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. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ.
If I’ve missed anything in town or if anything has closed or changed, please let me know.
As of December 2025, I have visited and done everything I know of in Manchester, and have updated and edited every page below!
Museums
Cheney Hall
Cheney Homestead
Dehn Gallery (Closed)
Connecticut Firemen’s Historical Society 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
Explore Connecticut’s Manchester Guide
CFPA’s Shenipsit Trail – Intro
Hockanum River Trails – Intro
Manchester Land Conservation Trust Trails – Intro
- Alba Pavan Nature Preserve
Barlow Park
Buckland Pond
Bush Hill Preserve
Cheney Rail Trail
Fairway Park
Barnwood Trail at Griswold Park on Hills Street
Marsh Pond
The Path to Wellness
Purdy Nature Trail
Salters Pond
Spring St.- Hayden L. Griswold
Manchester’s Town Trails – Intro
- Case Mountain Recreational Area – 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/Rail Trails
Bigelow Brook Greenway (Potential future trail)
Captain John Bissell Trail
Charter Oak Greenway
Cheney Rail Trail
Hop River Linear State Park – Intro
- Section 1: Colonial Road to Bolton Notch State Park
Food & Drink
Roadfood List: Shady Glen Ice Cream
Roadfood List: Shady Glen Burger
CT World Food Tour: Ecuador, La Toquilla
CT World Food Tour: French-Canada, Chez Ben Diner
CT Chocolate Trail: Divine Treasures
CT Unique/Historic Food Trail: Shady Glen Fried Cheese
CT Soda Trail: Hosmer Mountain Soda
CT Beer Trail: 2nd Bridge Brewing Company
CT Beer Trail: Ericit Brewing Company
CT Beer Trail: Labyrinth Brewing Company (Closed)
CT Beer Trail: Parable Brewing Company (Closed)
CT Beer Trail: Top Shelf Brewing Company (Closed)
CT Beer Trail: Urban Lodge Brewing Company
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
World’s Only: Silk Vaults and Railroad Storage Shed
US Oldest: Hilliard Mills
US Shortest & Longest: Cheney Railroad
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 Farm
Oak Grove Covered Bridge
Beacon Hill Apartments Covered Bridge
The Former Pitkin Glassworks
Wickham Park Sunday Trains
Possibly the largest cairn in CT
Time Machine Toy & Hobby
Manchester: Complete!
I “completed” Manchester in 2017 and again in 2025, but new and/or previously unknown-to-me CTMQ-worthy places and things open from time to time, so a town may never really be “complete.” I will, of course, continue to seek out and write about these new places and things as best I can.
Manchester Wrap-up and Completion Celebration Meal at Cavey’s
