Manchester, Vermont

Every state has its ‘Snootyville’, and Manchester Village is Vermont’s. Plenty of outlet mall type shopping is available in the adjacent town of Manchester Center. In terms of shopping, Manchester Center is similar to Freeport, Maine (home of LL Bean). The Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows are held in the area and the Manchester Music Festival occurs in July and August. The town was one of several chartered in 1761 by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire. It was his custom to name new towns after prominent English aristocrats of the day, hoping they might adopt a patronly interest in their namesakes. Wentworth named Manchester for Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester.