketplace: An uncovered outdoor pedestrian shopping and dining mall in Burlington consisting of the four blocks of Church Street between Main and Pearl Streets.
Shelburne Farms: A nonprofit education center for sustainability, 1400-acre working farm, and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain in Shelburne, VT. Among the most stunning pieces of land in the state.
Shelburne Museum: An incredibly ecclectic collection of art, design, and Americana featuring over 150,000 works exhibited in 38 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the grounds. (Head just down the road to Shelburne Orchards for apple picking!)
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center: Family friendly, kid-focused museum with 70+ species of animals and interactive exhibits about lake ecology.
Burlington Bike Path: An 8-mile, multi-use recreation path along the Lake Champlain waterfront, boasting incomparable views and access to some of Burlington's best parks and beaches.
Weston Area
In addition too suggestions below, some useful links & info can be found on the Weston Playhouse website.
ACTION/ADVENTURE
Okemo Mountain Zipline (and/or disc golf): Ludlow
Buttermilk Falls swimming hole: Ludlow
Canoe/Kayak the Otter Creek: Put in at Tru Temper in Wallingford; take out at Walker Mountain Road,
Clarendon. Bring a picnic lunch and eat on one of the sandy beaches along the way.
Canoe/Kayak Chittenden Reservoir: Chittenden (boat rentals at Mountain Top Inn). Enjoy refreshments on the patio.
Vermont Adventure Tours (paddle): www.vermontadventuretours.com (802-773-3343)
Bike the Castleton/Poultney Rail Trail: 7 miles of flat riding one way with beautiful views.
White Rocks Trail: This section of the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail starts in Wallingford at the bottom of Sugar Hill Road.
Camp Plymouth State Park (and beach): Ludlow
Long Trail Brewery: Bridgewater Corners
MUSEUMS
Hildene: Historic summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln in Manchester.
Vermont Marble Museum: Rutland www.vermont-marble.com (802-459-2750)
Billings Farm and Marsh/Billings/Rockefeller Historic Park: Woodstock, 10-5 daily.
Hubbardton Battlefield historic site: 802-273-2282
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site: Plymouth, Route 100A, 9:30-5:00 (802) 672-3773
SHOPPING
Vermont Country Store: Weston
Northshire Bookstore: Manchester
Manchester Outlets: Manchester
D. Lasser Ceramics: Route 100, Londonderry
FOOD & FARM
Rutland City Farmers Market: Downtown Rutland, Saturday’s mornings (9-2?)
Apple or berry picking: Mad Tom Orchards, 2615 Mad Tom Road, E. Dorset; Tues-Sun 9-5:30
Consider Bardwell Farm: artisan cheesemakers, Pawlet
Taylor Farm: Londonderry. Cheesmaking (specializes in homemade Gouda). Cheesemaking workshops available with reservations. Farm Tours often available on weekends (824-5690).