POSTCARD FROM MANCHESTER, VT

By Clint Brownfield

If you were to paint a picture of Vermont, you’d probably come up with something that looks like Manchester. That’s exactly what Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses did on their way to international artistic stardom.

Located in southwestern Vermont it’s the closest noteworthy area in the state for New Yorkers to reach. You’ll need a car to explore, but if you don’t have one, you can take Amtrak from Penn Station up to Albany, which, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine, this is one of the top ten most scenic rail trips in the world.

Then rent a car and make the easy one-hour drive over to Manchester—a year-round destination, offering spectacular scenery, world-class shopping in the famed outlets, museums, nearby skiing at Bromley Mountain and Stratton (the snowboard was invented in Manchester), and generally relax and unwind from the daily whirl of living in New York. With a population of around 4,500, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy this gorgeous area.

Dating back to colonial times, Manchester was chartered in 1761 and was a hotbed during the American Revolution, which was a success—otherwise we’d be running around speaking with British accents and spending coins with Queen Elizabeth’s image on them.

Located in Bennington County, the area also boasts the highest peak in the Taconic Range--Mt. Equinox. If you’re athletically inclined, you can hike up to the top and take in the spectacular views. Or, you can simply drive up to the top (3,848 feet above sea level) via the five-mile-long Skyline Drive.

Meanwhile, back down in the town, you can stroll the charming streets, dine in local restaurants and shop at the numerous designer outlets of such brands as Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Ann Taylor and Armani—40 stores in all. For fly fishing enthusiasts, Orvis also has its world headquarters in Manchester and offers outlet shopping and lessons at their school. Trout anyone?

The Equinox, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa (equinoxresort.com), is the imposing anchor of the town which began as a pre-revolutionary war tavern and hosted Mary Todd Lincoln and her son Robert Todd in 1863. Lincoln was so taken by the area that he established his summer home, Hildene (hildene.org). Today, the estate is open to the public providing a glimpse into how the one percent lived in those days. Year round, visitors can tour the Georgian mansion and stroll the surrounding 412-acre grounds, which look much the same as they did when the Lincolns resided there.

Since you can’t stay in the mansion at Hildene, you can come close, by booking a room or an entire house at the Wilburton Inn (wilburtoninn.com) on the estate next door. Here, the extended Levis family operates the inn year round and welcomes everyone: families, couples in love, corporate retreats/ conferences and pets of all sizes and shapes. Jetson, the inn’s “guard dog”—a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who might just try to lick you to death, will greet you. He loves treats and, like some of the rest of us, has an expanding waistline.

The main building, an early 20th-century Tudor-style mansion, offers 15 elegant rooms and suites and is the social hub of the 40-acre resort, with dining rooms, a bar, parlor and swimming pool—all with incredible views from its secluded hillside perch. Seven other freestanding homes that dot the property may also be rented for reunions and corporate retreats. Cooking facilities are included but guests may also sign on for meal plans offered at the main house.

Dr. Albert Levis and his late wife, Georgette (whose sister was playwright Wendy Wasserstein) acquired the property in 1987, and is now run by him and his children. Daughter Melissa is the innkeeper who, along with her sister Tajlei, a playwright, produces theatrical events such as the very popular murder mystery weekends. Brother Oliver manages the property’s Sky Time Community Farm and his artisanal breads alone are worth the trip. Also popular are regular Wednesday farm-to-table dinners--book early for those. Check out the website for other theme weekends and events. Dr. Levis, a noted psychiatrist, presides over the inn’s extensive art collection and Museum of the Creative Process. His tours of the collection and grounds are not to be missed.

So, if you want a charming New England inn, owned and operated by one of the most hospitable families you’ll ever encounter—look no further than the Wilburton Inn. And, if you’re traveling by yourself, don’t worry. You will be immediately adopted by the Levis family and Jetson the ‘guard dog’. That’s what happened to me a couple of years ago and I can’t wait to return.

For more information, visit manchestervermont.com