CTMQ’s Guide to Manchester

Everything Manchester

I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. After a decade, I began compiling CTMQ guides for each town in the state. I plan on “completing” Manchester CTMQ-style… as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. After all, that is the ultimate goal of CTMQ.

What do you know about the town most famous for a giant mall? You can scroll down for my list of things to do in town. Or, as always, you can click on the town’s tag to see what I’ve done.

If I’ve missed anything in Manchester or if anything has closed or changed, please let me know.

All The CTMQ Manchester Stuff

If linked, I’ve visited/done and reported on it.

Museums

Cheney Hall
Cheney Homestead
Dehn Gallery
The Fire Museum
Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery at MCCC
Keeney Schoolhouse
Lutz Children’s Museum
Manchester History Center & Loom Room
Old Manchester Museum
PhotoSynthesis Gallery (MOVED)
Wickham Park Nature Center and Aviary
Woodbridge Farmstead Museum

Hikes & Bikes

CFPA’s Shenipsit Trail – Intro

Section 3

Hockanum River Trails – Intro
South to north

Laurel Marsh
Verplanck
New State Road
Hilliard
Bigelow Brook (not yet trailed)
Hackett
Adams Mill
Pitkin
Union Pond
Oakland

Manchester Land Conservation Trust Trails – Intro

Barlow Park
Buckland Pond
Bush Hill Farm
Cheney Rail Trail
Fairway Park
Lombardo Farm
Purdy Nature Park Trail
Salters Pond
Spring St.- Hayden L. Griswold

Manchester’s Town Trails – Intro

Case Mountain Trails (North)
Case Mountain Trails (South)
Center Springs Park & Trail
Globe Hollow
Porter/Howard Reservoir
Lake Street to Lydall
Nike Recreation Site
Northwest Park
Oak Grove
Union Park
Wickham Park Gardens & Bird Sanctuary

Multi-Use Trails

Capt. John Bissell Trail
Charter Oak Greenway
Cheney Rail Trail
Hop River Linear State Park – Intro

Section 1: Colonial Road to Bolton Notch S.P.

East Coast Greenway – Intro

Food & Drink

Int’l Food Tour (French-Canadian): Chez Ben Diner
CT Chocolate Trail: Divine Treasures
Roadfood List: Shady Glen Ice Cream
Roadfood List: Shady Glen Burger
Shady Glen Fried Cheese
Hosmer Mountain Soda
2nd Bridge Brewing Company
Elicit Brewing Company
Labyrinth Brewing Company
Parable Brewing Company (RIP)
Top Shelf Brewing Company (RIP)
Urban Lodge Brewing

Looking for your favorite restaurant? Here is an explanation as to why it’s not here.

Everything Else

National Historic Landmark: Cheney Brothers Historic District
US Oldest: Hilliard Mills
US Shortest & Longest: Cheney Railroad (RIP)
CT Freedom Trail: Walter Bunce House
CT Underground RR Trail: Hart Porter Homestead
CT Carousel Trail: Shoppes at Buckland Hills
Case Falls
Center Springs Falls
Wyllys Falls
Aussakita Acres
Oak Grove Covered Bridge
Beacon Hill Apartments Covered Bridge
Ravenwood Labyrinth
Possibly the largest cairn in CT
Time Machine Toy & Hobby
Wickham Park Sunday Trains
The Former Pitkin Glassworks
BEARS! (Two entries from Manchester!)

Manchester Wrap-Up

I “completed” Manchester in 2017 but new and/or previously unknown-to-me CTMQ-worthy places and things open all the time, so a town is never really “complete.” I will return someday to experience anything new on my list above.

Completion Celebration meal and Manchester Recap at Cavey’s! (RIP)