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Working as a travel writer based in Massachusetts, you can imagine how many fall foliage stories I’ve been hired to write over the years. At least 100 articles, with additional chapters on the subject in each of my books for Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Outside Magazine, Discovery Channel, and the latest, New England in a Nutshell. Name the topic—biking, mountain biking, paddling, driving, golfing, antiquing, hiking, restaurant tours, historical slants, even llama trekking, and I have a story for you. You think I’d be jaded. Yet this past October, Lisa and I brought our friends Holly and Tim from California along with our dog, Theo, on a 5-day fall foliage trip into the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont. We were fortunate to hit peak foliage in the White Mountains and it was glorious!
One magical day, we drove the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway, the legendary route which snakes through the mountains. We would pull over and take walks along the Swift River and to Sabbaday Falls, with leaves of every color falling around us. Theo gleefully ran from leaf to leaf as we took close-up photos of our favorite samples. We would end that day at the outdoor hot tub at Topnotch in Stowe, Heady Topper in hand, looking up at the majestic hillside awash in color. Hard to get jaded seeing this year in, year out.
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Last time I stayed at the Wilburton Inn, I tried belly dancing, sang children’s songs in a big singalong, and learned about the history of conflict resolution from ancient Greek times to the present. No, Manchester, Vermont’s Wilburton Inn is not your typical New England inn. Come here for a stay and you leave as part of the multi-talented Levis family, who have now been running this mansion in the mountains a mind-boggling 33 years!
The bucolic 30-acre destination resort recently rebranded as The Wilburton and is now featuring eight vacation homes to accommodate groups of 6-100 for buyouts, weddings and reunions. The Battenkill Valley Mansion, located on its own private five-acre estate just half a mile from The Wilburton, is a sprawling 15-bedroom mansion ideal for groups of up to 34 guests. It was built as a wedding present for the daughter of the Chicago railroad tycoon who built The Wilburton. Additional vacation homes on the property include the eight-bedroom Reunion House, three six-bedroom homes (Equinox Views Villa, Strawberry Hill Villa and Green Mountain House) and the two-bedroom Innkeepers Cottage. All vacation homes feature fully appointed kitchens, dining rooms, fire pits and washer-dryers, making them ideal for summer and foliage Vermont getaways.
Additionally, now that Vermont is welcoming vaccinated travelers, the resort is offering a special Vaxication Special. Now through June, if you show your vaccination card, the third night is on the house. Lastly, be on the lookout for a special Bridgerton-themed event July 16-19. There will be a formal lawn party with Regency dances, a breakfast hosted by Lady Wilburton (the American cousin of the mysterious Lady Whistledown) a garden tour and promenade, and costume contest. Ooh la la!
Please let ActiveTravels know your dates and we’ll check availability and happily introduce you to the welcoming Levis family and their adorable canine concierge, Jetson.
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