Manchester Vermont Fall Foliage Tour Video
Located in the southern half of the Green Mountains, Manchester VT is the ideal New England town for Vermont Fall foliage. Manchester is the perfect location to just take a timeout, relax, and take in some of Vermont’s finest Fall foliage. While Manchester offers a 360 degree view of Vermont’s Green Mountains, it makes leaf peeping a sure bet when you’re planning your Fall getaway.
Just driving along Main Street will fill you with oohs and ahhhs as you pass by chic hotels, white clapboard houses, and charming bed and breakfasts. Picturesque rolling green hills display brightly colored leaves clinging to the changing season.
There isn’t one country lane throughout Manchester VT that doesn’t provide a spectacular view Vermont fall foliage is so well known for. Combine these vistas with popular farm to table style restaurants, designer outlets, and friendly locals makes Manchester a lovely New England destination.
Where to Stay in Manchester VT: Kimpton Taconic Hotel
This award winning boutique hotel in the heart of Manchester is the perfect juxtaposition of a grandeur Inn from times past, while still providing modern amenities to provide you with the ultimate Vermont experience. One of my favorite features of the Kimpton Taconic Hotel is the wrap around porch filled with glossy black rocking chairs that lead to a cozy outdoor fireplace where you can mingle with the other guests while enjoying a nightcap. The onsite restaurant, The Copper Grouse, is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Manchester VT. Serving up fresh American fare with locally sourced ingredients and a delightful cocktail menu makes it hard to leave the hotel to experience any other restaurant. If the weather permits, be sure to take one of their bikes they have on site to explore Manchester.
What to Do in Manchester VT:
Hildene – Take a morning or afternoon to explore the Lincoln Family Home. Built by Robert Lincoln, the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to live to maturity, was intended to be the Lincoln summer home. This 412 acre estate has 13 buildings, the Georgian Revival Mansion, gardens, and observatory, and even boasts a solar powered goat dairy and cheese making facility!
The Manchester Designer Outlets – Spoil yourself to a day of shopping Manchester’s designer outlets. With over 40 stores with incredible prices along with some great eateries makes for a great day to spoil yourself. My favorite was Pendleton which carries new in season items at about 30% off!
Mount Equinox Skyline Drive – If you are looking for Vermont fall foliage then add this drive in Manchester VT to the very top of the list. With a summit at 3800 feet above sea level that offers views of five mountain ranges on a good day. That’s FIVE mountain ranges that are exploding with shades of crimson, amber, honey, scarlet, tangerine, goldenrod and apricot. I mean…. if you don’t believe me then watch the video!
Day Trip to Dorset – not even a 15 minute drive from Manchester is Vermont’s idyllic {tiny} town, Dorset. If New England had superlatives then Dorset would definitely win most inspirational porch decor. Although small, this quintessential town is brimming with personality and is a great afternoon trip to experience more of Vermont!
Where to Eat in Manchester VT:
The Copper Grouse: As mentioned above this farm to table restaurant offers the best of locally sourced Manchester flavors. The hand-crafted menu brings dishes to life while offering exceptional service for the ultimate dining experience!
The Silver Fork: Make reservations!! I say this because this adorable restaurant consists of 6 tables and 5 bar stools….soooo with a destination town like Manchester VT, making a reservation at this local eatery is a must. Although small, this restaurant packs a big punch and brings a kaleidoscope of flavors to the menu, inspiring modern cuisine at its best.
Zoey’s Deli – A joyful old school deli offering fresh takes on classic deli sandwiches and salads. The ideal stop to fuel up while hitting the outlets!
Dorset Rising – While taking your afternoon drive to discover Dorset, stop in to Dorset Rising for a phenomenal cup of coffee, lunch, and the best apple cider donuts i’ve had in New England…and I’ve had my fair share of apple cider donuts….
**this trip was in partnership with the Kimpton Taconic Hotel. I’m so thankful to them for welcoming me as their guest. As always, all opinions are my own.
What’s In My Bag
Your blogs are so helpful and inspiring! We live in the South and are visiting New England both for its foliage and to visit friends and family. Today we spent a beautiful day going to the Mt Equinox Summit, having lunch and walking around Manchester, VT and spending a good bit of time in the delightful bookstore there. We then went on to Dorset. Just before the Dorset Inn on the right side of the road ( the Inn being on a corner on the left side) we stopped at wonderful Flower Brook Pottery Shop and Studio where the artist/ owner works while you browse in her shop, answering all kinds of questions. I don’t recall seeing this in your blog; it had just caught my eye as we were driving by (and made my husband turn around!). We bought a few small pieces. She is so creative and helpful; her shop enjoyable to just walk around and look.
What a great day!