Nestled in the Northeast, Vermont offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure in all four seasons. While summer can be hot and humid, and winters arctic, Vermont’s stunning natural beauty, active mountain lifestyle, local cuisine, and vibrant arts and music culture ensure there’s always something to explore.
Here’s a guide to the best times to experience Vermont’s charm. As the saying goes in Vermont: if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes; it’s sure to change.
Autumn
Best time for leaf peeping
Vermont is renowned for its fall foliage, showcasing a spectacular array of colors from hardwood forests as the leaves of maple, oak, birch, and other trees gracefully drop for winter.
Leaf peeping pairs wonderfully with apple picking, along with the enjoyment of apple cider, pies, and cider donuts that complement the experience.
Additionally, fall is an excellent season for harvest festivals, seasonal dining, and microbrewery tours. Many breweries craft limited-availability seasonal ales to savor.
Ski area gondolas offer breathtaking journeys to mountain summits, showcasing stunning autumn views. It’s a perfect time for camping, especially after the summer crowds have dissipated with the start of the school year. Most Vermont state parks welcome visitors through Columbus Day.
Winter
Best time for snow sports
Vermont stands out as the premier destination for downhill skiing in the Northeast, hosting 26 alpine ski resorts that stretch from its northern to southern border. Boost your skills on Stowe’s Front Four or enjoy endless runs at Vermont’s Jay Peak, where you can splash around at the waterpark after skiing.
Cross-country skiing is equally popular, offering beautifully groomed circuits and the chance to explore Vermont’s scenic woods.
The Catamount Trail, a one-of-a-kind long-distance Nordic trail that stretches from Massachusetts to Canada, pulls winter adventurers to the snow-covered Green Mountains. Other winter activities include sleigh rides, skating, sledding, ice fishing, and pick-up hockey games.
The Stowe Winter Carnival combines sports, food, and stunning snow and ice sculptures in one of Vermont’s charming towns.
Spring
Best time for a sweet tooth
Spring in Vermont is the season when maple sap flows, transforming into the beloved maple syrup at local sugar houses. Many establishments offer tastings of their fresh syrup, delicious pancakes, and sugar on snow.
This season also welcomes vibrant wildflowers, carpeting the woods and blooming trees that turn Vermont’s landscapes into a floral wonderland.
Migrating snow geese and other birds entice nature lovers to explore the great outdoors. Notably, late-season spring skiing remains a delightful option, particularly during weekends when Killington offers both skiing and mountain biking simultaneously.
Summer
Best time for festivals and water activities
Vermont experiences hot and humid summers. Fortunately, with over 800 lakes, ponds, and many rivers and streams, visitors can cool off by swimming in Lake Champlain or exploring unique swimming holes like Bolton’s Potholes and Ludlow’s Buttermilk Falls.
Hikers can enjoy sections of the Long Trail, which runs the entire length of Vermont, offering access points for day hikes.
For those eager to get out on the water, paddling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail along the Missisquoi River offers a great experience before it reaches Lake Champlain.
Cyclists can participate in gravel races like Rooted Vermont, or challenge themselves in the annual Race to the Top of Vermont. Alternatively, fly-fishing enthusiasts might enjoy lessons at Orvis’s school in Manchester.
Summer is synonymous with festivals in Vermont. From Jazz Fest in June to Art Hop in September, along with a host of beer fests, craft fairs, agricultural fairs, and farmers’ markets, visitors will find ample opportunities for exploration and enjoyment throughout this vibrant season.
Live music fills the air in Vermont, with events featuring the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Trapp Family Lodge, or performances by Grace Potter at the Shelburne Museum. A unique dining experience on a working farm or a lively meal on Church Street offers unforgettable summer flavor.
January
In late January, Stowe’s Winter Carnival presents a delightful mix of sports events, an Ice Carving Competition, and exciting challenges like fat biking and the well-known Snowgolf and Snowvolleyball tournaments.
April
The Vermont Maple Festival celebrates the state’s initial agricultural crop of the year: maple syrup. This annual three-day festival occurs in St. Albans, Vermont.
June
Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival fills the streets and venues of Vermont’s Queen City with music from local, national, and international artists. The festival features both ticketed shows at the Flynn theater and free performances across Church Street and various parks.
Also in June, the Vermont Quilt Festival stands as New England’s oldest and largest quilt showcase, featuring works from quilters across the region.
During Open Studio Weekend, Vermont artists open their studios to the public, whether located downtown or at the end of a country road.
September
Bennington’s Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival runs alongside sidewalk sales, featuring live bands, drink specials from local restaurants, and an opportunity to sample cloves from specialty garlic growers, alongside craft vendors and themed food trucks.
At Burlington’s South End Art Hop, local artists open their studios during an indoor/outdoor festival that draws crowds with demonstrations, exhibits, food trucks, and more.
Another highlight in September is the Tunbridge World’s Fair, which remains one of Vermont’s most cherished agricultural fairs. Visitors can marvel at pumpkins as large as small cars, oxen pulling hefty loads, and join in on apple pie competitions and thrilling rides.
Each year, over 30 performers grace the New World Festival, showcasing the vibrant musical styles of Celtic and French-Canadian traditions in downtown Randolph, recognizing the cultural heritage shared by New England, Quebec, and Canada’s Maritime Provinces brought by Irish, Scottish, and French migrants.
October
In the fall, the Woodstock Apples and Crafts Fair and Food Truck Festival host over 100 crafters and specialty food producers showcasing their creations.
December
Winter welcomes the St. Johnsbury Winter Farmers Market, where local vendors offer fresh produce, crafts, plants, and much more.
