Burlington in September
Great time to visit
September offers the perfect combination of warm days, cool nights, and early fall colors. Crowds thin out slightly from summer peak but energy stays high.
Weather
September brings crisp mornings and warm afternoons with stunning fall colors starting in the mountains. Humidity drops significantly and rain becomes less frequent. Nights get cool enough for light sweaters.
23°C high11°C low8 rain days
Crowds & Cost
high crowds
~$145/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Vermont Harvest Festival
- •South End Art Hop
September Tips
- •Peak foliage happens late September to early October - book leaf-peeping tours early
- •Perfect weather for hiking and biking without summer's heat
- •Farmers markets overflow with apple harvest and local produce
All Months
May through October gives you the full Burlington experience. Lake Champlain warms up enough for swimming by late June, and the waterfront comes alive with festivals and outdoor dining.
Summer means peak crowds and prices, especially during UVM graduation in mid-May and the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival in early June. But you get 14-hour days and perfect weather for lake activities.
Fall foliage peaks in late September to early October. The drive from Burlington to Stowe becomes a parade of leaf-peepers, but the colors are genuinely spectacular. Book accommodations months ahead for foliage season.
Winter has its charms if you ski. Smugglers' Notch and Stowe are both under an hour away. But half the restaurants close or reduce hours, and lake activities shut down completely. The city feels like it's hibernating.
Here's the sweet spot: late May or early September. You get great weather, fewer crowds, and everything's open. Plus, local ingredients are at their peak.
Burlington Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
7/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
6/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
5/10
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