Kid-Approved Vermont: A Family Guide to Fall Adventures
Fall in Vermont is pure magic—crisp mornings, rolling hills painted in reds and golds, and the sweet smell of cider donuts drifting from country farmstands. For families, it’s the perfect season to slow down, soak up the views, and dive into traditions kids will love—from apple picking and pumpkin patches to corn mazes and small-town harvest festivals. Whether you’re planning a day trip during peak foliage or looking for kid-friendly activities close to home, this guide will help you make the most of autumn in Vermont.
Halloween
It's spooky season! Vermont goes all out for Halloween with parades, trick-or-treating events, and haunted (but family-friendly) fun. Find the closest trunk-or-treat, hayride or spook-tacular event near you. Explore Halloween fun!
Farms & Orchards
Fall Festivals and Events
From farm harvest festivals to small-town craft fairs, Vermont’s fall calendar is full of family fun. Expect hayrides, petting zoos, games, and local food trucks. Festivals are also a great way to connect with the community and pick up Vermont-made treats.
Check the FindandGoSeek's Fall Fun calendar for upcoming events near you.
Fall Festival at Isham Family Farm
Join Isham Family Farm in Williston every Sunday, September 14 through October 26, to welcome fall and enjoy stunning New England foliage on the farm.
Come and connect away from screens and the strenuous demands of our fast-paced world. They have so many authentic activities for you to experience with your family. The farm's weekly Fall Festival includes pumpkin picking, hay-rides, a corn maze, hiking trails, Vermont craft vendors, live music, food trucks, farm animals, and more!
Corn Mazes
Get lost! Find a little adventure on the farm at one of Vermont's famous corn mazes. Farmers take pride in designing winding paths through their corn fields. They are perfect for kids to run, explore, and problem-solve with the family. From nighttime glow events to scavenger hunts, and maps to stamp, each one is unique.
The Maze at Lazy Lilac Farm
Check out the Corn Maze at Lazy Lilac Farm in St Albans. Enjoy the play area for the kids, feed the calves or goats and enjoy not one, but two mazes! The Mini-Maze is 0.5 mile and the Big Maze is 4.5 miles of trails! Fun scavenger hunts keep the whole family entertained. Food trucks are there to provide needed sustenance every weekend. Pick-your-own-pumpkins will available late September into October.
Pumpkin Picking
Nothing says fall like finding the perfect pumpkin. Ready to be harvested in late September into October, Vermont farms and patches offer rows of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, from tiny table toppers to big carving beauties. Let kids hunt for their favorite, then head home for carving or painting.
Explore pumpkin picking in Vermont.
Top it off with family photos from the pumpkin patch! Find tips on family photography, here.
Apple Picking
Few fall traditions are as sweet as wandering through an apple orchard with kids, baskets in hand. Vermont’s apple season runs from early September through mid-October, and most orchards offer not just apple picking, but also wagon rides, cider donuts, and farm fun. Check fall events as well for live music and orchard festivals.
Shelburne Orchards
Kick off Fall in Vermont with a visit to Shelburne Orchards for apple picking, cider donuts, and amazing views of Lake Champlain. Kids love the farm-based playground and picking their own apples, plus Miss Emma brings joyful family music to the orchard on select Sundays!
If you need to stock up on your fall decor, grab pumpkins and colorful mums, and don’t leave without some delicious apple cider and, of course, apple cider donuts.
Outdoor Autumn Adventures
Leaf Peeping
Vermont is world-famous for its fall foliage, and families don’t have to go far to find dazzling views. Scenic drives along Route 100, through Smugglers’ Notch, or to any quaint mountain town offer brilliant colors with plenty of places to stop and stretch little legs. Parks like Mills Riverside in Jericho and Hubbard Park in Montpelier are stroller-friendly and perfect for shorter walks.
Find a park near you to immerse yourself in the colors of autumn.
Hiking
Fall is a fantastic time to explore Vermont’s hiking trails, from nature parks to mountain tops. Crisp air, fewer bugs, and fiery leaves make hiking with kids extra rewarding. Find hiking and walking trails across Vermont, from the classic Mount Mansfield hikes in Underhill State Park, to gentle explorations along the Winooski River at Ethan Allen Homestead.
For peak family-friendly trail inspiration, check out All Mountain Mamas Hiking Guides. Their recommendations include everything from resort base to summit treks with panoramic foliage to scenic lift rides and gentle strolls along peak ridgelines.
Biking
Biking is another way to soak in fall scenery. Families can take a leisurely ride on the Island Line Rail Trail in Burlington, which hugs the lake and passes playgrounds, beaches, and creemee stands still open into October. Find bike paths in Vermont.
Mountain biking families will also find kid-friendly trails at spots like Kingdom Trails or Saxon Hill, or downhill thrills at resorts like Killington, Burke, Bolton Valley, Smuggs, and Sugarbush.
Stay Up-to-Date on Family Fall Fun
Fall in Vermont isn’t just about the breathtaking foliage—it’s about making memories your kids will talk about all year long. Whether it’s that first bite of a warm cider donut, a goofy family photo in the pumpkin patch, or a leaf-covered hike with views for miles, these are the moments that make autumn feel magical.
Find even more fall activities and events.
Have a favorite fall spot in Vermont? We’d love to hear about it! Share your family’s adventures with us, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Chirp newsletter and follow us on Instagram or Facebook for daily kid-approved activities and seasonal fun across Vermont.
