[Shaolin Shadowboxing]

what else is there to do? going mid-October. any great restaurants in the vicinity? i assume little nightlife, but, hey, who knows?

thanks!

[GMalo]

I recommend eating lunch at the Northshire Bookstore.

You can also check out Woodstock, VT for food and entertainment. It is about 1 1/2 hours away and the drive between Manchester and Woodstock is beautiful.

The Calvin Coolidge museum is located on the route between Manchester and Woodstock. You can take in some great scenery there as well.

[Ghengis]

we were in Manchester for about 3 nights right after Columbus Day and found that the trees were just a bit past peak upon arrival. The colors to the Northeast nearer to Woodstock were just a bit further behind and a little more color and coverage. North of that, were pretty much played out. However the Champlain Valley straight North of Manchester was just entering peak color almost all the way to Burlington.

There's a pretty famous auto-tour road near Manchester that goes up Mount Equinox that we didn't get around to taking that I would have checked out.
Skyline Drive - About the Skyline Drive


Rented a canoe from an outfitter and spent a few hours on the Battenkill River which was fun.


Hildene (Lincoln Family Home) was a nice way to spend an afternoon and we barely saw all that it had to offer.
Home Page | Hildene | The Lincoln Family Home

had a great breakfast here and I think this would be a can't miss dinner spot, just a few miles north of town in Dorset.
Manchester Vermont Destination Weddings, Southern Vermont Wedding Receptions, Vermont Wedding, Vermont Weddings, Fine Dining, Spa | The Dorset Inn

Best not to try and do too much and simply point your vehicle down the road and meander the back roads that lead to an unending series of picture-book sights and old general stores and maple syrup shops.

[BostonFriar]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

we were in Manchester for about 3 nights right after Columbus Day and found that the trees were just a bit past peak upon arrival. The colors to the Northeast nearer to Woodstock were just a bit further behind and a little more color and coverage. North of that, were pretty much played out. However the Champlain Valley straight North of Manchester was just entering peak color almost all the way to Burlington.

There's a pretty famous auto-tour road near Manchester that goes up Mount Equinox that we didn't get around to taking that I would have checked out.
Skyline Drive - About the Skyline Drive


Rented a canoe from an outfitter and spent a few hours on the Battenkill River which was fun.


Hildene (Lincoln Family Home) was a nice way to spend an afternoon and we barely saw all that it had to offer.
Home Page | Hildene | The Lincoln Family Home

had a great breakfast here and I think this would be a can't miss dinner spot, just a few miles north of town in Dorset.
Manchester Vermont Destination Weddings, Southern Vermont Wedding Receptions, Vermont Wedding, Vermont Weddings, Fine Dining, Spa | The Dorset Inn

Best not to try and do too much and simply point your vehicle down the road and meander the back roads that lead to an unending series of picture-book sights and old general stores and maple syrup shops.

Has anyone here done the Skyline Drive?

It looks fascinating and beautiful...and I have to imagine it'll be all the more beautiful next weekend?

I'm a little concerned about the drive itself though. A lot of reviewers are commenting on them being concerned. To anyone that's done it...is it actually scary? Hairpin turns? Close calls as far as people coming around corners or rapid inclines/declines?

[Cleo Barker]

I've never been on the Skyline Drive so I can't comment on that. However I live in Manchester and am in the restaurant business so I can help you there I think.

My recommendation would be dependent on the amount of money you want to spend. #1 choice in the area is Chantecleer, just over the town line in Dorset. Outstanding but pricy.

As another poster responded I would also recommend the Dorset Inn, but it's also a bit on the expensive side. It's the oldest continuously operating inn in America. Quintessential New England.

The Dorset Inn has a sister property which is more hip and modern, the Barrows House almost directly across the street. It's more of a gastropub and less expensive also.

You could also dine at the Perfect Wife which has two venues to choose from and an active bar scene with live music on Friday nights.

For breakfast there is no other choice than Up for Breakfast on Main Street. It's small, can be crowded and noisy and worth every penny. Cash only.

Lots of outlets and shopping available to fill your days and the Northshire Bookstore is amazing~

Hope you enjoy our little mountain village!

[BostonFriar]

Looks like color has been very slow to develop this year...next weekend a good time to go to Stowe?

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by thefastlife

what else is there to do?

If you like art, nearby Williamstown, MA has 1 world class museum, the Clark, and North Adams has the MASS MoCA, a real gem in the middle of nowhere.

Originally Posted by thefastlife

...going mid-October. any great restaurants in the vicinity?

The Madison Brewing Co. in downtown Bennington- good pub food and nice atmosphere.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by BostonFriar

Has anyone here done the Skyline Drive?

It looks fascinating and beautiful...and I have to imagine it'll be all the more beautiful next weekend?

I'm a little concerned about the drive itself though. A lot of reviewers are commenting on them being concerned. To anyone that's done it...is it actually scary? Hairpin turns? Close calls as far as people coming around corners or rapid inclines/declines?

Skyline Drive is very nice, there used to be an old motel at the top if I recall. The road is curvy but not too bad. The best foliage is at the lower and middle portions of the road, the higher elevated portions are a bit more boreal in nature, less deciduous trees.