Manchester is a village cultural center between mountainous recreation hubs
In southwest Vermont’s Green Mountain and Taconic ranges, water cascades down forested slopes until it finds a river like the Battenkill. So, too, do commercial districts, cultural centers and outdoor tourism industries collect in valley towns like Manchester. “Manchester is a larger town, and then there’s the village inside it. They’re so connected, it's impossible to talk about one without the other,” says Kristin Comeau, a sales associate at TPW Real Estate Sales who specializes in Bennington County. “There’s more of a tourism presence in Manchester. In the winter, often there are families where some are avid skiers going up the mountain. Others are not skiers, so they come down the mountain into town.” With its topography and picturesque New England architecture, Manchester is an undeniable tourist town. But the four seasons of recreation on offer here, plus its county seat designation, highly regarded independent school and regional highway access, also make it the year-round center for business and community in Bennington County’s northshire.
Recreation in the surrounding mountains and down in the village valley
The Green Mountains are home to well-known alpine skiing destinations, including Bromley Mountain Ski Resort, which is less than 10 miles from the village. Trails, including portions of the aptly named Long Trail and daytrip-ready Lye Brook Falls Trail, fill the eastern ridges in the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. To the west, hikers can summit Equinox Mountain, the highest peak in the Taconic Range. Down in the valley, the Battenkill is a legendary fly-fishing river. Experienced anglers might find their own favorite spots to find trout, but amateurs can get advice from local guides at Manchester’s flagship Orvis store. Other recreation hubs rare more structured, ranging from the town’s multiple golf and country clubs to Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park, an expansive community park full of athletic fields, playground equipment and an outdoor swimming pool.
Seasonal events at Hildene and the Southern Vermont Arts Center
Abraham Lincoln's descendants lived in the grand Hildene mansion in Manchester from the early 1900s until the 1970s. Since coming under non-profit stewardship, the estate has become a well-known haven for rare peony horticulture and heritage livestock farming, which combine with a history museum and frequent education events to attract tourists and local enthusiasts alike. The grounds are also open for snowshoeing in the winter and hiking once the snow melts. Hildene sells seasonal memberships and day passes, but Comeau offers some advice: “It’s sort of a little secret, but residents can go to the village’s library and check out a pass for free.”
Across more than 100 acres, the Southern Vermont Arts Center draws visitors into the stylish indoor gallery spaces of a former socialite’s estate and out into the forest-fringed sculpture garden. In the center's auditorium, crowds might settle in for an open-air classical music performance during the annual summertime Manchester Music Festival or attend a recital put on by a local dance studio.
Shopping and dining on Main Street
The Main Street section of state Route 7A fills the center of Manchester with grand hotels and modern restaurants and shops set in historic buildings. Retailers in the area range from upscale outlets to Northshire Bookstore, an independent shop in a Second Empire home known for its multi-story collection. Restaurants serve global cuisines throughout the village, with some of the best-loved including the Irish-influenced Mulligan’s of Manchester Restaurant & Pub and Ye Olde Tavern, which specializes in upscale American fare. Shaw’s and Price Chopper are in town for groceries. From May through October, shoppers get fresh produce and artisan cheeses from the weekly Manchester Farmers Market. Steeples of historic churches like the First Congregational Church of Manchester stand out against distant mountain ridges throughout the village. Cars and cyclists often share the road, and sidewalks connect much of the business district, alternating between red brick, concrete and marble.
Historic single-family homes and townhouse condos
Much of the village center of Manchester is a designated historic district. Grandly appointed homes built from the 18th century to the early 20th sit on small acreages and suburban plots throughout the area, though midcentury construction and other smaller single-family styles can also be found around town. While fixer-uppers can go for under $200,000 and luxury properties on larger acreages can go for well over $5,000,000, Manchester’s median single-family home price is about $940,000, more than double the national median of around $400,000. Townhouse-style condos can go for around $160,000 to $725,000, depending on the unit’s size and access to luxury amenities like pools and athletic courts. Properties of all kinds might offer selling points like sweeping mountain views, walkability to village shopping or both. Many buyers are looking for second homes.
Attending public and independent schools in the village
Kids can start off attending public school at Manchester Elementary/Middle School, which earns a B-minus from Niche. The Taconic & Green Regional School District operates no public high schools. One of the most popular independent options in the region is Manchester-based Burr & Burton Academy, which earns a B-plus. BBA is known for specialized local academic programs like a farm and food studies program run out of Hildene Farm. Tuition is upward of $20,000 per year, but for Manchester residents, that cost is covered through state property taxes.
Taking regional highways around and out of Bennington County
Manchester is home to regional employers like shire town, or county seat, offices and plenty of hospitality jobs. U.S. Route 7 brings people in and out of town, as do state Routes 30 and 7A. Though most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around, Green Mountain Express buses run limited regional routes and on-demand local service. For medical care beyond the village’s urgent and primary care centers, it’s a roughly 25-mile drive to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, the county’s southern shire town. Boston and New York City are less than four hours away by car. Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport, which offers direct flights to Boston, is about 30 miles away.
Flood risk along the Battenkill
After unusually heavy rain and especially when snow begins to melt after winter, the Battenkill can be prone to flooding. Run-off from the surrounding hills combines with high water in the river and narrower tributaries to flood roadways and properties. Buyers can consult maps to understand their risk and need for flood insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
