Who knew that Summer in Vermont could be so fun? While we had been to Vermont to ski in the winter, we had never experienced Vermont in the Summer and decided to explore its possibilities. We spent a perfect weekend in August exploring and discovering Manchester, Vermont, and cannot wait to return, no matter the weather or the season, as there is much to experience.
We spent a short, but fabulous Summer weekend discovering Manchester and nearby neighbor, Dorset, Vermont from August 2-3, 2024. We found there was much to do there with festivals, diverse museums, hiking trails, and a distillery tasting room to bring home a delicious “taste” of Vermont.
Dorset Theatre Festival
Dorset Theatre Festival, Manchester, VT
Vermont has many wonderful Summer festivals including the Dorset Theatre Festival, which has been delivering Professional Summer Equity Theatre since 1977 in their charming and intimate theatre built from two pre-revolutionary barns.
We had the pleasure of experiencing their presentation of the fabulous play, Sidekicked written by two-time Emmy winning writer and author Kim Powers and starring Kelly McAndrew, about the enthralling life of Vivian Vance, better known by television fans of the I Love Lucy Show, as Ethel Mertz, sidekick to Lucy Riccardo starring Lucille Ball. Sidekicked runs until August 17, 2024.
Dorset Theatre Festival
The Festival continues with the play True Art, written by Jessica Provenz and starring Tony Award Nominee Jayne Adkinson, which runs from August 23 until September 7, 2024. Bravo!
Dorset Theatre Festival Box Office Sumer Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Performance Schedule: Wednesdays at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm.
For more information on the Dorset Theatre Festival and their upcoming events, please visit the website: https://dorsettheatrefestival.org/
To read our review of the play, Sidekicked, and the Dorset Theatre Festival please visit the Performances section.
Dorset Theare Festival
104 Cheney Road
PO Box 510
Dorset, Vermont 05251
Telephone: +1-802-867-2223 Ext. 101
Box Office Email: boxoffice@dorsettheatrefestival.org
Email: dtf@dorsettheatrefestival.org
Website: https://dorsettheatrefestival.org/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dorsettheatrefestival
Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) – Manchester, Vermont
Southern Vermont Arts Center
On Saturday morning, we headed to the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) in Manchester, Vermont. Open year-round and perfect in any weather, our experience at SVAC began as we drove up the long drive and saw the large-scale whimsical sculptures in the fields. These sculptures are so impressive that we had to get out of our car to fully appreciate their beauty up-close in their natural settings.
After spending time enjoying the many outdoor sculptures located throughout the property, we ventured indoors and visited the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum and the Yester House Galleries where the exhibitions were a delight, especially their Sand to Splendor: The Nature of Glass exhibition, which featured the extraordinary glass art of many talented artists.
Southern Vermont Arts Center – Sculpture
With so much to experience, outdoors and indoors, plan to spend a few hours to fully appreciate all that they have to offer. There is also a restaurant that serves Brunch and Dinner to make your visit to SVAC even more enjoyable.
SVAC Hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesdays through Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Admission: Adults: $15, Students and Seniors: $10, Kids 18 and under: Free, Members: Free
SVAC also has a restaurant, the curATE café: Brunch: Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, Dinner: Wednesday through Sunday, with seating from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Reservations required. (Book through Open Table or call them at +1-802-362-9100 to make a reservation.)
For more information on SVAC and its upcoming exhibitions and programs, please visit their website: https://svac.org
To read more about our experience at the SVAC, please visit the Arts section.
Southern Vermont Arts Center
860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Drive
PO Box 617
Manchester, Vermont 05254
Telephone: +1-802-362-1405
curATE Café: +1-802-362-9100
Website: https://svac.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernvermontartscenter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovtarts/
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home – Manchester, Vermont
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
On Saturday afternoon, we took a step back in time visiting Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont. Nestled on 412 acres with views of Mount Equinox and the Green Mountains, Hildene was the Summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln, however, there is much more to experience than the gorgeous Georgian Revival mansion and its formal gardens.
Parlour
The property is a living history Museum with its working Dene Farm, Apiary, Goat Dairy and Cheesemaking facility, Pullman Railcar, education facilities, Hollow School, Lincoln Hall event space, walking trails, and much more. Open year-round, Hildene is perfect for visitors of all ages.
Hildene Hours: Open year-round from Thursday through Monday from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Closed Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, 26, and for Easter. Winter visitors may like to hike or use your own Nordic equipment on their trails.
General Admission: All Guests must check in and pay admission at the Welcome Center year-round. Adults: $23, Youths (6-16 years): $6, Children: 5 years and younger & Members: Free. Second Day Admission (with Receipt): Adults and Youths: $7. Admission Includes: Self-Guided tours of Robert and Mary’s home, gardens, Hildene Farm, Pullman railcar “Sunbeam,” and approximately 12 miles of walking trails. They are a pet-free, idle free, and smoke free campus.
Group Tours: Groups are welcome year-round for groups of 20 or more. Reservations are required for groups. Please call +1-800-587-1788 or send an email to tours@hildene.org regarding pricing. Personal Tours: Can be arranged for the visually impaired by appointment. Please contact them in advance to schedule.
For more information on visiting Hildene, please visit the website: https://hildene.org/
To see their upcoming events, please visit the calendar: https://hildene.org/about/calendar
To read more about our experience at the Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, please visit the Arts section.
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
1005 Hildene Road
PO Box 377
Manchester, Vermont 05254
United States
Telephone: +1-802-362-1788
Fax: +1-802-362-1564
Email: info@Hildene.org
Website: https://hildene.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildenethelincolnfamilyhome/
A Taste of Vermont – Smugglers Notch Distillery Tasting Room
Jacob – Smugglers Notch Distillery Tasting Room
Late Saturday afternoon, we visited the Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Tasting Room in Manchester, to bring home a “taste” of Vermont. While Smugglers’ Notch Distillery is in Jeffersonville, Vermont (about 120 miles from Manchester), they have Tasting Rooms in Manchester, Waterbury Center, Burlington, Stowe, and Williston, Vermont.
Doing a Tasting with Jacob, we learned about the interesting history of the company, founded in 2006 by father and son, Ron Elliot, and Jeremy Elliot. Smuggler’s Notch Distillery award-winning excellent spirits are corn-based, and include a delectable selection of Vodkas, Gins, Rye Whiskey, Rum, Bourbons, Liqueurs, and Limited Releases.
Smugglers Notch Distillery – Tasting Room
We enjoyed tasting several of their spirits including their Smugglers’ Notch Moroccan Rose and Grapefruit Vodka, Smugglers’ Notch Maple Bourbon, and Smugglers’ Notch Maple Gin, to name a few of them. Vermont is known for its maple syrup and in addition to their line of spirits available for purchase, Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Tasting Room also sells Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup and Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, and more.
Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Tasting Room Hours: Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Tasting Room Manchester is open daily from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Tastings and Pricing: Classic Tasting: $5, your choice of any 4 of their Classic Spirits including their canned cocktails; Specialty Tasting: $10, a rotating selection of 4 Limited Edition Spirits; and Single Pour Tastings: $2 per pour.
Please visit their website for more information on Smugglers’ Notch Distillery: https://smugglersnotchdistillery.com/
To read more about Smugglers’ Notch Spirits, please visit our Liquor Cabinet section.
Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Tasting Room
18 Depot Street
Manchester, VT 05255
Telephone: +1-802-330-7117
Email: info@smugglersnotchdistillery.com
Website: https://smugglersnotchdistillery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SND_Spirits/
@SND_Spirits
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smugglersnotchdistillery
After spending a short, but fun, Summer weekend in Manchester, Vermont, we look forward to returning in other seasons to discover more of what it has to offer. Until next time, keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience!
Travel Distances to Manchester, Vermont from:
Rutland, VT: 33 miles
Saratoga Springs, NY: 45 miles
Brattleboro, VT: 48 miles
Albany, NY: 61 miles
Burlington, VT: 100 miles
Springfield, MA: 107 miles
Hartford, CT: 133 miles
Boston, MA: 165 miles
Westchester, NY: 174 miles
Montreal, Canada: 190 miles
Darien, CT: 204 miles
Manhattan, NY: 206 miles
For more information on things to do in the Manchester area: Please visit the website:
https://www.manchesterview.com/attractions
Peaches The Yorkshire/Duroc – Cross Pig – Come visit me at Hildene and experience Manchester, Vermont
Read more features on Vermont in the Destinations, Arts, Liquor Cabinet, and Performances sections.
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