If you’ve ever researched a New England fall road trip, you know how often the same stops get recommended again and again. And while I have nothing but amazing things to say about Boston, Stowe, and Woodstock (they are, after all, fantastic!), I’m also a huge fan of getting away from the crowds and trying somewhere new. So, when planning my own fall trip this year, I challenged myself to find an off-the-beaten-path New England hamlet where I could spend a few unencumbered days just soaking in the autumn color. Turns out, Manchester, Vermont was exactly what I needed.

Tucked away in the Green Mountains, this town and its surrounding area are what I imagine Stowe and Woodstock must have been like before the Instagram fame. Now, if you’re curious about visiting and looking for a little trip inspiration, here are my 12 Amazing Fall Activities to do in Manchester, Vermont:

Tour Hildene, The Lincoln FaMily Home

Perhaps the most famous place in Manchester, Hildene was once the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s eldest son. The stunning Georgian Revival mansion sits on a 412 acre estate in Vermont’s Green Mountains. And autumn is a particularly great time to explore its historic exhibits, formal gardens, working farms, and woodland trails. I can’t even describe the feeling you get from walking outside, around the grand building and seeing the bright red and yellow trees throughout the estate decked out in their fall glory.

The property offers a few different types of tours and ADA accessible options, but for most visitors, the General Admission ticket will be more than enough. It includes self-guided tours of Robert and Mary’s home, the gardens, Hildene Farm, their Pullman rail car “Sunbeam,” and approximately 12 miles of walking trails.

Entry Cost: $25*

Student/Children/Senior Discount?: Youth and Children Discounts only.

Hours:

• Memorial Day – October 31: Open daily 10AM – 4:30PM.*
• November 1 – The Last Monday in May: Open Thursday – Monday 10AM – 4:30PM.*
• Closed: Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, December 23rd, 24th, and Christmas.*

Seasonal Note: Reserve ahead for October weekends, when foliage season fills the calendar.

Do The Mount Equinox Skyline Drive in Manchester, VermonT

If you’re looking for a classic New England fall drive, this is it. At just under 3,850 feet, Mount Equinox is the tallest peak in the Taconic Mountains and the anchor of Manchester’s skyline. And the mountain’s 5.2 mile Skyline Drive, a privately-run toll road, takes cars most of the way up. There are several vistas and picnic areas along the Drive, which winds upward through four distinct forest types that are all changing color with the season.

Entry Cost:

• Memorial Day – September 30: $25 for vehicle & driver. $5/each for additional passengers.*
• October 1 – October 31: $30 for vehicle & driver. $5/each for additional passengers.*

Student/Children/Senior Discount?: Children under 10 are free.*

Hours:

• Memorial Day – October 31: Open daily 9AM – 5PM. Last entry at 4PM.*
• November 1 – Day Before Memorial Day: Closed

Seasonal Note: The Skyline Drive is only open weather-permitting.

Enjoy All the Fall Things At Equinox Valley Nursery

Normally, I wouldn’t list a plant nursery on a list of things to do or places to go while traveling, but Manchester’s Equinox Valley Nursery goes all in on fall, so it’s earned its spot! The nursery’s pumpkin patch alone is stocked with thousands of pumpkins and gourds grown on site and has a ton of fun scarecrows worthy of a photo. And if that’s not quite your speed, consider jumping on their seasonal tractor-drawn wagon ride through the nursery’s North Field to get picture-perfect autumn views of the nearby Green and Taconic mountains. And still not quite what you’re looking for? Well, Equinox Valley Nursery also has a spooky corn maze that will test your sense of direction!

Finally, nowhere else in Manchester, Vermont does warm apple cider donuts quite like Roger’s Donut House, which is located on site since 1993. The nursery bills them as the best you’ll ever have, so consider it a taste test! Round out your order with fresh-pressed cider (cold, or hot and mulled), pumpkin bread, Vermont cheddar, or ice cream drizzled in maple syrup. You can view the menu here before you go.

Entry Cost: Free to visit. Prices for goods, foods, and activities vary.*

Student/Children/Senior Discount?: Students and Children only.

Hours: Open Wednesday – Monday 10AM – 4PM. Holiday hours vary.*

Browse The Manchester, VermonT Northshire Bookstore

The most darling small town bookstore I’ve seen in a while, Northshire Bookstore has been an anchor to downtown Manchester, Vermont since 1976. This cozy shop is located in the historic Colburn building, a three-story light blue Second Empire building, complete with a mansard roof and wrap-around porch. And inside, between all the new releases, you’ll find a beautiful wrought-iron staircase near the entrance to the Colburn Café, a perfect spot to curl up and spend a gray afternoon between hikes (make sure to order the maple latte or hot apple cider!).

Entry Cost: Free.* Bookstore and café purchases vary.

Student/Children/Senior Discount?: N/A

Hours: 10AM – 7PM. Holiday hours vary.*

Visit Historic Dorset

A short 10-20 minute drive up Route 30 from Manchester, Dorset is an adorable historic village built around its green. It sits on the site of one of the country’s earliest marble quarries and is surrounded by both the Green and Taconic mountain ranges. Stop by the Dorset Union Store, a general store that has been open for more than two centuries, eat at Dorset Bakery or and don’t forget to stock up on maple syrup at Dorset Maple Reserve.

The town itself deserves a stroll as well – there’s lots of old historic buildings-turned-inns, making it a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon. During my visit, I was lucky enough to be there during the Dorset Fall Festival! A new annual happening with live music, food, wagon rides, pumpkin painting, and more.

Hours: Shop and restaurant hours vary.*

Eat at Ye Old Tavern

Have you ever wanted to feel like you’ve stepped back into 18th century New England but with all the 21st century perks? Ye Olde Tavern has been serving travelers in Manchester, Vermont since the 1790s. Today, this historic inn and restaurant honors its roots by offering hearty New England comfort food and classic cocktails in its low-roofed, period-decorated dining room. I loved enjoying a hearty fall-themed meal by candlelight and the Cidered Chicken, made with Vermont apple cider and cranberries, was excellent!

Hours: Daily 4:30PM – 8:30PM. Holiday hours vary.*

Detour to The Vermont Country Store and Village Christmas Shop

Looking for a little rustic charm? Don’t miss a quick detour from Manchester, Vermont to Weston, just about a 30 minute drive from Manchester. I visited here on my way from Woodstock to Manchester, and am so glad I did!! Weston’s home to the Vermont Country Store, founded in 1946, a destination for old-fashioned goods including penny candy, nostalgic toys, flannels, and a cheese counter with lots of samples! And don’t miss the Weston Village Christmas Shop just down the road, a year-round shop with lots of ornaments and seasonal decor (fall is a perfect time to pick-up what you need for the holiday season before the crowds!).

Hours:

• Vermont Country Store: Daily 8:30AM – 6PM. Holiday hours vary.*
• Weston Village Christmas Shop: Daily 10AM – 5PM. Holiday hours vary.*

Hike the Ice Beds Trail Outside of Manchester, Vermont

For a moderate hike that’s great for the entire family, visit the Ice Beds Trail. This 1.8 mile out-and-back trail takes you up 534 feet of elevation gain through the White Rocks National Recreation Area, a protected section of Vermont’s Green Mountains that’s known for its Cheshire quartzite. The quartzite found in this area is only visible due to erosion during the last ice age and played an important role in early American history, with Indigenous peoples often using it to create tools. In fall, the hardwood forest along the trail turns a bright orange and the light shining through the leaves makes everything so much more atmospheric (imagine Over the Garden Wall daytime vibes).

The name of the trail, however, comes from another naturally occurring phenomenon in the area. The “Ice Beds” are literal ice formations that can be found within the recesses of rock piles inside a ravine at the end of the trail. And due to the unique microclimate here, the ice often remains frozen all summer long! Very cool indeed (pun unashamedly intended).

Trail Length: 1.8 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: 534 Feet

Seasonal Note: Pack a layer even on a warm October afternoon. The cool microclimate that keeps the ice frozen near the end of the trail also makes the air around the ravine noticeably chilly.

Hike to Lye Brook Falls

For a more moderate-to-challenging hike, visit the Lye Brook Falls Trail. This 4.5-mile out-and-back trail climbs 925 feet through the Lye Brook Wilderness, a protected corner of the Green Mountain National Forest, to what’s commonly described as one of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont. The trailhead is only about 5-10 minutes from downtown Manchester, so it’s an easy add to a day in town.

Trail Length: 4.5 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: 925 Feet

Seasonal Note: The strength and amount of water you see at the falls depends on recent rainfall so keep an eye on weather patterns ahead of your hike.

Shop AND PLAY IN DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER

Instead of a single mall, the Manchester Designer Outlets and independent shops are woven through Manchester Center, so you can walk between shops and stop for coffee along the way. Orvis, the outfitter founded in Manchester in 1856, is a local anchor, and the designer and outdoor brands around it make this an easy place to pick up a fall coat or a pair of boots. Odd End has an amazing and surprisingly affordable array of vintage gear. Check the directory before you go so you can plan your stops (Le Creuset, J.Crew Factory, and Pendleton are all worth a visit if you have room in your suitcase!).

When you’re done filling your suitcase, enjoy some fun and games over at Pastime Pinball, a legit pinball arcade with machines you can play dating all the way back to the 1950s! My favorite games included an Elvira pinball machine from the 1970s, an Indiana Jones adventure game, and of course, a more modern Lord of the Rings pinball machine. And if you’re for a more easy-paced option, consider visiting Gathered & Made, a shop with walk-in crafting, classes, and events.

Hours: Varies by shop, but generally Monday – Saturday 10AM – 6PM and Sunday 10AM – 5PM.*

Seasonal Note: Weekends in peak foliage bring some crowds, so weekday mornings are your best bet for shopping.

Enjoy A Flight Or Cozy Up with a Glass

While exploring downtown Manchester, don’t forget to stop by the Smuggler’s Notch Distillery. Grab a flight, enjoying favorites like the distillery’s Maple Bourbon, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and other spirits. I loved the Distillery’s gin options as well as their regular maple syrup and pickle flights!

And if Bourbon isn’t your style, consider grabbing a beer at Lost Marble Brewery. This was one of the more crowded stops during our visit, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Lots of seating for large groups, a beer garden with games, and great bites like the giant pretzel that paired oh so nicely with our drinks!

Entry Cost: Varies by Tasting Type and Additional Products Purchased.*

Senior Discount?: No

Hours: Open Daily 10AM – 6PM*

Stay at a Small, Cozy Inn Near Manchester, Vermont

After a full day of hiking and leaf peeping, a small, cozy Vermont inn makes the best home base! I stayed in nearby Jamaica, VT at River & Rye, a family-owned restaurant, bar, and inn and some of the best memories from my trip were just enjoying a cocktail at the fire pit outback while listening the water run through Ball Mountain Brook. If you’re looking for something in the center of town, I’d recommend the Inn at Manchester for a cozy, small feel. And if you’re willing to splurge for some traditional charm, any of the historic Inns of Dorset will be perfect places to rest.

*At time of writing.