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Summer in Vermont is the season of outdoor activities and community fun! Spending those beautiful summer days at Veteran's Memorial Park is always a great time. From live music to hiking trails and all kinds of sport fields, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a guide to making the most of your summer at Veteran's Memorial Park.

One of the highlights of summer at the park is the live music series held every Thursday. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy an evening with your favorite local bands and musicians! There’s always plenty to eat as these events are host to some of the best food trucks in the area.

All summer long, South Burlington Recreation & Parks offers a variety of events–most of them free! On International Yoga Day on June 22nd, Rose Bedard instructs a class in the grass (with free ice cream to all attendants!), the July Fitness Series will keep you active with different exercise sessions, Juneteenth is celebrated on 6/19 at 6pm with amazing musicians and food, and join in on the Great American Camp Out also on June 22nd!

Lace up your walking shoes and head for a stroll along the park’s winding trails and pathways. Breathe in the fresh air, soak in the sights and sounds of nature, and enjoy some nurturing exercise. Whether you’re walking solo or with a furry friend, a leisurely stroll through the park is the perfect way to unwind.

Have a picnic! Make your next picnic memorable at Veteran’s Memorial, where you can enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and all the amenities the park offers. 

Speaking of amenities, the 70 acre park provides several! There’s the band shell, pavilion, picnic area, playground, bathrooms and yes, plenty of parking. Regarding sport offerings, there are two regulation sized soccer fields, two multi-use fields, three baseball fields, and two basketball courts.

However you like to enjoy a day at the park, Veteran’s Memorial Park offers something for everyone!
 

Summer Fun - Explore Vermont's Farmers' Markets

Summer in Vermont is around the corner, which means warm weather and outdoor activities!  One of our favorite, and delicious, summer adventures is visiting a Farmers’ Market. Throughout Vermont, farmers and artisans bring their goods to town centers for locals or visitors to enjoy! 

These markets aren’t only a great family activity, but also bring many other benefits to our state and its residents.  Shopping at these markets support Vermont farmers and their businesses.  It also provides customers with locally sourced, sustainably grown, and organic food.  Even better, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont believes everyone should have access to these healthy foods.  This is why they created the Crop Cash program, matching SNAP/EBT benefits at the farmers’ markets. 

With so many great qualities these markets have, it’s time for you to see one for yourself! We’ve provided a list below of a handful of Vermont Farmers' Markets.  Be sure to check out https://www.nofavt.org/ to learn more!

 

Chittenden County:

Burlington Farmers Market

Open: Saturdays 8:30am-2:00pm EST from May 13^th – October 28^th

Address: 345 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: https://www.burlingtonfarmersmarket.org/

 

Shelburne Farmers Market

Open: Saturdays 9:00-1:00pm from May 27^th-October 14^th

Address: 12 Church Street, Shelburne, VT 05482

Website: https://www.sbpavt.org

 

Winooski Farmers Market

Open: Sundays 10:00-2:00pm EST from May 28^th – October 15^th

Address: 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, VT 05404

Website: https://downtownwinooski.org/winooski-farmers-market/

 

Champlain Islands:

Grand Isle

Open: Saturdays 10:00-2:00pm EST from May 20^th – October 28^th  

Address: St. Joseph’s church, 185 Route 2, Grand Isle

Website: https://champlainislandsfarmersmarket.org/visit

 

South Hero

Open: Wednesdays 3:00-6:00pm EST from May 24^th- September 13^th

Address: St. Rose of Lima Church, Route 2, South Hero

Website: https://champlainislandsfarmersmarket.org/visit

 

Additional Towns:

Capital City Farmers’ Market Montpelier

Open: Saturdays 9:00-1:00pm EST from May 6^th - October

Address: 133 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Website: https://www.capitalcityfarmersmarket.com/

 

Stowe Farmers’ Market

Open: Sundays 10:30-3:00pm EST from May 14^th – October 22^nd

Address: 2043 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Website: https://www.capitalcityfarmersmarket.com/

 

Waitsfield Famers Market

Open: Saturdays 9:00-1:00pm EST from May 13^th – October 14^th

Address: Mad River Glen, Waitsfield, VT 05673

Website: https://www.waitsfieldfarmersmarket.com/

Colder weather has begun to set in across state as Autumn creeps in through Vermont’s Northern border, coating the entire state in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. This combination of Vermont being home to the highest concentration of maple trees combined with the fact that 3/4^th of the state is shrouded in forests equates to beautiful bursts of fall colors throughout the entire state. The change in color begins as early as mid-September, and from there, foliage enthusiasts are pursuant of the ever-elusive peak season, when the most vibrant range of colors are on display. Cold snaps at night and the recent rains have amplified this season. The peak seasons progresses from North to South and from higher elevations to lower elevations throughout the course of the season.

Whether you are exploring Vermont on a scenic byway, or taking in a picturesque autumn hike, everywhere you look is alive and erupting in color during the fall months. Festivals and activities that celebrate the season pop up throughout the entire state. Apple picking, vegetable harvests, farm visits, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and game hunting are among some of the most popular ways to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the panoramic fall surroundings. The Green Mountain State unanimously celebrates the changing season, and every part of the state has something to explore and discover. The question becomes what is the best way to experience Vermont’s Foliage, and what region reigns supreme for the most breathtaking fall landscapes.

Scenic Routes

One of the most common ways to soak in the autumn scenery for out-of-staters is on the highways and byways crisscrossed throughout the state. The most well-known foliage drive is Route 100, also referred to as the “Skier’s Highway”. Route 100 is 146 miles of spectacular valleys and vistas that stretch from Massachusetts all the way up to the Canadian border, connecting North and South. It passes through the Green Mountains, as well as past several waterfalls and scenic bridges. Continuing North on Route 100, tourists will reach the Mad River Valley, which is a hidden autumnal treasure during the peak season in central Vermont. Route 100 will also lead to the Green Mountain Byway that offers a litany of scenic overlooks around Stowe, the Waterbury Reservoir, and peaks of the Worcester Mountain Range.  

Drivers looking for an alternate route that’s little more off the beaten path can find beautiful scenery on Route 7, which stretches from Pownal at the Southern end of Vermont all the way up to Highgate near the Canadian Border in the North Country. Route 7 runs through majestic mountain views, brilliant foliage, and wonderful towns, including Bennington and Manchester. Each town Route 7 runs through has its own ambiance, and plenty of places for stopping and sightseeing along the way. Route 2 goes from East to West, from the Maine/Vermont Border, through Burlington, and into the divine fall colors on display in the Islands of Lake Champlain.

Northern Vermont

The Northeast Kingdom provides a good chance to enjoy the fall leaves without crowds. The remote area is commonly considered one of the most scenic areas in North America. The best time to see the collage of red’s, oranges, and yellows in the Green Mountains and Northern Vermont Runs from late September to Mid-October. Peak season usually falls on the last two weeks of September and the first week of October. Northern Vermont offers the opportunity to ride gondolas at Jay Peak and Stowe ski resorts and see the sprawl of colors from above.

Central Vermont

Ski resorts scattered across the entire state become hotbeds of activity for fans of Vermont’s foliage, Killington Mountain is one of the most sought-after destinations in Central Vermont. The Connecticut River Valley loop is one of the most popular and crowed roadways during peak season. The loop brings visitors through Woodstock, often regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in the United States, and fully equipped with miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, gardens, farms, rivers and meandering brooks throughout. Quechee Gorge and the Little Grand Canyon are also hidden gems to explore when experiencing the picturesque autumn in Central Vermont. Peak season at lower elevations and in a majority of Central Vermont usually takes place in Mid-October.

Southern Vermont

Traditionally the last region to succumb to the fall weather and the change in color that comes with it. Southern Vermont also usually faces the highest concentration of out of staters on the roads and overloading sleepy Vermont hamlets. Manchester is often at the top of tourists lists of must-see locales. However the highest point in Southern Vermont, Equinox Mountain is known for many excellent vistas, and expansive hiking trails. Bennington has also been a go-to for a glimpse of postcard fall views of New England. Mt. Snow is the most popular resorts in Southern Vermont and puts on an unbelievable display of colors that visitors can experience from above on a chairlift ride to the summit. Peak foliage season in Southern Vermont takes place in the middle two weeks of October.

As temperatures continue to cool down, enthusiasts need to be vigilant and pursue the evasive fall season as it makes its way down the state and early stages of winter begin to set in. Whatever your passion, Autumn in Vermont has something to offer for everyone, most of all one of the most charming times to experience everything the state has to offer. Wherever you get the chance to see the season, and however you chose to experience it. whether it’s a weekend trip, or just driving to work, autumn in Vermont leaves its impression on everyone who has the privilege to encounter it.