How to Cluster Campus Tours in Vermont This October

October in Vermont is a season that feels almost cinematic. The Green Mountains blaze with reds, oranges, and golds, covered bridges frame postcard-perfect views, and every back road seems to lead to a cider mill or farm stand. For families planning college visits, it’s also one of the smartest times to combine travel with purpose. By clustering campus tours in Vermont, you can see multiple schools in a single trip (while also soaking in some of the best fall foliage in the country).

Why Cluster Campus Tours?

Traveling for college visits can be expensive and time-consuming. Clustering schools by region helps you maximize your time, reduce costs, and give your teenager a chance to compare campuses side by side. As explained in our College Visit Companion, which illustrates school clusters in major metro areas like NYC, Boston, and others, it makes a lot of sense to plan your route, group schools by proximity, and leave space for reflection between visits.

And if you want to see how Vermont fits into the bigger picture, our Interactive College Map is a great place to start. It lets you explore top colleges in the US, and think strategically about where to spend your travel dollars in each location.

Campus Tours in Vermont: Schools to See This October

Vermont may be small, but it’s packed with distinctive colleges, each with its own personality and setting. Here are some top options to consider for your October trip:

• Middlebury College – A classic New England liberal arts college with a global reputation, nestled in the Champlain Valley.

• University of Vermont (UVM) – The flagship public university in Burlington, offering both research opportunities and a lively college town.

• Norwich University – The oldest private military college in the US, with a strong tradition of leadership and service.

• Bennington College – Famous for its individualized curriculum and creative spirit, set against the rolling hills of southern Vermont.

Other notable options:

• Castleton University 

• Champlain College 

• Goddard College 

• Landmark College 

• New England Culinary Institute 

• Saint Michael’s College 

• Vermont College of Fine Arts 

• Vermont State University

Depending on where you base yourself, you could easily see more than one school during your visit. For example, Burlington makes a great hub for UVM, Champlain, and Saint Michael’s. Middlebury is a short drive south, while Bennington anchors the southern end of the state.

🍁Pairing Campus Tours with Fall Color

The beauty of visiting Vermont in October is that your “downtime” between tours is just as memorable as the campuses themselves. Peak foliage usually arrives in early to mid-October, with northern and higher elevations turning first and southern Vermont peaking a bit later (see this year’s week-by-week foliage forecast here).

If you’re planning your route, consider:

• Route 100 – Often called Vermont’s most scenic drive, winding through Stowe, Warren, and Ludlow.

• Smugglers’ Notch – A dramatic mountain pass near Stowe, perfect for a quick hike or photo stop.

• Woodstock and Quechee – Quintessential Vermont towns with covered bridges, farm markets, and sweeping views.

For more inspiration, check out this guide to Vermont foliage and activities.

Beyond the Campuses

October in Vermont is also festival season. From apple picking at Shelburne Orchards to the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival in Tunbridge, there’s no shortage of local flavor (see a roundup of October 2025 festivals here). If you need a break from tours, these stops can add balance and fun to the trip.

Making It Count

When your child begins thinking about college, campus tours are an essential step. But a visit can be much more than just walking the grounds. With thoughtful planning, you can help your high schooler picture themselves living and learning there. Vermont offers a unique chance to combine that search with the kind of travel memories your family can share—driving country roads, sipping hot cider, and watching the mountains come alive with color.

So this October, consider clustering your campus tours in Vermont. Use our free Interactive College Map to plan your route, and lean on the College Visit Companion for strategies that make additional college visits meaningful. In addition to the college brochures, you’ll come home with a better picture of each school, some great memories, and maybe even a few cider donuts. 🍩