Dog-Friendly Vermont Getaways & Special Events
We're not just pet-friendly - we're pet-celebrating. The Wilburton is so dog-friendly that our Canine Concierge, Jetson, was featured on Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl. USA Today recognized The Wilburton among New England's top 10 dog-friendly resorts, and AAA named us one of the most dog-friendly hotels in America. Our 30-acre hilltop estate provides a four-season paradise for walks, hikes, and belly rubs with trails, meadows, and mountain views your pup will love.
Beyond everyday dog-friendly stays, we host legendary themed doggie weekends throughout the year - costume parties, group strolls through Manchester Village, and celebrations where your four-legged family member isn't just allowed, they're the guest of honor. Warning: one couple came from Indiana for a doggie slumber party and loved Vermont so much, they moved here.
Canine Christmas Doggie Slumber Party
The Most Famous Dog Party in New England
Our Canine Christmas Doggie Slumber Party is so legendary that Yankee Magazine featured it in their holiday issue as "The Merriest Inn of All." This December weekend transforms The Wilburton into a winter wonderland where dogs and their humans celebrate the holidays together. Three fun-loving guests dress up in multiple matching costumes and embody the spirit of holiday magic - their infectious enthusiasm sets the tone for a weekend you and your pup will never forget.
December 5-7, 2025
Pricing: Two-night lodging plus $100 per person for catering and entertainment (kids under 6 free). No dog fees this weekend - all breeds welcome. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels receive the royal treatment and stay free year-round.
The Weekend Includes:
Friday Evening (6-7:30pm): Welcome Paw-ty featuring the legendary Doggie Ugly Christmas Sweater Fashion Show with prizes for best-dressed pups. Meet fellow dog lovers from across the country who return year after year for this celebration.
Saturday Morning (8:30-10am): Delicious country inn breakfast with pancakes and Vermont maple syrup - dogs welcome at your table. Watch your pup make new friends over breakfast.
Saturday (10am): Group doggie stroll through historic Manchester Village's charming streets, shops, and village green. Local shopkeepers greet our four-legged parade warmly.
Saturday Afternoon (2pm): Holiday Party in The Wilburton Mansion featuring caroling, sweets and treats, and professional photographer capturing photos of you and your pooch in front of the Christmas tree - perfect for holiday cards.
Saturday Evening (5:30pm): Light Up Tractor Parade in Manchester Village - small-town Vermont fun at its best. The Wilburton float has won first prize for the past two years, and your pup can ride along.
Saturday Night (8pm): Pajama Party with Pooches in front of the mansion fireplace. Prizes awarded for families in matching PJs - yes, we mean dog pajamas too.
Sunday Morning (8:30-10am): Farewell breakfast with dogs welcome. Share stories and photos from the weekend's adventures.
Sunday (10am): Museum of the Creative Process guided sculpture tour doggie stroll - explore art installations across our 30-acre grounds as the perfect finale.
Plus: Organic Wagatha's doggie treats, holiday savings at Manchester Designer Outlets, and memories that last until next year's party.
Optional Splurges:
Doggie and Me In-Room Massages: $150/hour - call Carlos in advance to reserve
Historic Inn Tours in Manchester, Dorset, and Arlington: $20 per person additional
Champagne & Chocolates: $60
Save 50% on a third night stay to extend your celebration
Call (802) 362-2500 to book this legendary weekend. Spots fill early - book by October for best lodging selection.
Other Doggie Themed Weekends
Year-Round Dog Celebrations
Beyond Canine Christmas, The Wilburton hosts other dog-themed weekends throughout the year:
Murder Mystery Weekends with Dogs: Several times annually, we host murder mystery dinner theater weekends where dogs are welcome participants. Solve crimes while your pup mingles with other four-legged detectives.
Spring and Fall Doggie Getaway Weekends: Seasonal celebrations featuring group hikes, costume contests, and bonfire parties where dogs take center stage.
Check our Offers page or call (802) 362-2500 for current themed weekend dates. These special events book quickly - dog lovers plan their calendars around Wilburton doggie parties. Join our email list to receive notifications when new themed weekends are announced.
Everyday Dog-Friendly Stays
Any Weekend Can Be a Dog Weekend
Even without themed events, The Wilburton welcomes dogs year-round in all vacation homes and cottage suites. Our 30-acre estate provides endless exploration - sculpture gardens to sniff, woodland trails to explore, open meadows for fetch, and that rare commodity: space. No traffic, no crowds, just your pup experiencing Vermont at their own pace.
Manchester Village (one mile away) welcomes leashed dogs in many shops and at outdoor restaurant patios. The Battenkill River offers dog-friendly swimming spots. Hiking trails throughout the region accommodate four-legged adventurers. Vermont is genuinely dog-welcoming - not just tolerating pets but celebrating them. That's why families return to The Wilburton with their dogs year after year.
Why The Wilburton for Dog Getaways
What Makes Us Different
Space: Thirty acres means your dog can actually run, not just walk around a small hotel lawn. Multiple trails, meadows, and sculpture gardens provide variety.
Community: Our dog-themed weekends create lasting friendships between dog lovers. Guests exchange phone numbers, plan return visits together, and stay connected between events.
Welcome, Not Tolerance: We designed our dog policy around celebration, not restriction. Dogs welcome at breakfast during special weekends. Costume contests. Professional photos. This isn't a hotel grudgingly allowing pets - it's a resort built by dog lovers for dog lovers.
Jetson's Legacy: Our Canine Concierge sets the tone. When the property's official mascot is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who starred in the Puppy Bowl, you know dogs aren't an afterthought - they're family.
Dog-Friendly Lodging Options
Where You and Your Pup Can Stay in Style
Vacation Homes: All vacation homes welcome dogs ($125 per dog for length of stay). Full kitchens, living rooms, private outdoor spaces, and room for everyone to spread out - ideal for families traveling with dogs.
Cottage Suites: The Maxwell Suites and Innkeeper's Cottage welcome dogs ($40 per night per dog). Ground-floor access, private entrances, and outdoor patios perfect for morning coffee while your pup explores.
Note: The historic Wilburton Mansion guest rooms are not dog-friendly to accommodate guests with allergies. However, during special dog-themed weekends, additional pet-friendly accommodations open up.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Always stay free in honor of Jetson.
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