Leaf-Peeping Weekend in Burlington, VT
October 4 – October 6th, 2024
I absolutely love Vermont, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. Photos and videos don’t do the natural beauty justice but I try to capture it anyway. Last year my husband, Aaron, and I made a fall trip to Woodstock, VT and this year we decided to extend the drive up to Burlington, a place with a great combination of city life and small town charm.
We planned to leave our house in Brooklyn and drive to my aunt’s in Connecticut to drop off our dog and break up the trip (since a 1.5-year-old tends to get restless in the car). While driving on I-95, we were involved in a hit-and-run accident. Thankfully, we were unharmed, but we had to leave my car for repairs and pick up a rental, which delayed our trip.
My mom grew up in Burlington, VT where my grandparents were teachers. They attended the famous Unitarian Universalist Church located at the top of Church Street in downtown Burlington for 26 years. We stayed with my Aunt in Essex, just east of Burlington, so I have included a few different places that are also just outside of downtown in my roundup below.
Best Time to See Fall Foliage in Burlington, VT
We took our trip to Woodstock last year in mid-September, which was a bit early for peak foliage but came with the perk of fewer crowds. If you’re aiming for peak leaf season, early October is your sweet spot! The vibrant colors are worth the trip, but expect more visitors—reservations are a must. Since our plans hit a few bumps, we had to wing it without reservations, which limited our options. (Next time I plan on heading to the Mediterranean restaurant Honey Road.) Plan ahead, and you’ll have the perfect fall getaway!
To Eat
Breakfast
Myers Wood Fired
408 Shelburne Rd, Burlington, VT 05403 | https://www.myersbagels.com
While I am a die-hard NY/NJ bagel fan, I had to try one of the only restaurants in the US making Montreal style bagels. The bagels are hand rolled and honey boiled, then wood fired in their oven. Montreal bagels are made on the smaller side with a denser crumb and a larger hole in the center. They are also typically made without salt, giving them a sweeter profile (I personally miss the sodium). This spot has been open since 1996 and is a great option to eat in or take to go. I recommend ordering a breakfast sandwich – the “Ivan” is made with eggs, avocado, melted Brie, and sriracha. Because they are on the smaller side don’t feel guilty ordering two. The maple bagel with maple cream cheese is a great sweet option showcasing some of VT’s famous syrup.
Must-order: Maple bagel with maple cream cheese
The Cafe HOT
198 Main St, Burlington, VT 05401 | https://www.thecafehot.com/
I was walking by and had marked the Cafe HOT on my list of places to try, so I had to snag something from their takeout window. Since it was around the time for my late breakfast/early lunch, I opted for a smaller option. I ordered the “bastard bing” – a bastardization of the jianbing made with a flour tortilla with egg, hoisin, secret sauce, sesame, cabbage, pickled onion and fresh herbs. It’s delicious and crispy. Their donuts are made from biscuit dough, giving them a dense texture with some great balanced flavors. The cilantro lime donut sounds odd, but it tasted like someone made something “margarita” flavored. The espresso donut made with Brio coffee had a great concentrated coffee flavor.
Must-order: Espresso glaze donut
Jericho Ale and Bean
51 VT-15, Jericho, VT 05465 | https://jerichoaleandbean.com/
Jericho Ale and Bean is a community-centered coffee shop that also features locally brewed beer. I recommend trying the maple cold brew while your kids enjoy the play space filled with toys, giving you a moment for adult conversation. For a quick and satisfying breakfast, grab the egg and cheese sandwich with Vermont cheddar on an English muffin, topped with hot sauce—perfect for those on the go.
Must-order: Maple cold brew
Lunch & Dinner
Sherpa Kitchen
119 College St, Burlington, VT 05401 | https://sherpakitchenvt.com/
This small spot on College Street features dishes of Nepalese and Himalayan cuisine using locally sourced ingredients and spices. Don’t miss out on the combination plate of momos made with beef, chicken and vegetable. Momos are Nepalese dumplings made with a thin skin, various fillings spiced with a mix of Nepali spices, such as cumin, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cilantro, giving them a distinct flavor. They’re served with a hot sauce called achar made from tomatoes and chilies. I absolutely loved the saag paneer. While the spiced spinach-focused dish is always a favorite of mine, this one was particularly delicious, made with homemade cheese and a touch of cream. A creamy mango lassi made with a sprinkle of cardamom perfectly offsets the spice of the dishes. If you’re looking for a spot where you get good portion sizes of delicious food for a good price, this is the spot.
Must-order: combination momos and saag paneer
Leunig’s Bistro
115 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401 | https://www.leunigsbistro.com/
Leunig’s has been a Parisian bistro institution since 1980, located right on Church Street in downtown Burlington, it’s the perfect spot for people-watching. We opted to sit outside, taking advantage of the beautiful weather. We started with the lobster bites – battered lobster knuckle meat served with leafy greens. The curried coconut mussels are served in a creamy coconut and white wine broth, and while an appetizer, make for a great meal. Order a side of the fries – they’re battered and perfectly crispy.
Must-order: French fries
Bramble
21 Essex Way, Essex, VT 05452 | https://bramblevt.com/
I love when farm-to-table restaurants spotlight their producers and local purveyors, and Bramble does just that. We began with a half dozen SaltGrass PEI oysters paired with a pickled green strawberry mignonette—unexpected alongside the buttermilk cheddar biscuits with whipped honey butter, but surprisingly perfect together. Though they’re known for their wood-fired pizzas, the crispy duck leg confit truly stood out. Served with mixed citrus supremes, chicory, and a blueberry gastrique, the duck was incredibly tender with perfectly crispy skin. I can never resist crème brûlée, and their popcorn crème brûlée, topped with kettle corn, was the ideal way to end the meal.
Must-order: Cheddar biscuits and duck confit
Dessert
Poorhouse Pies
419 VT-15, Underhill, VT 05489 | https://www.poorhousepies.com/
While under new management and location, they have kept the mantra “pie fixes everything”. They make fresh pies with local ingredients (when available). There is no one working inside the shop – the checkout is on the honor system with Apple Pay available, as well as Venmo, though there is a bell to ring if you have questions.
If you are going to get one pie, make it the maple cream pie. It’s one, if not the best pie I have ever eaten. I plan on recreating it for Thanksgiving this year. The maple custard has a great, strong maple flavor (it’s made using local syrup of course), a graham cracker crust and topped with swirls of whipped cream. We also picked up a savory pie made with pulled pork and mac and cheese inside a pastry crust – extravagant, but absolutely delicious. On Sundays they sell donuts, but unfortunately they were already sold out by the time we arrived around 10AM due to the increased leaf-peeping traffic.
Must order: Maple cream pie
To Drink
There are so many breweries and taprooms in Burlington it’s overwhelming. We picked a few to stop into but of course we weren’t able to make it to all the spots on my list.
Foam Brewers
112 Lake St, Burlington, VT 05401 | https://www.foambrewers.com/
Foam Brewers is set right off Lake Champlain and features a rotating menu of seasonal beers. I loved that they had more than just IPA’s – I ordered a low ABV beer (2.5%), “A different hum” made with tart cherry, strawberry and lemon. They have a small menu of snacks including an onion dip with crispy shallots and chili oil and charcuterie plates. If you’re looking for something more, they also had someone inside shucking oysters and a food truck selling sandwiches in the parking lot.
Must-order: Can’t go wrong with any beer
Citizen Cider
316 Pine St #114, Burlington, VT 05401 | https://www.citizencider.com/
If you prefer cider to beer, definitely check out Citizen Cider. They brew their cider using Vermont and New York apples. I like ciders on the drier side, so I recommend opting for the unified press. There are plenty of seasonal offerings like the “apple cider donut” sparkling cider. While it was too busy for us to grab seats to eat, it’s a great family-friendly pub with a full food menu (and a kid’s menu).
Must-order: Unified press
To Do
There are plenty of things to do in Burlington in any season whether it’s taking in the breathtaking views, partaking in winter sports like cross country or downhill skiing or just shopping, Burlington has no shortage of activities.
Leaf Peeping
Stowe is a popular destination to go leaf peeping in the area, but because we had a long drive ahead back to New York, we opted for a shorter drive my aunt recommended. We drove up Pleasant Valley Road in Underhill, VT (right up past Poorhouse Pies) to see the gorgeous fall leaves in all their orange, red and yellow glory.
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
1 College St, Burlington, VT 05401 | https://www.echovermont.org/
This is my number 1 recommendation if you are visiting Burlington with kids! It combines hands-on learning with fun and educational activities. We took my son, and while he was a little young for some of the more educational science lessons, he still loved it. The learning center features interactive exhibits about Vermont’s natural environment, the history of Lake Champlain, and local wildlife. There’s a new statue honoring “Champ” the legendary mythical lake-dwelling creature of Lake Champlain (like the Loch Ness monster of Vermont!).
Shelburne Farms
1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482 | https://shelburnefarms.org/
I remember going to Shelburne Farms when I was a kid and couldn’t wait to take Jackson. The farm is an educational nonprofit, working to cultivate learning for a sustainable future. Visits to the 1,400 acre farm are donation based – they take cash or Venmo. Whether planning to visit the animals on the working farm, visiting the cheesemaking center, flower gardens, or simply utilizing the trails for a walk, Shelburne Farms is a great stop. I recommend stocking up on VT maple syrup and some Cheddar at their farm store. Tractor rides run about every 30 minutes to the barns (or it’s a 15 minute walk from the parking lot).
Walk on Lake Champlain
While hiking is very popular in Vermont, you can easily go for a walk on the waterfront of Lake Champlain. The Burlington Greenway stretches 8-miles, making it perfect for a walk or run. As you meander through lush green parks and past marinas (I always like looking at the boats), you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the lake’s beautiful waters. The path connects several popular spots, including Waterfront Park.
Bike Path
Embark on a scenic bike ride along Burlington’s iconic Island Line Trail, a picturesque 14-mile path that hugs the shores of Lake Champlain. As you pedal through the city’s waterfront and into more calm surroundings, the trail leads you onto the Colchester Causeway. It is a narrow, gravel-lined pathway that stretches nearly 3-miles into the lake itself, with breathtaking views of nature with the Adirondack Mountains on one side and the Green Mountains on the other.
Tips for Burlington
- Make reservations if traveling at peak times, especially in the busy downtown Church Street Marketplace!
- Visit the Burlington Farmers Market held every Saturday from 9AM to 2PM, typically running from May through late October.
- Plan for the seasons! Make sure you are packing for the appropriate weather conditions and plan your activities around the seasons.
Have you been to Burlington in the fall? Let me know your favorite spots for leaf-peeping in the comments!
