So many people come to Vermont for the leaves. The people who come back every year come for everything else: the first night cool enough for a sweater, a mug of hot coffee or a glass of your favorite red wine in your hands, pumpkins stacked on porches, a table full of the peak-of-the-season produce, and woodsmoke drifting over the farm at dusk.
At Hill Farm, fall is not a two-week window of color. It is a whole season, running from the first harvest in September, through Halloween, and well into December. Catch the color if you can. Come for the rest of it either way.
What is Vermont like between foliage season and ski season?
Once the leaves turn, the crowds thin out and the season shifts from looking to doing. Late fall in Southern Vermont is for harvest dinners, pumpkins on porches, long walks in crisp air, and cool nights ending by a fire. Locals call the weeks after the leaves fall “stick season.” It is one of New England's best-kept secrets.
What does a fall stay at Hill Farm feel like?
It feels like a working farm settling in for the cold. Hill Farm sits on 70 acres along the Battenkill, a short drive from Manchester, Vermont. Fall is prime hiking season in Southern Vermont, with cool air, open views, and fewer bugs. Fall is also hunting season in Vermont, so wear bright colors and check with the front desk before you head out.
The alpacas will grow out their winter coats, but will gladly accept apple slices, so ask for them at the front desk. Tiger and Maple, the friendliest of barn cats, will saunter up to the wrap-around porch for head scratches. The market garden gives up its last harvest, colorful flowers and sun-kissed produce, before a hard frost.
Can I bring a group to Hill Farm for a pre-holiday getaway?
Yes. Book the River House for your group! We’ll arrange activities, like a private yoga session in the River House barn. It’s a chance to gather your people before the holidays fill every calendar: a morning stretch in the barn, long afternoons on the trails or the shops, and evenings around the fire. Reach out to plan your stay, and we’ll take care of the details.
What can I do on a midweek fall stay at Hill Farm?
Pick a few of these and leave room for an evening bonfire. Plan two or three nights midweek, and check The Restaurant at Hill Farm's dinner nights when you book so your stay includes at least one.
On the Battenkill
Walk our River Trail in the morning, when the air is cold, and the water runs clear. Early in the fall, you can fish the Battenkill with Trico Unlimited, Hill Farm's fly-fishing guide partner. Ask the front desk about booking a guided trip when making your reservation.
In Manchester
Head into town for an afternoon of harvest season: hot cider, pumpkins, and farm stands. Pick up a stack of books at Northshire Bookstore, or choose a needlepoint project for winter months.
At the table
Plan at least one night at The Restaurant at Hill Farm, where the menu follows what the season brings in. Make your dining plans when you book your stay.
What should I pack for fall in Vermont?
Pack layers. Fall days in Southern Vermont can start near freezing and warm up by afternoon. Bring a warm jacket for evenings by the fire, boots you don't mind getting muddy on the trails, and one good sweater you'll end up living in.
When is the best time to book a fall stay at Hill Farm?
The best time is midweek, any time from September into December. Fall weekends fill early, so plan far in advance. A midweek stay gets you the same fires, the same farm, and the same harvest table, with more of the season to yourself.
