Bret | Fullerton Inn

Three Unique Features of Fullerton Inn

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Bret

Lodging at an inn offers you a unique lodging experience. Fullerton Inn and Restaurant offers intimate experiences and unique as a four-season destination country inn and bed & breakfast.

Fullerton Inn, located in the beautiful village of Chester, VT, is committed to providing unique experiences to all guests.

Yoga Classes

Fullerton Inn make prioritizing health and fitness on your getaway easy with yoga classes. Fullerton Inn is happy to partner with Liza Eaton to offer yoga classes that will energize your soul and body. With a foundation in Astanga yoga, Liza teaches her classes with an emphasis on the breath as she believes it to be the heart of the practice and the bridge between body and mind.

Brewery Tours

Stay with us and sample some of Vermont’s finest and unique offerings during our variety of local Vermont brewery tours. Vermont is home to the pioneering microbrewery. The Fullerton Inn Brewery Tour offers visitors the opportunity to experience all Vermont beer has to offer with one, two, and three day tours of local breweries. These range from intimate brew pubs offering several home brewed beers to medium sized regional production facilities.

Wine Pairing Dinners

Fullerton Inn presents an evening full of wines and excellent food with our wine pairing dinners. Throughout the evening, nine creative wine and food pairings are presented that will excite your palate and expand your appreciation of the finer things in life. The chef himself explains the choices he made in selecting each of the wine/food pairings. Chef James and owners, Bret & Nancy Rugg, will put on a great show for you with fantastic food and interesting information.

The Fullerton Inn is a four-season destination country inn and bed & breakfast. Located in the beautiful village of Chester, central to southern Vermont, it is a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your everyday life and relax, disconnect and kick back. Enjoy our modern guest rooms, our wonderful restaurant or our cozy tavern.

Mark Your Calendar for the Chester Winter Carnival

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Bret

The annual Chester Winter Carnival is soon coming to Chester, VT with a plethora of family-fun activities and excitement; mark your calendar now!

The Chester Winter Carnival begins on Saturday, February 16, with entertainment and activities planned all day.

Start out with some fanciful fun at Troy Wunderle’s Circus at CAES and then head to the American Legion Field with your children, ages 11 and under, for a demo snowmobile ride hosted by the Chester Snowmobile Club. In the afternoon, consider a horse sleigh ride with Smokeshire Farm at the Pinnacle.

Head to the Southern Pie Company for some delicious pie tasting for only $5.00 per plate with proceeds donated to the Chester Recreation Department. While there, enjoy some colorful face painting, a big attraction for the little ones! Before it gets too late, head to the Pinnacle for some slippery sledding and competitive disc golf.

In the evening, explore on a nighttime snowshoe hike around the Pinnacle. Then, attend a grand bonfire with music and skating. Fill up on coffee, hot chocolate, and pie as you enjoy the remainder of the day.

The Chester Winter Carnival continues into Sunday, February 17 with the 9 a.m. annual poker run hosted by the Chester Snowmobile Club. Start at the gazebo and make your 35-mile run around the Pinnacle as you look for tokens to exchange for cards, which determine your poker hand. Win great prizes and indulge in delicious foods during this event. At 10 a.m., get your blood pumping with a little broom hockey at the Pinnacle.

If you are planning to come to town for this traditional affair, book your stay at the beautiful and convenient Fullerton Inn and Restaurant, a southern Vermont bed and breakfast located right in the beautiful village of Chester.

Visit Southern Vermont and Hit the Ice

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Bret

Vermont offers a plethora of activities during the winter months, from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling and ice climbing. Families choose to vacation to Vermont in the winter to spend quality time together enjoying the seasonal activities.

Located in Manchester Center, Vermont, in the Northshire Civic Center at Hunter Park is Riley Rink.

Offering decades of family fun, Riley Rink gives guests the ultimate wintertime experience with the area’s only Olympic-sized indoor skating rink.

Riley Rink provides quality recreational activities and events to the Vermont community, serving as a non-profit civic center for sports and exhibitions. If you visit Vermont from mid-October through early March, head to Riley Rink and take advantage of their ice season.

Take the family to Riley Rink to enjoy some wintertime ice skating. The perfect winter workout and family activity, ice skating proves fun for all ages. Riley Rink offers both public skating and private skating with events like monthly Friday night Teen Skate and Saturday night family Public Skate. Throw in some delicious food and a little music and you have the recipe for one great day of winter fun. If you have never attempted ice skating, first sharpen your skills by walking onto an ice-skating lesson for a small drop-in fee.

Hockey lovers can grab their gear and run to Riley Rink for a pickup hockey game. Adults and kids can take part in a controlled scrimmage or participate in an open hockey session called Stick and Puck; just bring your gear and play with whoever shows up.

If you are headed to Vermont for a family reunion or other large gathering, rent your own sheet of ice from Riley Rink for an hour. You can also rent the entire facility for weddings, corporate parties, and more.

Enjoy Riley Rink and your other favorite winter activities in Vermont during your stay at Fullerton Inn, a southern Vermont bed and breakfast with modern guest rooms and quaint village charm. Located less than an hour from Riley Rink, Fullerton Inn is the premier choice for relaxing after a long afternoon of ice skating.

Get Ready for the 34th Annual Overture to Christmas in Chester, VT

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Bret

As we say here at the Fullerton Inn, there is nothing like Christmas in Chester. The beautiful Vermont town goes all out for the holidays, providing a festive and joyous setting for celebrations that is best seen with one of our favorite local events: the Annual Overture to Christmas. This year marks the 34th anniversary of this special event and gets bigger and better with every year.

What is the Annual Overture to Christmas, you might ask?

Each year the residents of Chester, VT, organize a week full of events that feature the very best of Christmas traditions.

The traditions range from gingerbread-house-making and Holiday Craft Fair to Santa’s little workshop and visits from ol’ St. Nick himself!

This year, the event will run from November 26 to December 2; a full six days of fun! Most of the events are free to enter but be sure to check out the Facebook to find out what’s in store. More updates will come as the dates near.

Last year, the Overture saw its very first Victorian Christmas Cookie Tour, which opened up nine historic homes throughout the town to guests sampling homemade cookies. And this year, the tour is back, with more cookies to taste and fun to be had! So if you’re interested, be sure to pick up a “passport” ticket that shows you where the houses are, and what’s waiting inside.

And at the center of it all is the festival of trees, which welcomes residents to witness momentous tree lightings, and purchase a local Vermont Christmas tree for their own homes. Because what would Christmas be without its trees?

Chester, VT, is an ideal place to spend the holidays. It’s a time when the whole community comes together, to have fun and enjoy each other’s company! Contact us at the Fullerton Inn today to book your next stay with us.

Enjoy a Vibrant Fall in Vermont with Local Maple

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Bret

Southern Vermont in the fall is nothing short of majestic, filled with rich colors and picturesque landscapes. Vermont is also a leading producer of maple, filled with sugarhouses.

The Fullerton Inn is surrounded by some exceptional sugarhouses and we have highlighted several to help you plan your perfect fall getaway.

Dutton Berry Farm

Although the name will have your mouth watering for the taste of fresh berries, the Dutton Berry Farm is a multi-facetted farm that also houses a wonderful sugarhouse. They put out over 3,000 taps every year as proud members of the Vermont Sugar Makers Association.

Paradise Farm Sugarhouse

Located just a short drive from Fullerton Inn, the Paradise Farm Sugarhouse is one of the few sugarhouses that offers private tours. They make their maple syrup right on the property and offer a variety of foods including hot cider and fresh donuts. It also offers a country gift store that has a variety of maple syrups and products.

Robb Family Farm

The “Robb Family Farm” was first established in 1907 which means that they have bene producing maple sugar for decades. They offer three different grades of maple syrup, including fancy, medium amber, and dark amber. Learn more about those tastes here.

Hidden Springs Maple

Hidden Springs Maple is a gem within a 30-minute drive of Fullerton Inn and offers maple that is 100% natural and locally produced. They also have a charming farm store that sells maple products from various local maple farms, including their own, of course! This is a stop you don’t want to miss.

Book a stay with Fullerton Inn & Restaurant in Chester, Vermont and visit the many local sugarhouses surrounding us.

Five Places to Shop Local in Chester, VT

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Bret

The charming village of Chester, VT features plenty of unique shops that are perfect for residents and visitors to explore.

Shopping local is a great way to support the Chester community by giving back to small business owners.

If you are staying with us at the Fullerton Inn, visit some of the local shops in Chester. We have highlighted several below!

Phoenix Books

Interested in supporting local authors and artists? Shop at Phoenix Books, an independent and unique bookstore, and explore picture books, children’s books, poetry, best sellers, fiction, nonfiction, magazines, and more.

By shopping here, you’ll also be supporting a business that gives back to the community. Phoenix Books gives to fundraisers for local schools, libraries, and charities. Located adjacent to the Fullerton Inn, Phoenix Books features approximately 6,000 books and hosts numerous author events.

Sage Jewelry and Gifts & Polish Pottery Gift Shop

Enjoy a two-for-one gift shop location featuring both Sage Jewelry and Gifts and the Polish Pottery Gift Shop. Sage Jewelry features unique handcrafted jewelry in Chester including necklaces, bracelets, rings, and more. Owner and artist, Michele Colby Bargfrede, creates the jewelry on-site. Shoppers will also find works from other Vermont artists including glassware, artwork, soaps, cards, ornaments, and more.

The Polish Pottery Gift Shop provides the finest quality Polish stoneware products with no two pieces exactly alike.

Chester-Andover Family Center Thrift Shop

Explore gently used clothing and household goods from the Chester-Andover Family Center Thrift Shop. The Chester-Andover Family Center is a charitable organization serving Chester and Andover with three programs: the Financial Assistance Program that helps residents pay bills; the Food Shelf, that gives residents supplemental food; and the Thrift Shop, whose proceeds support the other two programs.

Lisai’s Chester Market

Serving Chester since 1993, Lisai’s Chester Market is a full-service grocery store in Chester featuring country décor with modern fixtures. A full-service meat department makes this shop truly special. Shop for fresh produce, special wines, snacks, and made-to-order sandwiches. Find custom photography cards by Obe Lisai and visit the fully operational growler station to fill your growler with fresh, local beer.

Visit these shops and many more when you stay with us at the Fullerton Inn, a four-season destination country inn and bed & breakfast located in the beautiful village of Chester, VT.

Green Mountain Flyer Train Excursions Return Soon

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Bret

Chester, Vermont, is definitely a great location to visit in the fall. Our town has access to artisan shops, where autumnal wares and specialties are available; a number of orchards, where anyone can go apple-picking; and beautiful foliage, as the leaves change to prepare for the fall.

If you want to experience beautiful fall foliage in Vermont, then there’s no better way than the Green Mountain Flyer Train.

And we have some good news: it’s back!

Starting September 12th, the Green Mountain Flyer Train will resume its fall service, taking patrons from Chester to some of the most scenic areas in the state. For five weeks straight, the train runs five days a week and offers three different excursions: the Green Mountain Dinner Train; Cocktails on the Rails; and the Fall Foliage Excursion. And each one has something special to serve.

With the Green Mountain Dinner Train, guests are welcome to enjoy a full three-course meal in one of the train’s newly restored historic cars. With Cocktails on the Rails, it’s a Friday night party, with drinks, appetizers, lounge music, and fly-by views of the Connecticut River. And finally, the most popular this time of the year: the Fall Foliage Excursion, which takes leaf peepers up to Ludlow Mountain, and serves cocktails, hot apple cider, and more.

At the Fullerton Inn, we pride ourselves on being at Chester’s front door; it’s an incredible town to call home, especially during the fall. And these regularly-running trains are one of the best parts of this time of the year—it’s an experience that is unique, and affordable to all families. In our opinion, it’s also a premier way to see the most beautiful parts of the great state of Vermont.

Heading to Chester for an unforgettable fall getaway? Stay with Fullerton Inn & Restaurant, a four-season destination country inn and bed and breakfast.

Visiting Lowell Lake State Park

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Bret

There’s no shortage of fun in Chester, with a number of restaurants, historical landmarks, and art galleries to check out during your stay at the Fullerton Inn.

One of the best attractions near Fullerton Inn is Lowell Lake State Park, a tranquil green space that is home to a bounty of things to do.

While the park is popular for visitors in the fall, there’s plenty of different events going on right now.

TrailFinder, a source for trails in Vermont and New Hampshire, is a good place to look for walking paths in Lowell Lake State Park. The Lowell Lake Trail is one of them: a moderate, 3.5-mile hike that is mostly packed earth road and easy to follow. It’ll show you a significant portion of the park and bring you right by scenic views, a Revolutionary War-era cemetery, and beautiful white pines.

Another stop along the way Cartop Boat Access where you can launch out onto the lake. The park does not allow motorized boats on the glistening lake but kayaks and canoes are welcome. There are no boats available to rent so the Cartop Boat Access is your spot if you’re bringing in the boats yourself.

And for the fishers out there, Lowell Lake is teeming with a variety of fishes. You can expect to hook perch, pickerel, largemouth bass, bullhead and panfish in this Vermont gem. Take it from us—there’s nothing like starting the morning off with a coffee, a rod, and a newspaper at Lowell Lake State Park.

There’s no overnight camping allowed at Lowell Lake State Park but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the park and everything it offers. We hope you make it a point to visit this year while staying at Fullerton Inn. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us today!

A Small History on Chester, Vermont

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Bret

When we think about visiting or exploring historical sites, we tend to think of the more famous names: the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, Niagara Falls, or Mount Rushmore. But we often forget that history is all around us, and many times, right in front of us.

Chester, VT, has a very rich history of its own and is sprinkled with different historical sites that tourists can take advantage of on a trip to the Fullerton Inn.

Chester was first established as Flamstead in 1754, and then changed its name to New Flamstead a few years later. It was technically in New Hampshire, before Vermont became its own colony, and later, a state. In 1766, the name was changed to Chester, for the Earl of Chester, the eldest son of King George III—the king who would later be the target of a certain revolution. And it was then made official that the 1761 charter was Chester’s original, and so, 2011 was the town’s 250th anniversary.

During the American Revolution, Chester was a stop along the route to the Battle of Bennington. In the Civil War, over 200 men from Chester enlisted in the Union Army. And in between, Chester was known for its high levels of education—it had one of the best private schools in the country, which was teaching algebra long before Harvard and Yale even accepted it. The town boasts a roster of esteemed figures in a number of fields.

There’s plenty to see in Chester that harkens back to its great past. We suggest making a stop at the recently opened Hearse Horse Museum, which has a number of photos from the turn of century in Chester, VT. Another wealth of knowledge is the Chester Historical Society, which strives to preserve the town’s antiques and artifacts.

If you’re looking to explore Chester, VT, and everything it offers, be sure to stay with us in the heart of town at the Fullerton Inn. We look forward to meeting you!

Highlighting Antiques and Art in Chester, Vermont

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Bret

Shopping for antiques and art is a treasured pastime among many people, young and old. Finding that one special antique after searching for weeks truly makes the experience worthwhile. Antiquing promotes bonding, while art inspires creativity and adds new depth to a space.

You can find distinct antiques and unique art among the many shops and stores in one of the best antique towns in New England: Chester, Vermont.

Chassé Fine Art Gallery

For oil paintings, watercolors, and photography of beautiful New England, visit Chassé Fine Art Gallery which has operated for well over 11 years. See Denis Chasse’s impressionistic seascape oil paintings and awe over Katheryn’s gorgeous photography featuring the many seasons and moods of New England.

Stone House Antiques Center

The largest antique center in southern Vermont, Stone House Antiques Center features nearly 20,000 square feet of impressive antiques and collectables from over 90 dealers. Find vintage jewelry, folk art, fine furniture, primitives, crafts, art supplies, ephemera, and much more.

Tsuga Studios

Decorative and functional blown glass awaits you at Tsuga Studios, built in 2000 by Nick Kekic and his wife, Tamasin. This elegant and fine art is made with traditional techniques for a stunning finished product. Find bowls, decanters, goblets, pitchers, vases, tumblers, tableware and more.

103 Artisans Marketplace

103 Artisans Marketplace combines an arts-and-crafts-filled gift shop with a functioning art studio. Owners Elise and Payne Junker offer forged and torch cut metalwork combined with the workings of over 200 Vermont and New England artists to offer jewelry, textiles, pottery, home and garden décor, glass, and more.

Discovering top-quality antiques takes time and patience to achieve; therefore, the best way to go antiquing is to make a trip out of the experience. Grab some friends and go exploring antiques and art in Chester, Vermont. Then, come home and relax each night at the Fullerton Inn, a full-season destination country inn and bed and breakfast located in Chester.