The Manchester area is the perfect place to embrace the beauty and enchantment of the upcoming winter months and the festive holiday season. As the inns and hotels begin to “deck the halls” in anticipation of the beloved Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours, many of our local restaurants are crafting seasonally inspired holiday menus, while shops are gearing up to make your holiday shopping a breeze and stress-free. From the Shop Early and Save promotion happening November 8-10 to Black Friday sales and beyond, you’ll find plenty of reasons to start your holiday shopping early for the best selection and savings and best of all— beat the crowds!
Holiday Dining
Hungry for Holiday festivities? With Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa just around the corner, don’t wait to make a reservation at your local favorite, order ahead for take-home meals and special desserts, or shop for the needed supplies to make your favorite holiday meal at home. Take the stress out of the holidays this year, plan ahead, and have more quality time to spend with your loved ones.
Celebrate this special time with a festive meal at one of these local favorites, each offering a blend of traditional and seasonal dishes:
• Copper Grouse Restaurant at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel is serving a three-course meal with both seasonal and traditional favorites. Priced at $85 per person and $45 for children 12 and under, they are accepting reservations from 1pm to 8pm.
• Equinox Golf Resort & Spa offers a Thanksgiving Buffet with all the holiday classics and more. Adults are $79, children under 12 are $32, and kids 5 and under dine for free. Reservations are available from 11am to 3:30pm.
• The Inns of Dorset presents several dining options to enjoy the holiday. You can join them for a traditional feast at The Dorset Tavern & Restaurant or experience the warm elegance of Barrows House for a festive dining experience. Prefer to celebrate at home? Their Thanksgiving To-Go meals let you enjoy the holiday without the hassle of cooking, and The Dorset Bakery offers a selection of irresistible Thanksgiving desserts.
Whether you’re cozied up at home or bringing something extra special to a friend or family get-together, these local gems have you covered—from the main course to sides and sweet treats! Just be sure to plan ahead, as most spots need pre-orders. You don’t want to show up empty-handed!
• Pearls Place and Pantry is offering a Southern Thanksgiving Take-Out Family Dinner and a la carte menu items for your holiday feast. Orders must be placed by Monday, November 25, with pickup by November 27.
• Al Ducci’s Italian Market has everything you need for your holiday meal, including both precooked dishes and items to bake at home. Orders must be placed by Friday, November 22.
A Thanksgiving meal is complete without dessert! Visit Mother Myrick’s Confectionery to indulge in your favorite seasonal sweets, from cheesecakes and chocolate turkeys to decorated cookies and pies—apple, pecan, pumpkin, chocolate walnut, caramel apple, and cherry blueberry apple combos. Be sure to order ahead, as they will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Our neighborhood restaurants not only provide delicious seasonal and locally sourced food, but some also offer first-rate lodging right on the premises. Lack a spare bed for your guests visiting from out of town? Too full to get behind the wheel of your car? One too many holiday cocktails? Don’t worry, reserve a room at any of the many fine lodging properties in Southern Vermont then eat and drink to your heart’s content.
Manchester Merriment & More
In just a few short weeks, the magic of Manchester Merriment will be upon us! Get ready to make memories and celebrate the season with your favorite annual traditions, including the sparkling Community Holiday Tree Lighting & Festivities, the dazzling Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade, the cozy charm of the Shires Holiday Inn Tours, the festive Menorah Lighting, and, of course, the jolly fun of the Santa Express—just to name a few.
This holiday season is packed with joy-filled, family-friendly events that are sure to spread cheer to all ages. So, be sure to mark your calendars and check our daily events calendar often for the latest details on both beloved classics and exciting new holiday activities. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you won’t want to miss a moment of the merriment!
Experience Christmas Eve in 1912 this winter at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home. Celebrate the beauty of the holiday season by visiting Robert Todd Lincoln & Mary Lincoln’s home during the month of December. The Georgian Revival mansion is decorated to evoke “Christmas Eve in 1912″—one of a handful of Christmas times that the Lincoln family spent in residence at their Vermont home. Visit Hildene Thursday–Monday, 10 am–4:30 pm to experience the special display.
Winter Adventure
Outdoor winter adventure is waiting for you….ready to hit the slopes? Local ski areas are working hard, preparing their mountains for the arrival of winter enthusiasts. Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, or tuber, remember to book your rooms at any of our unique lodging properties as slopes will open as early as Wednesday, 11/27, if not earlier, weather permitting of course.
Just a 15-minute drive from Manchester Center, Bromley Mountain is set to open for skiing and snowboarding on Friday, 11/29, and will operate on weekends only until 12/13, when they hope to begin daily operations. A short 30-minute drive away, Stratton Mountain will kick off daily operations on Wednesday, 12/27, offering skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowmobiling. Of course, Mother Nature plays a key role in ensuring optimal conditions for these exciting winter activities, so be sure to check in with both ski areas regularly for updates on snow conditions before you head out.
‘Tis the season for giving.
The holiday season and Giving Tuesday offer a special chance to make a real impact by supporting nonprofits that are committed to enhancing our local communities. Donating to these organizations is not only a powerful way to back important causes, but it can also bring a deep sense of fulfillment and joy, enriching your own life while helping sustain these vital efforts. In addition to benefiting others, your generosity can also have personal rewards—many charitable donations are tax-deductible, providing financial advantages for you as well.
The Manchester area is so lucky to have these nonprofit member businesses in our community: The American Museum of Fly Fishing, Bennington County Habitat for Humanity, Burr and Burton Academy, Dorset Theatre Festival, Girls on the Run Vermont, GNAT-TV, Green Mountain Academy of Life Long Learning, Hike Dorset/Town of Dorset, Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, Maple Street School, Manchester Community Library, Manchester Music Festival, MEMS PTO, Northshire Civic Center/Riley Rink, Northshire Day School, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Taconic Music, The Dorset Players, The Wilson House, and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC).
SVHC is a comprehensive health care system servicing Bennington and Windham Counties in VT, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties in NY, and northern Berkshire County in MA. SVHC is a five-time Magnet Center for Nursing Excellence® and is recognized as a preeminent, rural, integrated healthcare system providing exceptional, convenient, safe, and affordable care. Throughout the year, the SVHC Foundation hosts a number of events to raise funds in support of important programs and initiatives taking place throughout the health system.
This holiday season, please consider a gift to one of these organizations. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
The Manchester, VT area is the best place to DINE, SHOP, STAY, and EXPERIENCE everything that Southern Vermont has to offer. Discover the charm and beauty of our quintessential Vermont town, where you can unwind, recharge, and celebrate the holidays in a picturesque setting. Manchester has become a sought-after spot during this season, thanks to its diverse indoor and outdoor activities, festive events, rich cultural experiences, unique shopping, and locally sourced cuisine. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon!
