THE AMIABLE TRAVELER - GUIDE TO MANCHESTER, VERMONT IN THE OFF-SEASON
Manchester, Vermont has been a popular resort town since the mid-1800’s. It’s still popular today as a delightful getaway destination for leaf peppers in the autumn and skiers in the winter. But, as our anniversary falls in the early spring, when there are neither leaves nor snow, we chose to visit Manchester in its quiet season…early-April. There are definite advantages to off-season visiting, like scooping up good deals on hotels, uncrowded restaurants, and a quiet and restful pace of life. And unless you like your vacation agenda jam-packed, there are still plenty of things to do in Manchester in the early-springtime.
LODGING IN MANCHESTER, VERMONT
Choosing to stay at the Taconic Hotel was an easy decision. I adore a hotel with a considered interior of rugged elegance…tartan upholstery and wallpaper, leather chairs with nailhead accents, and a hefty stack of firewood outside assuring you that a roaring fire will be blazing in the lobby to welcome you out of the early-springtime chill. And I already knew that they serve an incredibly tasty and generous breakfast in The Copper Grouse, the hotel restaurant. If you travel with a dog, the Taconic Hotel is a pet-friendly resort. Even though we left our sweet dog behind, it does warm my heart to see dog bowls and a canister with dog biscuits in the lobby.
I love the common areas of the Taconic Hotel. In the lobby, you can cozy up in a leather chair and read by the fire. If it’s not too cold, you can enjoy the long porch with its line of rocking chairs. And just down the hall from the lobby, there’s an upscale game room with board games, chess, checkers, a puzzle in progress on the long table, and a wall of bookshelves for you to peruse. Before our stay, we joined the IHG Rewards (free to join), which comes with all sorts of perks, including a complimentary social hour at the hotel. We enjoyed a bit of chit chat with the social hour host, who poured us glasses of wine. We helped ourselves to a bag of popcorn and took our wine to the game room for a little competitive strategy game playing.
HISTORIC DINING IN MANCHESTER, VERMONT
As our hotel’s restaurant was closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays at this time of year (check for changes to that schedule before you visit), we made dinner reservations at the historic Equinox Hotel just down the street. The Equinox boasts that it “has been a hotbed for American revolutionaries, hosted presidents, and served guests in one fashion or another since 1769”. It has two restaurants, Marsh Tavern, which I highly recommend for lunch, and Chop House, which is housed in the original farmhouse of the Orvis family homestead, and features a cozy ambiance for a romantic dinner. We dined, fireside, at Chop House. Dave ordered the filet mignon with espresso-chili rub. And I had the chicken in blackberry-chicken jus. Both superb!
FABULOUS BREAKFAST AT THE COPPER GROUSE
I had dined for breakfast at the Copper Grouse a couple of times prior to this stay at the Taconic Hotel, so I knew that breakfast was going to be amazing, and it did not disappoint! Portions are generous, the pancakes are fluffy, and the Vermont maple syrup flows freely. Particularly noteworthy is the Wagyu sausages (definitely worth it to upgrade your sausages). We enjoyed the quiet leisure of an uncrowded restaurant at this time of year. The Copper Grouse has that cozy ambiance I love in a restaurant...wall paneling, Audubon grouse pictures on the walls, and the warming light from the wall sconces. It feels like the best of New England met a large, British pub.
WHAT TO DO IN MANCHESTER, VERMONT IN THE OFF-SEASON
The snow has melted, the rivers and lakes too cold to swim, so what do you do in the off-season in Manchester, Vermont? One must-visit that should be on your list is to go to the Orvis flagship store. Ruggedly impressive, this two-story wonderland for the sportsman and outdoor enthusiasts is stocked with clothing, guns, Barbour coats, fishing rods, select home goods and gift items, and plenty of quality items for your dog. And don’t miss the Orvis Outlet just a stone’s throw away, where you can snag some truly good deals…especially when you’re visiting in the off-season.
For a leisurely stroll past some truly lovely, historic, New England homes, park across the street from the Equinox Hotel and follow the marble sidewalk until it ends. Then cross the street and walk back down the other side. You’ll spy the commanding view some of these homes have of the Green Mountain range to the east (and imagine it covered in fall foliage). It’s one. of my favorite strolls in New England.
Manchester is home to many outlet stores. I popped into the Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Pendleton Outlet and the J.Crew Factory Outlet stores. Fabulous deals happening at this time of year!
Not to be missed is the historic downtown area of Manchester…an excellent place to spend the afternoon. A new-to-me discovery on this trip was The Maple Reserve, a coffee shop serving coffee, chai, baked goods, and most importantly…Italian hot chocolate. Any sidewalk sandwich board proclaiming Italian Hot Chocolate has a 100% success rate at luring me in. Take my money. I’m there. This puddly-thick chocolate concoction comes in an espresso-size cup and is so thick it’s served with a spoon. Definitely recommend!
At the busy, historic downtown roundabout and near the modern monument to Thomas Jefferson, you will find the Northshire Bookstore. An independent book seller, it is two stories packed with books that will make even the most ardent bibliophile swoon. We easily spent more than an hour here, and if the weather had been rainy, we would’ve stayed even longer. It has a café, as all proper bookshops do these days. And don’t miss the second floor, children’s section…easily the largest selection of children’s books I’ve ever seen.
Other places I’d recommend visiting in town include: Perfectpiece Consignments (an upscale furniture consignment store), Mother Myrick’s Confectionery (in the same plaza at the consignment store) if you need to indulge your sweet tooth, and Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza Co. for a casual, tasty pizza.
VISITING HILDENE IN MANCHESTER, VERMONT
One not-to-be missed place to visit in Manchester, Vermont is Hildene. it is the former summer home of President Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln. The grand home, as the docent told us, encompasses 8,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and eight fireplaces. The home sits on 400+ acres of land and is an impressive sight at the end of a very long driveway. There is an admission cost, but be sure to check with your hotel to see if they offer complimentary Hildene tickets, as the Taconic does. A docent greets you at the door and offers a few introductory remarks, and then you are free to explore the first and second floors of the home on your own, with signage as your guide.
You can ramble the 12 miles of walking trails on the property. If you happen to visit Hildene in the winter (or a snowy spring), bring along your Nordic skis or snowshoes. Be sure to check their calendar of events to see if there’s a talk or nature walk that piques your interest while you are there.
Interestingly, Robert Todd Lincoln was the president of the Pullman Company, which made luxury train cars back in the day. A short walk from the visitor’s center is a fully-restored, 1903 Pullman Train car. A guide will lead you through the historic car, with its Tiffany glass, gleaming Cuban mahogany wood, and all the luxury of a bygone era.
WHAT ELSE TO DO IN MANCHESTER, VERMONT
Although we did not, personally, enjoy any of these other things to do in Manchester, they are worth noting when you plan your trip:
Orvis Fly Fishing School offering 1- and 2-day classes teaching you everything you need to know about the sport of fly fishing.
Spa Day Pass at the Equinox Hotel - This would be an excellent, active thing to do if you have inclement weather during your stay, or even if you don’t. The Equinox offers a day pass that provides access to their indoor pool, sauna and outdoor hot tub, fitness and water aerobics classes, fitness center, yoga studio, relaxation room, and lockers. Cost (at the time of this writing) was $50/pp.
Land Rover Experience Driving School - We have done an off-roading Land Rover experience in Scotland, which was fabulous. This one is in Manchester, VT, with many packages from one hour to six hours available. Check with your hotel to see if they offer a stay/Land Rover option for a good price.
Here’s a handy image to pin to one of your travel or New England Pinterest boards, so you know where to find all the inside travel tips for your next trip to Manchester, Vermont.
