If you go to Burlington, you HAVE to go to the Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory. Best toffee I've ever tasted, and I generally don't like toffee!

Near Waterbury, VT there's the house settled by the original Van Trapp family and the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (take a tour!).

There are also GORGEOUS back hills and waterfalls. I'll see if I can dig up the self-guided tour we took when we were there 2 years ago in October.

 I don't know when you're going, but I believe the leaves peak around the last week of September. We were there the first week of October and just missed the peak season.

The good part about New England is that EVERYTHING is not far away.

If you can, try Montpellier. It's a nice, relaxed town with a few maple farms not far.

Wish I could be of more help. Only word of advice - don't go to the mall in Burlington. It's awful!