Woodbury

Originally Published August 6, 2008 on New2NYC.org

New York is the capital for all things cultural, retail, and culinary.  It has all types of escapes, from beaches and amusement parks, to botanical gardens and zoos – truly everything that you’d want at your fingertips.  BUT, with that upside, comes the inevitable downside…cost.  This is an expensive place to live, especially in today’s economy.  Of course, that doesn’t negate the fact that New Yorkers share a certain je ne sais quoi…and vintage clothes shopping can only take you so far.  What’s the alternative to get the look you want without blowing your entire paycheck at Saks?  One alternative may be a field trip to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. 

Let’s admit it, when you were a kid you loved fieldtrips.  After weeks of multiplication tables, spelling quizzes, and history lessons you and your classmates would hanker onto a bus and go to parts unknown.  As an adult, you still love that feeling, only now you have a definite destination – the nearly guilt-free experience of designers-at-a-discount shopping. The Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, located just 50 miles north of Manhattan in Central Valley, NY, is the place to go to find the savings and the leading name brands.  Set in a mock Colonial American Village, you’ll find 220 designer apparel and brand name stores with savings anywhere from 25 to 65 percent off.  These aren’t schlock stores, either- they include the top names in high-end retailers, including Barney’s New York and Saks Fifth Avenue. 

If you love your labels and names like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce and Gabbana, Bottega Venetta, and Theory wet your appetite (but their prices don’t)– load up here.  Some of your favorite New York stores also have outlets here including Jimmy Choo, Catherine Maledrino, Ted Baker, and La Perla.  If you have your mind set on more of your favorite stores from your mall days, well they have plenty of those as well, including Banana Republic, The Gap, Clarks Bostonian, Wet Seal, William-Sonoma and KB Toys. 

With your mind spinning about all the stores and savings, you’re probably wondering how to get there.  Don’t fret; there are plenty of ways to get to Woodbury Common without renting a car.  Both Coach USA and Grayline Buses offer travel packages for $40 that includes round trip fare, VIP discount coupons and savings on lunches and dinners.  Metro North offers daily trains from Penn Station for $17 for a roundtrip ticket, also.  When you show your rail ticket at Customer Service in the Tower Building or Food Court, you'll receive a complimentary VIP discount coupon booklet with additional savings at participating stores (a $10 value).  Then of course, if you’re really in the mood for an adventurous trip, there’s always a tour package from Liberty Helicopter.  Just head to the helipad at West 30th Street & 12th Avenue and fly directly to Hudson Valley's Stewart Airport. A limousine will bring shoppers directly to the center.

If you should need refreshments while shopping, Woodbury Common has a full service food court, as well as sit-down restaurants.  Don’t worry about wearing out those credit cards, because there are ATMs and foreign currency exchange at the center.  Of course, they have the requisite amenities like domestic and international shipping, lockers, and shopping carts for you big spenders.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day; holiday hours may vary.

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