It’s known as the “prettiest small town in America,” and if you visit Woodstock, Vermont when the fall colors are at their peak, you’ll know why. During autumn the area explodes with color—fiery reds, oranges, and yellows pop against the cobalt blue sky. Currently, the area is crawling with skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts (the town is known as an ideal ski vacation destination). And, with today’s fresh snowfall the crowds will only grow as we head towards the weekend.
With all due respect to those who love gliding down Woodstock’s snowy mountains, I much prefer to visit the area during autumn. In my opinion Vermont is truly the best state to visit if you enjoy taking in the fall foliage. The region is home to a diversity of hardwood trees, which yield a wide spectrum of colors from bright yellows to deep purples. The trees paint an awe-inspiring picture from the ground, but the palette of colors is more brilliant when you are admiring them from a hot air balloon.
Hot air balloon rides are perhaps the most romantic, thrilling and memorable ways to view the fall foliage. Woodstock boasts several hot air balloon companies, which offer one hour rides over the area’s most dynamic scenery. The price runs approximately $150 per person (a ride on a clear day during peak season is worth every penny). Boarding our balloon I was a bit concerned that we’d be flying too high to truly appreciate what we were floating over, but I was pleasantly surprised when our pilot hovered directly over the treetops–high enough to afford a commanding view of the sprawling countryside, but low enough (at times) that we were skimming the top branches. The scenery was nothing less than spectacular. Complimenting the beauty of the changing leaves are Woodstock’s hills, valleys and waterfalls. If you are lucky your pilot will get close enough for you to feel the mist off the falls.
Just a few additional notes about Woodstock: It is the quintessential New England village. It was first settled in 1768, and the town retains much of its colonial history. If you are most comfortable surrounded by neon lights and a plethora of nightclubs, Woodstock may not be your ideal vacation destination. However, if you are looking for a quiet place to relax, unwind and simply escape from the chaos that is your life, Woodstock is where you want to be.
Many of its visitors are day-trippers who for whatever reason choose not to spend the night in the area. I would suggest getting a room at one of the many hotels, inns, or Bed and Breakfast’s located downtown. If you enjoy biking, hiking, bird watching, or horseback riding consider visiting the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historic Park it is located in Woodstock and is the only national park in the state of Vermont.
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