Manchester Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Welcome to Manchester, a charming town located in the picturesque region of Connecticut, United States. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, Manchester offers a delightful getaway for travelers seeking a unique and memorable experience.

Step back in time as you explore the fascinating historical sites in Manchester. Begin your journey at the Cheney Brothers Historic District, a well-preserved industrial complex that played a significant role in the town's textile industry during the 19th century. Marvel at the stunning Victorian architecture and learn about the town's industrial heritage through informative exhibits and guided tours.

For those seeking a dose of nature, Manchester boasts an abundance of outdoor recreational activities. Visit the beautiful Wickham Park, spanning over 280 acres of lush greenery and featuring stunning gardens, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Take a leisurely stroll through the park's renowned Rose Garden, which boasts over 15,000 rose bushes and offers a breathtaking display of colors and fragrances.

Art enthusiasts will be delighted by the vibrant arts scene in Manchester. Make sure to visit the Lutz Children's Museum, where young and old alike can explore interactive exhibits, learn about wildlife, and participate in hands-on activities. The nearby Manchester Arts Center showcases the works of local artists, providing a platform for creative expression and cultural exchange.

Shopaholics will find their haven in Manchester's bustling downtown area. The Shoppes at Buckland Hills is a premier shopping destination, offering a wide array of stores, boutiques, and restaurants. From designer brands to unique local shops, you'll find everything you desire in this shopper's paradise.

Food lovers will be spoiled for choice in Manchester, with its diverse culinary scene. Indulge in delectable dishes at one of the town's many restaurants, ranging from cozy cafes to upscale eateries. Don't miss the opportunity to savor authentic New England cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients.

Alternative names: Founded: 1672 (352 years ago)Population: 30.6 thous.Area: 27.7 mi²Elevation: 157 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 41°47'10"N, 72°32'16"W

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ConnecticutUnited States

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Manchester Top Attractions

Manchester Attractions - What to See and Explore

Manchester offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Hop River State Park Trail, Lutz Children's Museum, Wickham Park, Northwest Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Park • Buckley
Hop River State Park Trail
Hop River State Park Trail is a Connecticut rail trail that winds for 20.8 miles eastward from Colonial Drive in the town of Manchester to the Air Line State Park Trail S. in the town of Windham. The trail parallels the Hop River for much of its length.
Specialty museum • Museum
Lutz Children's Museum
The Lutz Children's Museum is a non-profit children's museum located in Manchester, Connecticut, United States. Originally known as the Lutz Junior Museum, it was developed on March 4, 1953 by a vote of the Manchester Parent Teacher Association Council.
Park • Robertson
Wickham Park
Wickham Park is a nonprofit, private foundation in Manchester and a small part of East Hartford, Connecticut. The park contains 280 acres of gardens, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas and sports facilities, among other attractions.

Lake • Park
Northwest Park
Northwest Park is a baseball field located in Manchester, Connecticut, United States. The field is the former home of the Manchester Silkworms of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. It played host to the Silkworms between 2000 and 2009. The field's location places Union Pond behind a stand of trees located past the outfield.
Neighbourhood • West Side
Cheney Brothers Historic District
The Cheney Brothers Historic District was a center of the silk industry in Manchester, Connecticut, in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Neighbourhood • Greek Revival architecture
Union Village Historic District
The Union Village Historic District encompasses the core of a historic 19th-century residential mill village in Manchester, Connecticut.
Neighbourhood • Victorian architecture • Gothic Revival architecture
Manchester Historic District
The Manchester Historic District encompasses a historic planned industrial and residential area of Manchester, Connecticut.
Georgian architecture • Center
Manchester Main Post Office
The Weiss Center, formerly the U.S. Post Office-Manchester Main is a historic building at 491 Main Street in Manchester, Connecticut. It was built in 1931 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 for its architecture. It includes Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, and Georgian Revival architectural features.
Archaeological site • Highland Park
Pitkin Glassworks Ruin
The Pitkin Glassworks Ruin is a historic industrial archaeological site at the junction of Parker and Putnam Streets in Manchester, Connecticut. It contains the remains of one of the oldest glass factories in New England, established in 1783. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
41°47'5"N • 72°33'8"W
The Hilliard Mills
The Hilliard Mills complex is located at 642 Hilliard Street in Manchester, Connecticut, west of Adams Street. This historic mill site currently consists of six buildings, roughly 104,000 square feet of space on over five acres of land at the confluence of the Bigelow Brook and Hockanum River.
Universities and schools • Spencer
Manchester Community College
Manchester Community College is a public community college in Manchester, Connecticut. Founded in 1963, it is the third-oldest of the twelve community colleges governed by the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system and has graduated more than 23,000 students since the first class in 1965.

Day trips

Manchester – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Manchester, it's worth seeing attractions such as: XL Center (Hartford), Mark Twain House (Hartford), MassMutual Center (Springfield).

7.3 miW
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
XL Center, Hartford
The XL Center, nestled in the heart of downtown Hartford, Connecticut, stands as a premier sports and entertainment destination in New England. This versatile arena, with its expansive seating capacity, hosts a diverse range of events, from high-energy hockey games...
8.5 miW
Museum, History museum, Gothic Revival architecture
Mark Twain House, Hartford
The Mark Twain House, nestled in the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, stands as a testament to the life and legacy of one of America's most celebrated authors. This distinctive museum offers visitors a glimpse into the personal and professional world of Samuel Clemens...
22 milesN
Arenas and stadiums, Hockey, Sport
MassMutual Center, Springfield
The MassMutual Center is a vibrant hub of entertainment and sports located in the heart of Springfield, Massachusetts. This expansive arena and convention center complex plays host to a diverse array of events, from high-energy hockey games to captivating concerts...
21 milesN
Hoops history in the sport's birthplace
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts.
7.1 miW
19th- and 20th-century American artists
Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford
The Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum in Hartford, Connecticut. The Wadsworth is noted for its collections of European Baroque art, ancient Egyptian and Classical bronzes, French and American Impressionist paintings, Hudson River School landscapes, modernist masterpieces and...

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Best Time To Visit Manchester

Learn when is the best time to travel to Manchester weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in May, July, August, September and October.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January and February. Most of it rains in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Manchester?

The top attractions to visit in Manchester are:

What is the best time to visit Manchester?

June is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in May, July, August, September and October. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.