Jessica's Guidebook
Local businesses
Places that we enjoy patronizing and think that you will too
This is a wonderful, large bookstore, with events and a nice cafe. It’s well beloved around here, and with good reason.
126 locals recommend
Northshire Bookstore
4869 Main StThis is a wonderful, large bookstore, with events and a nice cafe. It’s well beloved around here, and with good reason.
Nice natural market with lovely wine selection, just steps from the property.
15 locals recommend
Natures Market
303 Center Hill RdNice natural market with lovely wine selection, just steps from the property.
Sandwiches, local brews, livestock feed, excellent gear, fancy snacks and decent wines, they sell everything an upscale small town resident might need. In the summer, the farmers market is here too.
29 locals recommend
H N Williams Store
2732 VT-30Sandwiches, local brews, livestock feed, excellent gear, fancy snacks and decent wines, they sell everything an upscale small town resident might need. In the summer, the farmers market is here too.
Manchester Farmers Market
Vermont Route 7aDorset Farmers Market
1430 VT-30Local produce, treats and maple crème’s. Cute pet chickens and goats too.
23 locals recommend
Dutton Farm Stand
2083 Depot StLocal produce, treats and maple crème’s. Cute pet chickens and goats too.
Outdoors gear and fly fishing school. Cool, stocked fish ponds at their flagship store. You can buy fish food from a dispenser and watch the tame beauties eat it up.
53 locals recommend
Orvis
4180 Main StOutdoors gear and fly fishing school. Cool, stocked fish ponds at their flagship store. You can buy fish food from a dispenser and watch the tame beauties eat it up.
Food scene
Delicious, family owned food truck fare available late spring through fall.
Jamerican Cuisine Food Truck
4180 Main StreetDelicious, family owned food truck fare available late spring through fall.
Nicely prepared, simple local fare in a low key, hip space. Great outdoor dining space in the warmer months.
40 locals recommend
The Crooked Ram
4026 Main StNicely prepared, simple local fare in a low key, hip space. Great outdoor dining space in the warmer months.
If you can get in (plan about 2-3 months in advance), this is a great place and very highly acclaimed.
59 locals recommend
The Silver Fork
48 W RdIf you can get in (plan about 2-3 months in advance), this is a great place and very highly acclaimed.
High end rug and furniture shop that becomes a Turkish restaurant in the evenings. The food is superb.
9 locals recommend
Depot 62
515 Depot StHigh end rug and furniture shop that becomes a Turkish restaurant in the evenings. The food is superb.
So you don’t miss New York too much. Get the Saturday pasta if you can.
33 locals recommend
Al Ducci's Italian Pantry
133 Elm StSo you don’t miss New York too much. Get the Saturday pasta if you can.
The Works Café
13 Riverside HeightsBest place for a quick, cheap bite.
Decent Thai food, very close to the house. Go with the curries and skip the pad Thai.
60 locals recommend
Thai Basil Restaurant
4940 Main StDecent Thai food, very close to the house. Go with the curries and skip the pad Thai.
Mach's Market
18 School StDelicious deli, good wood fired pizza, snacks and local brews.
Excellent breads and vegetarian spreads. In the summer they have a fun, funky concert series.
14 locals recommend
Earth Sky Time Community Farm
1547 Main StExcellent breads and vegetarian spreads. In the summer they have a fun, funky concert series.
Nostalgic atmosphere and food selection. Pot pie and roasts and 1790 style beer. Very cozy and our very close neighbor.
47 locals recommend
YE OLDE TAVERN
5183 Main StNostalgic atmosphere and food selection. Pot pie and roasts and 1790 style beer. Very cozy and our very close neighbor.
Sushi Boat
4971 Main StTakeout sushi, short walk away.
Super easy, family owned Italian and Greek comfort food for dine in or take out. Very close.
33 locals recommend
Christos' Pizza and Pasta
4931 Main StSuper easy, family owned Italian and Greek comfort food for dine in or take out. Very close.
This is our favorite local spot. Worldly menu, everything meticulously prepared, decent prices and good service. What more could you want?
11 locals recommend
Mystic Cafe & Wine Bar
4928 Main StThis is our favorite local spot. Worldly menu, everything meticulously prepared, decent prices and good service. What more could you want?
Up For Breakfast
4935 Main StBest breakfast in town.
Willoughby's Depot Eatery
374 Depot StOld fashioned homemade donuts. The cider donuts are mighty fine.
Excellent European style bakery in Dorset, serving light fare. The best chocolate cake!
20 locals recommend
Dorset Bakery
3239 VT-30Excellent European style bakery in Dorset, serving light fare. The best chocolate cake!
Sightseeing
Emerald Lake
Nice swimming and hiking spot.
Southern Vermont Arts Center
860 Southern Vermont Arts Center DrHildene, The Lincoln Family Home
1005 Hildene RdLye Brook Falls Trailhead
Lye Brook Falls TrailBeautiful hiking in the national forest.
A beautiful piece of preserved land and demonstration farm. Good for hiking.
66 locals recommend
Merck Forest & Farmland Center
3270 VT-315A beautiful piece of preserved land and demonstration farm. Good for hiking.
The local rec center, with outdoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, walking path, a track and a fenced in dog park.
Rec Park Road
Rec Park RoadThe local rec center, with outdoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, walking path, a track and a fenced in dog park.
Riley Rink at Hunter Park
410 Hunter Park RdIndoor ice skating and outdoor disc golf.
Lovely xcountry skiing, skate skiing and yoga at this peaceful retreat about 30 minutes away.
27 locals recommend
Wild Wings Ski Touring Center
246 Styles LnLovely xcountry skiing, skate skiing and yoga at this peaceful retreat about 30 minutes away.