Guidebook for Sandgate
Getting Around
We are a good hour away from Albany so a rental car is a must!
10 locals recommend
Albany/Rensselaer Amtrak station
525 East StWe are a good hour away from Albany so a rental car is a must!
Parks & Nature
Manchester - The clear lake is small and right off the main road north of Manchester. Great for non-motorized water sports. Rentals are available for canoes, paddle boats and stand up paddle boards. Small concession stand. Changing rooms and rest rooms.
53 locals recommend
Emerald Lake State Park
65 Emerald Lake LnManchester - The clear lake is small and right off the main road north of Manchester. Great for non-motorized water sports. Rentals are available for canoes, paddle boats and stand up paddle boards. Small concession stand. Changing rooms and rest rooms.
Manchester - Climb the highest peak in southern Vermont! Hike from the base: equinoxpreservationtrust.org or travel by car: skyline drive vermont
69 locals recommend
Equinox Mountain
Manchester - Climb the highest peak in southern Vermont! Hike from the base: equinoxpreservationtrust.org or travel by car: skyline drive vermont
Stratton - Downhill/XC/snowshoe/tube/snowmobile/outdoor excursions etc in the winter and bike in the off season. Go to Stratton Mountain Bike Park and checkout the new Bike Park! 45-50 minutes away. Manchester is on the way back which features many dining options.
248 locals recommend
Stratton Mountain
Stratton - Downhill/XC/snowshoe/tube/snowmobile/outdoor excursions etc in the winter and bike in the off season. Go to Stratton Mountain Bike Park and checkout the new Bike Park! 45-50 minutes away. Manchester is on the way back which features many dining options.
Peru - Bromley is another great mountain to ski and 30-35 minutes away.
187 locals recommend
Bromley Mountain Ski Resort
124 VT-11Peru - Bromley is another great mountain to ski and 30-35 minutes away.
West Arlington - Guests love to enjoy a float down the Battenkill River. Stop in the Wayside Country Store to pick up snacks, drinks & lunch at the deli. “Big Big” is right next door and only 4 miles from the domes.
13 locals recommend
Big Big on the Battenkill Kayak and Tubing
5827 Vermont 313West Arlington - Guests love to enjoy a float down the Battenkill River. Stop in the Wayside Country Store to pick up snacks, drinks & lunch at the deli. “Big Big” is right next door and only 4 miles from the domes.
Manchester - The Appalachian Trail crosses RT 11/30 outside of Manchester. Great parking. Hike a stretch!
Appalachian Trail
Appalachian National Scenic TrailManchester - The Appalachian Trail crosses RT 11/30 outside of Manchester. Great parking. Hike a stretch!
Lye Brook Falls
Lye Brook Falls TrailManchester, VT - Easy to moderate hike - very popular
Manchester, VT (actually in Sunderland just south of Manchester on RT 7A) 5 mi TOLL ROAD -
CLOSED IN LATE FALL - EARLY SPRING!
Wonderful overlooks. Short trail to an overlook at top as well as a trail that leads down to the base. Fabulous visitors center at top with rest rooms, picnic tables and history of the Carthusian monastery. ASK IF VISITORS CENTER IS OPEN when purchasing a ticket. BTW - The monastery visible from the 'saddle is in Sandgate.
24 locals recommend
Mount Equinox Skyline Drive
42 Skyline DrManchester, VT (actually in Sunderland just south of Manchester on RT 7A) 5 mi TOLL ROAD -
CLOSED IN LATE FALL - EARLY SPRING!
Wonderful overlooks. Short trail to an overlook at top as well as a trail that leads down to the base. Fabulous visitors center at top with rest rooms, picnic tables and history of the Carthusian monastery. ASK IF VISITORS CENTER IS OPEN when purchasing a ticket. BTW - The monastery visible from the 'saddle is in Sandgate.
Peru - Nordic ski touring center - all levels of skiers - fully stocked rentals with all sizes of classic equipment. Check website for daily conditions.
27 locals recommend
Wild Wings Ski Touring Center
246 Styles LnPeru - Nordic ski touring center - all levels of skiers - fully stocked rentals with all sizes of classic equipment. Check website for daily conditions.
Arts & Culture
Bennington Museum - Grandma Moses is featured in the permanent collection. Robert Frost is buried in the adjacent cemetery. The iconic Old First Church graces the top of the hill with a marker sharing the history of the spot.
61 locals recommend
Bennington
Bennington Museum - Grandma Moses is featured in the permanent collection. Robert Frost is buried in the adjacent cemetery. The iconic Old First Church graces the top of the hill with a marker sharing the history of the spot.
Manchester - An historical masterpiece built by Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd. Beautifully maintained grounds, house, rail car, fabulous gift shop and excellent docents. A goat farm is on the grounds as well as walking/XC ski trails. A local gem!
158 locals recommend
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
1005 Hildene RdManchester - An historical masterpiece built by Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd. Beautifully maintained grounds, house, rail car, fabulous gift shop and excellent docents. A goat farm is on the grounds as well as walking/XC ski trails. A local gem!
Manchester - A multi-disciplinary Arts organization. Go to SVAC.org to find out more!
51 locals recommend
Southern Vermont Arts Center
860 Southern Vermont Arts Center DrManchester - A multi-disciplinary Arts organization. Go to SVAC.org to find out more!
Arlington - Fascinating stories behind Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post illustrations and the local models who sat for our most famous local artist will fascinate viewers. In addition, the Sugar Shack boasts wonderful treats including maple syrup, candy, ice cream, Kim’s delicious pies (our favorite!) and Vermont souvenirs.
10 locals recommend
Norman Rockwell Exhibition
118 Sugar Shack LnArlington - Fascinating stories behind Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post illustrations and the local models who sat for our most famous local artist will fascinate viewers. In addition, the Sugar Shack boasts wonderful treats including maple syrup, candy, ice cream, Kim’s delicious pies (our favorite!) and Vermont souvenirs.
Manchester - On the circle opposite the Northshire Bookstore. A destination artisan's gallery with a solid following. Beautiful local art work by juried artists. Be sure to checkout the website! Great place for special gifts and home decor. (pronounced 'Epic' but most folks call it 'E-pock')
6 locals recommend
Epoch Inc
4826 Main StManchester - On the circle opposite the Northshire Bookstore. A destination artisan's gallery with a solid following. Beautiful local art work by juried artists. Be sure to checkout the website! Great place for special gifts and home decor. (pronounced 'Epic' but most folks call it 'E-pock')
North Bennington - Historic Mansion Museum
"...one of the finest most significant and best preserved Victorian Mansions in New England." Bennington Banner
Open Fri, Sat, Sun 10am - 2pm Memorial Day wknd through beginning of October
20 locals recommend
Park-McCullough Historic Governor's Mansion
1 Park StNorth Bennington - Historic Mansion Museum
"...one of the finest most significant and best preserved Victorian Mansions in New England." Bennington Banner
Open Fri, Sat, Sun 10am - 2pm Memorial Day wknd through beginning of October
Sightseeing
Manchester - Fun on the Farm! Lisa has a wonderful setting for getting up close to farm animals. If you are lucky she will have her famous jalapeno dip in stock. Ice cream, too!
9 locals recommend
North Meadow Farm
726 N RdManchester - Fun on the Farm! Lisa has a wonderful setting for getting up close to farm animals. If you are lucky she will have her famous jalapeno dip in stock. Ice cream, too!
Arlington - Rockwell lived in West Arlington and the museum boasts many prints with local history of folks who posed for him. Great stories!
BONUS! Located at the Sugar Shack in Arlington. Great soft maple ice cream and maple products as well as VT souvenirs.
10 locals recommend
Norman Rockwell Exhibition
118 Sugar Shack LnArlington - Rockwell lived in West Arlington and the museum boasts many prints with local history of folks who posed for him. Great stories!
BONUS! Located at the Sugar Shack in Arlington. Great soft maple ice cream and maple products as well as VT souvenirs.
Dorset - Excellent kitchen store for the discerning cook/chef. Also great for a hostess gift (cocktail napkins, flour cloth dish towels, unique dish ware). Known for fine woodwork - cutting boards, etc.
10 locals recommend
J.K. Adams
1430 VT-30Dorset - Excellent kitchen store for the discerning cook/chef. Also great for a hostess gift (cocktail napkins, flour cloth dish towels, unique dish ware). Known for fine woodwork - cutting boards, etc.
Battenkill Bicycles
99 Bonnet StManchester Center - A full service bike shop with rentals.
Food scene
Manchester - Small and in the very center of of the town. Executive Chef Timothy Cocheo, a graduate from the French Culinary Institute in New York City.
Mystic Restaurant & Bar
Manchester - Small and in the very center of of the town. Executive Chef Timothy Cocheo, a graduate from the French Culinary Institute in New York City.
Manchester - Reservations are a MUST! Located in an old library in the heart of Manchester Village the restaurant boasts fine dining with an international menu. RAVE reviews! Voted #1 in the country by Travel Advisor! $$$$
59 locals recommend
The Silver Fork
48 W RdManchester - Reservations are a MUST! Located in an old library in the heart of Manchester Village the restaurant boasts fine dining with an international menu. RAVE reviews! Voted #1 in the country by Travel Advisor! $$$$
Bob's Diner
2279 Depot StreetManchester - A wonderful diner breakfast awaits!
Manchester - Began in 2017 - In a few short and wild years, we have grown into a full restaurant with three distinct experiences living together under one roof: The Cafe, The Dining Room and The Yard. Each experience offers its own menu and setting, but all three are shaped by the same desire to bring people together to share special food and drink in a warm atmosphere, with great music. Check out the website and make a reservation!
40 locals recommend
The Crooked Ram
4026 Main StManchester - Began in 2017 - In a few short and wild years, we have grown into a full restaurant with three distinct experiences living together under one roof: The Cafe, The Dining Room and The Yard. Each experience offers its own menu and setting, but all three are shaped by the same desire to bring people together to share special food and drink in a warm atmosphere, with great music. Check out the website and make a reservation!
Manchester - Craft cooking - great bar - outside patio - local favorite
50 locals recommend
Copper Grouse
3835 Main StManchester - Craft cooking - great bar - outside patio - local favorite
Pearl's Place & Pantry
Manchester - Excellent southern food - Delicious salmon, too!
Dorset - Local favorite - I prefer the tavern - A table in the main dining room is a great choice for a special occasion.
49 locals recommend
The Dorset Inn
8 Church StDorset - Local favorite - I prefer the tavern - A table in the main dining room is a great choice for a special occasion.
BRONWYN on Battenkill
Arlington - German food (hand-crafted sausage) and a bier garten!
Manchester - Beautiful indoor and outdoor setting - Long winding driveway passing sculptures leading to the Southern VT Art Center - Artfully curated small plates, salads, artisanal sandwiches and flatbreads, dinner options and a full bar .
Curate
860 Southern Vermont Arts Center DrManchester - Beautiful indoor and outdoor setting - Long winding driveway passing sculptures leading to the Southern VT Art Center - Artfully curated small plates, salads, artisanal sandwiches and flatbreads, dinner options and a full bar .
Manchester - Southwestern bar and grill - Great margaritas!
37 locals recommend
Gringo Jack's Southwestern Bar & Grill
5103 Main StManchester - Southwestern bar and grill - Great margaritas!
Arlington - 10 minutes away - check out the website for restaurant and tavern info - beautiful historic setting
6 locals recommend
West Mountain Inn
144 W Mountain Inn RdArlington - 10 minutes away - check out the website for restaurant and tavern info - beautiful historic setting
Seasons Restaurant
4566 Main StManchester - casual - inside/outside dining
Manchester - Delicious breakfast - limited seating - worth the wait!
18 locals recommend
Little Rooster Café
4764 Main StManchester - Delicious breakfast - limited seating - worth the wait!
Manchester - inside/outside dining - casual - lots of beer of tap -
32 locals recommend
Union Underground
4928 Main StManchester - inside/outside dining - casual - lots of beer of tap -
Manchester - Guests have raved about this steak house!
26 locals recommend
Raven's Den Steakhouse and Taproom
1844 Depot StManchester - Guests have raved about this steak house!
Manchester - Great family restaurant and the food is excellent. Casual
35 locals recommend
Zoey's Double Hex Restaurant station
1568 Depot StreetManchester - Great family restaurant and the food is excellent. Casual
Peru (north of Manchester past Bromley Ski area)
Folks love the food!
49 locals recommend
Johnny Seesaw's
51 s Run - WestPeru (north of Manchester past Bromley Ski area)
Folks love the food!
Manchester - Great breakfast and lunch sandwiches - best bagel shop in town!
18 locals recommend
The Works Café
13 Riverside HeightsManchester - Great breakfast and lunch sandwiches - best bagel shop in town!
Manchester - Great to-go case - love the coffee/tea - casual - seating inside and out and right in the center of town and next to the Northshire Bookstore a MUST SEE!
7 locals recommend
Charlie's Coffee House
39 Bonnet StManchester - Great to-go case - love the coffee/tea - casual - seating inside and out and right in the center of town and next to the Northshire Bookstore a MUST SEE!
Dorset - Love the food here and especially the outside summer dining and the back room in other seasons.
38 locals recommend
Barrows House Inn & Restaurant
3156 VT-30Dorset - Love the food here and especially the outside summer dining and the back room in other seasons.
Manchester - Fries anyone? Very casual and excellent fries served on a cookie sheet!
15 locals recommend
Depot Street Burgers
468 Depot StManchester - Fries anyone? Very casual and excellent fries served on a cookie sheet!
Manchester - Excellent bakery with a long history serving Manchester. Cakes are exceptional! Buttercrunch is divine!
16 locals recommend
Mother Myrick's Confectionery
4367 Main StManchester - Excellent bakery with a long history serving Manchester. Cakes are exceptional! Buttercrunch is divine!
The Publyk House
782 Harwood Hill RdBennington - Great views and food is very good.
North Bennington- Local favorite - serves delicious bottled organic soda- thin crust pizza and salads- mmmm!
10 locals recommend
Marigold Kitchen Pizza
25 Main StNorth Bennington- Local favorite - serves delicious bottled organic soda- thin crust pizza and salads- mmmm!