NORTHERN VERMONT:

"The fall colors are beginning to infiltrate the mountains around Smugglers’ Notch Resort. While some intense reds have been visible for a week or more, oranges are in abundance these days. The beautiful forecast for the weekend should make it ideal for nice drives through the Notch! Our FallFest celebration was a tremendous success this weekend, with a nice warm breeze passing through, bringing smells of autumn and a taste of what’s to come. AppleFest kicks off on September 25 and runs through the 29th. Join us for orchard tours, cider tastings, demonstrations, and more! As these colors set in, you won’t want to travel through the Green Mountains without a trip through Smugglers’ Notch. We have a feeling this will be an autumn to remember!"

-- Mike Chait, Smugglers' Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

"Mother Nature is teasing us with what is to come! The reds keep getting brighter and more abundant by the day with blue skies and puffy clouds to amplify the beauty."

-- Jessica Bonath, Sterling Ridge Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

"Foliage update from Burke and the NEK:
Colors are slowly popping up in and around Burke. We are expecting warmer temps this week and a little taste of summer with some cooler nights. Attached is a photo I took this morning of Long Pond in Westmore. Haystack Mountain is in the background. We are looking forward to the Burke Fall Festival on September 28th in East Burke Village which includes, among other things, Cow Flop (or is it Plop?) Bingo. Here's a video tutorial in case people don't know what that is ... "

-- Laura Malieswski, Burke Area Chamber of Commerce, Burke, VT

CENTRAL VERMONT:

"With a warm week on tap, we are basking in the bright sunshine and cool nights of early fall. Vermont's rolling valleys and mountains are still mostly green as orange, yellow, and reds continue to, slowly but surely, creep into view. Lakes of blue reflect the sky and in the past we've snuck in some late-season swims - not sure if that will happen this year! But, the water is perfect for paddling. It's an ideal time of year for scenic hiking, biking and boating adventures - we love to share our enthusiasm for getting outside in the Killington Valley, so let us know what you want to do and soon you'll be well-rested with B & B accommodations, fueled up with our daily chef-prepared breakfast, and on your way!"

-- Vicky Tebbetts, Red Clover Inn & Restaurant, Mendon, VT

"Slight color beginning to show up & down the Champlain valley! Many wetland areas have swamp maples that are starting to show oranges & yellows. Many low lieing areas near the Middlebury river & near Lake Dunmore are beginning to show color as are some of the wetlands near the Otter Creek in Cornwall & New Haven. Hopefully have more for you next report!"

-- Capt. Matt Trombley, 3rd Alarm Charters, Proctor, VT

SOUTHERN VERMONT:

"It's that time of the year, the season of autumn! The evenings are cool and comfortable, after sunny days, some still with lingering summer warmth. Varieties of crisp apples are there for the picking off local orchard trees. Harvest your own pumpkins for Halloween Jack 'O' Lanterns and Thanksgiving pies. Trees are displaying their new fall colors. At the Manchester View, the impressive landscape includes many seasonal flowering plants including the huge yellow Dinner Plate Dahlia and several hues of Mums. We've decorated for the fall with hardy plants and pumpkins.

After a relaxing evening watching the sunset on the deck outside your room, sleep restfully. The Manchester View offers 36 rooms and suites, many with gas or wood-burning fireplaces. These accommodations are especially coveted during leaf-peeping and ski seasons.

Wake up refreshed, join us for breakfast and then head out for local and outlet shopping in town, a hike on the trails to the Pond Loop on the Equinox Preserve, or take a winding drive on Route 7A through Manchester Village, stopping in Arlington to see and drive over the historic Green Covered Bridge off Route 313. Go back to 7A and head south stopping on the way at the Sugar Shack for local products and mementos. Continue on through Shaftsbury to Bennington. Visit Bennington Museum, the Bennington Monument, and Camelot Village.

We, at the Manchester View, hope you visit this fall and make 'The View' your home-away-from-home in Vermont!"

-- Robin, Manchester View, Manchester, VT

"Waking up to brisk temperatures in the 50's and driving up RT 30 I've begun to notice some trees begin to turn, or at least think about turning. In the village, a few renegade trees have taken an all or nothing approach displaying their finest colors. However, a majority are more reserved waiting for the spectators before debuting their finest burgundy's and Goldenrods.

As more of these looming giants muster up the courage to change, we welcome the newly betrothed celebrating with friends and family. Foliage weddings dates for fall 2020 are still available, but like the breathtaking color they will soon be gone. Take the next weekend to explore the village, admire the color from your scenic gondola cabin, or breathe in the crisp mountain air during a summit deck yoga practice."

-- Luke Robins, Stratton Mountain Resort, Bondville, VT

"The trees in southern Vermont are just beginning to reveal their promise of fall beauty. Route 103 in Chester often turns first, and true to form the greens there are now shifting to yellows. But the real magic of early autumn is that while the leaves are beginning to turn, the gardens are still in bloom. The Golden Stage Inn garden in this picture had four butterflies and a dozen honeybees in it, all gathering late season nectar as they get ready for winter."

-- Julie Wood, Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville, VT

"I've been hunting for bright colored leaves throughout Southern Vermont, including along Route 103 between Londonderry & Rutland, and Route 11/30 between Londonderry & Manchester. The colors are pretty muted right now and not very bright, but there are the occasional trees with a bright POP of color here and there. Temperatures have been in the upper 60s and low 70s during the day, with nighttime temperatures in the 40s, making this a comfortable time to visit Vermont (just remember to wear layers)."

-- Renee-Marie Smith, Vermont.com, Manchester, VT

"It's a beautiful day, but you can feel fall in the air. Looking across the lake, color is beginning to appear. Won't be long now!"

-- Linda Warner, Woodford, VT

A great place to stop while you're Leaf Peeping in Southern Vermont, is the Dutton Berry Farm Stands. Well known for their Vermont grown produce including farmer-grown fruits and vegetables, cider, maple syrup, plants, and other unique local products, the Dutton Berry Farmstands offer a cornucopia of great-tasting Vermont produce and products. Located on Route 11/30 in Manchester, Route 30 in Newfane, and Route 9 in West Brattleboro.