Winter Weekend in Manchester, VT: Hikes, Cozy Cafes, & More

Looking for a winter getaway in a charming New England town?! Your search ends here with this winter getaway guide to the southern Vermont town of Manchester.

With a population of under 800 people in 2020, Manchester is actually considered a village!

And everything whimsical that comes to mind when you think of a village is what you’ll actually see and feel in this quaint town as well.

A true mountain town, with mountains flanking both sides of Main Street, Manchester is sandwiched between Lye Brook Wilderness and Stratton Mountain to the east and Equinox Mountain to the west.

At only 2.5 hours from me in Hartford County, CT, Manchester has become a go-to Vermont weekend getaway. The location is perfect for when you want a Vermont experience without driving 4 hours north to Stowe.

The scenery, the never ending list of hikes to do in the area, and amazing restaurants and bakeries to try keep us coming back every year.

Arriving in Manchester, you’ll notice the white steepled church opposite the historic Equinox Resort & Spa which is one of the oldest operating hotels in the country.

Driving down Main Street you’ll also notice more bakeries than you could visit in one weekend, numerous restaurants featuring local food with rave reviews that you’ll want to try, and lots of unique shops.

Use this winter in Manchester, VT guide to help you plan an amazing trip this winter!

❄️ Let’s plan a memorable getaway to this charming southern Vermont town this winter! ❄️

Where we stayed: Kimpton Taconic Hotel (dog-friendly)

I know it’s going to seem like I loved everything about this weekend but I truly did – and a big part of that is where we stayed which was the Kimpton Taconic right on Main Street.

The Kimpton Taconic right on Main Street is such a nice hotel and SO dog-friendly. From the staff at the front desk to the holiday decor, roaring fireplace, reading room and game room, to the cozy fireplace right in our room – I couldn’t have asked for anything more. They even have Orvis beds and dog bowls for the dogs and water bowl and treat jar in lobby! 😱👏

✨Winter Weekend Itinerary for Manchester, VT✨

1st: Choose a scenic walk or hike 🥾

I provide 3 local hikes below but I have a whole post dedicated to this: ✨ Best hikes in and around Manchester ✨ if you’re looking for more!

Note: If you are going hiking right after a snow storm you will want to bring snowshoes with you.

But if there’s snow on the ground that’s been there for several days you most likely can get away with simple microspikes over your boots or just your boots!

FYI: In December we walked all the trails listed below in just our winter boots but it makes things more difficult – the spikes provide a good grip on the snow.

Equinox Pond via Flatlander Pass, 2 – 2.5 miles, Easy

🚗 Get directions to trail here 🚗

Enjoy a fairly easy stroll to Equinox Pond which will give you a view of the towering Equinox Mountain in front of you. You’ll then loop and walk all around the pond before heading back to the car the same way you came in.

With the exception of one short uphill push in the beginning, this trail is flat and suitable for all levels.

Prospect Rock, 3.1 miles, 1096 ft elevation, Moderate

🚗 Get directions to trail here 🚗

What a great hike to do in Manchester that leads to a view! You’ll see from the photos that when we did this one it was very snowy. We wore microspikes and made it up the trail just fine.

While this is a steeper hike with a bit of elevation, it takes place on an old logging road. So there is nothing technical about this hike – it just feels like walking on an incline on a treadmill for a long time. 🥴

There were a few people riding snowmobiles here so keep your ears out!

Lye Brook Falls, 4.5 miles, 925 ft elevation, Moderate

🚗 Get directions to trail here 🚗

Right outside of downtown Manchester is Lye Brook Wilderness encompassing 18,122 acres. And within the trail system here is one leading to a 125-foot waterfall, Lye Brook Falls.

We went early on in winter before snow had stuck to the ground but I imagine the waterfall would look incredible half frozen and dusted with snow!

2nd: Choose a Cafe for Breakfast or Lunch

Up for Breakfast

The breakfast here was a HIGHLIGHT of our weekend in Manchester. I was SO pleased with the quality of the food and the creativity of the menu and, my maple latte!

With homemade hash and homemade pancakes, definitely try a breakfast combo here so you can have your eggs and pancakes, too!

Charlie’s Coffee House (dog-friendly!)

You won’t believe your eyes with the array of baked goods in the case that they bake here daily. I loved their lattes and coffee cake.

In addition to baked goods and breakfast they also offer soups, sandwiches, paninis, and comforting mac n’ cheese which is perfect after a chilly morning spent hiking.

The Copper Grouse

We grabbed a window seat for brunch at the Copper Grouse on Sunday after hiking up to Deer Knoll. After hearing about their homemade egg hollandaise sauce I had to get a classic eggs benedict breakfast which came with spinach on a perfectly toasted english muffin.

The potatoes (or french fries ;)) that come on the side of your breakfast order are so so fresh, hot, and crispy!

3rd: Choose an Afternoon Activity

Tour Hildene – Lincoln Family Home

Hildene is the historic estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln. Built in 1905, this Georgian Revival mansion sits on 412 acres and offers stunning views of the Battenkill Valley.

While they have guided tours, we opted for the self-guided tour of the home which, as one of workers explained to us – is preserved just as it was from the 1900’s. From the beautiful table settings to the bedding and furniture – everything you see in the home is ORIGINAL.

This is a must-do activity for visiting Manchester in winter as it allows you to walk around and explore indoors!

Shires Holiday Inn Tours

A cherished tradition spanning over 30 years, the Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours allow you the opportunity to explore some of Vermont’s most beautiful lodging establishments on these self-guided tours. (Click for dates & tickets!)

This event is offered two weekends in December and we were so fortunate to be in Manchester for one of them. More than a dozen unique properties—historic hotels, cozy inns, charming B&Bs, and rustic lodges—welcome visitors to tour the property and learn about its history.

You will even be able to see what the rooms look like as non-occupied rooms are left open for visitors to have a peak. It’s amazing that each inn has special treats, snacks, cookies, and even drinks to sip on and snack before or after your self-guided tour!

Shops and the Manchester Designer Outlets

In the mood to shop?! This is a must-visit in Manchester! These outlets offer an amazing mix of high-end designer brands and everyday favorites, all at discounted prices.

You’ll love that the outlets are spread out in a picturesque village-style setting, making the shopping experience both relaxing and fun.

Northshire Bookstore

If you mention Manchester to anyone who’s been it’s likely they will fondly bring up the Northshire Bookstore. And for good reason!

The Northshire is a beloved independent bookstore known for its cozy charm and wide selection of books for all ages. With knowledgeable staff, unique gifts, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to explore stories and find inspiration.

Southern Vermont Arts Center

Tucked away off Main Street and nestled at the base of the mountains is The Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) – an inspiring hub for art, creativity, and culture and is a must-visit during your stay. Nestled way up on a hill, you don’t even need to hike to catch these views!

This vibrant center features galleries filled with incredible works from local and regional artists. As you drive up the winding driveway, making your way to the top of the hill, you’ll get to admire the huge sculptures all along the lawn. Walk the breathtaking grounds here and/or explore the artwork inside.

There’s also a little cafe (Curate Cafe) with breathtaking views where you can eat warm and snug inside while admiring the beauty outside the window. 🖼

4th: Choose a Cozy Restaurant for Dinner

The day is winding down and it’s time to think of where to eat after this busy day of exploring in Manchester!

Mystico

As an Italian girl, my standards are high. I wasn’t sure what we would find at an Italian restaurant in Vermont – but let me tell you – I was amazed and so so happy!

From the first sips of their butternut swuash soup and bites of arancini balls in their marina sauce to sampling a homemade spaghetti and hmemade lasagna dish (oh, and their tiramisu!) I was in heaven and right at home. They make their pasta and bread daily. Good luck making a choice as everything on the menu looks so so good!

Reluctant Panther

With a 4.7 star rating on Google, the Reluctant Panther is a great choice for dinner in Manchester. They’ve got innovative and farm-fresh classics that change with the season which is very characteristic of Vermont.

Love that they source vegetables, potatoes, meats, and cheese from local VT farms!

Copper Grouse

The Copper Grouse located right inside the Kimpton Taconic Hotel has elevated bar food and American entrees. Jared got the wings, steak, and I got the local sourdough bread with ricotta, butternut squash, cranberries and other vegetables.

Loved the warm atmosphere in here and how decorated it was for the holiday season.

Thai Basil

With over 4 stars on Google, you can trust that you’ll get an authentic and delicious thai dinner here. Situated right on Main Street in the center of Manchester, we loved our red curry dish with piping hot rice and our pad thai from here

It was the perfect hot meal after a chilly hike and while sitting in the window seat we started to see snow fall outside. It truly was the perfect end to a winter day in Manchester!

That’s it friends! To make a weekend or multi-day trip just continue choosing activities from each section above/ 🙂 Visit my post ✨10 Best Things to Do in Manchester, Vermont ✨ for even more to do all around Manchester!

I hope you enjoyed this list of things to do in Manchester, VT, for a fun winter getaway!

I loved putting this post together, looking through the photos and reliving some of the time spent here. I hope you take some of these suggestions and have the best time ever…

Please email me or comment below with any questions – or, tell me your favorite thing to do in Manchester, VT!