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A Bonnaroovian's Guide to Manchester

Manchester has hosted the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival for more than two decades. The spirit of friendliness, diversity and creativity of the festival has shaped many aspects of the town, leaving a mark on Manchester’s culture and way of life.

Photo: Odinn Media

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival sees tens of thousands of music lovers come to Manchester each June. If you are visiting and plan to stay a few days before or after the event, you’ll find an abundance of dining, outdoors and arts experiences in Manchester, many of them Bonnaroo-themed. Use this Bonnaroovian's guide to Manchester to plan your visit.

Where to eat in Manchester

Manchester offers many eateries, including Boskey’s Grille, serving made-from-scratch American food, and Kubo Grill, a Filipino Restaurant. J&G Pizza and Steakhouse and Ramsey Grill serve up generous portions of Greek-style meals. And when it comes to Bonnaroo-themed food, you must visit Jiffy Burger and order the multi-layered Bonnaroo Burger.

Shop downtown on the square

With its many shops and restaurants, Manchester’s downtown bursts with activities and emits positive energy any time of the year, but especially in the warmer months around Bonnaroo. The Manchester Community Market, held around the historic Coffee County Courthouse on the square, offers woodwork crafts. fabric arts, candles, jams, jellies and baked goods. You’ll see the colorful, tie-dye t-shirts and dresses, perfect to wear during the festival. The market is open Saturday mornings from May through October.

Photo: Odinn Media

Just off the square, you’ll find the Coffee County Farmers Market, with vendors selling locally grown fruit and vegetables. The farmers market is open from 6am to 12pm every Saturday, May through October.

Explore parks, Bonnaroo art

You’ll do plenty of walking on the festival grounds, but if you're looking for hiking and spending time in nature, Manchester has you covered. In addition to Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park with its hiking trails of various difficulty levels, the Little Duck River Greenway winds through the heart of town and along the river. If you’re an arts lover, one of the things to do if you’re coming for Bonnaroo is finding the Manchester murals decorating bridges and walls in the area. The Little Duck River Greenway will lead you to the Manchester Recreation Center. The painting on the wall facing the outdoor pool represents a rainbow and was sponsored by Bonnaroo.

Photo: Odinn Media

Where to stay in Manchester

If you’re coming to Bonnaroo Music and Festival and plan to take advantage of the many things to do in Manchester, you need to plan your stay in advance. Manchester provides various places to stay. You’ll find hotels, including Hampton Inn & Suites Manchester and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Manchester, as well as unique lodging options, such as Leming House Bed & Breakfast. Built in 1899 by local education advocate John H. Leming, Leming House Bed & Breakfast is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.