I've lived in New England my entire life. There's one town in this region I swear by visiting every fall.

Original story by Business Insider · September 21, 2026Summarised for reading. The full article stays with the publisher.

When some people think about Vermont, they might picture skiing down picturesque slopes and unwinding their tired legs after a long day on the mountain … only to do it all over again the next day.

As a lifelong New Englander, though, I believe that the time before the snowy season is often overlooked. I prefer to head up north when the leaves are changing from green to fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Once I'm in the Green Mountain State, my favorite town is Stowe, a dreamy hub for leaf-peeping, everything maple-flavored, and great autumn vibes.

Located in northern Vermont, Stowe is the perfect escape for a romantic getaway or group trip, especially if you're on the East Coast.

It's just a three-hour drive from Boston and only six hours from New York City. For those who live a bit farther away, the town is also less than an hour from Burlington International Airport.

I live four hours away in Rhode Island and prefer driving so I can stop at cute pit stops throughout Vermont.

My personal favorite is the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham. This iconic gift shop sells nostalgic penny candy, local cheeses from nearby farms, and — of course — the best maple syrup.

My perfect weekend includes a gondola ride, a corn maze, and a downtown stroll

Situated at the bottom of Mount Mansfield, Stowe has a quaint downtown, perfect for strolling the streets with a hot pumpkin latte in hand. There's no shortage of cute shops and cozy cafés.

The town center is walkable, but Stowe's other attractions — such as the famous Gondola Skyride and my favorite corn maze — are a quick drive away.

Just a few miles from Stowe's downtown, the Percy Farm Corn Maze allows groups to get lost in the rows of corn. If you're lucky, you'll even see some baby cows grazing.

I also firmly believe that a fall trip isn't complete without a red gondola ride up the mountain. Sitting back and taking in the kaleidoscope of colorful fall foliage while gliding through the air is truly unlike anything else.

Dive deeper

When some people think about Vermont, they might picture skiing down picturesque slopes and unwinding their tired legs after a long day on the mountain … only to do it all over again the next day.
As a lifelong New Englander, though, I believe that the time before the snowy season is often overlooked. I prefer to head up north when the leaves are changing from green to fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Once I'm in the Green Mountain State, my favorite town is Stowe, a dreamy hub for leaf-peeping, everything maple-flavored, and great autumn vibes.
Located in northern Vermont, Stowe is the perfect escape for a romantic getaway or group trip, especially if you're on the East Coast.
It's just a three-hour drive from Boston and only six hours from New York City. For those who live a bit farther away, the town is also less than an hour from Burlington International Airport.

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