New England Travel
The charming town is “bursting with arts and culture.”
A Vermont town world renowned for its skiing and fall foliage is also impressing travelers with its arts and culture.
USA Today released a list of the best small town arts scenes in America on Wednesday, part of its 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and Stowe, Vermont ranked No. 9.
The towns on the list have “vibrant arts scenes filled with museums, galleries, performing arts venues, and lively event calendars,” wrote USA Today.
Here’s what USA Today wrote about Stowe:
While Stowe, Vermont, is famous for its skiing and snowboarding, visitors soon discover that this charming town is bursting with arts and culture. Galleries abound, while Spruce Peak Arts is a hub of entertainment ranging from music and dance to theater and comedy performances. The Stowe Foliage Arts Festival delights visitors every fall, coinciding with the gorgeous natural phenomenon of the leaves changing color.
Visitors can check out the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival this year Oct. 9-11, as well as many upcoming events at Spruce Peak Arts at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort.
The No. 1 small town arts scene in America is in Vermillion, South Dakota, home of the National Music Museum, galleries, and streets full of murals and sculptures.
For the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards lists, USA Today travel experts select 20 nominees in topics from food to lodging, destinations to things to do. Then, the publication asks readers to cast votes to determine the top 10.
Check out USA Today‘s list of the best small town arts scenes in America.
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