The NEW NORM – Living, Working, Visiting Manchester

Insider tips for making your life and visit safe and memorable during COVID-19.

Manchester, Vermont is one of the safest places to live, work, and visit during this COVID-19 crisis. With a walkable village which offers breathtaking views, world-class shopping, delicious food, and incredible experiences, why not come and stay for a week, a month, or forever.

CLICK HERE to see our COVID-19 Updates Page

Manchester business owners and its residents carefully follow all federal, state, and local health official guidance to ensure the safety of our residents, visitors and workforce. This includes a local mask mandate for all public spaces both indoors and out. Though much has changed during this crisis, Manchester remains a beautiful place to catch a breath of that clean fresh mountain air!

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Here are some tips for visiting, working, and staying in Manchester this winter:

• Stay for a night or forever

Whether you are looking to visit for a night, or a much longer stretch, Manchester’s lodging options are second to none. Manchester’s local lodging establishments have been following all recommended health and safety guidelines and continue to update their cleaning and service procedures based on AHLA, CDC, state, and local guidelines.  Consider a resort destination like The Equinox Resort, a cozy and intimate Inn like the Inn at Manchester, or a motel resort experience at The Aspen at Manchester. Whatever your heart desires, they have been working diligently to ensure the cleanest and safest place to lay your head at night.

Want to stay longer but hotels or inns aren’t your thing, check out our vacation rentals at Vermont Vacation Rentals or the Wilburton Inn Vacation Rentals. 

Relocating temporarily or permanently? Manchester offers three unique real estate agencies all ready to assist you in your journey. Check out TPW Real Estate, Josiah Allen, or Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty.  All make shopping for a new home or long-term rental a breeze in COVID 19 times including Zoom viewings.  All from the comfort of your home.

• Working Safe

Working remotely or need a place where your kids or pets won’t interrupt your next Zoom call? The Manchester Community Library is flexible, comfortable, and hi-tech enabled. Other places around town include anyone one of our local lodging establishments which have intimate meeting spaces with broadband coverage to make your work time a bit more peaceful. Who says work needs to be stressful?

• Take a break and Get Outside

Whether you are already here or coming soon, outside activities abound.

Shopping

Our walkable, fresh air village offers all sorts of shopping experiences! All of our shops At the Manchester Designer Outlets, take advantage of tax-free clothing shopping from brands like Kate Spade New York, Theory, Michael Kors, Eileen Fisher, Armani, J Crew, and more! The Yves Delorme and Le Creuset Outlets offer luxury linens and an enormous selection of cookware from France. Just down the road, you can meander the rooms and floors of the enchanting, independently owned, Northshire Bookstore (enter the bookstore on the statue side and kindly sanitize upon entry).

Exploring

Beloved cultural sites and art centers like Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, and Southern Vermont Arts Center offer enriching exhibits and fun for the whole family. Hildene is set on a gorgeous property with access to snowshoe and cross country skiing trails, farm life, and tours of the Lincoln’s home. Southern Vermont Arts Center rotates its exhibits regularly so you’ll never see the same thing twice. The campus is home to an expansive outdoor sculpture gallery and abuts the Equinox Trail Preserve where you can hike or snowshoe at the base of Mount Equinox.

Adventuring

For adrenaline junkies, the Land Rover Experience Center ensures that every precaution is being taken to protect the health and safety of their guests. All vehicles are sanitized before every experience. Instructors now coach guests and marshall the course via two-way radios from a separate vehicle and food and beverages are boxed or pre-packaged and served in an open area while respecting social distancing. 

Manchester is situated on the VAST snowmobiling trail and Raven’s Den & Taproom happens to be a snowmobile destination! Nestled in the southwest corner of Vermont between the Green Mountains to the east and the Taconic Mountains to the west, and located just off trail 7F4 in Corridor 4, at the end of Rootville Road, riders can drive their sled directly to ample parking on the restaurant’s snow-covered lawn.

Of course, ski resorts may be operating a bit differently this year, but that doesn’t mean that you will experience any less fun than in years past! Manchester is ideally situated within a 15-minute drive to Bromley Mountain, a 30-minute drive to Stratton Mountain, and 50 minutes to Killington mountain. Be sure to check their pass and reservation policies before heading up to ensure a seamless experience!

Hiking in the winter can be just as much fun as any other time of year.  Check out the Equinox Preserve, Lye Brook Falls, or Prospect Rock, all within a short drive of Manchester’s downtown.

• Hungry for more?

Dine or take out and any of Manchester Vermont’s remarkable selection of upscale and casual restaurants, hip and hometown bars, breakfast joints, bakeries, and cafés. Within just a couple of miles, you’ll find classic New England fare, organic Mediterranean cuisine, sophisticated farm-fresh eats, and some of the best burger and beer combos around. Order ahead and enjoy curbside pick-up from many locations.

All of the fresh mountain air makes us crave a big juicy burger at the end of the day. Depot Street Burgers, Union Underground, and Ravens Den all offer unique burger options that go great with a local craft beer. While on the slopes of Bromley you may hear people whispering about apres at Johnny Seesaws, where the duck poutine has quite a reputation! 

If you are looking for a simple grab and go meal, Al Ducci’s Italian Pantry and Charlie’s Coffee House both offer delicious deli type sandwiches, salads, and baked goods.

If tastebuds are yearning for fine dining, Manchester offers some incredible options. The Reluctant Panther offers a cozy atmosphere in a historic inn, The Copper Grouse is well known for its fun, seasonal, quirky cocktails, and Ye Olde Tavern has a lobster mac and cheese that is an absolute fan favorite.