EPIC Escapes

AS WEDDING SEASONS rolls in, the pressure to organize travel, outfits and gifts begins to mount. For those in the bridal party, tack on the additional responsibility of planning the perfect bachelor or bachelorette party. Thankfully for Westport residents, our town is the perfect jumping off point for a wealth of unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re seeking a vibrant city, the tranquil countryside or a historic and charming coastal retreat, there’s a nearby destination to suit all tastes.

City: NEW YORK CITY

New York City is the ultimate spot for a weekend group getaway that promises unforgettable memories and nonstop excitement.

PUBLIC HOTEL

Finding the right accommodations is key to setting the tone. Located right on the border of Nolita and the Lower East Side, PUBLIC Hotel’s entrance transports you from the city street through a lush garden corridor, up a seemingly Tron-inspired set of elevators to a cool, comforting lobby. The monastic guest rooms belie the thrilling experience of Artspace, the hotel’s avant-garde multimedia dance club. Ascending a few floors, The Roof offers sweeping panoramic views with both outdoor and indoor seating, which converts into a dance floor after dark.

WALKER HOTEL

Over in Greenwich Village, the Walker Hotel offers a plush, luxurious experience inspired by the “Golden Age” of New York. Stylistic wallpaper and sumptuous textiles can be found in each guest room. In the lobby, copper coffered ceilings and a snug lounge set the scene for live jazz performances every evening at 6 p.m. Their sister property in Tribeca fast forwards to the 20th century with Scandinavian-inspired furniture and bright, sleek interiors. Dine amongst flower-laden trellises at The Flower Shop Rooftop, or descend to the intimate, subterranean Saint Tuesday for cocktails and live music.

VERT FRAIS

Breakfast (or brunch) is required to fuel a busy day ahead. Famous for its French-Japanese brunch and crafted cocktails, Vert Frais in Long Island city blends diverse food cultures and a sleek, modern aesthetic. Back in Manhattan, mere steps from Washington Square Park, Little Hen is an explosion of florals, perfect for a cozy English-inspired breakfast and tea.

OLFACTORY

During the day, bachelorettes with a love of perfume can book an appointment at Olfactory, with locations in Williamsburg, Nolita and the West Village. There, you create a custom scent, starting with one of nine core fragrances. With the help of a scentologist, you add different accords to create a blend that is completely personalized to you.

BURY THE HATCHET

Bachelors can check out Bury the Hatchet in Brooklyn, where they can try out axe throwing, kick back and enjoy a drink at the bar. They may also enjoy Magic Hour, a rooftop bar and lounge famous for its views of the Empire State Building and the rest of Midtown.

TÁN

With an immersive Yucatan-inspired interior, tán in Midtown East is the perfect dinner spot for those looking for innovative Latin cuisine and an impeccable atmosphere. For a more traditional and quintessential New York experience, Tavern on the Green offers beautiful garden seating and Central Park views.

Country: LITCHFIELD COUNTY

For a slower-paced, more relaxing experience, look no further than Connecticut’s Litchfield County.

LOST FOX INN

The charming Lost Fox Inn, located in Litchfield proper, blends modern luxury and colonial heritage in a renovated 1740s tavern. Dine by a roaring fire in the moody restaurant and tavern, play some bumper pool and then retreat to your comfortably decorated guest room.

MAYFLOWER INN & SPA

In nearby Washington, the Mayflower Inn & Spa is nestled amongst 58 bucolic acres. Once a turn -of-the-century boys’ school, the inn features plush gathering spaces, verdant gardens and 35 luxurious guest rooms and suites filled with soothing prints and patterns. Book a horseback trail ride, a honey harvesting lesson or a pottery class through the full-service concierge.

Ladies (or gents) can enjoy a full menu of spa services and take a dip in the jungle-like whirlpool at The Retreat, the Mayflower Inn’s 20,000 square-foot escape. Once you’re completely relaxed, set out to explore the famed shopping boutiques of Bantam, Litchfield and New Milford. Don’t overlook New Preston, home to Eleish Van Breems’ delightful country location.

MINE HILL DISTILLERY

Start happy hour early with a tour and tasting at Mine Hill Distillery in Roxbury, where local spring water is used to make a variety of whiskey, gin, vodka and amaro.

For dinner, refined farm-to-table dining is intrinsic to the Litchfield County experience. Ore Hill in Kent offers an intimate five course tasting menu in the historic Swift-Bull House. The dining room is elegantly pared back, allowing the locally sourced ingredients to take center stage. New Preston’s Community Table also focuses on in-season offerings, with a more casual, communal atmosphere and an a la carte menu that changes frequently.

Coast: NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

If a luxurious seaside escape is what your bridal party needs, Newport is there to answer the call.

CLIFFSIDE INN

The Cliffside Inn, a Victorian-era mansion once home to the reclusive artist Beatrice Turner, features 16 guest rooms and cottages. The updated manor draws inspiration from its artistic resident, with bold, distinctively designed spaces and several of Turner’s works throughout. Relax in the library or enjoy the sea breeze from the Cliff Walk out on the veranda.

THE VANDERBILT

Or immerse yourself in New England glamour at The Vanderbilt in the heart of Newport’s downtown. Once home to the rebellious Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the modernized Gilded Age mansion is transportive and highlights the owner’s sophisticated taste. Kick back amongst ivy and hydrangea on the veranda, or soak in sunset over the harbor and the Clairborne Pell/Newport Bridge on the rooftop bar.

NEWPORT GEMS

The crown jewels of Newport are the Gilded Age “summer cottages” of the 19th and 20th century titans of industry. Soak in The Breakers, The Elms, Rosecliff—nowhere else can you experience the extravagance of this era of American history.

To tour the town in style, customize a sightseeing itinerary with Newport Jaguar Tours. Or for a more lively afternoon, join America’s Cup Charters and test your sea legs while sailing iconic racing yachts on Narragansett Bay.

Cap off your unforgettable coastal adventure with freshly caught seafood at Matunuck Oyster Bar, directly on the water in Wakefield. They have their own oyster farm, which is also available for tours if you want to harvest your own dinner.

By Colleen Crowley and Gabriella Vilas Boas