Prime 5 Can’t Miss
- Take pleasure in seasonal elements at a farm-to-table restaurant corresponding to The Pink Rooster or Oakes & Evelyn.
- Heat up with a pecan pie latte at Dreamscape Espresso.
- For a style of autumnal heaven, get the pumpkin cheesecake at The Woodstock Farmer’s Market.
- Hike Mount Tom to get a leaf peeping repair whereas having fun with a chook’s eye view of Woodstock.
- Spend a day perusing native shops like Yankee Bookshop and Unicorn.
half-hour west of Lebanon, New Hampshire, is the cute-as-a-button city of Woodstock, Vermont. As the autumn season ramps up, there’s nothing extra fulfilling to me than visiting a spot the place the air is full of the scent of mulled apples, maple syrup, and the crisp cool of autumn.
I’ve been heading north from New York Metropolis and Boston to Vermont since I used to be a child. Now, I’ve a household of my very own, and the Inexperienced Mountain State has change into our little escape. Every season has its perks—swimming in the summertime and snowboarding within the winter—nevertheless it’s laborious to disclaim that Vermont is especially particular within the fall. In actual fact, Airbnb not too long ago reported that Vermont is the top-rated fall foliage vacation spot by Airbnb company.
“I like speaking to the 1000’s of holiday makers we now have. Most have by no means seen foliage and love our lovely city and Vermont normally,” says Elizabeth Finlayson, director of the Woodstock Space Chamber of Commerce. In response to Finlayson, the city of simply 3,000 residents sees a month-to-month common of 23,800 guests within the fall.
Whereas the inflow of vacationers can really feel overwhelming at instances, Finlayson feels fortunate to name Woodstock her dwelling, particularly in the course of the fall when the scent of wooden stoves and leaves wafts by the air—and he or she likes to share that autumnal magic with guests.
Right here’s what to know earlier than planning a visit to Woodstock, Vermont.
Finest Inns & Resorts
Woodstock Inn & Resort
Woodstock Inn & Resort
Throughout from Woodstock’s Inexperienced is the Woodstock Inn & Resort. The aesthetic right here feels timelessly charming, and rooms vary from choices that overlook the inn’s gardens to the three-room Laurance S. Rockefeller Suite that has considerate particulars corresponding to hand-painted murals and a walk-in cedar closet.
There are additionally two on-site eating places, The Pink Rooster and Richardson’s Tavern, each of which use regionally grown elements to craft inventive Vermont bites. Do not forget to order the nice and cozy apple tarte tatin, which options pillowy pastry topped with creamy vanilla ice cream—it tastes precisely like fall.
The Jackson
A brief distance from Woodstock’s essential drag, The Jackson has quiet historic appeal and fashionable creature comforts corresponding to snug beds and up to date loos. The inn sits on three acres of peaceable grounds and has a hearth pit, a cute foot bridge, and a linden tree grove. Earlier than heading out for the day, seize breakfast on the farm-to-table restaurant, Oakes & Evelyn.
Twin Farms
This adult-only, all-inclusive resort has quite a lot of cottages and treehouses to select from. “There may be a lot to take pleasure in in Vermont in the course of the fall, and it really comes all the way down to the rhythm and feeling of the season,” says John Graham, managing director of Twin Farms. “Woodstock within the fall is very magical, with highlights corresponding to ShackletonThomas and Stave Puzzles close by.”
The Village Inn of Woodstock
Who’s that woman in pink? It’s The Village Inn of Woodstock, a vibrant pink and yellow Victorian bed-and-breakfast. This keep is likely one of the most intimate within the space, with simply seven comfortable rooms that lean into Victorian-era appeal with in-room fireplaces. The Vic Tavern serves gastropub fare, and the menu is basically impressed by American and Asian cuisines.
Finest Issues to Do
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Take a hike.
Finlayson recommends strolling up Mount Tom within the fall. It’s the right strategy to benefit from the foliage, heat your physique, and get a chook’s eye view of the city of Woodstock. Each night time, between November and April, you will note a big star twinkling on the 1,357-foot-tall peak—it was initially put in in 1942 to welcome troopers who have been getting back from World Battle II.
Pink Barn Dinners
Down the street from The Woodstock Inn and Resort is Kelly Method Gardens, the bountiful gardens the place the property’s produce and flowers are grown. Nonetheless, you don’t should be a visitor to benefit from the magnificence and bounty of the backyard. Reserve a spot at this culinary farm-to-table program for a memorable and artistic dinner.
Billings Farm and Museum
Sure, cute animals do certainly abound on the historic Billings Farm and Museum. Reserve a personal wagon journey or attend one in all its fall-themed (and engaging) occasions right here, like Pecks, Pies & Spies: Apple Rising in Vermont or the two-day Harvest Celebration that features actions like dancing on crunchy leaves, apple cider urgent, and pumpkin bowling. Be certain that to cease by their Farmhouse Scoop Store, which serves scorching spiced cider and apple cider donuts alongside pumpkin ice cream.
Sugar Bush Farm
Sugar Bush Farm is celebrating its eightieth birthday this 12 months, and it is the right place to go to livestock, learn the way maple syrup is produced, and nourish your cheese dependancy multi function go to. The farm makes a speciality of Vermont cheddar and is about on 550 acres of picture-perfect rolling hills. Really feel like getting hitched? Sugar Bush Farm has a charming one-room chapel nestled within the woods.
Finest Buying
Unicorn
This particular store has been open since 1978, and as its Instagram places it, Unicorn makes a speciality of every part from the “elegant to the ridiculous.” Owned by native Jeffrey Kahn, strolling into Unicorn appears like you might discover a pleasant shock on each shelf. From colourful uncooked and polished gems, toys, and humorous wall artwork, it actually does have one thing for everybody.
“Transmitting a way of pleasure [through] the eclectic combine discovered at Unicorn finally ends up rewarding me spiritually,” Kahn says.
The Yankee Bookshop
A small city can’t have a quaint essential road and not using a cute bookshop. Yankee Bookshop is stacked with cabinets stuffed with bestsellers, native authors, and guides. It additionally has a packed youngsters’s part stocked with all of the enjoyable knick-knacks kiddos love. And issues are about to get even higher for Yankee—the bookshop not too long ago expanded and has plans to develop the brand new house into a spot to carry ebook occasions.
F. H. Gillingham & Sons
There’s no higher method to return in time whereas visiting Woodstock than by visiting F. H. Gillingham & Sons. Often known as one of many oldest family-run basic shops within the state, it has creaky wood flooring and loads of old school appeal. Whereas right here, you possibly can decide up some sweet, kombucha, Vermont-themed sweatshirts, or a bar of handmade cleaning soap, multi function cease. My youngsters particularly love the mini-candies. Although they now not value a penny, it is shut sufficient for jazz.
Vermont Flannel Firm
You’ll be able to’t go to Woodstock with out wrapping your self in one in all The Vermont Flannel Firm‘s blankets. I’ve two of the stadium blankets—one aspect is flannel and the opposite is fleece—and because the firm states, they’re “brushed past cause for final softness.” When you want to put on your flannel, you will additionally discover shirts, pants, and even hair ties made with the corporate’s silky clean cloth.
Finest Eating places
Oakes and Evelyn
Oakes & Evelyn
Oakes & Evelyn‘s unique location is in Montpelier, Vermont, nevertheless it’s fortunate that the restaurant opened its Woodstock outpost in 2025, as a result of that is the type of restaurant that each locals and vacationers dream about having of their yard. Situated on the bottom ground of The Jackson, it has a hearty breakfast menu in addition to a seasonally impressed dinner menu. The house is vibrant and ethereal, and in the course of the colder months, the stone hearth serves as a comfy centerpiece. I like to recommend ordering the bao buns; they’re full of native mushrooms.
The Woodstock Farmers’ Market
Vacationers take word: This isn’t the farmer’s market that takes place on the Inexperienced by mid-October (also called the Market on the Inexperienced). Somewhat, the Woodstock Farmer’s Market is on Route 4 between downtown and Bridgewater, Vermont. Inside, you will discover native produce and meat, a deli with premade sandwiches and meals, a espresso bar, and my absolute favourite spot—the pastry case. You haven’t skilled bliss till you’ve had one of many creamy, personal-sized pumpkin cheesecakes.
Dreamscape Espresso
That is the right place to take a break from leaf peeping in Woodstock. At Dreamscape Espresso, you possibly can take pleasure in a locally-sourced maple cinnamon “poptart” or pumpkin bread alongside inventive drinks. I like to recommend the Pumpkin King, a quintessential pumpkin spice latte, and the Harvestide, which has notes of brown sugar and heat pecan—it is mainly pecan pie in a cup.
Ranch Camp
For years, my youngsters lamented the shortage of a correct burrito store in Woodstock, so we have been all giddy over the brand new Ranch Camp, which opened this September. The restaurant and bike store (which has an unique location in Stowe, Vermont) makes a speciality of tacos, burritos, and beer. The menu is famously gluten-free, and there are additionally loads of vegan choices, such because the fried artichokes or the veggie-filled burritos. Meat lovers by no means concern—there are nonetheless hearty dishes like pork stomach tacos available.
Mont Vert Café
It is a longstanding and very talked-about spot in Woodstock, so put together your self for an extended line. Nonetheless, the watch for a Mont Vert Café meal is greater than price—the restaurant is not mendacity when it says its meals is “recent and native.” As a local New Yorker, I like the Lox & Shmear, whereas my midwestern husband favors the Coffeehouse Brisket, which has coffee-marinated, regionally sourced brisket served with pickled crimson onions, basil aioli, Swiss cheese, and veggies on a baguette. When the New England climate cooperates, I like to recommend taking your meal on the patio.
Finest Time to Go to
Jon Mattrisch/Journey + Leisure
Woodstock could be loved in all seasons, however plan to go to anytime from October by December in order for you the true New England expertise. The cold-season months see a few of Woodstock’s hottest annual occasions, such because the Apples and Crafts and Meals Truck Competition, which has over 100 distributors, meals producers, and meals vehicles. In December, there’s Wassail Weekend, a village winter celebration with horse-drawn wagons, twinkling lights, adorned historic properties, and vacation music.
The way to Get There
Mont Vert Cafe
The closest main airport to Woodstock, is Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS), and from there it is somewhat over a two-hour drive to city. A number of airways, corresponding to JetBlue and Cape Air, function regional flights from Boston to close by Lebanon, New Hampshire. From there, it is only a 30-minute drive to Woodstock.
The way to Get Round
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Whereas vehicles are required for getting round, the realm in and round Woodstock has a number of the most lovely roads you’ll expertise, that are peppered with issues like bucolic farms, the Ottauquechee River, a coated bridge in Taftsville, and the Quechee Gorge, a 165-foot-deep, mile-long canyon, and the deepest gorge in Vermont. A brief detour price taking (particularly if there’s been a current rain), is Simon Pearce a glassware store and farm-to-table restaurant in a restored Nineteenth-century mill that overlooks a waterfall in close by Quechee, Vermont.