Local's Foliage: A Vermonter's Guide to Leaf Peeping

For a brief moment each year, the landscape is painted in brilliant yellows, rusty reds and blazing oranges, so thousands of people flock to Vermont to spectate the transition from summer to fall to winter. While most people try to anticipate peak foliage for their trip, the secret to a successful foliage tour is the exact opposite.

Leaf peeping becomes an immersive experience of different sights, sounds, smells, flavors, temperatures, and views. Hints of fall start to appear as early as late August and by mid-September, there is plenty of color to delight anyone. September provides the best of both seasons - restaurants and attractions are still open from the summer but a slower pace and fewer people are noticeable. There's lots to do, but no need to battle long lines or wait for your favorite Stowe attractions! All of the beauty of foliage and warmth of the summer are here at a much slower pace than during peak.

On the flip side, foliage isn't over as soon as the colors are their most brilliant. A different kind of quieter sightseeing emerges - instead of looking up, you see the hiking trails blanketed in a colorful carpet of leaves. The trees go from vibrant palettes to a more serene pen-and-ink look dotted with specks of color. By now, the town has started to nestle into the chilly season and slow down again before the winter frenzy we all look forward to!

Vermont foliage is not to be missed so look at visiting during early and late foliage when there is more space to spread out and more time to appreciate the splendor.