I am planning a trip in early October as a surprise birthday gift for my husband. Any suggestions for accomodations or a city that shouldn't be missed? We are interested in viewing the foliage. Thanks for your help.
Longing in Louisiana

The Round Barn Inn in Waitsfield area is lovely; centrally located. Waitsfield/Warren is "classic Vermont" with covered bridges, rolling hills. It is near Sugarbush. Easy drive to Stowe, Ben & Jerry's in Waterbury, etc.

i would recommend staying in the mid to upper half of the state in early oct. my husband and i were married in southern vt. on Oct. 5, and we return for our anniversary. We always seem to miss the peak season by a weekend or two, or we end up driving farther north to see the leaves. Also, don't delay in your search. B&Bs fill up quickly in Oct...sometimes a year in advance.

One of the nicest hotel rooms we've ever had was at the Golden Eagle Resort in Stowe: very big room, sitting area, balcony overlooking a pond, gas fireplace, and away from the road. Head west for a wine tasting at Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge. Burlington is a great small city on Lake Champlain. Stowe is pretty far north, however, any place between Middlebury/Brandon and Woodstock/Quechee would put you in a good location for traveling around the prettiest part of the state. Don't miss a visit to Woodstock. And consider sneaking over the border for a weekday drive thru NH's White Mountains. There's a big difference in landscape between the two states. The Franconia area has more dramatic views. Vermont is more bucolic (rolling green farmland, with more open views).
Have fun!

Stowe has everything, hiking, scenery, good restaurants (don't miss the Mist Grill in Waterbury) and from you can take drives, south, on Rte. 100 and you'll get the best of VT. We've had decent luck with the Edson Hill Manor in Stowe but have heard much better reviews for the Stowe Mountain Inn. I took my husband here for his 40th...no kids...quiet....ahhhh.

Everyone has given you some great suggestions. I would second (or third?!) the suggestion for using Stowe as your base. Foliage generally "moves" north to south, and if you're coming in early Oct you'll want to be in the central/northern part of the state. Be sure to pick up a good road atlas before or when you come and just get in your car and drive. To see the "real Vermont", get off the main highways and onto the back roads. From Stowe you could drive over to the Northeast Kingdom and visit Peacham, Danville,Barnet, StJ, Lyndon and Burke. Also go to Cabot and see our world famous Cheddar being made. From Cabot there is a beautiful drive over the ridge to Woodbury. Drive over to Burlington, our largest "city". Great downtown shopping area w/good restaurants. There is also a beautiful waterfront park and on a clear day there are gorgeous views across to New York State. Take the ferry over to NY and back.
You really can't go wrong up here as every turn you take is beautiful.
Be sure to book your accomodations as soon as you can as weekends in the fall are very busy in these parts.
Hope you guys have a great trip.

We also stayed at the Golden Eagle Resort in Stowe and loved it! There was a very good restaurant right across the street from it, although I cannot remember the name of it (I am horrible with names!).

Godlen Eagle in Stowe is a nice place to stay but its more motelish than inn. If its not your taste consider the Trapp Family Lodge. But in either case make sure you make use of the recreational trail in Stowe. Its a 5 mile or so paved trail that follows a stream, crosses bridges, passes many inns, a farm and has views of the mountains.

I would second the suggestion of the Round Barn in Waitsfield. It is the perfect Vermont picture postcard setting. Another very nice spot is the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm, just outside Woodstock. You mentioned seeing cites in Vermont - Burlington is the largest city, and the only one worth staying in. Vermont is extremely rural, and there isn't much in the way of city type attractions. If you want vibrant city life, drive up to Montreal for a night or two.