First Time Visitor Guide To Experience Fall In Vermont
Oliver Palopo at Lake Elmore, IG: @opalpo
Hey everyone! I’m very excited to share in today’s blog how I spent my time exploring Vermont during the fall season as a first time visitor. I specifically chose to go to Vermont during fall due to inspiration from social media. Rather than spending another fall scrolling through social media and dreaming about going to Vermont, I figured now would be the year to take action. Thankfully, I didn’t do this alone and was able to accomplish this special goal with my photo buddy Oliver Palopo. If you haven’t already, you can follow him on Instagram @opalpo for more frequent updates on his work and travel. Or you can visit his website to view his amazing landscape work on display.
In today’s blog, I’ll talk through:
Choosing an airline, renting a car, and where to stay in Vermont
Picking the ideal time to visit
The restaurants I ate at and initial impressions
Places I’ve visited and the activities I’d recommend
My photo tips and places to take great pictures
There’s a LOT to see and do in Vermont which can make planning an overwhelming process. I’ll only be covering what I’ve done in and around key hotspots such as Burlington, Shelburne, Waterbury, and Stowe. With that in mind, let’s get right into it!
Choosing An Airline, Renting A Car, And Finding A Place To Stay
Choosing An Airline:
For someone that loves to fly, I usually stick with Southwest as my preferred airline. If you don’t have a travel credit card already, I’d suggest using the Chase Southwest program as you can rack up points for flights with every purchase. While I was trying to book a flight to Burlington, I found out that Southwest doesn’t fly out there - leaving me with either Delta Airlines, Jet Blue, or Alaska.
To narrow down my search I looked to see how much booking an airline would cost. First, I looked to see how much checking in a bag would cost as I knew I would be bringing back some sweet Vermont maple syrup back to California (I’ll get more into that later). Additionally, I asked friends or coworkers who flew those airlines for their experience. I ended up settling with Delta Airlines as I could fly with a personal and a carry-on for free (additional bags are subject to a fee). More information about their baggage policies can be found HERE.
Delta Airlines has screens built into their headrests keeping myself entertained for free, unlike Southwest where I need to go through a couple more steps of signing onto their network. Outside of entertainment, my flights were not delayed, claiming my baggage wasn’t a hassle and the staff were on top of their game with the service. As a first time flier on Delta Airlines, I’m most satisfied with how quickly and efficiently they handle the boarding process to when the plane takes off. By the time we got into our seats, the turn around time to getting off the tarmac was surprisingly quick.
Renting A Car:
Unless you already have friends or family members living in Vermont who can drive you around, renting a car is a must. I went with Alamo and booked a car through Southwest since I can rack up more points via the Chase Southwest program. I’ve used Alamo rental services in the past and I’ve always had a great experience with them so far. I appreciate how with every rental car I’ve inspected and ended up renting with Alamo, they take their due diligence with keeping the interior of their cars neat and tidy. As for the process to rent a car with them is straightforward - just select the type of car you would like to drive and select your pick up/drop off date and location. Once I’m done with my rental, dropping the car off is as simple as dropping the keys into a drop box and being on my way to check-in!
*Tip - If you want to save a more money and you have a Costco membership, then check out Costco Travel. Usually their rates are lower than the leading rental car companies.
When I initially booked my rental car I opted for a mid sized vehicle. However, when I picked up my rental car, I ended up with a SUV that overall served us better - especially on the back roads where the terrain can be rocky and uneven. If you’re planning on hiking around Vermont (which I will recommend later on) my advice would be to rent a SUV. You will need more clearance to play with, compared to a low clearance mid-sized car, allowing you to maneuver easily over bumpy and uneven roads commonly found in mountain passes.
As for driving around the western region of Vermont I’d say it’s easy to get around. Motorists in Vermont are very considerate on the highway as slower traffic will keep right to let other motorists pass (this is coming from someone who lives and drives around California where drivers tend to speed and don’t consider giving up their lane for faster cars). Highway 89 - which is the major highway that passes through key towns such as Burlington, Waterbury and Montpelier - is a divided highway with two lanes on each side of the road. On average it takes about 45 minutes from Burlington to Waterbury. Be mindful about driving on Highway 89 at night as it isn’t well lit and only illuminated by the headlights of other cars or by the light bouncing off reflection strips.
*Tip - Gas in Vermont is cheap! At the time we went, the gas prices hung around $3.70 per gallon for regular gas (Compared to $5.50 per gallon back in the Bay Area at the time of this post)
Finding A Place To Stay In Vermont:
The great part about finding accommodations in Vermont during the fall season is, no matter where you are, you’ll have endless opportunities to experience fall colors. The tough part about finding accommodations in Vermont during the fall season, is that popular places like Stowe and Waterbury fill up rather quickly, while hotel and Airbnb prices increase as well.
Instead of looking for places to stay within Stowe or Waterbury, I’ve set my sight on staying near Burlington for a couple reasons:
#1. Accessibility to an airport: I ended up staying in Shelburne which is the town south of Burlington. It only took me 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic, to get to the airport. Additionally, Shelburne has direct access to Highway 89!
#2. Monetary cost: Overall, it was hard to find accommodations for a couple of travelers without paying over $1,400 (before other applicable fees) for the week we stayed. Luckily, we found an Airbnb in Shelburne for about $1,000 for the whole week.
#3. Accessibility to food: Since we usually finish our activities late in the day and have a late dinner, we needed food options that were open past 8pm. Relative to staying in either Waterbury or Stowe, Burlington has more options for late night meals with a couple restaurants and fast food options open past 10pm.
When Is The Ideal Time To Go?
How To Track The Fall Colors:
For the past quarter century of my life, never have I ever seen such beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow in abundance anywhere California until I’ve visited Vermont. Social media, particularly Instagram, is one of my main sources for travel inspiration. Rather than spending another year scrolling through social media and missing out on the beautiful array of colors that last for a limited time, I made it a commitment to document my adventure through my photography. After much research from sources such as Instagram and Google, I found that “peak” fall foliage usually starts in mid-September and lasts until the end of October. To gain a better understanding of what and where to expect fall leaves to appear, use this fall foliage tracker to plan. There’s other fall foliage trackers on the web to use, however I picked this one because it provided a slider that estimates the best times to go by region. Although we went during the first week of October, the weather this time around was unusually on the warmer end of the spectrum; some of the locals we met along the way even mentioned how it felt like a late summer this time of year.
Moreover, as if hotter weather in October wasn’t unusual enough, there is also the possibility for rain. It wasn’t until the last day of our trip that it started to rain. If Oliver and I left in the second week of October, we would’ve been rained out and more of the leaves we witnessed during our time, would’ve been flushed out of the trees.
*Tip - On a solo outing, I learned from a local fisherman based in the northern town of Swanton how the leaves would turn more red than orange and yellow in the northern part of Vermont during early October. For a more scientific explanation of how and why the leaves change color, check out this article by Michigan State University. TLDR, it’s a combination of decreased sunlight causing a chemical reaction in the leaves and the ambient weather.
Where To Eat In Burlington, Stowe, And Waterbury
Burlington:
Bourbon Street - Coming from the Bay Area where Cajun-Creole food isn’t as prominent, Bourbon Street was a great change of pace and something I didn’t expect to find in Vermont. I ordered the jambalaya as my main dish along with the flank steak as a starter. The jambalaya itself was pretty good and had lots of flavor while slightly being on the soupier side. As for the flank steak, it was packed with lots of flavor as well, but caked in more spices than I’m used to. I was expecting a moderate amount of spicing on the flank steak as depicted on the homepage, however the flavors were much stronger than expected. What I appreciate more than enjoying food I don’t normally have the chance to eat back at home is the owner’s spirit in managing this restaurant by himself. I give the owner - who is the waiter, the cashier and the cook all packed into one - major props for being on top of his game as the sole proprietor.
El Cortijo, @cortijovt - On the last day of our trip before hitting the airport, we had brunch at this Mexican restaurant located on the northern end of downtown Burlington. Although I wouldn’t necessarily think Vermont would be known for its Mexican food, this restaurant exceeded my expectations with their Huevos Rancheros. The dish itself was pretty good, but where I think the star of the show is their potatoes. The crispy edges and well seasoned skin, combined with a chunky yet firm interior was just an absolute treat. If you order anything from here, you need to order a side of the potatoes!
Laliguras Indian Nepali Food - Indian and Nepali food in Vermont? It wasn’t the combination I was expecting to find here, but I’m so glad I did. We ordered a variety of food including the goat biryani, chicken tikka masala, the tandoori chicken and the pork momos. All the food was great and came in generous servings. If I had to make a recommendation on a single dish to choose from here it would be the tandoori chicken. Served as 4 pieces of thick chicken thighs with the drums attached, the interior of the chicken was juicy while the exterior was crispy and light. Be careful of how spicy you want your food though, as our waiter warned us that past “medium” spicy is where things can really take a turn.
Leonardo’s Pizza, @leonardos__pizza - There’s a couple reasons why I like Leonardo’s Pizza: they’re open 7 days a week from 11am to 11pm, and they have amazing pizza along with chicken wings to boot. My personal recommendation would be the fennel sausage gourmet pizza as it’s loaded with toppings striking a great balance of meat and non-meat toppings as well. To round off the meal, I’d suggest adding the chicken wings.
Nomad Coffee, @nomadcoffeevt - If you need a pick me up in the morning, the matcha latte will do the job just right.
Skinny Pancake, @skinnypancake - This restaurant is a great choice if you want to eat something light to get you through your day. Between savory crepes to sweet crepes, salads to sides, and other traditional breakfast menu items, there’s plenty of options to choose from. I ordered the ham, cheese, and apple crepe to fill me up just before a hike to Camel’s Hump (more details on this hike later) and it was just enough to get me through 4 hours of hiking! Overall, a great place to eat at and to enjoy a crepe in their outdoor seating area.
The Farmhouse Tap and Grill, @fhtgburlington - What’s a better way of getting great food recommendations without having to do tons of online research beforehand? Easy solution, just ask a local! I asked one of the attendants from the rental car company back in Burlington airport where to grab a good burger in town. It’s safe to say they didn’t disappoint when they mentioned to head to Farmhouse. I ended up getting two different burgers at the two different times I went - the LaPlatte River Angus Farm Beef Burger the first time and the VT Heritage Grazers Pork Burger the second time. While both are great options, I’d strongly recommend going with the Grazers Pork instead. The pork itself just had so much flavor and character on top of having a fried, sunny side up egg to go with it too. If a good burger is what you’re in the mood for then Farmhouse is the place to be.
Stowe:
The Butchery, @thebutcheryvt - A lowkey spot located just minutes away from downtown Stowe, this joint carries all kinds of goods from raw seafood, fresh meat, soft drinks and spirits and hearty sandwiches. My recommendation would be the Butchery Cheese Steak. The bread itself is soft with a toasted interior coupled with a hefty serving of meat, grilled peppers, and grilled onions. It’s a solid choice to fill up without feeling too stuffed to move.
Idletyme Brewing Company, @idletymebrewing - The food was pretty good, I got a burger from here that included some jalapeno sauce and two thick cuts of crispy bacon. Although this place was short staffed at the time, they provide Vermont guides to help you plan out your next move while you wait. There’s seating in the back and in the building itself, but the wait to sit outside was much longer compared to inside.
*Tip - While you’re waiting for your food, check out their selection of free maps and brochures of the local area, located in the waiting area at the front of the restaurant. Remember, brochures and maps can be just as powerful, if not better, than trying to search for things to do through Google.
Waterbury:
Prohibition Pig, @prohibitionpig - Pro Pig, as the locals would call it, is a great place to eat as they have some of the best smoked meats in town. This place is set up with a restaurant in the front that serves their full service menu with a taphouse located right behind it, serving a limited menu. Since the restaurant is so popular with a small interior, wait times can be long, unless you opt for seats at the bar or at the taphouse. From the menu I’d highly recommend the brisket, nachos with pulled pork, hot sausage, and pork ribs. Each smoked plate (with the exception of the nachos) came with a couple pieces of bread and pickled vegetables too.
If you can’t get enough of Pro-Pig after pigging out at the restaurant, you can always order some beer to go or pick up any apparel and accessories from their taphouse in the back.
Things To Do In West Vermont:
When I say west Vermont, I’ll mainly be covering areas such as Burlington, Shelburne, Waterbury and Stowe. A lot of the places I’ve seen on Instagram like Kancamagus Highway and Sleepy Hollow Farm, to name a few, are quite a ways away from Burlington so I couldn’t make the time during this visit. In this section, I’ll share more in detail about the places I’ve been and what to expect.
Places To Hike:
If you’re planning on doing a hike or two while you’re here then I’d highly recommend visiting either Camel’s Hump or Mt. Mansfield. Both mountains are challenging to hike up, however between the two, I’d suggest doing Camel’s Hump instead. It’s a much more lowkey hike that’s away from the crowds and the views up this mountain top are absolutely stunning. While Mt. Mansfield is stunning in its own way, it’s much more accessible to the masses which can lead to overcrowding.
Below I’ll talk through more about how the hikes went and what to expect if you choose to do either one or both yourself.
Catch A Sunset At Camel’s Hump via Monroe Trail Head
Shot on Canon R8 - On Top Of Camel’s Hump
Shutter Speed: 1/250sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 250
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
*Tip - Before you head out, bring a headlamp or a flashlight as this trail is pitch dark at night! Check the forecast and see if there are any clouds rolling in at night. If not then stow a tripod in your car as there isn’t any light pollution which opens up the night sky to plenty of stars!
Be at the trailhead by 3pm at the latest to have ample time to hike up to the summit for sunset (make sure to double check the forecast on when the sun sets). There’s two parking lots leading up to the trailhead. A smaller one closer to the start of the trailhead and another, bigger one just before the small lot. Keep in mind the only type of bathroom at the trailhead are the plastic honey buckets you would commonly see at construction sites. It’s best to bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer as there is a high probability there may not be anymore within those facilities by the time you arrive. Surprisingly, the temperature was pretty humid throughout the trail until the summit. Although it was humid, there’s plenty of natural shade by the trees and the mountain as the sun sets to the west.
Shot on Canon R8 - Sunset From The Top Of Camel’s Hump
Shutter Speed: 1/500sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
This is a tough out and back type of trail to hike as you’re constantly ascending without any part of the trail leveling off. Be careful walking through the forest as the fallen leaves can disguise slippery rocks and tree roots making tripping a possibility. Something else to consider is after 2 miles into the hike, the last mile has more slippery, smoother rocks with minimal footholds which can make it difficult to traverse. Additionally, the last half mile of trail heading to the top is a narrow corridor of steep, high placed rocks so be mindful and take your time here. Luckily we made it in time and were able to catch the remaining 20 minutes of the sunset left. The summit itself was a wave of fresh air, as the wind flowed freely, carrying with it the chill of the falling night. The sunset was absolutely amazing - the gradient of the blues, teals, yellows, oranges and reds all blended in so smoothly.
The difficult, albeit faster part, was heading back down. Even on the descent down, it wasn’t too chilly and one can certainly make due in short sleeve shirts and shorts on the way down. Make sure to bring out a headlamp or a flashlight. I was able to secure a $15 dollar headlamp from Outdoor Gear Exchange just before the hike, in addition to some batteries they provided in store to help light the way. Although descending was much easier on the knees, be mindful of how you’re descending as the fall leaves in the dark can make it even more difficult to spot where to step safely without slipping. Optional yet super helpful, would be a hiking pole, as it can be important for ensuring proper footing and weight distribution when descending. In total, expect to spend at least 4 hours round trip if you intend to hike here.
The Chin Trail To Mt. Mansfield
The shortest, yet challenging trail to the top, is The Chin trail which is an out and back type trail. One way took Oliver and I about 30 minutes to complete, but keep in mind that it’s a tough trail for a couple reasons. The trail is a very narrow ascent until you reach the clearing at the top which opens up the trail tremendously and allows for more two way access. On top of narrow corridors, the already limited space can be more uncomfortable as hikers who are coming back down from the top need space to slip through. In the first half of the hike, it can be difficult to catch a breath as there aren’t places that level out.
There are sections in the first half of the trail that will force you to scramble and prompt you to use your hands to traverse uneven terrain. The rocks leading to the clearing are some of the tougher rocks to traverse as they are very smooth and slippery with minimal footholds.
After clearing the smooth, steep rocks, the trail mellows out substantially and opens up. Compared to the first half of the ascension, which will naturally protect you from the sun’s rays thanks to the trees, rocks and the mountain face; the second half is all open which leaves you completely exposed to the sun. Compared to Camel’s Hump, Mt. Mansfield is so much more accessible so expect to see more foot traffic on both the trails and at the summit.
Shot on Canon R8 - On Top Of Mt. Mansfield
Shutter Speed: 1/4000sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
There’s multiple ways to make it to the summit; either by hiking up via an accessible trail at the base of the mountain or by taking the gondola up and then hiking up from the Cliff House. If you do plan to take the Gondola Skyride you’ll stop at the Cliff House restaurant. At the time we went, it was $37 per person including other applicable fees. There’s options to order a ticket at the ticket booth or order online (which we did and was pretty easy). Before getting onto the gondola, we were asked if we had any drones within our camera bags - the employees were pretty adamant on asking, but they didn’t check our bags at the time we went (however, they may check if necessary).
Shot on Canon R8 - The House In The Red Mountain
Shutter Speed: 1/2000sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
Looking for a much more challenging hike? As suggested by a Vermont native I met along the way, try the Mount Mansfield Loop Trail. Otherwise, the Sunset Ridge and Long Loop Trail is another excellent option being a slightly shorter and mellower hike.
Shot on Canon R8 - Views of West Vermont From Mt. Mansfield
Shutter Speed: 1/3200sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
Points Of Interest:
Below are some of the places I’ve visited, the activities I’ve done and my thoughts on the experiences made.
Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour (@benandjerrys) in Waterbury
This Vermont based ice creamery serves factory tours that are split into three parts - lasting for a combined runtime of at least 30 minutes. It’s a pretty straightforward tour that starts with a video outlining the company’s history, followed by a guided tour of how they produce their ice cream and finishes off with a sample tasting of a newly released flavor in their tasting room. If you want more ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth after the tour, then save your craving until you get to Burlington. The lines for ice cream outside of the main lobby can last up to 30 minutes long. After I chatted with one of the scoopers from Ben and Jerry’s Waterbury location, the man told me that it’s normal for them to have customers coming in non-stop for ice cream from open until close. Overall, the B&J’s factory is a great addition to any itinerary as it’s a low commitment and low cost activity. Tickets are only available online, and if you do decide to visit, then like I mentioned earlier it’s a low cost activity (at the time we went it was $13 for two people including other applicable fees).
Cold Hollow Cider Mill (coldhollowcidermillvt) between Waterbury and Stowe
This is a popular place to visit as it’s located between two well known towns, however you can expect crowds to come in the dozens. Although Cold Hollow is well known for its apple cider and cider donuts, I’d say they were alright. The apple cider, which comes in both hot and cold options, was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. For the cider donuts, get there as early as you can while the donuts are fresh out of the fryer. Otherwise if you show up later, I’d suggest grabbing a bag to go and warming them up when you have the chance. Additionally I ordered the apple cider donut ice cream sandwich. The donuts themselves were hard, but the ice cream was even harder to bite into. If you do order one, just know the ice cream sandwich is taken out of a freezer and not made to order. I had high hopes for this place since it came up often during my initial Vermont research on places to visit. I’d say Cold Hollow is a great place to visit if you’re looking to buy some souvenirs or gifts, however it’s not the one stop shop for all your Vermont sweets and treats. Even though this place sells maple syrup as well, I’d suggest going to a specialized sugar house (more details to come later).
Take a trip around Stowe by taking the Edison Hill and West Hill loop - Although this route is a small loop around Stowe, it’s a great option if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and take some cool car or portrait pictures under the fall leaves. Keep in mind the open spaces along this route are often private property, so if you’re going to take a picture then be mindful of the locals and their driveways.
Shot on Canon R8 - Stop And Enjoy The Leaves
Shutter Speed: 1/800sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
Spend an afternoon in Lake Elmore - I suggest visiting Lake Elmore for a couple of reasons. It’s a lowkey spot that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic, so it's a great chance to get away from the crowds. There's the Elmore Sugarhouse located on the southern end of the lake where you can score some maple syrup straight from the source. There are docks located around the lake where you can launch a kayak or sup board from. For you and your camera, there’s photo opportunities abound! Whether it’s flying a drone over the lake, taking shots of a car driving down a road lined with trees dyed in fall colors, or setting up for reflection shots on the lake, Lake Elmore is your playground.
Shot on Canon R8 - An Afternoon With You
Shutter Speed: 1/1250sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
Gear up at Outdoor Gear Exchange or Black Diamond
Outdoor Gear Exchange (@outdoorgearexchange) is hands down one of the best outdoor stores on the block in downtown Burlington. Where Black Diamond specializes in selling their own gear, OGE sells a wide array of goods such as men’s, women’s and youth apparel and gear. Coupled with their extensive collection of goods, is a wave of sales specials and signs. The most overwhelming, yet best part of this place is they have a lower floor stocked full of pre-owned gear for the low. There’s definitely something for everyone here and thankfully they had some pre-owned headlamps on sale that I was able to use without a problem for when I hiked up Camel’s hump.
Black Diamond (@blackdiamond) is a great shop to visit for a couple of reasons. If you’re an outdoorsy person looking for recommendations on where to go, then check out the counter as they hand out little booklets that included suggestions on where to eat, things to do, and places to explore from Black Diamond associates. Additionally, this location sells Burlington branded stickers and apparel as well.
Spend an afternoon in downtown Stowe - There’s a lot to see and do within Stowe, but it can be a battle to find parking in the afternoon. There’s lots of traffic on Mountain Road Marketplace due to a combination of stop signs, no stop lights, and motorists fighting to merge onto the main road. Two places I’d recommend to check out include the Ski and Snowboard Museum, at the time showcasimg Scott Lenhardt’s designs for Burton Snowboards, and the Bear Pond Book Store where you can find photobooks specifically of Vermont.
Shot on Canon R8 - Welcome To Stowe
Shutter Speed: 1/160sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
Take a walk around Little River State Park - The reason why I added this location was because it’s a fantastic place to fly a drone. Located by Waterbury, it’s a 40 minute drive away from Burlington. You will need to take a narrow back road leading up to the park, and it can be a slow drive if there’s a truck in front of you. If you have a drone, I suggest bringing it to the park entrance and fly over the Waterbury Reserve during sundown to get those nice red tones bouncing off the trees. At the time we went, we didn’t notice any signs saying you can’t fly drones within the park or outside of the gates. The entrance fee is $5 per person so it’s a pretty low cost activity to tack on any itinerary. There’s kayaks located on the beaches lying around and are available to rent if you do decide to cruise on the water.
Shot on Canon R8 - A Walk In The Park
Shutter Speed: 1/250sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 400
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
Hang around the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge - There’s no place short of fall foliage wherever you drive in Vermont. The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is a 50 minute drive from Shelburne without traffic. As you drive up Highway 89, the trees become redder than the leaves in south Burlington. For some awesome reflection shots of the fall leaves on the lake, visit before noon when the water is calmer without the sun rays bouncing off the surface and the fish are less active.
Shot on Canon R8 - Reflections At Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Shutter Speed: 1/800sec
Aperture: F5.0
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
*Tip - This area is right on the border of Canada and New York. If you have a rental car and you don’t tell your car company you’re traveling internationally, then any damages incurred on the vehicle will come out of your own pocket! Each rental car company is going to be different so double check with your provider if you intend to head to Canada.
*Bonus tip - Your best chances of getting still waters for a clean reflection shot are in the morning. That’s due to a combination of the fish not being as active and and the sunrays aren’t beaming down hard on the water.
Taste Some A-Grade Vermont Maple Syrup At Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm
Shot on Canon R8 - To The Sugarhouse
Shutter Speed: 1/250sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
What’s better than getting some Vermont maple syrup from a grocery store or by ordering it online? How about tasting some syrup straight from an authentic sugarhouse! I’d highly recommend visiting a sugarhouse in Vermont when you have the chance. Out of all the sugarhouses in Vermont (within our proximity) we decided to go with Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm (@nebraskaknoll) due to its high rating from the Google Reviews. You will need to take a back road that leads to this secluded sugar house, but I’d go so far as to say that there’s gold at the end of this trail. Columns of trees dyed in fall colors cover both sides of the road while the fall leaves decorate trail. This location hardly gets any visitors because it’s so secluded and only open on certain days. On top of that, it can be difficult to access this place during certain times of the year because of snow so double check with a quick Google search before heading out.
Once you reach the end of the road, you’ll come across a small little house with a bench outside that offers different grades of syrup for tasting! The prices for Vermont maple syrup here are reasonable and one of the best parts that made this trip even sweeter, was knowing they have bubble wrap to protect your golden goods on the plane ride back home.
Shot on Canon R8 - The Sugarhouse In The Woods
Shutter Speed: 1/1000sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
Spend a day at Shelburne Farms, @shelburnefarms - There’s a lot to see and do at Shelburne farms - so much that you can spend a whole day here if you’d like. From taking short walks through the forests, to petting farm animals, getting lost in a maze or viewing some flowers in their garden, there is something for everyone. We stayed for a couple of hours, but during our time we ended up hiking up to Lone Tree Hill, which is a single apple tree on a hill, and explored their maze located in the heart of the establishment. Pictures are allowed, however drone flight is prohibited since this place is private property.
Shot on Canon R8 - Lone Apple At Lone Tree Hill
Shutter Speed: 1/400sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
Enjoy a scenic drive through Smugglers Notch - This is one of my favorite drives I took during my time here and if you have the chance I’d suggest taking the wheel for yourself to find out why! Smuggler’s Notch is a well known road with many opportunities along the way to stop and take pictures or enjoy the natural scenery.
Shot on Canon R8 - Smuggler’s Notch
Shutter Speed: 1/800sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 1250
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
The Spots To Take The Best Photos:
If you’re a photographer wondering where to capture some of the most beautiful Vermont scenery, then let me help you. After many saved Vermont posts from Instagram, hours of research sifting through Google Images and Google Maps and interacting with the Vermont locals, I’m happy to share a list of my recomended photo spots with links to the locations.
There aren’t many travelers heading to Little River State Park as this place is primarily designated for camping and secluded in the woods by Waterbury. This combination makes it one of the perfect places to take your time composing car photos (or portraits) undisturbed. We found this clearing in the woods HERE and spent the rest of our afternoon taking photos until the sun went down. When taking car photos, take the shot from a lower angle for a more “striking” pose while accentuating how tall the trees are in the background.
*Tip - editing white cars can be tricky. If you find hints of green or yellow within the white of the car, be aware the light bouncing off the colorful leaves will reflect on the car itself. In post processing software like Adobe Lightroom, you will need to use a filter like “select subject” to mask the car. You can apply increasing the whites, and increasing the exposure, and desaturating the car to revert to a whiter color. Finally, decrease the blacks and add contrast using the sliders to help add definition and make your subject stand out.
Shot on Canon R8 - Into The Woods
Shutter Speed: 1/320sec
Aperture: F2.5
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma 35mm Art F1.4
There’s multiple docks alongside the shore of Lake Elmore - some are private property while some are for public use. The dock within the picture on the left is situated by the Elmore Store. Bring a 70-200mm lens as there’s plenty of opportunities for reflection shots of homes along the lake. Plus the beauty of a 70-200mm lens helps bring the background to the foreground because of how a higher focal length “compresses” the frame.
Shot on Canon R8 - Afternoons At The Dock In Lake Dewey
Shutter Speed: 1/3200sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
As you drive along the back roads leading to Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm, there’s plenty of opportunities to step out and enjoy a walk down Fall Brooks Lane. Since there’s not many cars passing in and out of the road due to how secluded the location is, you can take your time finding the right shot of your friend walking down the beaten path.
*Tip - roads in the shape of a s-curve make for a really interesting composition and guides the viewers eyes on what you want them to focus on. To further help the eyes focus on what a walking subject down the road, use vignetting to darken the corners and a linear gradient to darken the foreground.
Shot on Canon R8 - A Stroll Through The Backroads
Shutter Speed: 1/500sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
As you drive along the back roads leading to Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm, there’s plenty of opportunities to take stellar car pictures on Fall Brooks Lane. Like I mentioned earlier, there’s not a lot of visitors coming to the sugar farm since this place is so far out of the way - making it the perfect place to take your time positioning the car. You would want to bring a buddy along to manage the positioning of the car while composing your shot.
*Tip - The back roads are perfect for taking portraits or shots of your car! Thankfully I scored a white SUV rental which contrasted really well with the color of the fall leaves. Ask your rental car company if they have cars in white available to rent as white stands out exceptionally well against a backdrop of fall colors.
Shot on Canon R8 - Fall Ready
Shutter Speed: 1/500sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
Have you wondered why the Stowe Community Church is such a popular place to take a picture of? The white building with the long antenna stands out so well from the fall foliage that it’s easy to identify (trust me it looks even better in person). Looking to add a shot of the Stowe Community Church to your bucket list of pictures, but unsure of where to start? Check out the Stowe Community Church Viewpoint just past the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge!
Shot on Canon R8 - The Church
Shutter Speed: 1/640sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
There are plenty of places along Smuggler’s Notch to take awesome photos, but I’d suggest focusing on the stretch of road between Sterling Pond Trail and Martell’s at the Red Fox. This picture was taken heading north to Jeffersonville in the afternoon.
*Tip - It can be difficult to take quality pictures as there’s always cars passing by but if you have the chance, some of the best shots to take involve some windy road shots or drive-by shots of passing cars.
Shot on Canon R8 - The Road Ahead
Shutter Speed: 1/400sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 1600
Lens: Sigma Art EF Mount 24-70mm F2.8
Afterword:
Visiting Vermont in the fall vastly exceeded my expectations and I’m so happy to have experienced such a beautiful place dyed in an abundance of red, orange, and yellow hues. Although California offers yellow aspen trees and pockets of fall colors scattered throughout the state, fall in California cannot compare to fall in the the Northeast. As a photographer and a travel enthusiast, there’s so much to do and enjoy in this state.
Even though I’ve only scratched the tip of the iceberg with this one trip, the first experience is more than enough to bring me back here later in my life.
I hope you found my tips and suggestions helpful and enjoyed reading through this blog as much as I enjoyed making it. To keep up with where I’m heading off to next and what other projects I have in store, follow me on Instagram @kuya_adrian. If you haven’t already, give Oliver a follow on Instagram @opalopo for more of his content.
Shot on Canon R8 - Where The Road Takes You
Shutter Speed: 1/1000sec
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Lens: Sigma Sport EF Mount 70-200mm F2.8
*All pictures were taken by me on the Canon R8 and edited with Adobe Lightroom.
