The 10 best things to do in Vermont in the fall

“Vermont is a country unto itself,” wrote the novelist Pearl S Buck.

She was onto something.

This charming New England state has lakes and rivers, mountains and valleys, old mills and covered bridges. Each town has its age-old church and gazebo on the central green. The scenery is studded with forests and farms, reminding you again and again that Vermont is the USA’s most rural state, with a population of only 647,000. Drive the right back road, and you might see more grazing Holsteins than people.

Yet, though Vermonters are few in number, they’re large in spirit. These folks are passionate about community, the great outdoors and keeping traditions alive. Their culture is a wild mix of stoic farmers and rebel hippies, granola college students and off-beat businesspeople. This is a state of proud eccentrics; any local dentist or cashier might also know how to spin wool or fire-dance. (Or run for president – and get millions of votes – as a self-described democratic socialist.) Vermont really is a world apart – a dynamic playground for trekking, shopping and organic living.

Here are 10 of our favorite things to do in Vermont. Depending on your threshold for cold or mud, you can enjoy just about any of these year-round.

1. Explore the Green Mountains

Most people assume that “Vermont” gets its name from the French vert mont – and indeed, the Green Mountains make up the geologic backbone of the state. Their centerpiece is the Long Trail, a 272-mile (438km) hiking route that bisects Vermont and partially overlaps the Appalachian Trail. The oldest such footpath in the US, the Long Trail boasts 70 primitive tent sites. As long as you follow some simple rules, you can also camp almost anywhere in the Green Mountain National Forest – whose 400,000 acres are nearly entirely public land and free to enter.

Planning tip: The Green Mountains are a four-season experience. Just remember to bring hi-viz clothing during the fall hunting season.

2. Carve up the slopes

Downhill skiing is key to Vermont’s identity, and destinations like Stowe and Killington are household names among serious skiers and snowboarders. Winter travelers can pick from 25 public ski areas in the state, along with three private resorts. Ski towns come alive in winter with pubs, cozy restaurants and specialty shops, with most areas having plenty of places to rent all the necessary…