Outlet Shopping Vacations

With tax refund season upon us, as well as the change in seasons, many of us are itching to spend some money on new clothing, shoes, housewares and anything else you can think of. If you are hoping to plan a weekend getaway, you can combine your love of shopping with your love of travel. Here are some outlet shopping vacations that allow you to spend some of that money burning a hole in your pocket, as well as enjoy yourself in a new-to-you location:

• Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, Wrentham, Massachusetts If you’re planning a trip to Boston, you might want to take the hour-or-so drive out to Wrentham, where you can shop ‘til you drop at the outlets. There’s something for everyone here, from Aeropostale to Bloomingdale’s to Tommy Hilfiger, and from Coach and Fossil to La Creuset to the Body Shop. Once your bags are filled and your wallet is lighter, head on over to Boston, where you can walk the Freedom Trail, stroll through the Institute for Contemporary Art, or simply grab a bite to eat in the South End.

• Freeport Shopping Outlets, Freeport, Maine  Freeport is only a few hours’ drive from Boston, so if you’re in New England anyway, you might want to extend your shopping trip and simply head north. Of course, a trip to Freeport can definitely stand on its own! Here, you’ll find outlets such as J. Crew and Banana Republic. You won’t want to miss going to the 24-hour L.L. Bean outlet, either, where you can revel in the typical Maine-country decor while shopping for all things made of flannel, fleece and other warm-and-cozy fabrics. While in the area, you’ll want to head to Wells to visit the Maine Diner. This kitschy diner makes the best Maine blueberry pancakes that you’ll ever have. Don’t forget to save a few dollars for the attached gift shop.

• Orlando Premium Outlets, Orlando, Florida  Many visitors to Orlando either don’t want to visit the theme parks, or they want to take a break from park-hopping while on their vacation. Shopping at the Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Avenue in Orlando is a great way to do something different. You can get great deals on sneakers at the Nike and Reebok stores, or check out Vera Bradley or Giorgio Armani. You can even shop at the Disney Store outlet, which will save you money on much of the same merchandise that you could pay more for at Walt Disney World. Win win!

No matter where you go in the USA, chances are good that you won’t be too far from an outlet mall. Do some research before you leave for your destination, or simply ask for the closest outlets while at your hotel.

Have you been on an outlet shopping vacation that you can’t wait to do again? Share your experiences with our readers!

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