What is leaf peeping like in Vermont? Would kids enjoy?

[Anonymous]

Don't book flights to VT yet. Wait to see how much damage the floods do.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others, just plan a fun weekend road trip that happens to be at a good time to see the leaves. Hiking, a cute town, pumpkin picking, cider and donuts, a hotel with a pool for the kids. Maybe there's a nature center that does a campfire or kids class or something. Just make sure to plan activities other that driving and saying "ooh, look at the pretty leaves."

[Anonymous]

No, it is boring unless you plan actual activities to do "among the leaves."

It is also hard to time a vacation like this. It is just like cherry blossom season here. You never know exactly when leaves will peak, and sometimes weather knocks them out right away.

[Anonymous]

Shenandoah has nice leaves if you want something closer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will take your kids out of school to see leaves?

Sounds like a good plan if you live somewhere that doesn't have leaves.

Where in the DC area are there no leaves?

[Anonymous]

I don't think it sounds boring! My kid would love Vermont; definitely do some fun hikes, go to Ben & Jerry's, do apple cider "tastings" and a cheese tasting. my sis did that and her kids loved it and felt very "fancy". I would love to take my kids to Vermont during the height of the fall, but my schedule doesn't allow it.

If you happen to decide it's too far or something, a nice alternative is the the Canaan Valley, in WV. You must go around indigenous persons weekend either a few days before or after for the best chance at great foliage. We book it annually. Much less to do there, but it makes for a lovely fall weekend and for us, it's the real fall kick-off since leaves aren't really changing much at home by that point. Wonderful hiking around blackwater falls state park and Cannan valley resort state park, the dolly sods (it's a trek up there), and the towns of Davis and Thomas are adorable and often have live music at the purple fiddle, yummy casual restaurants and cute artsy stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it sounds boring! My kid would love Vermont; definitely do some fun hikes, go to Ben & Jerry's, do apple cider "tastings" and a cheese tasting. my sis did that and her kids loved it and felt very "fancy". I would love to take my kids to Vermont during the height of the fall, but my schedule doesn't allow it.

If you happen to decide it's too far or something, a nice alternative is the the Canaan Valley, in WV. You must go around indigenous persons weekend either a few days before or after for the best chance at great foliage. We book it annually. Much less to do there, but it makes for a lovely fall weekend and for us, it's the real fall kick-off since leaves aren't really changing much at home by that point. Wonderful hiking around blackwater falls state park and Cannan valley resort state park, the dolly sods (it's a trek up there), and the towns of Davis and Thomas are adorable and often have live music at the purple fiddle, yummy casual restaurants and cute artsy stores.

oh and I meant to add that the leaves in the Canaan valley are MUCH bolder than in northern VA or the Shenandoah Valley...I live in the valley now and the leaves are much duller and browner :/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with others, just plan a fun weekend road trip that happens to be at a good time to see the leaves. Hiking, a cute town, pumpkin picking, cider and donuts, a hotel with a pool for the kids. Maybe there's a nature center that does a campfire or kids class or something. Just make sure to plan activities other that driving and saying "ooh, look at the pretty leaves."

+1 to all this.
It's not chaotic but hotels book up, so book in advance. We once went to a wedding in New England during leaf peeping season. My kid tolerated a couple of scenic drives but we were otherwise busy with wedding activities and some non-nature sightseeing. It was a good mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't book flights to VT yet. Wait to see how much damage the floods do.

Curious on the opinion of how floods will impact hotel availability and autumn which is a heavy money maker for Vermont. Burlington seems to be less impacted at the moment than Montpelier for instance.

[Anonymous]

We go every year in the fall. We love going for the foliage. The kids may not care about the leaves specifically but we go pumpkin picking and get fresh cider/cider doughnuts, go to the Vermont country store, take the gondola up the mountain and do scenic trails, and the mountain resorts will often have brew and chili fests. We love Vermont in the fall. If you’re in the Manchester area, there’s a great bookstore for kids, a nice town, and Bromley mountain nearby is super kid friendly and has activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't book flights to VT yet. Wait to see how much damage the floods do.

Curious on the opinion of how floods will impact hotel availability and autumn which is a heavy money maker for Vermont. Burlington seems to be less impacted at the moment than Montpelier for instance.

I’m near Burlington and things are fine currently.

Too early to say. Travel all over the state may be mostly fine in just a few days.

But considering some areas got more rain than during hurricane Irene it’s possible that some potential road damage may still have an impact on foliage season.

[Anonymous]

Some good news.

https://www.wcax.com/2023/07/11/montpelier-city-manager-warns-potential-wrightsville-dam-failure-flood-continue/

Montpelier is still flooded but city leaders say crisis averted at the Wrightsville Dam.

City Manager William Fraser had warned overnight that the dam had surpassed Tropical Storm Irene levels and was nearing capacity.

But city leaders now say the water will not get high enough to spill over the top of the dam.

Tuesday morning, Andrew Sampsell, a dam safety engineer with the Vermont Dam Safety Program, was at the dam monitoring the level. He said the dam is working as intended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't book flights to VT yet. Wait to see how much damage the floods do.

Curious on the opinion of how floods will impact hotel availability and autumn which is a heavy money maker for Vermont. Burlington seems to be less impacted at the moment than Montpelier for instance.

I’m near Burlington and things are fine currently.

Too early to say. Travel all over the state may be mostly fine in just a few days.

But considering some areas got more rain than during hurricane Irene it’s possible that some potential road damage may still have an impact on foliage season.

Glad Burlington is holding up well. Stowe closed resort activities thru Saturday it seems. Okemo has been hard hit for anyone heading to Ludlow.

Unsure on Manchester and Woodstock, anyone have an update there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Leaf peeping in Vermont” is code for a road trip to a New England. You drive around on some two-lane roads and marvel at the foliage. Visit some general stores. Drink some cider. Browse through some country antiques. Get a pumpkin. Eat in an inn.

Chaos? I would never describe anything in Vermont as “chaos.”

That sounds fabulous

[Anonymous]

Any kids would find this boring.