Pumpkin spice? Nah. We’re talking real autumn vibes – the kind that Mother Nature paints across Vermont and New York each fall. Think fiery reds, golden yellows, and every shade in between, turning mountains into masterpieces.

We’ve crafted the perfect route, hitting iconic spots and hidden gems. Starting in charming Stowe, Vermont, we’ll wind through the Green Mountains, then cross into New York’s Adirondacks. Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and finally, picturesque Woodstock, Vermont, round out this visual feast.

Must-See Stops

• Smugglers’ Notch: Locals know: Rt. 108 closes for winter! Catch those hair-pin turns and jaw-dropping views before the snow flies.
• Lake Champlain: Ferry across for mountain panoramas that’ll make your phone storage beg for mercy.
• Whiteface Mountain: Gondola or drive up for views that’ll make you feel on top of the world (literally).
• Ausable Chasm & Quechee Gorge: Nature’s drama at its finest – rivers carving through rock, creating the perfect fall foliage backdrop.

This ain’t just about leaves, though. It’s charming towns, historic sites, and outdoor fun. Hike, kayak, or just stroll – this trip leaves you refreshed and in awe of nature’s show.

So, grab your camera, hit the road, and let the colors lead the way!

Just a short drive away, D.A.R. State Park spans 95 acres of serene landscapes, offering 71 campsites, a pavilion, and a peaceful rocky beach. Madeline Smith, the assistant park manager, describes it as “pure bliss during the summer.” The park is not only a recreational haven but also a preservation of the legacy of John Strong, a Revolutionary War patriot.

READ THE FULL STORY COURTESY OF WPTZ HERE

On Sunday, the northern New York native will join more than 50,000 people at the starting line, competing in the 2023 New York City Marathon. But she will do so without her handcycle this time, using crutches instead.

“Why not?” she said. “It will be hard, and it will hurt. But because I can…I have so many friends that I race with that can not stand, can not walk. And that’s something that I still have the ability to do. ”

READ THE FULL STORY COURTESY OF WPTZ HERE

Construction on the walk-bike bridge known as the East-West Crossing in South Burlington is expected to start at the end of 2024, city leaders say, with a target opening two years later.

The $14.5 million project, which would see a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians stretch over Interstate 89, has been in development for years now and aims to address one of the riskiest tracts of road in the state. Read more courtesy of Leah Golding, Community News Service:

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

COURTNEY LAMDIN for Seven Days

Published May 17, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The founders of Whetstone Beer in Brattleboro have always been fond of public parks. For the brewery’s 10th anniversary last summer, the company rebranded with a motif that mimics the iconic national park travel posters that were created during the New Deal era to ramp up tourism.

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

It’s only fitting, then, that Whetstone’s newest project honors the natural spaces in its own backyard. The company plans to brew two limited-edition beers each year that are inspired by Vermont state parks. Dubbed Pints for Parks and launched this month, the project will funnel $1 from every draft beer or four-pack sold to Vermont Parks Forever, a nonprofit that fundraises for park improvements and provides free visitor passes to underserved communities.