Plan the Ultimate Vermont Fall Weekend at Vintage Market Days

Crisp mountain air, blazing foliage, and the thrill of the hunt! October in Vermont is pure magic. And for vintage lovers, the season’s highlight is always Vintage Market Days. Held at the Rutland Fairgrounds, this indoor-outdoor market is just a short, scenic drive from Manchester, Vermont, making it the perfect anchor for a Vermont fall weekend.

Here you’ll wander through booths brimming with vintage skis and sleds for your winter and holiday décor, one-of-a-kind furnishings, and antique treasures you won’t find anywhere else. It’s affordable, friendly, never overwhelming, and set against peak Vermont foliage. Grab a maple creemee, snap a few photos along Route 7’s country roads, and enjoy a day of antiquing that feels every bit as charming as the fall scenery itself.

Whether you’re traveling from the city for a quick getaway, planning a leaf-peeping road trip, or looking for unique things to do in Vermont in October, Vintage Market Days is a fall tradition worth making your own.

What Is Vintage Market Days and Why Visit in Vermont This Fall?

Vintage Market Days is a nationally recognized market series that brings together some of the best vintage, antique, and handmade vendors from across New England. Each fall, the Vermont edition sets up at the Rutland Fairgrounds, creating the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-event energy.

Inside the fairground buildings, you’ll wander through curated booths filled with vintage farmhouse décor, antique furnishings, rustic holiday treasures, and one-of-a-kind handmade goods. Outdoors, you’ll find live music, food trucks serving local favorites, and plenty of space to soak up the crisp October air. Parking is easy, the venue is both indoor and outdoor (so you’re covered no matter the weather), and the whole event has that festive, welcoming atmosphere Vermont is known for.

What makes it worth the trip? The treasures, of course. From vintage sleds and skis to cozy fall décor and timeless antiques, Vintage Market Days Vermont is a chance to shop, eat, and enjoy a true fall tradition. Add in the backdrop of peak Vermont foliage, and you’ve got an experience that feels equal parts shopping trip and leaf-peeping adventure.

More Vintage Market Days Vermont Finds and Tips

Over the years, I’ve shared plenty of stories from Vintage Market Days Vermont, from the antique treasures I’ve brought home to the fall decorating ideas they’ve inspired. If you’re planning a Vermont fall weekend and want even more inspiration, these posts highlight my favorite finds, shopping tips, and seasonal moments from past markets:

How to Plan a Vermont Fall Weekend Around Peak Foliage and Vintage Market Days

October is the most spectacular time to plan a Vermont fall weekend, and Vintage Market Days makes it even better. The event always falls on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend, which is Vermont’s peak foliage season. The mountain landscapes are alive with fiery reds, golden yellows, and bright oranges, turning every scenic drive into a postcard.

What makes this trip extra special is the pairing of leaf-peeping with antiquing. Start your morning at Vintage Market Days, where the indoor-outdoor venue at the Rutland Fairgrounds means you can browse vintage booths rain or shine. Then step outside to enjoy live music, food trucks, and crisp autumn air before heading back along scenic Vermont backroads for more foliage views and photo stops.

It’s a perfect balance of antique shopping, fall photography, and touring Vermont’s countryside, all wrapped into one unforgettable weekend. Whether you’re traveling from the city for a quick getaway or planning a longer foliage trip, Vintage Market Days is the ideal anchor for your Vermont fall weekend itinerary.

Why Manchester, Vermont Is the Best Place to Stay for a Vermont Fall Weekend at Vintage Market Days

If you’re planning a Vermont fall weekend around Vintage Market Days, I always recommend making Manchester your home base. I live here year-round, and while I haven’t personally stayed overnight at these inns or hotels, I know them well by reputation, through friends and family, or by visiting their restaurants and properties. Manchester is a true four-season resort town, which means you’ll find everything from charming historic inns to cozy motels, boutique hotels, and even campgrounds. Here are some of the best options I’d share with anyone planning a trip for foliage and antiquing.

Inns, Resorts, and Boutique Hotels in Manchester, Vermont for Your Vermont Fall Weekend

Hotels in Manchester, Vermont for a Vermont Fall Weekend

Hampton Inn & Suites — Simple, affordable, and centrally located, the Hampton Inn is perfect if you’re looking for an inexpensive home base while spending most of your weekend exploring Vintage Market Days and Vermont’s peak foliage.

Kimpton Taconic Hotel — A boutique-style chain hotel with a beautiful restaurant and walking-distance access to Manchester village. More budget-friendly than the larger resorts, the Taconic is a great choice for a Vermont fall weekend stay that balances comfort and convenience.

Camping in Manchester, Vermont During Fall Foliage

Emerald Lake State Park — Just north of Manchester, this campground offers foliage views, hiking trails, and a classic Vermont outdoor experience.

Camping on the Battenkill — A riverside favorite just outside Manchester, with plenty of space for tents, RVs, and cozy fall campfires.

Where to Eat and Drink in Manchester on Your Vermont Fall Weekend

After a morning treasure-hunting at Vintage Market Days Vermont in Rutland (the doors open at 10), plan to be back in Manchester by early afternoon. It’s about a 25-minute scenic drive, so you’ll arrive just in time for a relaxed lunch. On a sunny October day, nothing beats outdoor dining surrounded by foliage, but if the weather turns, Manchester has plenty of cozy indoor spots too. And after a full day of antiquing and leaf-peeping, you’ll find some wonderful dinner options to round out your Vermont fall weekend.

Start Your Vermont Fall Weekend with Coffee and Breakfast in Manchester

If you’re spending the night in Manchester before heading to Vintage Market Days Vermont, start your morning like a local. The Little Rooster Café is always my go-to, a cozy spot with hearty breakfasts that never disappoint. Up for Breakfast is another town favorite, serving classic comfort food in a charming upstairs setting.

If you’d rather grab something on the go, stop into The Works Café for a latte and a fresh bagel, or swing by Charlie’s Coffee House for a quick bite and caffeine fix. Any of these spots will set you up perfectly for the scenic 25-minute drive to Rutland.

Outdoor Lunch Spots in Manchester, Vermont

Of course, Manchester has no shortage of places to grab a bite on your Vermont fall weekend. Casual favorites like Zoey’s Deli, Christo’s Pizza, and Thai Basil are always reliable, while CurATE at SVAC offers an elevated dining experience with mountain views. You can even pop into the famous Northshire Bookstore for a cozy lunch in between browsing shelves. That’s the beauty of staying in Manchester, there’s truly something for everyone.

After lunch, spend the rest of your Vermont fall weekend exploring Manchester at a slower pace. Stroll through the village shops and galleries, grab a notorious Maple Creemee at The Maple Reserve, wander into the famous Northshire Bookstore, or take a short hike on the trails behind the Equinox for more foliage views. Or simply relax back at your inn with a cozy fire and a maple treat in hand, because that’s exactly what a perfect Vermont fall weekend around Vintage Market Days is all about.

Looking for More Things to Do on a Vermont Fall Weekend?

If Vintage Market Days Vermont leaves you inspired, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy a Vermont fall weekend with a vintage twist. From exploring local antique shops to visiting the iconic Vermont Country Store, there’s no shortage of charming stops to add to your itinerary. Here are a few more of my favorite Vermont posts to spark ideas:

Map of Manchester, Vermont for Your Fall Weekend at Vintage Market Days

To make planning your Vermont fall weekend even easier, I’ve created a Google Map with all of my recommendations in one place. You’ll find Vintage Market Days Vermont, my favorite inns and boutique hotels, local restaurants and coffee spots, and even the famous independent Northshire Bookstore. Use this map to plan your route, pick your stops, and make the most of your foliage weekend in Manchester and Rutland. Zoom in on the map to see more.

Tips for Planning Your Vermont Fall Weekend at Vintage Market Days

I’ve been attending Vintage Market Days Vermont for more than a decade, and it’s truly one of my favorite markets of all time. I never miss it; I usually bring a friend, turn it into a little Thrifting with the Gals outing, and then we head back to Manchester for lunch. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make this Vermont fall weekend tradition even better, and I’m sharing them here so you can enjoy it just as much.

1. Buy tickets ahead of time — Watch Vintage Market Days on Instagram and Facebook for discounted advance tickets.
2. Take a selfie at the entrance — Your photo serves as your ticket all weekend, so you can come and go as you please.
3. Arrive early for the best finds — There’s rarely a line to get in, but shopping early always gives you first pick.
4. Stop at the bathrooms first — They’re right at the entrance, and it’s easier before you start shopping with bags in hand.
5. Bring cash and a market basket — A reusable tote, cart, or basket saves trips back to the car. I’ll link my favorite basket here, the Hulken—it’s what I always use.
6. Dress in layers — Vermont fall weather changes fast. A cozy sweater and jacket you can shed is always a smart choice.
7. Wear boots — The parking lot can be muddy, especially in October.
8. Pack an umbrella — Handy for the walk back to the car if showers roll in.
9. Bring water — Stay hydrated while you shop and stroll the fairgrounds.
10. Enjoy easy parking — It’s simple to load and unload right by the fairgrounds, and all vendors are indoors, so even bad weather won’t spoil your trip.

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Make Vintage Market Days Part of Your Vermont Fall Weekend Tradition

For me, Vintage Market Days Vermont has become a tradition I never miss. For more than 13 years—spring and fall—I’ve been making the trip, often with a friend in tow, and turning it into a Vermont fall weekend filled with vintage finds, foliage drives, and lunch in Manchester. It’s the kind of outing that works for everyone, whether you’re planning a girl’s trip, a couple’s weekend, or a family adventure.

If you’re inspired to plan your own tradition, you might also enjoy my thrift store road trip guide (featured by AARP), which shares how to map out a day of thrifting, wherever you may reside. And don’t miss my other Vermont shopping guides and thrifting RV road trip posts for even more ideas to keep the vintage fun going.

And of course, I’d love for you to join me and my friends for Thrifting with the Gals, where we share our favorite finds, tips, and thrifting adventures from all around the country. Who knows, maybe your first trip to Vintage Market Days Vermont will be the start of your own fall tradition, too.

Have a question? Drop me a note below, I’d be happy to answer questions you may have about a Vermont fall weekend and Vintage Market Days Vermont.

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