Manchester is a small village just east of Hartford with tree-lined streets, brick buildings and cozy older homes. A barrage of specialty stores and restaurants huddle together in the downtown and in several strip malls around the area. Dining pleasures are plentiful and varied, from designer pastas and homemade bread to sushi and tandoori chicken.

Live theater and concerts light up the stage at Cheney Hall in the historic district. And what began as a bicentennial celebration in 1976, the Band Shell, is now home to annual summertime concerts under the stars where audiences stretch out on blankets and revel in the sounds of music.

With the onset of the Great Depression, the town that was once known throughout

the land as the "Silk Capital" went bust. It remained stagnant until the 1990s when construction of the Buckland Hills Mall and similar outlets in town stimulated a pulse in the community. Today, Manchester is a charming and vivacious town that has much to offer.

With more than 1000 acres of parkland, there are loads of activities available in this pleasant New England town. There are hiking trails, ranging from easy, flat terrain to hills and wetlands. There are also about 76 miles of bike paths, indoor pools and tennis courts. Several golf greens exist in the area, as well.

Case Mountain Park offers excellent trails for hiking and biking. One of the nicest parks in the area is Wickham Park with 215 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows. Its serene garden paths and aviary, with nearly 50 species of exotic birds, makes coming here a delightful experience.

Manchester is about 10 miles southeast of Hartford on SR-44.