Location: Manchester
Top Things to do in Manchester
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Manchester, Vermont (VT)
Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains, this former iron-mining town today is the quintessential Vermont getaway, complete with a white steeple church, antique shops and cozy country inns. Manchester is a true all-season destination. In winter, skiers arrive to hit the downhill slopes at nearby Bromley and Stratton Mountains or the cross-country trails at Hildene. Spring and summer bring hikers who can opt for easy treks through Merrick Forest or more challenging ones like Prospect Rock, a three-mile hike, mostly uphill, that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains as reward to those who make it. Manchester fly-fishing is also a popular pastime, drawing enthusiasts from around the country who come to learn or hone their skills. Big name outlet stores in Manchester Center draw shoppers year-round. In the fall, it's all about foliage. Enjoy the vibrant colors from a canoe on the mighty Battenkill River, a bicycle along a scenic path or kick back and take it all in from a comfy rocking chair on the porch of a historic inn. No matter what your vantage point, the show is always spectacular.
Restaurants in Manchester
1. Northshire Bookstore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 306 reviews
Northshire Bookstore is a family-owned, independent bookstore. We are one of the largest bookstores in New England. Northshire Bookstore was voted Best Bookstore in the country by Publishers Weekly magazine and Best of New England by Yankee magazine. Come see why so many people rave about this full-service, old world but up-to-date store. Many gifts as well as books and a whole floor devoted to Children!
Reviewed By Evanl-NYC - New York City, United States
What a fine store! Sprawling and well stocked, it has a mix of new and used books. Extensive selections across a range of subjects, including a great selection of signed books. Features a delicious cafe and gelato, as well. A great stop for an hour or more
2. Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By MoniqueG1561 - Winchester, United Kingdom
We were on a road trip to the north side of Vermont and we made a stop here to let our kids run around. They loved the playground at this park! Very good mix of equipment for little ones and bigger kids. Great scenery!
3. Backroad Discovery Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 172 reviews
Due to Covid restrictions our tours will temporarily not be operating. This tour is an Editors' pick for Yankee Travel Magazine and top-rated Trip Advisor activity . If you have only a couple of days in the area, this tour is a must. The 4-seasons "Southern Vermont Sampler Tour" will help you discover the region's best-kept secrets while exploring the Vermont backroads. During each season, there are many fascinating stops along the way. Our local guide will entertain you with fun facts, history & local lore. Discover why Vermont is called, "The State of Mind!" $35pp. Advance reservations are necessary(limited to 11 passengers). Email or call additional information or other things to do while you're in the area!
4. North Meadow Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 79 reviews
We are a small dairy farm and cheese making facility. We sell farmhouse cheese and local humanely raised meats and raw milk. We give tours of the farm and our progress and answer questions about farm to table. Our goal/mission is to educate our community and guests about a small farm life.
Reviewed By spage36 - Dorset, United States
What a fantastic farm settled into the hills of Manchester. The owners couldn’t be nicer and take care of the animals that range from massive 800 lb pigs (we like Pierre the Pig the best) to calfs, goats and sheep and others. They let our little ones pick up the animals, collect eggs and do just about as much as we pleased in terms of farm help! It is a smaller family run organization where tours are personable and you can wander into their shop full of both their eggs, meats and cheese. There is also loads of breads, honey, sauces and other food products that we’ve seen sold at the weekly farmers markets in town so it’s been a nice tip of the cap to some of the local businesses. In the summertime, the fresh vegetable garden is a source of big envy for us as aspiring gardeners.
5. Pastime Pinball
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
A family friendly museum arcade in the heart of beautiful Manchester, VT featuring more than 60 top-rated American-made pinball games from 1947 to today set to FREE PLAY (pay admission at the door)— plus a snack bar dishing out classic boardwalk fare with a Vermont twist, craft beer and locally sourced nonalcoholic beverages. The arcade is a perfect small event space and is available for children’s birthday parties and private events such as corporate retreats, milestone birthdays, holiday celebrations and wedding weekends.
6. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,359 reviews
Historic home of Robert Lincoln, only child of President and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. The estate has beautiful gardens, restored 1903 wooden Pullman palace car, goat farm and cheesemaking facility, 12+ miles of walking trails, teaching greenhouse and cross-country skiing in winter.
Reviewed By aschwartz10100 - Brooklyn, United States
After visiting Manchester dozens of times, we finally went to HIldene and can't believe we didn't go before. The entrance fee seemed pretty high, but surely that is needed to support the maintenance and operation. You could spend much of a day touring the historic house and restored Pullman car (with great docents to give insight into what you're seeing), visiting the goats and farm, and hiking or skiing the trails.
7. Southern Vermont Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Founded more than 50 years ago by a group of local artists, the cultural center includes a beautiful Georgian mansion that showcases changing exhibits, the Arkell Pavillion, a performing arts center and the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum, which houses the center's permanent collection of more than 700 paintings. Join us on our beautiful 100-acre campus at the foot of the Taconic Mountains. Reimagine the arts and connect with SVAC today!
Reviewed By mrsbink
Man, I am so glad I took a chance and drove up to this wonderful little spot. Really good, world-class art on display and for sale (at very decent prices), on a lovely "campus" with two buildings and a setting in the trees. Worth the $10 admission fee. Especially if it's raining out !
8. The American Museum of Fly Fishing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
The American Museum of Fly Fishing is the steward of fly fishing history, traditions, and practices and promotes the conservation of its waters.
Reviewed By milo2u
The exhibition we shared here was first rate... recognizing the sport of fly fishing. Curated and comprehensive - we both truly loved it.
9. Lye Brook Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By 636amandaw - Des Moines, United States
Quiet and beautiful hike. Fairly moderate. You can easily take your dog, we saw several on our hike. The falls are a great spot to relax after a good hike!
10. Manchester Woodcraft
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By PebleBeach7thGrn - Springfield, United States
I have no idea how, but my fiance came across a listing for this place, and I'm so glad she did! While at first glance it seems tiny, it is bigger than appears and is packed with offerings. We both gasped when we realized there was a second floor. I swear, everything you could imagine being made of wood is available at prices that range from a steal to a deal. We snagged a few things among which is a rectangular piece of white mountains with a navy backdrop. It proudly dons out chimney. Be sure to stop in to get some handmade, local VT souvenirs that you'll actually use! I would definitely go back here!
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