Five Fall Favorites
Already in mid-August the trees are beginning to reveal their fall colors. It may be the plentiful rain we’ve had this summer or just the shorter days. Whichever, it’s the season we live for here in Vermont, the one that draws visitors from around the globe. It’s also a last chance to sport our summer duds before the cooling winds demand a fleece layer. And it’s when we love to get out into the Mad River Valley and explore.
There’s plenty to do–too much for a single weekend–so here are our five favorites.
- Ride the single chair at Mad River Glen. For just three weekends each fall the cooperatively-owned ski mountain spins its iconic single chairlift to allow 100-mile views across the Green Mountains to the Whites in New Hampshire and the Adirondacks in New York. This year’s dates are September 23, 24, 30 and October 1, 7 and 8. Times and details are at the Mad River Glen website.
- Go for a leisurely walk in the valley or hike to a high spot like Sunset Ledge (the name befits the reward). Upon check-in ask your guest assistant for a copy of our walking guide that includes Burnt Rock and Sunset Ledge nearby and walks in Stowe and Burlington if you want to travel further afield.
- Bike the backroads. It should come as no surprise that bikers travel from across the country to cruise along our paved and unpaved roads. Each year we welcome groups from outfitters like Backroads as well as leisure guests looking to get out on one of our newish Cannondale Quick 6 house bikes. We will happily offer you suggested routes, either a quick ride around the village of Warren or a zip along the East Warren Road with its spectacular view of the Green Mountains.
- Discover the secret stashes at nearby locally-owned shops. If your tendency is more sedate activities, like finding the perfect pair of artisan earrings or a repurposed and reimagined Vermont farm implement, the Mad River Valley offers plenty of options. The most convenient for inn guests is a stroll across Main Street to the “almost world-famous” Warren Store. There you’ll find coffee, croissant, clothing and cabernet, among many other treasures. Or travel north to Waitsfield for the shops along Bridge Street. Or discover a perfect good-read among the stacks at the Tempest Book Shop, also in Waitsfield.
- Get inspired by local Vermont art. A good place to start is right at the inn. Our curators from Edgewater Gallery in Middlebury are continually changing up the art on the walls at the inn. Or walk across Main Street to Art in the Village, right next the Warren Store, where artist and gallerist Rita Ioannidis curates a wide selection of Vermont artists. Or make your way to the Bundy Modern just up Route 100 to see “Nor’easter,” a show of three New England artists (Saturdays only, through September 3, or by appointment).