Location: Manchester
Top Things to do in Manchester
Countries
The 5 Best Things to Do in Manchester, United States
Manchester is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,179 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Delaware County. Manchester is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and State Highway 13, and is the largest community in Delaware County.
Restaurants in Manchester
1. Castle Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Jim W - Lake Delhi, Iowa
This community run theatre offer the latest movies at bargain prices. The neat and clean classic architecture theatre will remind older folks of the small town cinemas they grew up with, but the movies and equipment are new, the seats updated and comfortable, and popcorn is free every Wednesday!
2. The Grizzlly Den
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Brecon_Man - Brecon, Wales
The Grizzlly Den is the home of the Grizzlly Burger which is one of the best burgers I have ever had.
Other food here such as the Tenderloin or Fried Chicken are good value and large portion sizes. Ordering a side of Hash Browns with your meal will mean you will not need to eat for a few days.
This is a small town bar/restaurant with friendly staff, pool tables and TV.
Live music and DJ's on most weekends.
Well worth a visit if you are in NE Iowa, just a few miles south of the 20.
3. Backbone State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By patn03 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
We camped at the Six Pines campground here over Labor Day weekend. We found a beautiful park to hike, with enough trails to keep us busy for 2.5 days dedicated to hiking. The trails are lovely, although most of the ones near the campgrounds are somewhat challenging with a fair amount of hills. If you take the trails at a good clip, you'll be tired the next day! Although it was a busy weekend, we didn't meet many people hiking the trails. Make sure to bring your own map - although a few trailheads have large maps, the trails are not well signed once you leave the trailhead and we did not find maps we could take anywhere. Several people have recently been seriously injured hiking off the trail on the steep or rocky terrain - so make sure you're prepared to find the trails! Note also that although there are bathrooms at several locations, most of them do not have a sign unless you go around the side and right up to the door. There are almost no trash bins around the park, so if you bring a dog you may be carrying your bags out with you.
There are other options for activities that we did not partake in: great picnic areas, a river and stream that we saw lots of people fishing in and a swimming beach. Many of the trails also allow mountain biking or horse riding.
We tend to prefer campsites that are further away from other campers for a little privacy, and Six Pines was reasonably nice for this. There is no shelter between campsites, but the sites are a nice size. We camped along the outside of the circle, so the back side of our site was facing the woods. Six Pines is rustic, so no showers or flush toilets (or water/electrical hookups for RVs), although there is a tap for water (and a little playground for kids). If you want firewood, you'll need to chop your own in the forest (we heard quite a few people doing this) or head over to the other campground where they sell local firewood. This isn't a terribly far drive, but you do need to leave the park and go around to another entrance. This campground is primarily intended for tents as there are no hookups and the ground isn't perfectly level, but we stayed in our "mini RV" (which is just a large van converted to an RV) with no problems. Anything larger than our 22 feet might have presented a problem fitting in the site, though.
I would certainly visit Backbone State Park again; the camping was pleasant (and much less expensive that Minnesota or Wisconsin state parks!), the hiking was beautiful and varied, and there's a good amount of things to do here.
4. Manchester Fish Hatchery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Randy L - Dubuque, Iowa
Located near Highway 20, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Dubuque, the Manchester hatchery is an eye-opener for kids! Eggs are harvested and fertilized from huge trout and then raised as hatchlings indoors and outdoors until they are ready for stocking in trout streams in northeastern Iowa. I've taken classes here for outdoor education many times. The size these fish can attain will amaze you. Kids can get a Dixie cup of food to feed the fish which starts a feeding frenzy they will never forget. Parents and grandparents--this is a wonderful place for take youngsters. Teachers--call ahead an get the film they show about how trout streams are created and protected.
5. Bailey's Ford Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Daniel B - Cedar Rapids
The other day when I was checking out the NEW dam that was rebuilt after the Flood of 2008 in Delhi, Iowa, I was driving the countryside just checking out the local area when I stumbled upon this spot of land that holds, what has to be the BEST kept secret for fishing in these neck of the woods. Let me tell you people, if you really want to fish for trout in a stream that holds many of these type of fish then THIS is the place to fish. The stream is chock full of these beauties. I was able to just walk up and looked in and saw many just a few feet from shore. The water here is very clear and cold. The area is set up for camping. There are currently 30 sites available; many with electricty and water; a dump station; showers and drinking water;hiking trails(my fave); places set up for volleyball;baseball field; hunting is nearby so be careful;trout stream fishing; boat ramp;a cool Nature center with yes, live wildlife exhibits; and facilities for the handicapped. There is plenty of parking just about everywhere I went. Although this place is small, It is only 100 acres; it sure does pack a big hit with the local fishermen. Quiet and calm; fish so close you could catch one with your hands right out of the water-if you are quick enough I suppose. In my opinion, this is an oasis out in the middle of corn country!
