Plan Your Next Getaway To Manchester, VT But Don’t Do It Without Reading This First!

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Fashion. Food. Friends. Fall Foliage and tons of Fun.  That pretty much describes the incredible girls’ getaway I just experienced in lovely Manchester, VT!  I had never been to Vermont in the fall nor have I been away from my family or my daughter for more than 24 hours so this 3-day trip was filled with excitement and anticipation.  And it was extra indulgent because thanks to Manchester Designer outlets sponsoring us style bloggers, it involved a shopping spree at their glorious outlets!

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They had me at shopping spree.  (Or was it hello?! )  Just about a 3.5 hour drive from Manhattan, suddenly our concrete jungle views were replaced with breathtaking, fall foliage (and without an angry NY-er in sight!)  Think mountains sprinkled with fiery vibrant colors, darling apple trees, picturesque river views, pretty pumpkin patches and PEACE.

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Photo credit: Getty Images

What a getaway! Every New Yorker NEEEEEDS this!  It was amazing to let go of the chaos, hustle and bustle of Manhattan and the responsibilities of motherhood.  Oops did I say that last part out loud??  Ehem, lets suffice it to say that this mommy really enjoyed the rest and relaxation.  What a memorable way to soak in all the fall feels this season!

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Read on for all my tips on where to stay, what to do, what to eat, and who to bring.  Oh wait, you can’t borrow my friends..sorry to say you will be hard-pressed to find travel partners as fun and fabulous as these… (pictured below are Suzanne from Gotham Love and Nicole from Mom Trends)

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Where to Stay

There are lots of places to witness the pinnacle of fall foliage ranging from AirBnBs (which is what we opted for), to beds and breakfasts, to your classic hotels. Next time I come back (and I do plan to return!), I’ll make sure to stay at Wilburton Inn  where we enjoyed breakfast with a view.

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This elegant hilltop estate, noted as one of the top 8 mansion hotels by CNN, offers such fun themed events (and you know how much I love a theme party!!!)  Murder mystery weekend, anyone?  Doggie slumber party and canine costume ball?  They have it ALL!
257 Wilburton Drive. Manchester, VT. 802.362.2500

What to do

1. Manchester Designer Outlets.  With ZERO sales tax on apparel and footwear on top of the already spectacular sales in Manchester, VT, you should know this will not be your average shopping trip!  Expect heart-pounding deals that will make you want to shout from the rooftops.

Can you believe I bought a glam velvet tee AND a pair of tights for just $5.40?  OMG YES!

Combine the unbelievable deals with the fact that the sales staff are so friendly, and helpful (no Pretty Woman shopping experience at any of the 40 stores here!) and you’ll never want to shop NY retail again!  Here we are racing to some of our favorite stores: Kate Spade, JCrew, Ann Taylor, and Eileen Fisher.

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Click here for the Mom Trends video recap of our shopping adventures!  And see the Marimekko tunic top that I paired with my Ann Taylor skirt (both purchased at the outlets) below!

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Did you know that Manchester Designer Outlets had the nation’s only Marimekko outlet?

2. Equinox Valley Nursery. We fulfilled ALL our fall fantasies by stopping by this one, family-owned, nursery and pumpkin patch.  Trust me, THIS is where you go to check off your fall bucketlist.  Hay ride? check.  Fresh apple-cider doughnuts? check. Corn maze? check.  Pumpkin patch? check.  Barn, scarecrows and endless flower selection? Check check and check!

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Wanna give everyone a major case of FOMO?  Go here and take lots of pics. Your people will love and hate you for it.  We Instagram-ed the HECK out of every corner and view because it was just that beautiful!

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See my saved videos for more autumn eye candy in my Instagram highlight reel here.

3. Biking.  Grab your favorite people and hop on a bike.   Manchester has everything for the leisurely riders who want simply to enjoy the view to something special for thrill-seekers who want to race down a mountain!  Click here for more!

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For more ideas on fun activities in and around the Manchester, VT area, click here.

What to eat

Ever go on a trip and totally luck out with being able to feast on the most flavorful foods?  I felt this way thanks to those who organized this trip and their on point recommendations!  Lucky for you, I’m passing them all on!  Unlucky for me, my waistline now needs a workout!  Here’s where to stop for a bite in Manchester, VT:

1. Seasons: Irresistible American food in the coziest of atmospheres that will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.  Imagine enjoying a seasonal cocktail by their open fire pit here!
4566 Main St.  (802) 362-7272

2. Copper Grouse Located within the beautiful Taconic hotel, the breakfast menu had something for everybody with “inventive takes on tavern fare.”  Avocado toast was a huge hit as was the steel-cut oatmeal and fruit (shown below)!
3835 Main St.  (802) 362-0176

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3. Depot 62: I’m a NY-er so when I say the pizza here is good, BELIEVE ME.  That mushroom pizza was so freakin’ mouthwatering that I don’t even want to think of it as I write this at 1am in the morning lest I start salivating, break down and start scavenging through my fridge.  Wood-fire oven.  Enough said. Plus you’ll enjoy the funky home decor and exotic rugs since this is part eclectic furniture store.
515 Depot St. (802) 366-8181

4. Barrows House: Southern Vermont Hotel & Inn: This warm and welcoming venue was a wonderful dinner find.  Everyone couldn’t stop raving about how delicious their food was!  Plus, they specialize in special events (weddings included), are known for their outdoor dining and seem to have a happening bar too!
3156 VT-30, Dorset, VT 05251 (802) 867-4455

THANKS

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Thanks to the wonderful company I had and that goes not just for the fabulous fashionistas that were participating in the incredible shopping getaway with me.  I’m speaking of the entire crew from Mom Trends, Gale Branding, and Manchester Designer Outlets.  Everyone was SUCH a delight to not only work with but simply BE with and that MADE the trip.  What an honor it was to be chosen to participate in this memorable opportunity.

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, as I further showcase all my stylish finds, steals and deals from Manchester Designer Outlets!

Tell me in the comments below, what things are on YOUR must see and do checklist every fall!

4 Top Reasons To Try TopView

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photo credit, TopView

Thanks to MomTrends and TopView, us mommy bloggers were invited to tour our own city with TopView and experience the classic, double-decker bus tour for ourselves.  And it did not disappoint!  I was so excited to finally get to ride this iconic red bus.  After having lived in the NY area for almost 20 years, you’d think I’d have tried it all but alas this was my first time getting to ride this fun red bus which I’ve seen pass by a hundred times!  After having experienced it, here is my TopView review and 5 top reasons to try it out:

    

  1. Time-Saving.  When in a foreign city, you may generally have an idea of attractions you want to see, but in order to make the most of your time, you’ll need to know how to navigate and schedule an itinerary that makes logistical sense.  TopView takes care of all of that by providing tours listed by area and by attraction.  From Bronx to Brooklyn, TopView offers five carefully curated, routes across NYC: Downtown Tour, Uptown Tour, Bronx Tour, Brooklyn Tour, and Night Tour cutting out the time it would take to research best routes and figure out your own transportation to each site.  With four different, All City Passes available there is sure to be one that will exactly fit your needs. 
  2. The Views – (Obviously!)  There is no better way to see the famous neighborhoods than to sit atop an open-air bus with unobstructed, vast views! The subway, bus or taxi routes never offer you this!  And who wants to miss out?  New York City is a place where you really should look up and appreciate the towering skyscrapers that surround you.  Go with a group, and you’ll surely make memories to last a lifetime!
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  3. Audio Narration in 8 Languages- In addition to the professional drivers who offer short wait times, you are provided new earphones with which you’ll receive audio guidance in a whopping 8 languages! (English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, German, Korean, and Russian) State-of-the-art, GPS triggered systems within the bus, allow for a custom-timed tour too!
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  4. Freebies – They’ve thought of everything!  Want to see the Statue of Liberty up close?  Free Liberty cruises are incliuded.  Want to see the famous Museum of the city of NY?  Free admission is included.  Afraid it might rain?  They’ll provide ponchos!  Want to traverse Central Park in a timely fashion? A free, 2-hour bike rental is included!
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    photo credit, TopView

I had so much fun traveling through town with fellow NY bloggers and would totally do it again next time tourist friends come into town!  For more information and ticketing details, click here!

Have YOU tried this double-decker, NYC bus?  You can win tickets for you and a friend!  Just leave a comment here, and follow me on both FB and Instagram!  Leave a comment in my facebook post once done with your IG and FB usernames so I can check.  Tag a friend for additional entries.

READ MORE!

For my tips on how to have an epic, SoCal road trip, click here!

How to plan perfect Paris pictures -click here!

5 Wild and Wacky, must-see spots to take your kids to in Tokyo – click here!

This is a sponsored post but as always, all opinions are 100% my own.  

 

 

 

 

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