The quintessential New England weekend is only five hours from New York in the little hamlet of Manchester Center, in southern Vermont. It is an easy drive up Route 87 North in New York State. There are many charming inns and bed and breakfasts. I have stayed in a few: the Wilburton Inn, an old mansion with a great brunch; the Dorset Inn; and my favorite, Reluctant Panther. Ask for one of the cottages — ours had a pass-through fireplace from the bedroom to the living room and also one in the bathroom.

Manchester is known for its outlets, and they are good ones you don’t find just anywhere — Kate Spade, Marimekko, Yves Delorme and Theory, to name a few. I would rather spend the afternoon at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, where there is always interesting art on display, or The Northshire Bookstore, an old-fashioned, independent bookstore.

In winter, there is skiing nearby at Bromley and Stratton; otherwise, there is tennis, golf, the Orvis Fly Fishing School, hiking and a great spa at the Equinox — perfect any time of the year. Hildene, the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, is a quirky but worthwhile stop.

There are many good restaurants for lunch and dinner — the Barrow’s House, a favorite, has a nice outdoor patio and much-appreciated outdoor heaters. The Reluctant Panther Restaurant is lovely for dinner and welcome if it is cold and you don’t want to venture out. Ye Old Tavern serves colonial New England comfort food. The Equinox front porch is nice for lunch, as is Bistro Henry. Depot62 has delightful Turkish fare and brick-oven pizza.

Reservations are necessary everywhere, as this is not an undiscovered part of the world.

— Kimberly LaGueux, director of sales