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Harmony Meets History at The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester, VT

Discover a timeless and restorative retreat amid Vermont’s Green Mountains
Heather Mikesell

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Photo Credit: Shutterstock

In the heart of the Green Mountains, Manchester, VT, is a haven for wellness enthusiasts. The charming town blends New England charm with a host of opportunities for wellbeing, thanks to its stunning natural landscape, fresh mountain air, and a myriad of outdoor pursuits. Whether you’re exploring wooded trails, dining on healthy cuisine, or simply savoring the slower pace of life, Manchester offers the perfect escape for those seeking balance and renewal. And it’s conveniently accessible from New York City via Amtrak, with a seamless transfer at the Rensselaer, NY station to a bus that takes you directly to Manchester. 

On a recent visit, my partner and I had the pleasure of staying at The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, a cornerstone of Manchester’s rich heritage since its founding in 1769. The storied property has hosted American revolutionaries and several U.S. presidents, including William Howard Taft, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, and Theodore Roosevelt. Today, the Equinox stands as an inviting four-season retreat featuring 200 well-appointed guest rooms, three dining venues, and an abundance of amenities, such as a championship golf course, tennis courts, and a full-service spa. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mt. Equinox, the resort offers a taste of Vermont’s beauty and charm.

What Not to Miss

  • Land Rover Experience Vermont, a guided off-road driving adventure that challenges you to navigate rugged terrain in one of the world’s most capable vehicles
  • A drive up Mount Equinox Skyline Drive to experience the epic views of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and even Canada, on a clear day
  • Breakfast or lunch at Dorset Bakery, an inviting bakery and café, with plenty of healthy options in neighboring Dorset, VT
  • A visit to nearby Arlington for a stay at Rockwell’s Retreat, the former home and studio of artist Norman Rockwell
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A view from the top of Mt. Equinox
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

A highlight of our visit was summiting Mt. Equinox via Skyline Drive, a five-mile private paved road. This scenic ascent of Mt. Equinox offers breathtaking views and access to a lookout point with panoramic vistas of the region. At the top, a beautiful hiking trail winds through alpine meadows, overlooking Manchester’s charming valley below. 

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The Spa at Equinox is in a standalone building at the base of Mt. Equinox.

Spa & Wellness

Having visited more than a decade ago, I was especially excited to revisit The Spa at Equinox, where I enjoyed the Equinox Custom Massage ($180, 50 minutes; $240, 80 minutes). The spa is situated in a standalone building, complete with a fitness center, a 75-foot indoor heated lap pool, an outdoor whirlpool, and men’s and women’s locker rooms with a sauna and steam room. Here, you’ll find a menu of enticing treatments, including the Spirit of Vermont ($225, 80 minutes), which incorporates massage, reflexology, and Reiki.

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In addition to offering an array of sweet treats, Dorset Bakery also offers a host of healthy options.

Healthy Dining

From farm-to-table breakfasts to wholesome comfort food, it’s easy to dine on fresh, local ingredients in Manchester. We were fortunate to dine at Pearl’s Place & Pantry, which serves up nourishing Southern dishes with genuine Vermont hospitality. This cozy gem is where locals and visitors come for thoughtfully prepared meals that feel like home. We experienced an elevated dining experience at Barrows House Restaurant, a gastro pub featuring traditional favorites. Celebrating local farms and producers, it focuses on dishes that highlight quality seasonal ingredients.

At The Dorset Inn, established in 1796, breakfast is a time-honored tradition with all the classics. For something more casual, Dorset Bakery offers fresh options that cater to health-focused diners as well as some more indulgent options. Finally, a visit to Marsh Tavern at The Equinox delivered a delicious, nourishing omelet breakfast that provided fuel for the day.  

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Hildene, the Lincoln family home, features gorgeous landscaped gardens.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

A Journey Through Time

For a historic perspective of the area, we paid a visit to Hildene, the former home of Robert Lincoln, son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. He, too, visited the Equinox Hotel, albeit in 1864 to meet up with his mother and brother. Years later he would return to Manchester to purchase 392 acres to build Hildene, which means “valley with stream.” Built on a hill overlooking the Taconic and Green Mountains and Battenkill River, the estate now encompasses a Georgian Revival mansion, 14 historic buildings, a formal garden, a 1903 Pullman car, a 600-foot floating boardwalk to access the property’s wetlands, and a farm.

With a focus on sustainability, the farm is an example to the surrounding community. It features a solar-powered goat dairy, a cheese-making facility, a teaching greenhouse, a composting facility, an animal barn, vegetable gardens, an apple orchard, and more. There’s even an 1832 schoolhouse, which is used to host educational programming. A beautiful setting to explore any time of the year, Hildene is especially inviting in the winter months when outdoor enthusiasts can make the most of its 12 miles of trails using their own equipment to hike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski.  

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The Southern Vermont Arts Center features a beautiful 100-acre campus that once served as a private summer retreat.

Arts & Culture

No trip to Manchester would be complete without a visit to the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC), a cultural treasure nestled in a serene 100-acre estate. Here, art, nature, and community converge in a way that’s both inspiring and restorative.

Inside the galleries, you’ll find an ever-changing array of thought-provoking exhibits, showcasing works by regional and national artists. SVAC’s sprawling grounds are a haven for discovery, whether you’re enjoying a peaceful walk through the modern sculpture garden, admiring the art, or attending a community event. And when it’s time to recharge, CurATE Café offers a menu of fresh, locally inspired dishes to accompany the experience.

About The Author
Heather-Mikesell-author-1

Heather, co-founder of Well Defined and the former editor-in-chief of American Spa, is an award-winning journalist and content strategist, skilled in writing, copyediting, and media relations. She is also a freelance writer and has contributed to Elite Traveler, Islands, Kiwi, Luxury Travel Advisor, Organic Spa, Porthole Cruise, Travel Agent, abcnews.com, jetsetter.com, outside.com, and wellandgood.com, in addition to various custom publications. She is frequently called upon to comment on various spa and wellness trends for various media outlets.