Bret | Fullerton Inn

Essential Holiday Travel Tips

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Bret

We all have holiday travel horror stories. Whether it be due to a freak snowstorm or a delayed flight, chances are you’ve suddenly found yourself in a reenactment of Planes, Trains & Automobiles, struggling to keep your sanity as you fight to get home for the holidays. However, it doesn’t always have to be this way. While holiday travel is never a great experience, there are ways to make it go more smoothly.

Avoid traveling on peak days

Not everyone will be able to take advantage of this, but if you can, do. Peak travel days are the most hectic and stressful, so if you want your holiday traveling experience to be easy, you’ll want to avoid these as much as possible. For Thanksgiving, that means avoiding the day before and the Sunday after; for Christmas, that means the 20^th through to the 25^th.

Travel earlier or later in the day

Once you’ve picked the days you need to travel, you then need to pick the times you travel. Depending on where you’re going, you may have limited options. However, if you do have multiple options, try to stick to times either earlier in the day, or later. These flights will not only have less people on them, but it’ll also protect you from getting stranded just in case your flight is cancelled as you’ll be able to book a flight later in the day.

Book connections carefully

If you can’t get a direct flight, then you’ll want to make sure that you book your connections carefully to avoid any missed flights. Take into consideration where the gates are (for instance, can you get from one gate to the next in the time available?) as well as the potential for bad weather and/or flight delays.

Pack light

When you start packing for your trip, only bring what you absolutely need. This way you’re not dragging around a bunch of luggage, even avoiding checking bags altogether. If you don’t have any checked baggage, just make sure you’re following TSA rules regarding carry-on luggage.

Once your flight has landed in Vermont, it’s time to head off to your hotel for some rest. And if you’re planning on staying in the Chester, VT area, then be sure to book your reservation at Fullerton Inn today.

Vermont’s Best Fall Foliage Drives

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Bret

You can’t truly understand Vermont’s beauty until you’ve seen it during the peak foliage season. Luckily, Vermont’s foliage season begins around mid-September and lasts till late October, meaning now is the perfect time for you to hop in your car and go for a scenic drive. There are plenty of scenic routes and byways for you to choose from, but here are some of the top ones across the state:

Green Mountain Byway

The Green Mountain Byway meanders between the northern Green Mountains and the peaks of the Worcester Range, traveling from Waterbury to Stowe. With a plethora of historic homes, farmsteads, villages, and museums to choose from, there’s plenty for you to do as you’re enjoying Vermont’s fall foliage.

The Shires of Vermont Byway

Along Route 7A is the Shires of Vermont Byway. It’s tucked between the Taconic Mountains and Green Mountains and provides a spectacular view of Vermont’s mountainous regions and fall foliage. It also runs into Manchester, connecting to the Stone Valley Byway which will take you past Lake St. Catherine.

Molly Stark Scenic Byway

Named after the wife of General John Stark, a Colonial militia general who won at the Battle of Bennington, the Molly Stark Scenic Byway travels through Green Mountain National Forest and the surrounding villages. It also passes several historic districts, hiking trails, state parks, and lakes along the way.

Connecticut River Byway

Located on the eastern side of the state, the Connecticut River Byway connects Vermont and New Hampshire along the shores of the Connecticut River. You’ll find plenty of small river towns on either side that are rich with unique shops and history.

In between your fall foliage drives, you’ll need a place to stay to rest and recuperate. So, as you’re driving along one of Vermont’s byways, be sure to stop by Fullerton Inn to enjoy our modern guestrooms and cozy tavern.

The Dos and Don’ts of Summer Weddings

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Bret

Summer is wedding season. With the warmer weather and plants in full bloom, summer is almost the perfect time for your wedding…almost. As great as summer is, there are some things you should do, and some things you shouldn’t do, to ensure that your wedding is a success.

Do provide an escape from the heat

As nice as it is to have the sun on your skin, it can get a bit much once you’re out there for hours. Even in a place like Vermont, where the hottest average temperature is 79 degrees, you and your guests can get hot pretty quick. And the heavy suits and dresses that you’ll be wearing won’t help matter. So ensure that there’s a place people can go to escape the heat, such as a tent or air-conditioned building. If it’s going to be really hot, make sure you have small, ice-cold hand towels available for your guests.

Don’t start the wedding midday

Again, the summer months are the hottest of the year, so you’ll want to plan your wedding during the cooler parts of the day. Midday is when the sun is at its peak; as a result, that will also be the hottest time of the day. Instead, plan your wedding for some time in the late afternoon or early evening.

Do bring insect repellants

An infestation can ruin any event, so be sure to plan against any unwanted, crawly guests. You can have the area professionally sprayed ahead of time (as long as the venue agrees), or you can bring bug spray and spray the area yourself.

Don’t wear heavy clothing

Choose your wedding dress, tux, and bridesmaid dresses accordingly. In order to stay cool, opt for light fabric and simple styles for your wedding dress, and short styles for the bridesmaid. As for the groom and groomsmen, ditch the full text and instead go for a dress shirt and slacks.

Thinking about a summer wedding? Why not consider one in Vermont? The Fullerton Inn is the perfect wedding venue, so give us a call today at 866-884-8578 to book our venue now!

Memorial Day Weekend Events and Attractions in Southern Vermont

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Bret

Whether you want to step back in time to the Victorian era or hike through the Appalachian Trail, Southern Vermont has it all. And during Memorial Day Weekend, the area has even more to offer for visitors and locals alike. So if you’re going to be in Southern Vermont this Memorial Day, check out some of the events and attractions you can attend during your stay:

President Calvin Coolidge Homestead

In the early morning of August 3, 1923, President Warren G. Harding died. A few hours later, Vice President Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office in the sitting room of this farmhouse, becoming the 30^th President of the United States. Located in Plymouth Notch, the farmhouse was also Coolidge’s boyhood home, and now Coolidge’s Homestead is open to visitors who want to learn more about America’s history and its 30^th President.

Rockingham Meeting House

Also known as the Old North Meeting House, the Rockingham Meeting House is the oldest surviving meeting house in America. It was built between 1787 and 1801, and it functioned as both a church and town hall for the growing village of Rockingham, Vermont. While it sat unused for many years, it is nonetheless one of the most well-preserved meeting houses in the country. Walking through it is sure to give you a real taste of America’s post-Revolutionary life.

Appalachian Trail

When you’re not touring some of America’s greatest historical sites, you can always experience Vermont’s natural wonders. The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, crossing through fourteen states and drawing over 3 million people a year. It’s not only a great hiking trail, but a conservation effort to preserve and protect America’s natural world and wildlife.

Ludlow Farmers Market

The Ludlow Farmers Market opens right on Memorial Day Weekend, and it provides access to some of the freshest, locally-grown products you can find in Southern Vermont. The Ludlow Farmers Market doesn’t just provide produce, but also meat and dairy products, along with locally-made baked goods. With over 30 local vendors, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Memorial Day Parade

It isn’t Memorial Day Weekend if you don’t attend a Memorial Day Parade. Consider attending Chester, Vermont’s Memorial Day Parade. It’s a great way to honor our troops and have fun with our friends and family.

This is just a taste of some of the attractions and events you can experience while staying in Southern Vermont. There’s plenty more the area has to offer, so if you’re planning a visit this Memorial Day Weekend, think about staying at Fullerton Inn & Restaurant. Located in Chester, you have wide access to plenty events in and around the area. Contact us today to book your reservation!

Here’s Why You Should Stay at a Bed and Breakfast Rather than a Hotel

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Bret

When they’re in the process of putting together plans for a vacation, one of the first things most people do is book a hotel room. Staying in a hotel has become the go-to move for most vacationers. Nevertheless, there are many benefits to choosing a bed and breakfast over a hotel. Take a look at why you should skip the hotel reservations and go with a bed and breakfast during your next getaway.

Personalized attention

From the moment you start booking a stay at a bed and breakfast, you’ll be treated to personalized service by the owner of it. They’ll help you find the right dates for your stay and set you up with prices that are competitive compared to hotel rates. This personalized service will continue once you arrive for your stay. The owner of a bed and breakfast will cater to all your needs and even offer insight into what you should see and do when you’re in town.

More distinct rooms

If you’ve seen one hotel room, you’ve pretty much seen them all. There isn’t much that sets one standard hotel room apart from all the rest. Bed and breakfasts are different in that you won’t ever find two rooms that are exactly alike. Each bed and breakfast put its own touches on its rooms to make them stand out. You’ll love experiencing a new kind of room every time you stay at a bed and breakfast.

Better meals

Most hotels offer their guests some kind of continental breakfast. But bed and breakfasts go above and beyond for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in most cases. They’ll make sure you don’t have to worry about going out and spending money on food elsewhere unless you really want to.

Do you want to see what makes a bed and breakfast so special for yourself? Come stay at the Fullerton Inn for a night, a long weekend, or longer. Call us at 866-884-8578 today to make a reservation.

The Benefits of Doing Yoga While on Vacation

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Bret

If you’re going on vacation soon, you might be looking forward to spending a few days eating, lounging, and doing nothing at all. Nevertheless, in addition to doing those things, you should also consider taking part in some yoga classes while you’re away. There are many benefits you’ll experience by making time for yoga while you’re on vacation. Check out a few of them below.

Reduces stress

Do you feel stressed out almost all the time? This can really take a toll on both your body and mind. The good news is that vacationing alone will remove some of the stress you feel from your life. However, if you really want to take it to the next level, yoga classes have been shown to reduce the stress that people feel even further. After a yoga class, you’ll often feel more relaxed and sharper overall.

Improves circulation

When you travel, you usually spend at least some time cooped up inside of an airplane, a train, or a car. This can cause pressure to build up in your joints and restrict the blood flow throughout your body. Yoga will release some of that pressure and improve your circulation almost immediately. This will make you feel better than you would otherwise and allow you to slip right into a state of relaxation.

Curbs hunger

Those who travel usually snack a lot since they don’t always get a chance to sit down and eat full meals. They also snack because they’re tired and lethargic from running around during their busy days. Yoga classes can help you sleep better at night, which will give you more energy and curb many of the hunger cravings you feel throughout the day as you’re traveling. It’ll prevent you from packing on unnecessary pounds on your next vacation.

The Fullerton Inn is the place to stay for those visiting Vermont. We offer gorgeous rooms and a restaurant that serves up some of the most delicious food in the area. We also offer yoga classes to those who stay with us to give them a chance to enjoy the benefits that come along with them. Call us at 866-884-8578 today to reserve a room and a spot in a yoga class.

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.