Manchester
Photo by Lorianna Weathers Photography
Dramatically situated at the base of 3,807-foot Mt . Equinox , the highest peak in the Taconics , Manchester has been a vacation destination since the mid-1800s . Once a summer retreat , it is now a four-season leisure center , and in winter it ’ s the perfect starting-point for day-trips to the great ski areas of southern and central Vermont . Hotels , inns , and B & Bs abound , led by the grande dame of them all , the Mt . Equinox Resort .
A superb golf course , a legendary trout stream ( the Battenkill ), the Lye Brook Wilderness with its woodsy hiking trails – there are recreational opportunities for all tastes . Robert Todd Lincoln ’ s historic home , Hildene , perched on an escarpment , overlooks the Valley of Vermont ; don ’ t miss the fully restored Pullman car , queen of the railroading era and a stop on Vermont ’ s African American Heritage Trail . Stay a while in Manchester and you ’ ll experience arts and music festivals and a range of enticing eateries serving local and exotic fare .
And then there is shopping . Charles F . Orvis got it started in 1856 when he opened a store dedicated to fly-fishing and accessories for the great outdoors . The flagship store is still there , and it has the distinction of being the oldest still-operating mail order business in America . Manchester is also home to many leading clothing brands , whose easy-to-get-to outlet stores make bargain hunting a pleasure . For books and gifts , there ’ s the well-stocked Northshire Bookstore in the center of town , which hosts frequent readings by leading writers . There are also stores for cooks , for wine-lovers , art-lovers , antique-hunters , and for sports enthusiasts of every stripe .
Fun fact : the snowboard was invented in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter in his Manchester garage .
COME EXPLORETHESHIRES . COM 32 FOR INFO CALL 802.447.3311