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Historic Downtown

Manchester

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Stores line a paved road with pedestrians walking and an American flag hanging in the foreground.

A statue of a soldier is visible against a cloudy sky.

Charming. Historic. Classic.

MANCHESTER, Vermont

Nestled between the Green Mountain and Taconic ranges, Manchester is the North Shire town of Bennington County. Rich history runs through the region, with such luminaries as Norman Rockwell and Rudyard Kipling making their homes in the area. The Battenkill River wraps around Manchester, lending credence to the fly-fishing culture apparent throughout the town. Mount Equinox, the Taconics’ highest point at 3,850 feet, elevates the town’s skyline.

Top Attractions

Manchester’s rich history makes for a wide range of things to do. Explore a 1900s mansion built by the Lincoln family, play pinball on more than 60 vintage machines, learn to drive a four-wheel drive car through a forest, explore the art of falconry, and more in southern Vermont.

Mount Equinox Skyline Drive

The longest privately owned, paved toll road in the United States ascends Mount Equinox to stunning views.

Manchester Designer Outlets

Big-name and designer outlets draw shoppers to this outdoor mall nestled in the heart of downtown Manchester.

Southern Vermont Arts Center

Internationally known artists and more local creators find exhibition space at this southern Vermont gallery.

Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home

Built in 1905, the historic home and grounds of Robert and Mary Lincoln is a stronghold of American history, including an original Pullman train car and Pres. Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.

Pastime Pinball

Play on more than 60 vintage pinball machines at this arcade in Manchester.

American Museum of Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is part of Manchester’s culture. This museum promotes water conservation and shares the sport’s history through exhibits and events.

Merck Forest and Farmland Center

Explore a working farm and forest, meet farm animals, and learn about sustainable forest management on 60 public acres in Rupert.

Taconic Music

Year-round classical music concerts, lessons, demonstrations, and educational experiences in southwestern Vermont.

Hemholz Fine Art

Named among the top 20 galleries in the USA and best in Vermont, this fine art gallery houses sculpture, mixed-media, and fine art with a global reach.

Land Rover Experience

Roam the Green Mountains and hone your driving skills on icy hill climbs, side tilts, and rocky terrain on a closed course under expert supervision.

Ellenbogen Gallery

This artist-owned gallery showcases and sells fine art as well as chocolate, wine, and cocktail components from around the world.

Dorset Trails

Two trails for hiking or mountain biking wrap around nearby Dorset.

Bromley Mountain Resort

Known as Vermont’s Sun Mountain, this family-friendly resort offers almost 200 acres of skiable terrain, including a mountain adventure park.

Emerald Lake State Park

A wooded hillside campground, nature programs, and a beach and swimming area make this a popular park for families.

Tour Manchester in the Summer

In the summer, Manchester comes alive with golf, hiking, swimming, and a beautiful scenic drive to the top of the Taconic Range.

Tour Winter in Manchester

In the winter, snowflakes swirl around Manchester’s beautiful historic downtown. Ice skating, skiing and riding, shopping downtown, and heading inside to take in the town’s art galleries and museums are all great ways to enjoy the season.

A historic mansion seen from its garden under a bright blue sky.

The interior of a historic train car. Two seats face each other with wood paneled walls and floral carpet.

Attraction Spotlight

Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home

Built in 1907 by Robert and Mary Lincoln, son of the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Hildene served as a summer home for the Lincoln descendants through 1975, when it became a historic museum. The 412-acre estate features a Georgian revival mansion, a 1912 restored Pullman train car, a working goat dairy, and fabled peony gardens.

Hildene

Indoor view of a music venue with wooden walls and ceiling, and stage for performers in the background.

A man plays a violin with sheet music on a stand in front of him.

Event Spotlight

Manchester Music Festival

July-August; check for specific performances

Chamber music lights up Southern Vermont Arts Center at this annual music festival, featuring string quartets, rising young artists, and performances that make classical music feel accessible, eliminating barriers between artists and audiences.

Manchester Music Festival

Eat, Shop, and Stay in Manchester

Dining

Shopping

Lodging

Transportation Options

For Manchester

Local Transportation

Taxi Service and/or Rideshare: Mountain Drivers, Equinox Transportation Agency
Manchester Taxi
Bus services:  Marble Valley Regional Transit District

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Discover More

Find local guides and trip planning resources from Manchester’s downtown organization.

Visit the Manchester Chamber of Commerce

A church steeple peeks out above a canopy of green, with a mountain backdrop.

A statue in Manchester, Vermont.

A museum exterior in fall.

A fishing display, tackle box.

A sculpture outside SVAC.

A sculpture outside a glass pane window.

A golf cart sits in front of an autumn scene at Hildene.

Sun shines on a preserved chordophone at Hildene.

A table setting with pie, fruit, and other objects, at Hildene.

Hildene historic object, Town & Country publication.

The interior of the Pullman Car.

An artistic, motion shot the Land Rover Experience, during autumn.