Fall Foliage Weekend in Shelburne, Vermont

Arrival Day: Arrive Early and Drive Into the Color Plan to arrive in the Shelburne area earlier in the day. Check-in starts at 3:00 PM — you are welcome to text us to inquire about parking your vehicle in our lot earlier than that. If we have available parking, we will let you know. Leave your luggage in the car and explore the town on foot. A 2-night stay gives you one full day plus two partial days — your arrival afternoon and your departure morning. Before checking in, consider a first drive into the foliage: Route 7 south toward Charlotte and Ferrisburgh follows the Champlain Valley floor with rolling farmland, working farms, and hillside color rising toward the Green Mountains to the east. Check in between 3:00 and 8:00 PM; once settled, the evening is yours.

Late afternoon: Charlotte ferry crossing (seasonal) The Lake Champlain Transportation ferry between Charlotte, VT and Essex, NY runs seasonally — typically May through October. A short crossing on the open water gives you dramatic views of the lake, the Adirondack high peaks to the west, and the Vermont shoreline behind you. Verify the current seasonal schedule before planning around it; the crossing is weather-dependent and does not run in winter.

Evening: Dinner in Shelburne or Burlington Shelburne village has dining options within easy reach of the inn. Burlington is approximately 7 miles away and offers a wider range. Both are well-suited to a relaxed early evening back at the inn before the full second day.

Morning: Breakfast at the inn A full custom breakfast is offered from 7:30 to 9:30 AM. You complete your selection the morning before; dietary accommodations are available with advance notice. A good, unhurried morning meal before a full day out is one of the practical advantages of a bed and breakfast over other accommodation types.

Mid-morning: Shelburne Farms Shelburne Farms is approximately 1.7 miles from the inn. The 1,400-acre working farm on the Lake Champlain shoreline runs harvest-season programming and events through the fall — farm walks, educational programs, and farm store access. The farm store stocks Vermont cheese produced on the property, fall produce, and local provisions. Verify the current seasonal calendar for specific programming dates and hours.

Afternoon: Orchard and farm stand loop Vermont apple orchards are typically active through October. Shelburne Orchards is a family-owned pick-your-own apple orchard on Lake Champlain, approximately 3.3 miles from the inn — apples, cider, donuts, and apple brandy in a genuine working orchard setting. Several farm stands are within a short drive of the inn. For a classic Vermont fall destination, Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury is a scenic drive east along Route 2 through the Winooski River valley — worth it during peak foliage.

Late afternoon: Shelburne Vineyard Shelburne Vineyard is approximately 1.0 mile from the inn. Fall is harvest season in the vineyard. Wine tasting is available; the setting — a working Vermont winery surrounded by seasonal color — is particularly suited to this time of year.

Evening: Dinner and a quiet night in After a full second day, Shelburne village or a short Burlington drive for dinner, then an early return. Fall evenings in the Champlain Valley cool quickly once the sun drops.

Morning: Breakfast at the inn A second morning of custom breakfast before your final day in the area.

Check-Out and Departure — Your Day Continues After 11 AM Check-out is at 11:00 AM. After checking out, you still have the rest of the day before heading home. Shelburne Museum (approximately 0.8 mile) is right on the way out of the village and is worth a final stop if the leaves are still at their peak. Burlington International Airport is approximately 8.2 miles from the inn. Route 89 north from Burlington or south through the Champlain Valley offer straightforward routes in both directions.

Mid-morning to afternoon: Burlington waterfront, Church Street, and Shelburne Museum Burlington is approximately 7 miles away. The city's lakefront parks hold their color well into October — the waterfront bike path along Lake Champlain offers views of the Adirondacks across the water with foliage framing both shores. Church Street Marketplace is a pedestrian-friendly main street with local shops and cafes. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is on the waterfront if you want an indoor stop. On the way back through Shelburne, Shelburne Museum is approximately 0.8 mile from the inn — the 45-acre campus with historic buildings, collections, and outdoor grounds is particularly striking during peak foliage. The museum's season typically runs through late October; verify current hours and open buildings directly with the museum before your visit.