It’s June, and Manchester’s Summer season is upon us! This is the time to take advantage of the longer daylight hours so, grab your planners and check our daily calendar to find your favorite annual event, summer festival, or unique attraction and perhaps discover something new along the way. Manchester is the place to be for outdoor concerts, festivals, tent sales, local sports tournaments, and of course Manchester’s Streetfest! Whether you’re seeking relaxation, outdoor adventure, or a taste of New England, our quaint town has so much to offer. Don’t let the summer pass by without experiencing the gorgeous greens and natural beauty of Southern Vermont all while you EXPERIENCE, SHOP, and TASTE, your way through the area.
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of our area is with a trip up Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. The drive ascends 3,248 feet over 5.2 miles to the highest point in the Taconic Mountain Range. Views of four states await and on a very clear day, you can see Canada! Being the second tallest peak in Southern VT it offers hikers and drivers alike beautiful views and trails of diverse hardwood forest whether you venture along the ridge or ascend to the summit. The Viewing Center at the summit has information and exhibits about the mountain, its history, and the United States only Carthusian Monk order at the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration. Be sure to bring your camera because the views are incredible!
NEW this summer is the OM Festival, “The Premiere Yoga and Wellness Festival in Vermont”. Make deep connections and get inspired in the Green Mountains of Vermont, beginning July 26. Attendees will experience a magical gathering set on 150+ mountainside acres, in neighboring Arlington, overlooking the Battenkill.
Join the festival for a day or two, or why not all five? With the West Moutain Inn as the host property, its 200-year-old historic barn, lush gardens, and meditation garden you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for this incredible, don’t miss event. Offering over 40+ classes and unlimited workshops on yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and more. Tubing down the Battenkill, Farm-To-Table dining experiences, live music every night from kirtan concerts to ecstatic dance parties, and a curated Vendor Village so you can shop till you drop! Tickets are on sale now! Go to www.theomfestival.com for more info.
Vermont’s beauty has long been an inspiration to many artists. Musicians, poets, novelists, painters, and artisans of all types can be found locally, and their talent is apparent if you have ever visited any of our local art establishments. One local non-profit that helps to bring all types of art to the public is the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC). As you drive up the entrance road, outdoor sculptures scatter their lawns and woods, as the indoor spaces feature curated exhibitions that change throughout the summer. From their annual Member Exhibitions to featured collections, the constant cycle of rotating art keeps both locals and visitors eager to see more. Their robust educational programs, classes, and various workshops engage and inspire both children and adults, teaching different methods of craft and techniques. Be sure to check their events calendar as they also feature special musical performances!
In July, the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) is proud to be the first arts organization in the United States to exhibit the Red Dress as part of a multi-year tour. Join them for the opening reception for The Red Dress exhibition in SVAC’s Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum on Saturday, July 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. The Red Dress project, conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod, provides an artistic platform for women around the world, many of whom are vulnerable and live in poverty, to tell their personal stories through embroidery. 13 YEARS. 50 COUNTRIES. 374 CONTRIBUTORS. MILLIONS OF STITCHES. 1 RED DRESS. From July – September.
Another artfully curated experience can be found at Ellenbogen Gallery. Artists owned and operated by husband and wife, Carolina Ellenbogen and Michael D. Ellenbogen, exhibit their artworks alongside sculptures from selected artists. Carolina is a painter who moves back and forth between abstract and very lifelike portraits and is available to do commissions of any size in abstract or portrait. Michael was introduced to black and white photography and photographs people, the landscape, and architecture with a street photographer’s sensibility and also abstract images that feature textures and color with an eye inspired by the school of color field painting.
“The Store” is a dedicated part of the gallery that offers a curated collection of provisions from the culinary arts including wines, conservas (aka Tinned Fish), artisan chocolate bars, and craft bitters from around the world. All of their selections are created by producers who focus on craft, quality, sustainability, and fair market practices. Be sure to check out their blogs and ticketed and private events Events – Ellenbogen Gallery. Contact the Ellenbogens to discuss hosting your next private tasting event at the gallery.
STAY, RELAX AND UNWIND
With so much happening in our area this summer season, you’ll want to plan and visit for an extended stay to make the most of your Manchester getaway!
Seesaw’s Lodge is an all-season destination built on a century-old tradition of community and camaraderie. Renovated with modern amenities while keeping the style to continue the Seesaw’s tradition and heritage, including wood, slate, marble, and exposed beams that have all come 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.
Econo Lodge located deep in the heart of the picturesque Green Mountains, provides the mindful budget traveler access to all of the area’s renowned attractions. Located minutes from downtown Manchester, enjoy easy access to incredible shopping and food or spend some time nature hiking, taking a dip, or renting a kayak at Emerald Lake State Park, or driving along Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. Plus, they are Pet Friendly!
Whether you’re already a local or visiting the area, it’s easy to fall in love with Manchester. Peaceful living, beautiful views, and friendly neighbors make Southern Vermont the best place on earth.
LIFE IN MANCHESTER
There are so many benefits to living in Manchester, above and beyond the scenic beauty. The proximity to the Green + Taconic Mountains ranges provides year-round outdoor adventure and with almost endless world-class recreational activities, restaurants and cafés, designer outlets, boutique stores, and premier cultural events all at your fingertips, who wouldn’t want to make Manchester, VT their home, or home away from home?
These incredible offerings coupled with area experts keen to help both locals and those looking to relocate to Manchester, everyone experiences the phenomenal professional services, organizations, and businesses that make our area so unique and livable, including some of the best medical and dental services in the State.
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) through its visionary partnerships with Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Castleton University, and others, the team at SVHC emulates the values of quality, empathy, safety, teamwork, and stewardship to fulfill the mission of providing exceptional care and comfort for the 75,000 people they serve. Their collective commitment to quality care and innovation is recognized by the nation’s most stringent regulators and the industry’s leading professional organizations.
Having the SVHC Northshire Clinic in the heart of Manchester offers a sense of comfort to locals and visitors alike. When it comes to specialty care close to home, they have the community covered. From pediatrics to orthopedics, the providers at SVMC Northshire Campus are here for you and your family. SVMC Northshire Campus is now offering appointments with several specialists. Expanding the availability of appointments closer to patients’ homes makes receiving specialty care more convenient for Northshire residents.
Dental care is just as important, and Mason Dental is proud to offer a rich variety of today’s best dental services. From essential checkups and cleanings to advanced cosmetic and restorative care, patients of all ages can receive the help they need from the friendly, compassionate team. At every appointment, and with every patient they see, they promise to provide personalized service built around each unique smile. That means never recommending services that aren’t absolutely essential to your oral health or overall well-being. Treating patients the way they like to be treated, the caring team offers world-class customer service and strives to always deliver the best quality.
Whether you are a local or just visiting, make sure to plan ahead and enjoy all the fun this Summer in Manchester!
