As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, there’s no better time to plan a getaway than the vibrant fall season. One of the most picturesque destinations for a fall escape is Mad River Valley in Vermont. Nestled amidst the Green Mountains, this charming region offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and small-town charm.
We had the privilege of spending a few days in Mad River Valley (specifically Warren and Waitsfield). We hit up Waterbury too! It happens to be an easy trip from Woodstock (just over an hour), and it’s an incredibly scenic and beautiful drive along Vermont Route 100. In this fall getaway guide, you’ll find some of the best activities, places to stay, and local delights that make Mad River Valley an ideal autumn destination.
Where to Stay
Madbush falls
Madbush Falls is a brand new property in Waitsfield that we were lucky enough to stay in during our trip. They have a 20-room lodge and 75-seat restaurant. They also have a bike and ski shop on site with rentals, coaching and guiding available.
Behind the property is a 30-foot waterfall and swim hole, and there’s an extensive local network of singletrack mountain biking trails right outside the door. Craig was in heaven!
We stayed in the apartment suite which has an adjoining room of bunk beds that can sleep an additional 6 people. The apartment which is located on the second floor has stunning views from every room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen. It made for such an enjoyable stay! We were also able to have dinner at the on site restaurant our first night and could not get over how good it was! From the roasted cauliflower and corn bread appetizers to the maple roasted chicken, steak, and roasted lamb. Everything was incredible, and they have a kid friendly menu!
What to Do
- Fall foliage touring: during the fall season there are tons of beautiful places to see the foliage. Take a drive around Warren and Waitsfield. There are a lot of local hikes as well.
- Bundy Modern: An art gallery and museum, conveniently located right next to Madbush Falls.
- Alpenglow farm stand
- von Trapp Farmstead: Also a nice walk along Common Road.
- Local mountain biking – Madbush Falls has tons of rental bikes and very helpful people on site if you’re in need of coaching, guiding, or recommendations for trails to ride in the area. They also have tons of really great gear in stock too.
- Mad River Taste Place: Incredible selection of cheeses and lots of cheese tasting plus lots of locally sourced goods.
- Mad River Green Shopping Mall: Check out The Collection if you’re with kids!
- Warren Store: A community hub, with coffee, sandwiches, freshly baked bread, homemade pies, gifts and more.
Where to Eat
- Don’t miss dinner (or weekend brunch) at Madbush Falls. Seriously the food is locally sourced and SO delicious. I want to go back just to eat there again.
- Canteen Creemee Company: Fried food and delicious creemees.
- The Mad Taco: Great mexican food!
- Lawson’s Brewery: Great beer selection, gorgeous views and delicious lunch menu.
Getting there
From Woodstock there are a few ways to get to Mad River Valley. On the drive North, we took Vermont Route 12 the entire way. It was beautiful and scenic, a bit windy at times and steep at the end. On the way back, we took Route 100 which is absolutely beautiful. The foliage is stunning, there are some incredible spots to pull off along the way, including waterfalls and parks. You can’t go wrong either way!
A fall getaway to Mad River Valley promises a memorable experience filled with vibrant foliage, outdoor adventures, local flavors, and small-town charm. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, an art lover, or a foodie, this picturesque region offers something for everyone. Plan your escape to Mad River Valley and savor the beauty of autumn in New England.
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