As the poet says, April is the cruelest month – unless you take yourself up to the vibrant town of Manchester, Vermont, for some inside activities that will indulge all sorts of interests.
Have Some Molten Fun
Photo Courtesy of Manchester Hot Glass
At Manchester Hot Glass, you can find unique hand-blown glass items, such as stemless wine glasses, decorative plates, and ornaments, from artist Andrew Weill; you can also take the opportunity to learn the skills yourself. From Glassblowing 101 to specialty project classes, each workshop is offered as a private event for yourself and whomever you book your class with. Manchester Hot Glass glassblowing classes are a unique, hands-on activity for adults and children (over 5) and are offered Thursday through Sunday.
Wrap it Up
Photo Courtesy of The Vermont Flannel Company
It’s Vermont, so put on some flannel already! From shirts to robes to blankets, all your plaid & flannel fantasies can come true at the Vermont Flannel Pop-Up. The family-owned business has been hand-cutting and sewing Vermont Flannel™ in the USA for over 25 years. Plus, you can get deep into DIY with their one-of-a-kind Quilt Kit, which includes selections from their line of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric and makes a perfect gift for quilters, fiber artists, and craft enthusiasts.
Crack Open a Book
Photos Courtesy of Northshire Bookstore
Get something great to read at the Manchester location of Northshire Bookstore. This original store, founded in 1976, is located at 4869 Main Street, right in the center of town, and has more than 10,000 square feet of books for all ages, as well as a full line of stationery, magazines, cards, calendars, local Vermont foods, and gifts. Their goal has always been to have a store that fosters browsing, and while they are happy to find any book in print for their customers, they believe in the joy of serendipitous discovery. You can also grab a convenient coffee, some fresh baked goods, or light lunch at the attached Bonnet & Main Cafe.
Tilt!
Photo Courtesy of Pastime Pinball
Pastime Pinball is an interactive amusement museum featuring more than sixty classic pinball machines, all set for Free Play. Pay one price at the door and enjoy unlimited fun in their multi-level arcade with games for all ages and skill levels, including vintage sports games from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, a 70-year-old Shuffle Bowler, and Skee Alley, an Atari driving game from the early 1980s and other retro favorites like Ms. Pacman, Galaga, Frogger, Street Fighter and hundreds more. An on-site snack bar serves up uber-popular nachos with homemade cheese sauce with cheddar from New England’s Cabot Creamery, delicious rootbeer floats, local Wilcox ice cream, hotdogs, soft pretzels, and popcorn, plus seasonal offerings like homemade chicken soup. They also have some of the Green Mountain State’s finest craft beers on tap.
Indulge your Passion for Fashion
At the Manchester Designer Outlets, where you can shop till you drop at more than 20 designer brand stores, from Armani to Vineyard Vines. Take a break from retail therapy for a bite to eat at one of the center’s restaurants or a sip of spirits at Smugglers’ Notch Distillery.
