This is the season of apple picking, maple tasting, and cider sipping. If you’re planning a trip, here are the best of the best farm tours in Vermont this September that truly capture the magic of the season.
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Shelburne Farms – Where History Meets Harvest
Sitting on the shores of Lake Champlain, Shelburne Farms is more than just a farm—it’s a historic estate turned working farm and education center.
The sweeping landscape mixes rolling pastures with stunning lake and mountain views, making September an especially photogenic time to visit.
Guests can tour the dairy barns, meet the animals, and taste award-winning cheddar cheese made on site.
Nearby Attraction: After your farm tour, take a short drive to downtown Burlington for a mix of lakefront dining and vibrant local shops.
Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning when the mist still hovers over Lake Champlain for the best photos of the estate and foliage.
Billings Farm & Museum – Classic Vermont Heritage
If you want to experience old-fashioned Vermont farm life, Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock is a must. It combines a working dairy farm with a museum that preserves 19th-century rural traditions.
In September, the farm is buzzing with harvest activities—from garden tours to farm demonstrations.
Visitors can see draft horses at work, watch cows being milked, and learn about the rhythms of farm life as the season turns.
Families love the seasonal events here, and children especially enjoy pumpkin picking and hayrides.
Accessibility: Billings is one of the more visitor-friendly farms in Vermont with paved paths, wheelchair access, and stroller-friendly routes. Parking is also easy to find in Woodstock village.
Insider Tip: Pair your visit with a trip to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, right next door.
Together, they offer a perfect mix of history, farming, and foliage walks.
Sugarbush Farm – Maple Magic in Autumn
Tucked into the hills of Woodstock, Sugarbush Farm is where maple syrup dreams come true.
September is a wonderful time to visit because the leaves are just beginning to turn, creating a golden backdrop to the maple groves.
The farm offers self-guided tours where you can learn how maple syrup is made, sample four grades of syrup, and taste their famous cheeses.
The country store is packed with local goodies, making it a great stop for edible souvenirs. Beyond maple and cheese, you’ll also find jams, mustards, and handmade Vermont snacks to try.
Insider Tip: Don’t just stick to the farmyard—take a short drive to the nearby backroads. They offer some of the best early foliage views in Vermont.
Scott Farm Orchard – Apple Picking in Peak Season
September is peak apple season, and Scott Farm Orchard in Dummerston delivers an authentic Vermont apple-picking experience.
This orchard grows more than 100 varieties of heirloom apples, some dating back centuries.
Beyond picking your own, you can try cider tastings, attend harvest events, and enjoy baked treats that highlight the orchard’s unique varieties.
It’s not just about grabbing a bag of apples—it’s about tasting flavors you won’t find in any supermarket.
On select September weekends, the orchard also hosts heirloom apple festivals where visitors can sample rare varieties and learn about Vermont’s apple-growing heritage.
Insider Tip: Try the Roxbury Russet or Esopus Spitzenburg apples—historic varieties with unique flavors that you’ll only find here.
Champlain Orchards – A Taste of Vermont’s Apple Country
Located in Shoreham with sweeping views of Lake Champlain, Champlain Orchards is another September favorite.
It’s one of Vermont’s largest and most eco-friendly orchards, growing apples, pears, cherries, and even plums.
September is prime apple-picking time here, but what sets it apart is the orchard’s on-site cidery. Visitors can enjoy tastings of hard ciders made from their own fruit, ranging from crisp and refreshing to complex and aromatic.
For food lovers, cider paired with local cheese or fresh orchard pies is a match made in Vermont heaven.
Nearby Attraction: Middlebury is just a short drive away, where you can explore historic downtown shops, cafes, and craft breweries after a day in the orchard.
Insider Tip: Pack a picnic and grab a spot in the orchard. On a clear September afternoon, the views of Lake Champlain framed by orchard rows are unforgettable.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill – Classic Fall Flavors
If fall had a flavor, it would be found at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center. This legendary stop is famous for its warm cider donuts and freshly pressed apple cider.
September is when the mill is at its liveliest, with crowds stopping in on their way to Stowe’s foliage drives.
You can watch cider being pressed on vintage racks and cloth machinery, browse a shop full of Vermont-made products, and of course, load up on donuts.
It’s less of a quiet farm and more of a festive fall gathering spot.
Food & Drink Pairing: Don’t miss pairing hot cider with their famous cider donuts—it’s the classic Vermont autumn snack.
You can also grab maple candies or local cheeses in the gift shop for the road.
Liberty Hill Farm – Stay on a Working Farm
For travelers who want more than a day trip, Liberty Hill Farm in Rochester offers a full farm stay experience.
You can milk cows, feed calves, and take part in the daily rhythm of a real Vermont dairy farm.
September adds the beauty of harvest season and cool evenings perfect for stargazing after chores are done.
Guests stay in the farmhouse, share family-style meals, and truly get to know the people behind Vermont farming.
It’s both immersive and heartwarming—something you won’t get from a regular tour.
Lodging Note: If Liberty Hill is fully booked, nearby inns in Rochester and B&Bs along Route 100 make excellent alternatives for travelers wanting to stay close to Vermont’s farm country.
Traveler FAQs
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes—especially for farm stays and popular weekends in September. Orchard visits may not require reservations, but check the farm’s calendar.
What’s the average cost of farm tours?
Most orchards are free to enter, but pay by the pound for fruit. Museums and larger farms may charge $5–$15 for admission. Farm stays are higher, typically $150–$250 per night.
Can you bring pets?
Some orchards and farms allow leashed dogs, but many working farms do not. Always check before visiting.
Conclusion
Vermont’s farms are magical in September. Whether you’re sipping fresh cider, tasting maple syrup, or walking through orchards heavy with apples, each farm offers a different slice of Vermont life.
These seven stand out as the best of the best—not just for their food and flavors, but for the experiences they create during fall’s most beautiful month.
Read More: 10 Best Canoeing Spots in Vermont for September
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