Most stores offer a substantial savings over department store prices. Plus, if you chance upon a sale, the savings are even greater. Below is a list of the best of Vermont's outlet malls (in random order):
Essex Shoppes and Cinema -- Located about 15 minutes east of Burlington and about 35 minutes west of Stowe, this smaller outlet shopping mall offers two dozen outlet retailers. Among them are Adidas, Bass Shoe, Brooks Brothers, Jockey, OshKosh, Polo Ralph Lauren, Samsonite, Van Heusen, and Springmaid/Wamsutta.
Essex Shoppes and Cinema is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm and on Sunday from 11am to 6pm. During the winter months, stores close one hour early.
Essex Shoppes and Cinema, VT Rtes. 15 and 289, Essex VT; 802 657-2777
Battenkill Plaza -- Located in Manchester, in southern Vermont, this outlet shopping mall is about a two-hour drive from Boston and one hour from Albany. It features about two dozens discount retailers. Among them are Ellen Tracy, Dana Buchman, Gap Outlet, Van Heusen, and Zales Fine Jewelry Outlet.
Battenkill Plaza is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Battenkill Plaza, Rte. 7A North at Rtes. 11 and 30, Manchester VT; 914 949-5030
Highridge Plaza -- This Vermont outlet mall is also located in Manchester. It offers over 25 outlet retailers, including Bose, Claire's, Dana Buchman, Jockey, Liz Claiborne, Nine West, Natori Outlet, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Highridge Plaza is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Highridge Plaza, Route 7, Manchester VT; 914 949-5030
Manchester Designer Outlets -- Another Manchester outlet mall, this one features over 40 retailers. Among the highlights are Adrienne Vittadini, Baccarat, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Crabtree & Evelyn, Escada Co. Store, Giorgio Armani General Store, J. Crew, Johnston & Murphy, Jones NY, Levi's Outlet, Mikasa, Polo Ralph Lauren, Timberland, and Yankee Candle.
Manchester Designer Outlets is open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Manchester Designer Outlets, Route 7A and 11/30, Manchester VT; 802 362-3736, 800 955-SHOP
Brattleboro Outlet Center -- Located in southern Vermont, about 1 1/3 hours from Hartford, this Vermont outlet features about a dozen quality retailers. Among them are Bass Shoe, Dress Barn, Carter's Childrenswear, L'eggs Hanes Bali Playtex, NE Mountain Footwear, and Van Heusen.
Brattleboro Outlet Center is open Monday through Saturday from 930am to 7pm and on Sunday from 1030am to 6pm. The stores close one hour earlier in the winter.
Brattleboro Outlet Center, I-91 N at Exit 1, Brattleboro VT; 802 254-4594
