If you live in Albany (or nearby) and you’re craving crisp mountain air, winding country roads, and maple-flavored everything, then Vermont day trips from Albany, NY might just be your new fall tradition. The best part? You don’t have to plan a full weekend getaway—Vermont is close enough for a perfect one-day escape, especially during peak foliage season.
Here are my top picks for the best day trips to Vermont from Abany, complete with the essential stops for leaf-peeping, shopping, and, of course, those unforgettable apple cider donuts.Â
Manchester, Vermont
Distance from Albany: 75 miles | Travel Time: 1.5 Hours
If you’re looking for a perfect blend of picturesque scenery and low-key luxury, Manchester is your destination. It’s close, accessible, and an absolute feast for the eyes, especially in the autumn. This town gets fall right in a way that feels almost unfairly perfect.
Pro-Tip: Best time for foliage is typically the first two weeks of October unless the cold air comes early then it’s the end of September
Things to Do
For sweeping foliage views, drive up the scenic Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. It’s a privately-owned toll road, but the panoramic views of the Green Mountains and Taconic Range are worth every penny, offering a spectacular canvas of red, orange, and gold. Bring lunch!
Emerald Lake State Park will be beautiful this time of year, pack a picnic and some books
Tour the magnificent former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln’s son). The historic estate and its gardens are stunning, and the property offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains—a prime fall foliage spot.
Grab some books at The Northshire Bookstore, an independent, multi-level bookstore is a Vermont institution. Grab a coffee, a book, and find a cozy chair; it’s the perfect indoor-activity break.
Manchester is known for its outlet shopping. Stroll through the Manchester Designer Outlets for some upscale retail therapy, set in charming New England-style buildings.
Get lost in a corn maze at Equinox Valley Nursery and eat apple cider donuts. They are super flavourful and fluffy. Delicious.
Fee: The fee for Mount Equinox Skyline Drive is $25 for a car and driver from Memorial Day to September 30, increasing to $30 from October 1st to October 31st. Additional passengers cost $5 each, while children under 10 are free
Exceptional Fall Treats
While Manchester has great local spots, my unique suggestion is a slight detour on your way home: stop at The Apple Barn and Country Bake Shop in Bennington, VT (which you’ll pass on your way back to Albany). Their cider donuts are mini-sized, which basically means you get a free pass to eat more than one. Grab a bag to-go—they make the drive home sweeter.
Also, Equinox Valley Nursery nearby has good cider donuts. They were super flavourful and fluffy. Delicious.
The Manchester Farmers Market (Saturdays through October) is where I discovered Dutton Berry Farm’s legendary cider donuts – crispy outside, pillowy inside
Bennington, Vermont
Distance from Albany: 37 miles | Travel Time: 45 min to 1 hours
Lots of history, lots of views and lots of quaint backroads is one way to sum up Bennington, Vermont. It’s a town rich in Revolutionary War history and surrounded by some of the most beautiful fall driving roads. This is an ideal spot if you’re keen on keeping the drive time to a minimum.
Things to Do
For foliage & Views, head straight for the Bennington Battle Monument. You can take an elevator to the top of this 306-foot stone structure for jaw-dropping, 360-degree views that span Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. On a clear fall day, it’s an incredible vantage point for seeing the color change across three states.
Visit the Old First Church, the burial site of poet Robert Frost, it’s a wonderfully preserved piece of history and architecture
Hike Harmon Hill, 3.3 miles of fall bliss and foliage
Wander around old Bennington eating as much fall treats as you can. Head over to Wilmington for a funky flea market and some downtown shops
Visit Park-McCullough Historic House, the grounds here are absolutely stunning in October, with ancient oaks and maples creating a canopy that filters sunlight into pure gold
Drive Molly Stark Byway for amazing backdrops and impressive fall foliage
Exceptional Fall Treats
The Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop in Bennington, isn’t just about apples. Their cider donuts are made fresh hourly during peak season. It is quite the experience. Their cider donuts are mini-sized, which basically means you get a free pass to eat more than one. Grab a bag to-go—they make the drive home sweeter.
Pro-tip: Another great spot for the ultimate Vermont photo op is grabbing your donuts and cider and finding a quiet picnic spot along the Molly Stark Byway (Route 9) as it winds east toward Wilmington.
Woodstock, Vermont
Distance from Albany, NY: Approximately 115 miles I Driving Time: 2.5 hours
If I could live here, I absolutely would. It gives Gilmore Gills in every way. So, if you are looking for a quintessential New England photo you need to drive to Woodstock. This town is often cited as one of the most beautiful villages in America. This is where “best Vermont day trips from Albany dreams come true in the most spectacular way possible.
Things to Do
Foliage & Views wander to the Middle Covered Bridge right in the village center—it’s one of four historic covered bridges nearby, and it is stunning with the fall colors reflecting in the Ottauquechee River
For a natural wonder, visit the nearby Quechee Gorge, Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon,” for incredible canyon views framed by brilliant fall foliage
Visit Billings Farm & Museum, a fully functioning dairy farm and a museum of 19th-century rural life. It’s perfect for families and a fantastic place to see farm animals and experience a classic harvest setting. They have amazing apple cider donuts
Shop for local cheeses, syrups, and unique souvenirs at F.H. Gillingham & Sons General Store, a historic general store that has been open since 1886
Hike Mount Tom, gentle enough for families and has sweeping panoramic views of full fall regalia
Maple Syrup Tasting! If you love maple syrup as much as me, Sugarbush Farm is your place to go to. This maple syrup operation offers tastings that’ll ruin you for grocery store syrup forever. Their apple cider donuts are enhanced with their own maple syrup, creating a flavor profile that’s distinctly Vermont.
Exceptional Fall Treats
The Woodstock area is full of great farm stands, but head a little north of Woodstock on Route 100 to the central Vermont region for a bonus treat. Get yourself a maple creemee (Vermont’s soft-serve ice cream) from a local stand—it’s the perfect, decadent end to your beautiful day trip
​​Personal tip: Leave Albany early for this one. The drive itself—especially as you near Killington—is half the fun, with sweeping views of the Green Mountains drenched in fall color.
Waterbury, Vermont
Mileage from Albany, NY: 155 miles I Driving Time: 3 hours
If your day trip is centered around tasting the best of Vermont’s culinary icons, this is your perfect route. Waterbury is home to two legendary stops and is the hub of the scenic Route 100.
Things to Do
For the foliage & Views, the drive on Route 100 between Waterbury and Stowe is a top scenic byway, cutting through the heart of the Green Mountains and showcasing spectacular foliage.
Take a fun, quick tour (book ahead!) Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour and pay your respects to the “dearly departed” flavors in the famous Flavor Graveyard.
Watch fresh apple cider being pressed on a 1920s rack and cloth press at Cold Hollow Cider Mill . It’s an essential stop for sampling, shopping, and treats.
Located right between Ben & Jerry’s and Cold Hollow,Cabot Farmers’ Store, is your place to sample dozens of award-winning cheeses and local Vermont specialty foods.
Exceptional Fall Treats
This one is easy: the Legendary Cider Donuts at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. They’re warm, fresh, and often cited as some of the best in the country. Get a baker’s dozen and a half-gallon of their fresh-pressed cider.
Brattleboro, Vermont
Mileage from Albany, NY: Approximately 78 miles I Driving Time: 2 hours
For the shortest driving time and a vibrant mix of arts, unique shops, and easy access to great scenery, Brattleboro is the ideal choice. It sits right on the Connecticut River, giving you a taste of classic New England town life. Brattleboro is where Vermont’s bohemian soul lives. This isn’t your typical postcard-perfect New England village – it’s grittier, artier, and infinitely more interesting because of it.
Things to Do
For foliage & Views, check out the trail to the top of Mount Wantastiquet (it’s across the river in New Hampshire, but accessed easily from Brattleboro). It is a rewarding hike with panoramic views of the town and river valley
Brattleboro is famous for its unique, independent downtown. Explore Main Street’s bookstores, art galleries (look for the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Walk or drive across one of the three quaint Creamery Covered Bridge covered bridges near downtown for that perfect Vermont photo op
Just outside of Brattleboro, visit Scott Farm Orchard this historic farm specializes in heirloom apples and often hosts events
Eat crispy, generously spiced apple cider donuts at Retreat Farm. Their wagon rides through apple orchards during peak foliage season feel like riding through a living painting. Their cider donuts are made in small batches – crispy, generously spiced, and best enjoyed while still warm from the fryer.
