Best Things to Do in Manchester, VT: Charming New England Escape

Manchester, Vermont is a very sweet little town that you need to add to your Vermont road trip itinerary. Surrounded by the Green Mountains and the Taconic Range, Manchester is the perfect day trip from Woodstock, Killington, Rutland, or even Albany, New York. After spending a day there myself, here are the best things to do in Manchester, VT.

One day in Manchester, VT is the perfect amount of time. You’ll be able to spend time in the town center, visit a nearby historic site, and dine at some local restaurants. There might also be time to add in a trip to a nearby hiking trail or farmers market, too.

While some visitors might flock to Manchester for the outlet shopping experiences on the outskirts of town, there’s so much more to see and do here than buy designer brands. Of course, feel free to add that onto your trip if that’s your jam! I’m going to show you how to discover the history, nature, and food scene of Manchester, Vermont.

Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home

Hildene is the ancestral home owned by the Lincoln family, specifically the son of Abraham Lincoln, Robert Lincoln. Robert and his wife, Mary, built this Georgian Revival mansion as their summer home.

Hildene sits on the Battenkill River with the Green Mountains on one side and the Taconic Mountains on the other side. There are 412 acres of forests and wetlands, and it was enjoyed by three generations of the Lincoln family.

It was owned by the Lincoln family until 1975. Lincoln’s great-grandaughter, Peggy lived in the home until her death. While the property was donated Church of Christ, Scientist by Peggy (it was her grandmother’s wish), the church was not able to maintain it.

Thankfully, the property was saved by a non-profit organization, the Friends of Hildene. They are committed to restoring and maintaining Hildene, as well as its numerous artifacts.

I took a guided tour of Hildene to view each room of the home and learn more about the Lincoln family. One really unique feature of the home is its organ. This is the oldest residential pipe organ in the United States.

The organ was ahead of its time and functioned as an old fashioned surround sound stereo system. When you press the keys, the sound reverberates through the organ pipes on the second floor of the home and throughout the entire house.

Tour through the rooms to see original artifacts and period pieces. The tour ends at an exhibit called “The American Ideal”. This focuses on Abraham Lincoln’s words through his second inaugural address. It’s very meaningful when you study and reflect upon each phrase. There are also some museum pieces, like one of Lincoln’s original hats.

Aside from the home, take a look at the restored 1903 wooden Pullman palace car, Sunbeam. Following the death of George Pullman, Robert Lincoln became president of the Pullman Company, the largest manufacturing company in the world.

Things to Do in Manchester, VT: Explore Downtown

One of the best things to do in Manchester VT is take a stroll around Manchester Center. This is the heart of Manchester, the downtown core. There’s a historic main street with rows of brightly painted buildings. Go shopping or dine at the many top-rated restaurants.

Northshire Bookstore

Book lovers, Northshire Bookstore is not to be missed. Founded in 1976, this is their original store location inside a historic building called Colburn House. It was once an inn at the center of town that operated for a century. In 1985, Northshire Bookstore converted the inn into a bookshop.

While it might look like an ordinary bookstore from the exterior of the building, it is actually a massive 10,000 square feet. There are rooms upon rooms of books spanning floors. It’s easy to spend all day here!

Aside from books, there’s also a large collection of stationary, cards, calendars, magazines, gifts, local Vermont goods and more. Northshire Bookstore has a second location in Saratoga Springs, New York, and they also host regular events at both shops.

Pastime Pinball

I am a sucker for a video arcade, especially a pinball arcade. Pastime Pinball is Vermont’s only playable pinball museum and it’s right here in Manchester. There are pinball machines from the 1950s right up to the present day.

This is a family-friendly pinball arcade with 66 pinball machines set to free play. Pay admission at the front door and have access to unlimited game play. There’s also a snack bar with food and drink, including Vermont craft beer and wine. This is one of the best things to do in Manchester VT for kids and adults alike.

The Cats at Circa50

I stumbled upon this shop called Circa50 that was unfortunately closed when I visited Manchester. I was drawn to the storefront window due to its bright pink neon lights. However, when I looked through the window itself, I did not expect to see so many cats.

There are at least a dozen, if not more cats, lounging around. Each cat had its own heating pad to snuggle up on, though some of the cats decided to snuggle each other on a shared heating pad (how cute!).

The store itself is a furniture shop and the owner rescued several cats. The store became a legend within the town and an author even decided to write a book about them. Learn more about Circa50 and the cats.

Aunt Bonnie’s Natural Remedies & Gift Shop

Another store in downtown Manchester that I enjoyed visiting was Aunt Bonnie’s Natural Remedies & Gift Shop. You can find many natural products, supplements, and health remedies in the store for a wide range of conditions.

There are also quite a few locally made products and gifts at Aunt Bonnie’s, too. There’s jewelry, skincare, bath products, haircare, and so much more, all made in Vermont. If you’re not able to stop by, Aunt Bonnie’s has an online shop with its full range of items.

Manchester Farmers Market

If you visit Manchester on a Thursday, head over to the Manchester Farmers Market between 3pm and 6pm. This weekly market is a producer-only market that operates rain or shine from mid-May to mid-October. There are a number of booths selling fresh produce and prepared food products.

This market has 30 vendors that are all local farmers, makers and artisans. Everyone must have a direct hand in creating what they’re selling, like growing or making the food products themselves. It’s one of the best ways to shop local and sample the best of Vermont. It’s located in the middle of town at 709 Depot Street.

Go Hiking Near Manchester

For nature lovers, there are several hiking trails near Manchester, Vermont. Explore the forests and natural beauty of this region. Go hiking in the Green Mountain National Forest. One of the popular trails is the Lye Brook Falls Trail, a path that’s a little over 4 miles in length that takes you to a beautiful waterfall.

The trails managed by the Equinox Preservation Trust are another great choice for hiking in Manchester. It’s home to 11 miles of maintained trails for both beginner and skilled hikers alike. There’s an easy loop walk around Equinox Pond (0.75 miles) to get a taste of the great outdoors. Skilled hikers can climb right up to the Mount Equinox Summit via the Summit Trail.

Mount Equinox Summit

If you don’t feel like hiking but would still like to experience the magical scenery around Manchester, drive to the Mount Equinox Summit. It’s the highest point in the Taconic Mountains at 3846 feet.

Mount Equinox Skyline Drive is open from Memorial Day through to the end of October. It’s the longest privately owned, paved toll road in the United States, so there is a fee to drive here. The winding road takes you to several viewpoints and picnic areas offering stunning panoramic scenes.

At last, you’ll reach the summit. From the top, it’s possible to see the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.

Restaurants and Cafes in Manchester, VT

There are many restaurants and cafes in Manchester for every taste. Since I only visited Manchester for the day, I had the opportunity to try one restaurant for lunch and one cafe for coffee. I’ll share both of my experiences with you, though there are even more great establishments serving up local and international inspired dishes.

Thai Basil

We asked some locals where to dine for lunch in Manchester. We overwhelmingly heard that Thai Basil was the place to be. It is a traditional and authentic Thai restaurant with lunch specials in a cozy environment.

The service was quick and we received our dishes within no time at all. Everything was so delicious and you could ask for the meals to be spiced as hot or mild as you prefer.

The food is fresh and they use local produce when possible. It’s healthy with plenty of vegetables and less oil than some other Thai restaurants. They are also known for their tasty cocktails, too.

Colburn Cafe

Colburn Cafe is located inside Northshire Bookstore, and it’s a cafe designed for coffee and book lovers alike. There are rows of books adorning the walls of the cafe, and you’re welcome to cozy up with a good book at one of its tables or nooks.

They brew coffee by local coffee roaster, Brio out of Burlington, Vermont. This espresso bar serves up lattes, cappuccinos, other espresso beverages, matcha and more. I couldn’t resist trying a maple latte (when in Vermont!) with frothy oat milk and real maple syrup.

Where to Stay in Manchester, Vermont

Looking for the best place to stay in Manchester? While I didn’t stay overnight in Manchester myself (I visited Manchester on my way to Killington Resort), I can provide you with a couple of top rated places to check out.

The Kimpton Taconic Hotel by IHG is a luxury property only a short distance from the town center. It is pet-friendly, has a seasonal outdoor pool and offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

The Barnstead Inn is a beautiful hotel right at the Manchester city center. There’s an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens. The rooms are quite spacious and perfect for couples or the entire family.