Manchester’s summer sun has been shining bright these last few months allowing outdoor adventurists ample days to get out and experience the great outdoors with warm temps and clear skies. Local swimming holes, backyard pool bashes, gently flowing rivers, and Vermont’s State Parks have been the theme for this summer as locals and visitors take the plunge and escape the heat.
Whatever your next adventure may be, don’t forget to stop into our local eateries and shops to gear up and get ready for the day!
Start your day off with some proper nutrients to keep you on the move. Stop into The Works Café where they offer breakfast sandwiches, house-made bagels, and breakfast burritos. Looking for a midday snack? Order ahead and enjoy an organic ancient grains power bowl, hearth-made artisan sandwich, panini, or fill up on their delicious homemade soup. The Works Café got its start in Manchester, VT, and still operates on its founding principles: Good food for great people and a better planet.
Now that you’re well-fed, it’s time to gear up for the day’s activities. Whether you’re hiking, biking, climbing, or shopping, ensuring your feet are well cared for is essential. Family Footwear Center is your go-to for finding the perfect footwear for any adventure, with a focus on getting the right “fit” – a commitment they take seriously. They don’t just sell shoes; they expertly fit them to your feet, setting them apart from the rest. For personalized advice, call ahead to schedule a free consultation with Gretchen Lima, an American Board-Certified Podiatrist specializing in proper shoe-fitting for adults, children, and those with special needs.
Looking to hike in the area, then Hike Dorset! An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, Dorset, VT is home to thousands of acres of public and conserved lands. Explore the extensive trail network offering hiking, biking, skiing, and more. Discover the Owls Head Town Forest, developed with partners like the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and the Vermont Land Trust. The main trail leads from Gettysburg Quarry to Owls Head and Gilbert Lookout, with long-term plans to connect to Dorset Peak and Emerald Lake State Park. Other hiking and walking adventures can be found in our favorite day hikes.
For a more leisurely adventure with breathtaking views, drive up Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. Built in the 1940s, this 5.2-mile toll road leads to the 3,848-foot summit of Mount Equinox and is the longest privately-owned paved road in the U.S. Uniquely, the road and about 7,000 acres are owned by the Carthusians, a Roman Catholic monastic order. Before reaching the summit, you can spot the monastery to the southwest. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the Taconic, Green, White, and Adirondack Mountain ranges. On the clearest day, you view 4 states and as far north as Canada. For an even better perspective, don’t forget the short hike to Lookout Rock. The drive is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend to October 31 of each year.
Before heading up Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, why not have your vehicle checked at Bourn’s Tire and Auto Center? Their expert technicians will ensure your car is in top condition for the drive. From inspecting your brakes and tires to checking fluid levels and engine performance, Bourns Auto provides comprehensive maintenance that enhances safety and reliability. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality can help prevent any unexpected issues, allowing you to enjoy the drive and breathtaking views from Mount Equinox with peace of mind.
If outdoor adventure isn’t your thing, but exploring Manchester’s boutique stores, designer outlets, and art galleries is, be sure to check out Zippy Chicks! This small consignment boutique specializes in impeccable women’s fashions that are both in season and in style. They believe that a community of committed and thoughtful people can change the way that women think about recycled fashion. From name-brand women’s clothing to gently used footwear, they have an array of options to suit your personal style. And when your closet could use some freshening up, bring your own amazing articles that are clean, pressed, and ready to wear!
Vermont is known across America for its amazing home-spun goods, from maple syrup to ice cream to woodwork and now cannabis – it’s practically in the States’ DNA. At Green Mountain Cannabis Works (or GMCW), their flower, concentrates, and more are grown and made with love and a ferocious dedication to the craft. As the first dispensary in town, GMCW is proud to be at the forefront of the cannabis movement in the Manchester area. They believe that people deserve access to alternative plant-based options to support their wellness goals and they’re happy to provide those options to our community. Their location serves as a welcoming destination for locals and visitors who come to our beautiful mountain town to enjoy the outdoors.
A day trip to Manchester, VT might easily turn into an overnight stay once you discover the area’s rich array of attractions and unique offerings. From endless outdoor adventures and distinctive shopping opportunities to a vibrant local dining scene and rich arts, history, and cultural experiences, there’s something to captivate every interest. Add to that the tranquil beauty of the surrounding mountains and the area’s warm hospitality, and you’ll find yourself eager to extend your visit. With a range of lodging options to fit every budget and preference, we invite you to extend your stay and fully immerse yourself in all that Manchester has to offer.
Seated high up on a hill with magnificent, sweeping views of the historic Route 7A Valley, the Manchester View offers it’s visitors guest rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites, most appointed with cozy features like working gas and wood-burning fireplaces in-season (mid-September through April) and deep-soaking spa tubs all-year-round. Their rejuvenating heated outdoor pool is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend and offers a panoramic view of the Green and Taconic Mountain ranges. Most accommodations have their own decks or patios offering guests the opportunity to bask in the beauty of the spectacular mountain views.
Find yourself in the heart of Manchester Center with a stay at the Inn at Manchester. At the Inn, the pleasures are simple. Awake to the sweet smell of a home-cooked breakfast wafting into your room, enjoy a front-row view of the Green Mountains from a rocking chair on their classic front porch, curl up with a good book next to one of their many fireplaces, take a dip in the secluded pool (open seasonally) or warm up with a cocktail in their cozy, living-room-style pub with old and new friends. Choose from any of their thoughtfully appointed guestrooms – including 12 suites – each with their own distinct character, including some with private fireplaces and sitting rooms all set on four beautiful acres.
Situated just 10 minutes from the heart of town, Hill Farm is a historic country resort that promises a serene escape. Spanning 70 acres of a 230-year-old farm, the property boasts sweeping mountain views and scenic riverside walking trails. The Main Inn, a welcoming haven for over 150 years, features locally curated and thoughtfully designed guestrooms. The Inn also offers cottages with three and four-bedroom layouts, complete with full kitchens and generous spaces perfect for bonding and gathering. Just a short drive from the Inn, the Riverhouse provides a private retreat comprised of three separate accommodations including two-four-bedroom, four-bath suites with full kitchens, living rooms, and gas fireplaces, and a two-bedroom, two-bath townhouse with a full kitchen and living area. Dining at Hill Farm offers a true farm-to-table experience, featuring dishes made from local farms and ingredients sourced from the Inn’s own garden.
Just north of town in the heart of the Green Mountains is Seesaw’s Lodge. Seesaw’s is an all-season destination built on a century-old tradition of community and camaraderie. The Lodge has been renovated with modern amenities, while keeping the style of Seesaw’s tradition and heritage, which includes wood, slate, marble, and exposed beams from the original construction. Lodging consists of three cabins and a seven-bedroom classic Vermont lodge with spectacular mountain views. All are recently rebuilt with modern comforts in an old Vermont world setting that generously provides for your stay, whether for family reunions, intimate weddings, or weeklong retreats.
Another cozy option for an authentic Vermont stay is The Wilson House. It also happens to be the birthplace of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson. This quaint hotel has preserved much of its history and serves as a popular destination for those in recovery. Nearly 150 years after its original opening, the East Dorset hotel has been restored both in physical condition and in its historic function as a small village hotel. The Wilson House, therefore, constitutes an outstanding representative of the modest hotels that flourished in Vermont villages during the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.
Just down the road, The Dorset Inn is renowned locally and nationally for its gracious, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional cooking. Careful attention to the finer details in restoring the Inn are in evidence throughout the historic building: period furnishings and new carpeting and wallpaper amidst well-preserved architectural details in the Inn’s common rooms including wide pine board floors in the living rooms, the restored tavern, and the pronounced character of the candlelit dining room. Now and for the past century, Dorset has attracted writers, artists, sports enthusiasts, and vacationers to its high meadows, hardwood forests, golf courses, and clear, trout-laden streams.
Manchester isn’t just a great place to visit, it’s a wonderful place to live. There are so many benefits to living in Manchester. The proximity to the Green & Taconic Mountains ranges provides year-round outdoor adventure and exploring. Here you will find world-class recreational activities, restaurants and cafés, designer outlets, boutique stores, and premier cultural events, all at your fingertips. But the most comforting benefit is the many professional services and retail businesses who are experts at helping both those that are already local – and those that are looking to make Manchester their new home.
Maple Street School is a joyful academic community that cultivates personal and social responsibility. They nurture intellectual and creative growth through an engaging curriculum. A culture of respect inspires confident learners. Maple Street School is an independent Pre-K – grade 8 co-educational day school in Manchester, Vermont. They offer a rigorous and stimulating curriculum that helps students master core academic skills, including writing, reading, language development, public speaking, mathematics, and science while also integrating critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. They help to cultivate a child’s natural curiosity and inculcate values, and with their beautiful campus nestled in the Green Mountains, they engender a dedication to stewardship of the environment.
Cota & Cota has been keeping neighbors and loved ones safe and warm since 1941. With quality heating, cooling, and plumbing products and services, their mission is to strengthen the community and provide service you can depend on. Their highly trained service techs, delivery drivers, and customer service reps are the lifeblood of their company.
Vermont Renewable Fuels works to offset the region’s dependence on imported fossil fuels with more affordable, locally abundant renewable ones. Their pellet deliveries from last heating season displaced about 220,000 gallons of oil and their pellet system installations saved their customers over $500,000 in heating costs to date.
Whatever you’re planning for your next Manchester adventure, let us help you make the most of your trip! Learn more at ManchesterVermont.com!