From its stunning mountain landscapes and lush river views to its quaint downtown district and historic sites, Manchester is one of the most beautiful towns to visit in Vermont. Located in the state's southwestern region near the Vermont-New York border, it offers visitors a prime getaway destination nestled in the foothills of Equinox Mountain near the Batten Kill River.
Without a doubt, there's much to see and explore in this small town, making this charming hidden gem a wondrous home away from home for any wayward traveler.
Top Things To Do In Manchester, Vermont
From the most beautiful hikes to do in Vermont and enchanting riverwalks to scenic drives and lush state parks, here are some of the best things to do during a visit to Manchester.
1 Stroll The Manchester Village Historic District
Take a walk down Main Street to marvel at this small town's most historic sites, including the Soldiers Monument, which is located in front of the First Congregational Church, and the Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, which has origins dating back to the late 18th century.
Parking along Main Street in the Manchester Village Historic District is limited; however, free parking can be found on a variety of side streets.
2 Tour The Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of Abraham Lincoln (and the only one to survive into adulthood), built this opulent estate with his wife, Mary, at the turn of the 20th century to be used as a summer home.
Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour of the magnificent home, its beautiful gardens, the Hildene Farm, the Pullman railcar (known as Sunbeam), and 12 miles of surrounding walking trails.
- Address: 1005 Hildene Rd, Manchester, VT 05255
- Hours: Open Thursdays to Mondays from 10 am to 4:30 pm
- Cost: $23 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 16
There are no advance reservations; guests must check in and purchase tickets upon arrival at the Welcome Center.
3 Visit The Southern Vermont Arts Center
Located at the former Yester House country estate, this art gallery's permanent collection features more than 1,000 items, including etchings, paintings, and sculptures, from renowned 20th-century artists like Luigi Lucioni, Lorenzo Hatch, Ogden Pleissner, Guy Pène du Bois, and Reginald Marsh.
- Address: 860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Dr, Manchester, VT 05255
- Hours: Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm
- Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors
4 Stroll The Manchester Riverwalk
Enjoy the charm that is New England with a walk along the Manchester Riverwalk. See the Veterans Memorial near Mill Pond and stroll along the rushing waters for a serene afternoon or evening stroll among the city's wondrous green spaces.
- Address: 5046 Main St, Manchester Center, VT 05255
5 See The Dorset Marble Quarry
Opened in 1785 to provide marble for various architectural features and headstones, among other needs, this landmark holds the distinction of being the oldest commercial marble quarry in the U.S.
Now a popular swimming spot, the area features interesting sculptures carved into the marble and many striking cliffs.
- Address: 1848 VT-30, Dorset, VT 05251
- Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to dusk, from Memorial Day through Columbus Day
- Cost: $15 per vehicle
In order to visit the Dorset Marble Quarry, guests must register online at DorsetQuarry.com for a QR Code that must be presented upon arrival.
6 Visit The Bromley Mountain Ski Resort
Located about nine miles outside of Manchester in nearby Peru, Vermont, the Bromley Mountain Ski Resort provides exceptional fun in the form of skiing, snowboarding, and much more.
Enjoy a live music event, or explore the Mountain Adventure Park, which features a waterslide, alpine slide, and mini golf course. And the Sun Mountain Flyer and Treetop Adventure Course are perfect for thrill-seekers.
- Address: 124 Bromley Lodge Rd, Peru, VT 05152
- Hours: Open seasonally; visit the website for more details
- Cost: Visit the website for ticket prices
7 Climb To The Top Of Equinox Mountain
One of the most majestic Vermont mountains to visit, Equinox Mountain is the highest peak of the Taconic Range, which towers at 3,816 feet tall. The hike to the summit is quite difficult and features a 6.3-mile out-and-back trail with 2,969 feet of elevation gain, which takes about five hours to complete.
A visitor's center and a monastery are located on the summit. Hike another 0.2 miles up the trail to Lookout Rock for incredible views of Manchester Village below.
8 Embark On The Mount Equinox Skyline Drive
Skip the challenging hike up Equinox Mountain and drive to the summit instead via the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. Featuring several scenic vistas and stunning mountain views, the road winds through four different forest types, making for an exciting excursion in the Vermont wilds.
- Address: 42 Skyline Drive, Arlington, VT 05250
- Hours: Open daily Memorial Day Weekend to October 31 from 9 am to 5 pm (last vehicles admitted at 4 pm)
- Cost: $25 per driver ($5 for each additional passenger and free for children under the age of 10) from Memorial Day weekend to September 30; $30 per driver ($5 for each additional passenger and free for children under the age of 10) from October 1 to October 31
9 Hike To Lye Brook Falls
For an incredible Vermont hiking trail that leads to a picturesque waterfall, make the trek to Lye Brook Falls, which is perfect for bird watching and reveling in nature. The moderately challenging route features a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail with 921 feet of elevation gain, making it a much easier hike compared to Equinox Mountain.
- Address: Lye Brook Falls Trail, Manchester Center, VT 05255
10 Explore Lake Shaftsbury State Park
While in Manchester, a visit to the Lake Shaftsbury State Park is a must because this Vermont State Park has some of the best views. Located only about 13 miles outside the city, its 84 acres wrap around the beautiful Lake Shaftsbury, making it the perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, hiking, and much more.
- Address: 262 Lake Shaftsbury Rd, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to sunset (May 27 to the second Monday in October)
- Cost: $5 for adults and $2 for children (ages 4 to 14)
11 Best Time To Visit
Manchester is absolutely stunning any time of year; however, the winters can be quite harsh in terms of cold temperatures and snow. But, with its abundance of flourishing trees, the small town is a quintessential fall destination too, making it perfect for autumn leaf-peeping.
For those keen on seeing the vibrant wildflowers erupting across the Vermont countryside, spring is the time to visit; however, just be prepared for lots of mud due to the melting snow. And, it gets especially busy during the summer months, which is a perfect time to partake in some of the area's warm weather activities.
12 Best Ways To Get Around
The historic center is easily navigated on foot, and there are a plethora of bike paths in the area, making it easy to navigate without a car. However, when it comes to exploring the attractions found outside the city, such as Lake Shaftsbury State Park and the Bromley Mountain Ski Resort, a vehicle will be needed.
Alternatively, visitors can also opt for rideshare options like Uber, which is usually available in the city most evenings and on weekends.
13 Where To Eat
Wondering where to eat in Manchester? Try these local dining spots.
Breakfast
Up For Breakfast
- Address: 4935 Main St, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Nipper's Cafe
- Address: 4645 Main St, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Lunch
The Marsh Tavern
- Address: 3567 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254
Manchester House of Pizza
- Address: 351 Depot St, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Dinner
The Silver Fork
- Address: 48 W Rd, Manchester, VT 05254
The Copper Grouse
- Address: 3835 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254
Drinks
Mulligan's of Manchester Restaurant & Pub
- Address: 3912 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254
Haig's Restaurant & Sports Bar
- Address: 4566 Main St, Manchester Center, VT 05255
14 Where To Stay
Manchester has plenty of accommodations at every price point.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
- Address: 7379 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, room service, and free parking
- Address: 77 High Meadow Way & VT-7A, Manchester, VT 05255
- Amenities: Outdoor pool and free parking
Mid-Tier Hotels
Hampton Inn and Suites Manchester
- Address: 4519 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05255
- Amenities: Indoor pool, free parking, fitness center, and business center
Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant
- Address: 17-39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254
- Amenities: Complimentary breakfast and fireplace
Upscale Hotels
Kimpton Taconic Hotel, An IHG Hotel
- Address: 3835 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, restaurant, room service, free parking, valet parking, fitness center, and bar/lounge
- Address: 3567 Main Street Route 7a, Manchester, VT 05254
- Amenities: Water sports facility, spa and wellness center, restaurant, room service, tennis, indoor pool, fitness center, bar/lounge, and bicycle rental
15 Tips To Know When Visiting
When it comes to visiting Vermont for the first time, there are a few things to know to make a Manchester getaway that much better. For starters, no matter which time of year a visitor chooses to vacation in the state, it can be cool with a chance of rainfall, so pack layers and always keep an umbrella handy.
Secondly, the region is an outdoor enthusiast's wonderland, so be prepared to enjoy much time spent in nature.
16 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Manchester, Vermont
No matter what time of year a visitor opts to visit Manchester, the perfect 24 hours can easily be spent relishing the state's wondrous natural attractions. After a nourishing breakfast, stroll the Manchester Village Historic District, seeing the historic statues and quaint shops lining the main street.
Walk along the Manchester Riverwalk, and be sure to visit the nearby Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, and Southern Vermont Arts Center to learn more about the area's rich history and arts.
After a hearty lunch, spend the remainder of the day exploring the many natural wonders the city and surrounding region have to offer, including the Dorset Marble Quarry, Lye Brook Falls, Lake Shaftsbury State Park, and Equinox Mountain, the summit of which can be accessed on foot or via car for a Vermont vacation unlike any other.