Plan the Perfect Fall Golf Trip to Vermont

There's no better time to pack up the golf clubs and head to Vermont than when the Green Mountain State begins to show its fall colors. During a short period, usually from late September through early October, the leaves begin to change from various shades of green to bright reds, yellows and oranges.

This color change draws thousands of people to Vermont to see it with their own eyes, but most people don't know one of the best places to take it all in is the golf course.

Here are a few of the best towns in Vermont to visit during the fall if you want to combine spectacular golf with unbelievable views.

Nestled beneath Mount Equinox in southern Vermont, Manchester offers the kind of fall golf getaway that feels distinctly New England.

When you play at The Golf Club at Equinox, you're surrounded by mountain views in nearly every direction. The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa is right across the street, which makes lodging in the area unbelievably easy.

Once the clubs are put away, Manchester has no shortage of places to settle in for a post-round meal. If you want to stay at the resort and want high-level dining, look no further than The Chop House at Equinox Resort. Some alternative restaurants include LOLA Mediterranean Woodfire, Copper Grouse, Lost Marble Brewing Company, Mystico Cucina Italiana and many more.

Golf isn't the only sport deeply rooted in Manchester's history. Manchester is home to the American Museum of Fly Fishing and the Orvis Flagship Store, which offers one- and two-day fly-fishing schools.

About an hour north of Manchester, Ludlow trades the historic resort-town feel for a getaway centered around the mountains.

The town is typically busiest in the winter, with people coming from all over to ski and snowboard at Okemo, but don't forget the golf and other warm-weather activities in this mountain town.

With Okemo Mountain rising in the distance, Fox Run Golf Club puts golfers right in the middle of the Okemo Valley's fall scenery. The golf course is always in phenomenal condition and offers a fun challenge for golfers of all skill levels.

After the round, you can stay right at the golf course for dinner at Calcutta's. If you want to eat elsewhere, a short trip into downtown Ludlow brings you to one of the town's longtime local staples, DJ's Restaurant.

Staying near Okemo keeps both the golf course and the rest of Ludlow's outdoor recreation within easy reach. For those who aren't ready to call it a day after 18 holes, Ludlow's mountain terrain offers another way to experience Vermont's fall colors. There are plenty of mountain biking trails for all riding abilities in the area, giving visitors another way to get outside and enjoy the foliage away from the golf course.

If you're looking for more of an adrenaline rush, make the 25-minute drive to Killington to take advantage of the Killington Bike Park.

Few Vermont towns are more synonymous with fall than Stowe, and for golfers, the destination offers something the others on this list can't: the chance to build an entire trip around 36 holes.

High on the slopes, the Mountain Course at Spruce Peak provides a golf experience unlike anything else in Vermont. The golf course offers views so good that you have to see them to believe they even exist. Pair that with a luxurious atmosphere and pristine conditions, and it's nearly impossible to have a bad day at Spruce Peak.

Just down the mountain, Stowe Country Club provides a distinctly different second round. Stowe Country Club recently underwent a renovation of its entire golf course over the course of two years, and the consensus is that they hit the renovation out of the park. Stowe Country Club was always nice, but now it may be in contention as one of the best golf courses in the entire state.

To have access to both golf courses, you must stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak and have the mountain experience right outside your door.

Stowe's reputation as a destination extends well beyond its golf courses, particularly when it's time to find dinner. The town has no shortage of options, but some local favorites include The Bench, Alpine Hall, Butler's Pantry, Von Trapp Brewing and many more.

To get the full Vermont fall experience, make a trip to Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can grab fresh apples, apple cider, cider donuts and numerous other products local to Vermont. Another must-stop is the Ben & Jerry's factory just down the road in Waterbury, where you can tour the facility.

Keep driving north and Vermont begins to feel increasingly remote, which is exactly part of the appeal of a fall trip to Jay Peak.

At the base of the mountain, Jay Peak Championship Golf Course takes full advantage of the surrounding terrain. The layout and multiple tee sets challenge everyone, no matter their skill level.

Staying at Jay Peak Resort allows golfers to park the car after arriving and build nearly the entire weekend around the mountain. A full day on the mountain also doesn't require traveling far for dinner. Have dinner right at the Clubhouse Grille after your round, then grab a cocktail outside by the firepit on the patio overlooking the 18th green.

The golf course may get you to Jay Peak, but there's plenty to keep you on the mountain once the final putt drops. Jay Peak offers numerous activities right on the property for the entire family, including an indoor water park, a tram ride to the top of the mountain, a rock climbing gym, mini golf, a movie theater, disc golf and much more.