If you’ve ever dreamed of a leaf-peeping trip that pairs New England‘s most vibrant fall color with a walkable destination the whole family can enjoy, you’re in luck.
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain in northwestern Vermont, Burlington delivers all the benefits of an urban getaway framed by the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. This accessible city is filled with leafy parks and farm-to-table restaurants, anchored by a lively outdoor pedestrian mall and lined with miles of waterfront along New England’s largest lake. Wake up in a hotel overlooking the city, then stroll a few blocks to the water for a scenic dinner cruise, a stop at a world-class museum or a walk along the Burlington Greenway. Later, head to Church Street for shopping and an outdoor concert.
It’s no wonder travel advisors consistently rank Burlington as a top choice for multigenerational family trips—and autumn is the ideal season to visit. Here’s why this Vermont city is one of the best destinations in the state for a leaf-peeping getaway with the whole family.
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Why Fall Is the Best Time to Visit Burlington
Known for its parks, Burlington is especially spectacular in fall, when the leaves change.Photo credit: Hello Burlington
From late September through mid-October, Burlington’s maple, oak, and birch trees turn brilliant shades of gold and russet. The weather is crisp and cool, and the fall colors set against Lake Champlain are spectacular.
“There’s nothing like an autumn walk through Waterfront Park, once a lumber yard and now a beautiful lakeside green space,” says Royal Ahmadi, senior vice president and general manager of The Vacation Group. “You can see foliage views along Lake Champlain without committing to a long hike, and it’s the perfect chance to walk a stretch of the Burlington Bike Path, buy a maple creemee from Champ’s Legendary Creemee Stand and enjoy the views.”
Fall festivals abound, bringing popular seasonal events like the annual waterfront Oktoberfest Vermont and the Vermont International Film Festival to the city. Families can pick apples at nearby farms like Shelburne Orchards (just 20 minutes from downtown by car), and fresh treats like apple cider and hot cider donuts can be found at vendors and cafes throughout the city.
“Most families travel to Vermont’s mountain gaps to see the leaves, but fall in Burlington is a completely different vibe. The whole harvest season turns the city into a celebration of local food and makers,” says travel advisor Amanda Coulman of ET Family Travel. “If you’re looking for that classic family vibe, hit the Saturday Burlington Farmers Market. It’s total sensory overload, but in the best way—families, live music and incredible local food.”
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In Town: Walkable Streets, Award-Winning Restaurants and Fun for the Whole Family
Burlington’s lively pedestrian district Church Street Marketplace is lined with restaurants and shops.Photo credit: Getty Images/Benedek
Ranked the No. 3 most walkable city in the country by USA Today‘s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Burlington’s compact design and traditional street grid make it a pleasure to explore on foot. The University of Vermont’s campus is a 10-minute walk east of downtown on a hill. Sidewalks can be found almost everywhere, and the pedestrian-only, four-block Church Street Marketplace sits at the heart of downtown, lined with shops, restaurants and cafes.
“Burlington Bagel Factory is a great breakfast stop for hand-rolled, freshly baked bagels,” Ahmadi says. “On a chilly day, there’s nothing better than a bowl of pho at Pho Hong in the Old North End. And for multigenerational families, American Flatbread is the perfect dinner spot for artisanal, thin-crust pizza—it solves the problem of getting three generations to agree on where to eat.”
Fantastic hotel options can also be found downtown. A favorite for multigenerational families is the 125-room Hotel Vermont, ideally located between Church Street and the city’s Waterfront Park. This independent hotel offers a modern, eco-luxury boutique experience deeply rooted in local craftmanship, culture and agriculture, with cozy touches like Vermont-made goods and bedding and complimentary bicycles, a yoga room and fitness facilities for hotel guests. Plus, the onsite restaurant Juniper is top-notch, says travel advisor Joanne M. Telfer, owner of Singing Mermaid Travels and an independent agent with Dugan’s Travels.
“The culinary experience at Hotel Vermont is a big part of the fun,” she says. “Juniper serves ingredient-driven, locally sourced cuisine alongside small-batch craft beer and creative cocktails. And the acclaimed restaurant Hen of the Woods is just steps away within the hotel complex, so you have superb dining without ever leaving the property.”
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The Burlington Greenway: The Best Way to Walk or Bike Through Peak Foliage
The Burlington Greenway runs along the shore of Lake Champlain from south to north.Photo credit: Getty Images
An eight-mile paved, multi-use path along the Lake Champlain waterfront, the Burlington Greenway is just a short walk from downtown, yet offers incredible, uninterrupted views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.
“For families traveling with multiple generations, the Burlington Greenway takes the stress out of a traditional New England hike while still delivering massive, panoramic views of the Adirondacks,” Coulman says. “What makes it perfect for a group that includes both grandparents and toddlers is how close it is to everything. Rent e-bikes or cruisers at Local Motion, hop on the trail, and pull off whenever anyone gets tired for a crepe at The Skinny Pancake or a walk up to Church Street Marketplace.”
In the fall, the Greenway brings especially stunning scenery: fiery sienna and yellow leaves line the path, and the mostly flat, car-free trail is ideal for walking or cycling. Several downtown bike shops rent out bikes and e-bikes, as well as a few hotels. And a hike or ride along the Greenway can be combined with an unforgettable excursion found just adjacent to it: a train ride in restored, 1930s-era vintage train cars.
“The Champlain Valley Dinner Train is a fun, unique experience for families,” Coulman says. “You board at the Burlington waterfront and are served a three-course meal on a three-hour round-trip ride to Middlebury and back. I highly recommend it, but book well in advance.”
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Museums and Attractions for Every Season, In Town and Nearby
The Shelburne Museum’s eighty-foot-diameter Round Barn is one of only two dozen built in the state.Photo credit: Getty Images
For unbeatable autumn views from the water, hop aboard a sightseeing or dinner cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen, a triple-deck cruise ship and floating restaurant. A family-owned business, it runs seasonal cruises from May through October and offers a fun, relaxing and uniquely Burlington experience. A short walk away on the waterfront is another can’t-miss stop for multigenerational families: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a science and nature museum that delivers an engaging, hands-on experience for all ages.
“To really appreciate the scale of the area, I suggest getting out on the water—and the Spirit of Ethan Allen is the perfect way to do that,” Coulman says. “It’s relaxing for adults but keeps kids completely engaged. Do a daytime narrated cruise that dives into local history and lake monster folklore, or my personal favorite: an evening sunset dinner cruise. Either way, watching the sun drop behind the Adirondacks from the water gives you a front-row seat to Vermont you just can’t get from the shore.”
Some of the best experiences are just a short drive outside the city. Ten minutes south of Burlington by car, don’t miss the largest art and history museum in northern New England: the Shelburne Museum, an eclectic, 45-acre campus featuring a steamboat, restored antique carousel, a historic train and station and an incredible hand-carved circus collection. The museum closes for the season in late October, then reopens in late November for its annual holiday lights celebration.
“The Shelburne Museum is incredible—plan for a full day to see it all,” Ahmadi says. “Kids love exploring the Ticonderoga, a restored steamboat that’s a National Historic Landmark and the last of its kind in existence. Or if everyone wants to be outside, head to Shelburne Farms, a working farm with over 10 miles of public walking trails and grounds originally organized by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.”
More Can’t-Miss Foliage Destinations Within a Few Hours of Burlington
Built in 1909, The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown offers sweeping views of over Otsego Lake.Photo credit: The Otesaga Resort Hotel
Northeast Kingdom, Vermont: Vermont’s most remote, rugged corner is also its most dramatic for autumn foliage, with rolling farmland, dense forest and glacial lakes. About 90 minutes from Burlington by car, this region is filled with maple sugarhouses and quiet small towns like Craftsbury and Greensboro.
Stowe, Vermont: This iconic mountain town sits at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, about an hour from Burlington by car. Ride the gondola to the summit for sweeping foliage views, or walk the Stowe Recreation Path past covered bridges and white-steepled churches.
Middlebury, Vermont: A classic college town roughly 40 minutes south of Burlington by car, Middlebury offers a walkable downtown, waterfalls right in the center of town, and scenic drives through the Green Mountains—an easy add-on for more small-town Vermont charm.
Montréal, Quebec, Canada: About two hours north by car, Montréal trades small-town charm for big-city energy, with mountainside lookouts like Mont Royal offering spectacular foliage views alongside the historic Old Montreal district and a world-class food scene. Just don’t forget passports.
Cooperstown, New York: Roughly four hours southwest by car, this idyllic village on Otsego Lake pairs magnificent leaf-peeping with world-class attractions like the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. For a multigenerational splurge, book The Otesaga Resort Hotel, a legendary lakeside resort with a spacious veranda built for foliage views.
How to Plan the Ultimate Multigenerational Leaf-Peeping Trip
An aerial view of a scenic lake surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage in Vermont.Photo credit: Getty Images/Westend61
Loop in every generation on planning. “Ask everyone to choose one thing they’d love to do, so the trip reflects the whole family,” says Ahmadi.
Book early. “Always book early to have your pick of accommodations,” says Coulman.
Pack for changing weather. “Mornings can be near freezing while afternoons feel like sweater weather, so layers are key,” says Telfer.
Choose a home base with plenty to do. “Pick a base where a scenic walk, a museum and a good meal are all close by,” says Ahmadi.
Aim for late September through mid-October. “Foliage timing shifts year to year, but that window typically offers the most reliable peak color,” says Coulman.
Check foliage reports for day trips. “Vermont’s foliage tracker updates weekly, so use it to plan day trips around peak color,” says Telfer.
Balance activity levels. “You don’t need a strenuous hike to enjoy fall foliage. Mix in shorter walks with more active outings,” says Ahmadi.
Rent a car. “A rental vehicle is a must. It allows families to see more outside the city,” says Coulman.
Choose lodging with flexible space. “Look for suites or connecting rooms so everyone has privacy but can still gather together,” says Telfer.
Leave room in the itinerary. “Leave breathing room each day for an unplanned stop or a long lunch. Those moments become the best memories,” says Ahmadi.
Related: Not Into Leaf-Peeping? Travel Experts Recommend These 5 Fall Trips That Have Nothing to Do With Foliage
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