5 Things To Do in Burlington in the Fall
That most colorful and cinnamon-flavored season is upon us: Fall. And you are lucky enough to be spending it in one of the loveliest places in the world. Scroll below to read about our ideas for spending fall in Burlington, and tell us about some of your favorite autumnal Burlington activities in the comments!
1. Get a warm drink.
Although we aren’t all “PSL” (Pumpkin Spice Latte) fanatics, I’m sure that we can all get behind the deliciousness of a warm drink on some of these first chilly fall days. Whether tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or maple milk is your drink of choice, there are a ton of amazing cafés to choose from around Burlington. Trying out new cafés is a great way to explore the city, get some studying done, and test out different drinks. One of my personal favorite Burlington cafés is called Maglianero, and is located right on the edge of the South End. I’ve also recently discovered Scout & Co., which has two locations, one on North Ave and the other in the Victory Circle in Winooski. Both boast great coffee, amazing pastries, and super-instagrammable ambiance.
2. Hike a mountain.
Turns out, foliage isn’t just for leaf-peepers. It’s hard not to get excited about those colorful trees even when you’ve lived in Vermont for decades. And where better to take it all in than at the top of one of Vermont’s iconic peaks? Head out on your own, with a group of friends, or meet some new people at take a trip with the Outing Club to catch the leaves in all their glory. For the extra-adventurous, try Mount Mansfield or Camel’s Hump. For the slightly less experienced, take a stab at Mount Philo. Or if steep inclines aren’t really your thing, head over to Centennial Woods or the Waterfront Bike Path for some still-seasonal if not-quite-as-sweaty views.
3. Go see a show.
Now that the temps are starting to drop and the rainy season is upon us, sometimes there is nothing better to do than squirrel away inside a cinema or theater and soak in some culture. The Vermont International Film Festival takes over the city every October, and is always a cool place to find something new. You can also always pick up Cats at the Movies tickets and head over to Merrill’s Roxy to catch the latest flicks without spending a dime. Or, if you’re feeling more musical and theatrical, pop over to the Flynn, the Vermont Comedy Club, or one of Burly’s many wonderful music venues.
4. Pick something.
Pumpkins? Apples? Is it even autumn in Vermont if you don’t harvest a little? Pumpkin and apple picking can become a full day excursion complete with hay wagon rides, cider donut tasting, pumpkin carving, and photo ops galore…If you want to stay nearby, head to Shelburne Farms or Chapin Orchard for your apple fix. Visit Sam Mazza’s farm for pumpkins in the Champlain Valley, plus the extra bonus of a corn maze to get truly harvest-y! That said, if you are willing to go a little farther outside of Chittenden County, I do think that Cold Hollow Cider Mill boasts the best donuts around…
5. Get out of town.
Although Burlington is beautiful from top to bottom, fall is a beautiful time of year to check out the rest of Vermont. And even if you don’t have a car, I can guarantee that you can find some easily accessible adventures. For the extra-adventurous, try biking up to the islands via the Causeway and the bike path. If you don’t have a bike, rent one from Local Motion! Or take advantage of Vermont’s public transportation and visit Montpelier by bus, the idyllic state capital, or Middlebury, another quaint New England college town. You could even stay a little closer to home and check out Winooski. If you’re looking to go farther afield, hitch a ride with CarShare Vermont or Wheeli and take off down I-89 or I-91. This is the perfect time of year for a Vermont roadtrip.
