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Connecticut Day Trips

Traveling the globe from my home base in beatuful Connecticut

Saturday Farmers Market in Washington Depot CT

Washington, Connecticut: The Town That Inspired Gilmore Girls [Itinerary]

December 31, 2019 By Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

Some days, you just gotta get in your car and drive to a new town and see the sights. Washington, Connecticut is a really good town to drive to. It’s got a rustic-chic vibe with its mix of locals and weekenders from New York City. There are rolling hills, sprawling farms, and very nice restaurants to eat and drink in.

Washington Connecticut Day Trip

Bryan Memorial Town Hall in Washington CT

You can park your car at the Hickory Stick bookshop and spend an hour or two wandering it’s little “downtown” area. There’s the bookshop, Marty’s Cafe for coffee, some clothing stores and on Saturdays in the spring, summer and fall, a small farmers market.

Washington is famously the setting for the TV show show “Gilmore Girls” and while it doesn’t exactly resemble Stars Hollow, it does have all the trappings of small town life: lots of community activities, a folksy vibe, and tons to do (see my list below). As I say in my Gilmore Girls Guide to Connecticut (coming soon!), Washington is way more rural and outdoorsy than Stars Hollow.

Saturday Farmers Market in Washington Depot CT

The point of traveling to a town like Washington is to just be there, to soak up the small-town atmosphere.

Park at the Byran Memorial Town Hall. There’s a farmers market on Saturday mornings in the spring, summer and fall where you can stock up on local produce. Then hit Marty’s Cafe for a coffee before browsing the Hickory Stick Bookshop. There are other small retailers to dip into as well.

The day I visited I spent about an hour checking out the scene in town before wandering down route 47 towards the intersections of Kirby Road, Whykeham Road, and Parsanoge Lane.

There’ll you’ll find another little town center but this one looks like time forgot it. The buildings are still well kept and blindingly white, but there’s one lonely store and what looks to be an old town square.

I parked my car on a side street ear the intersection, grabbed my camera and roamed the area. There you’ll find the The First Congregational Church, the Gunn Memorial Library and the Gunn Historical Museum.  I didn’t see many people, but there was a fairly regular flow of vintage cars out for a weekend drive.

From there I continued North on Route 47 (enter Hopkins Vineyard into your GPS or Google Maps app) and enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery Connecticut has to offer: rolling hills, gentleman’s farms and finally, a view of Lake Waramaug on the approach to Warren and the winery.

This would be a beautiful day trip year-round.

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON, CONNECTICUT:

Averill Hill Farm
250 Calhoun St.
Washington, CT 06794

For apple picking, pumpkin picking, pizza, apple cider and apple cider doughnuts.

Hollister House Garden
300 Nettleton Hollow Rd
Washington, CT 06793

The Institute For American Indian Studies
Curtis Rd
Washington, CT 06793

Mayflower Spa
118 Woodbury Rd (Route 47)
Washington, CT 06793

I am DYING to try this place. I plan to organize a day trip there with my girlfriends this winter

Gunn Historical Museum
5 Wykeham Rd
Washington, CT 06793

Hidden Valley Preserve
198 Bee Brook Rd
Washington Depot, CT 06794

PLACES TO EAT IN WASHINGTON, CONNECTICUT

The White Horse Country Pub
258 New Milford Turnpike
New Preston, CT 06777

British Pub Food in the Litchfield Hills.

GW Tavern
20 Bee Brook Rd
Washington Depot, CT 06794

The Pantry
5 Titus Rd
Washington Depot, CT 06794

Norimaki
4 Green Hill Rd
Washington, CT 06793

A local Favorite.

Marty’s Cafe
4 Green Hill Rd #1
Washington Depot, CT 06793

The Washington Pizza House
13 River Rd
Washington Depot, CT 06794

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Best Places for Coffee in Hartford

March 5, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 6 Comments

Eating out should be special, and special to me means not wasting an opportunity on a chain restaurant. I want it to be a local place, and I want it to be good, whether it’s upscale or a dive bar. This especially applies when I’m daytripping and find myself in a new town or corner of the state.  With that in mind, I am launching a new series called Five Good Places, that will list five places to eat and drink in towns, or near towns and regions, that are not massive chain restaurants. I’m talking about the kinds of places people who check the Chowhound boards eat in; in short, the type of places you should hit up for a native dining experience when you find yourself in a particular corner of the world, whether it be New Canaan, New Hartford or North Grosvenordale.

So here is the inaugural Five Places, and where better to start than with coffee in our capital city with Five Good Places for Coffee in Hartford? I’m always on the lookout for good coffee. If I can’t make own at home, I really rather try a local place than a D+D.

Blue State Coffee

777 Main St
Hartford, CT 06103

Mozzicato DePasquale Bakery & Pastry

329 Franklin Ave
Hartford, CT

Tisane Euro-Asian Cafe

537 Farmington Ave
Hartford, CT

Sarah’s Coffee House

257 Asylum St
Hartford, CT 06103

Story and Soil

387 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06106

Did I miss one? Leave your opinion below.

 

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks Tagged With: coffee, Greater Hartford, Hartford, Hartford County

Postcard from Southfarms in Morris, CT

February 29, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 5 Comments

Postcard from Southfarms in Morris, Connecticut.

I happened upon Dorsett Farm in Morris, CT while driving between Bethlehem and Litchfield searching for a place to stop for an afternoon snack (we settled on @ The Corner in Litchfield). I couldn’t resist pulling over to get some shots of this beautiful farm. After doing a little online research, it turns out that Dorsett Farm is now run in collboratin with the Paletsky Farm directly across the road. The two combined to create South Farms Agricultural offering the South Farms CSA program.

Here’s what their website has to say:

“South Farms is pleased to be offering locally grown vegetables as well as grass-fed, all-natural, free-range meats to our community. Look for us at Farmer’s Markets and at our Farm Stand in Morris this summer for great salad greens, fresh and delicious ripe heirlloom tomatoes, herbs, amazing root vegetables and more in addition to delicious grass fed beef and pork (available by cut or in larger quantities by pre-order) and farm fresh eggs. We will also be offering a wide selection of baked goods, baked fresh with seasonal goods from our farm as well prepared food items like soups, breads, jams, pickles and salsas also made with our in-season produce!”

I can’t wait to take a trip back this summer when I’m sure it will be even more beautiful.


 

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel Tagged With: barns, farms, Litchfield County, Morris, quainty quaintness

5 Places to Eat New Haven Pizza

February 23, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 1 Comment

An interactive map of five places to eat pizza in New Haven, CT

New Haven-ites, and people grew up around them, get very, very excited about New Haven pizza, and I have to wholeheartedly agree: New Haven pizza is excellent. (Although, as the daughter of two New Yorkers, I prefer a New York slice, and specifically one from University Pizza in The Bronx.)

People have been debating exactly which New Haven apizza has the best pie for years, and that will continue unabated on street corners and online forums for years to come, but I can assure you that any of the restaurants below are completely worth the drive from farer-flung corners of the state, and the perfect accompaniment to a visit to one of New Haven’s many attractions*.

The 5 Best Places for Pizza in New Haven

Bar (map)
254 Crown St
New Haven, CT
(203) 495-1111

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (map)
157 Wooster Street
New Haven, CT
(203) 865-5762

Kitchen Zinc (map)
966 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT
(203) 772-3002

Modern Apizza (map)
874 State Street
New Haven, CT
(203) 776-5306

Sally’s Apizza (map)
237 Wooster Street
New Haven, CT
(203) 624-5271

*Another thing about New Haven pizza: New Haven happens to be the perfect place for a rest stop if you’re driving through Connecticut on 95 or 91. If you’re traveling to some place in Connecticut, your hosts will appreciate a pizza from any of these establishments.

 

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Yale Area Tagged With: Greater New Haven, New Haven, New Haven County, pizza

Day Trip to Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vermont

February 9, 2012 by ctcalendargirl Leave a Comment

When you think of taking a day trip to Vermont, think of Cold Hollow Cider Mill. It’s everything you want it to be – and a little bit more. Not only can you peruse the rows of homemade jams, jellies, mustards, and spreads, but also sample them! Then, to wash it all down, help yourself to a generous free sample of Cold Hollow Apple Cider. Last but not least, grab a cup of coffee at their charming country store counter and purchase a homemade apple cider donut.* The experience will leave you feeling nostalgic for the days of yore. Cold Hollow Cider Mill has been operating since the 1920’s and makes fresh cider year round.

** My donut desire got the best of me – and before I could snap a picture, the donut was gone.

DAY TRIP ITINERARY: Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury, VT
Each day trip itinerary includes the main event, plus suggestions — with names, addresses and maps — of places to eat, shop, or “notable neighbors” to check out while you’re in the area. There is baked-in flexibility to mix and match, or follow the itinerary to the letter. If you have suggestions, lemme know!

Cold Hollow Cider Mill (map)
3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road (Route 100)
Waterbury Center, VT

DINING

Hen of the Wood (map)
92 Stowe Street
Waterbury, VT

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory (map)
1281 Waterbury Stowe Rd.
Waterbury, VT

NOTABLE NEIGHBORS

Cabot Cheese Store  (map)
2657 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, VT

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel, Vermont Tagged With: day trip, Waterbury

Postcard from Gather in Ivoryton, Connecticut

February 7, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 1 Comment

Walking into Gather in Ivoryton, CT felt like walking into the antiques store I would open if I had both the budget and the eye for design needed to undertake opening up an antique store. Sarah and I visited mid-way through a marathon day of day tripping, and both walked around the store smiling and wishing we could take more pictures of Gather’s many household wares: jewelry, table top items, tapestries and those little trinkets you’re not quite sure the use or origin of, but you know you want anyway. We were both too shy to ask the shopkeeper’s if we could snap some photos inside, but below (and above) are a few shots of the outside of the store. I would recommend stopping into Gather before a show at the Ivoryton Playhouse located directly across the street. [Read more…] about Postcard from Gather in Ivoryton, Connecticut

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: antiquing, CT Shoreline, Eastern Connecticut, Ivoryton, Middlesex County, quainty quaintness, shopping

Day Trip to the Essex Steam Train

February 1, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 3 Comments

Essex Steam TrainThe Essex Steam Train in Essex, Connecticut (map)

I’ve been hesitating to post this day trip because technically, it’s winter, but as I write these words, the temperature in Farmington is 54 degrees and the sun is blazing through my kitchen window. So here goes the Essex Steam Train Day Trip. This is pretty much a have-to-do for kids growing up in Connecticut; I still remember my mom and grandmother taking my brother Brian and I when we were in elementary school and we talked about it for weeks before and weeks after our trip. A day trip here is not quite a trip to Disney World, but old trains are a rarefied experience for kids. [Read more…] about Day Trip to the Essex Steam Train

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: christmas in connecticut, CT Shoreline, day trip, Essex, kid-friendly, Middlesex County

5 Good Restaurants for Brunch in Hartford

January 4, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 7 Comments

{Brunch in Hartford @ Tisane of poached eggs, home fries, and well-done toast}

I was so overjoyed to hear that Firebox in Hartford would be serving brunch on New Years Day that I almost cancelled my trip to Vermont for the weekend. I consider myself a brunch connoisseur and Firebox has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in Connecticut. Luckily they’ve decided to expand their tavern brunch menu to an every-Sunday event featuring sweet and savory dishes like buttermilk waffles, duck confit salad, and thankfully, three different kinds of eggs benedict. Firebox joins four other restaurants serving Sunday brunch in Hartford:  First and Last Bakery, Half Door, Mo’s Midtown, and Tisane.

Firebox
539 Broad Street
Hartford, CT
(860) 246-1222

First and Last Bakery
920 Maple Ave
Hartford, CT 06114

First and Last Bakery has the best croissants in Hartford. This is where you go if you want to simply have some good coffee and a pastry (although they do have full meals).

Half Door
270 Sisson Ave
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 232-7827

Half Door is best for hearty fare. This gastro pub has all the favorites: corned beef hash, mile-high french toast and great drinks.

Mo’s Midtown
25 Whitney St
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 236-7741

Famous for their pancakes but remember to bring your own maple syrup.

Tisane
537 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT
(860) 523-5417

I love their Mexican breakfast pizza and bloody marys.

 

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks Tagged With: breakfast, brunch, Greater Hartford, Hartford, Hartford County

5 Favorite Places in Connecticut

December 18, 2011 by Elizabeth Larkin 5 Comments

The idea for Connecticut Day Trips was hatched when I moved from NYC back to my hometown in Connecticut in early 2011. Everyone kept asking me if I missed the city, and I surprised myself every time by saying, “No, I’m pretty happy here.” The truth is, I find Connecticut to be ideal for people who love travel, food and wine. It’s small geographical size is one of it’s greatest strengths, as you can get from one end of the state to the other in less than two hours, while passing beautiful scenery, terrific road food, plenty of museums to visit, mountains to climb, and trails to hike along the way.

Here are five places currently topping my list of venues to day trip to in Connecticut:

1. The Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington.

For both it’s picturesque landscape and world-class impressionist art collection, I like to go to the Hill-Stead for the farmer’s market, the house tours, and to just stroll the grounds taking in the scenery.

2. Barcelona in Norwalk.

I love Barcelona for their killer combination of paella and sangria. It’s my go-to restaurant when I visit my friends Nancy and Dan in Fairfield County, who thankfully, are also big paella-sangria fans making it much easier to share this huge family-style feast. (Thankfully, I have on right around the corner from me in West Hartford, too)

3. Plimptons in West Hartford. (now closed)

I grew up within walking distance to Plimptons in West Hartford Center (it’s one of the remaining stalwarts in the area), and while other kids wanted to hit up the Record Express and Baskin and Robbins (now a Ben and Jerry’s) after school, I loved to browse Plimpton’s rows of high-end office supplies and travel accessories, carefully selecting what I would purchase with an unlimited school supply budget. I guess that’s why I grew up to write about organization and productivity.

4. Antiques Marketplace in Putnam.

For it’s combination of size and range of different antique items (furniture, table top, clothing, jewelry, art work), I don’t think you can beat the Antiques Marketplace. It’s your best bet for a one-stop shopping experience in the “Quiet Corner,” not too mention it’s close proximity to the wonderful 85 Main, Courthouse Bar & Grille, and Sharpe Hill Vineyard. This area is a daytripper’s paradise.

5. Haight-Brown in Litchfield.

This is the winery to which I eagerly bring friends because it’s huge tasting room is the perfect marriage of large and inviting–so there’s no fighting for a place to sit–with a surprisingly cozy feel. They pair their wine with cheese and chocolate, and offer the chance to stop at my new favorite bar, At The Corner (also in Litchfield) for a burger and homemade potato chips.

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: ct wine trail, Fairfield County, good places, Greater Hartford, Hartford County, Litchfield County, museums, outdoorsy, Quiet Corner, Windham County

Christmas in Bethlehem, Connecticut Day Trip

December 16, 2011 by Elizabeth Larkin 2 Comments

Christmas in Bethlehem, Connecticut

Looking for something to do with your mom this season? I highly recommend a taking her to on a day trip to Bethlehem, CT to stamp your Christmas letters. The post office provides a wide array of specialty stamps for your cards and packages (see below) giving them a special personal touch, and the town of Bethlehem, CT itself provides a quaint backdrop and plenty of places to go for ladies who like to lunch. My mom and I visited the town, post office, and The Painted Pony restaurant on a sunny Friday and had a wonderful time navigating the beautiful landscapes in and around this Litchfield County town. See the itinerary below for our recommendations on where to go, what to do, and notable neighbors to drop in on while you’re in the area.

[Read more…] about Christmas in Bethlehem, Connecticut Day Trip

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: Bethlehem, christmas in connecticut, day trip, Litchfield County, Naugatuck Valley

Postcard from At the Corner in Litchfield

December 14, 2011 by Elizabeth Larkin 6 Comments

The bar At The Corner in Litchfield, CT

I fear I’m going to be contributing to people’s on-going food coma this December as I feature even more pictures of delectable food, but if At The Corner in Litchfield doesn’t raise a simple bowl of potato chips and a glass of wine to near-religious-experience-comfort-food goodness, I don’t know who does. I simply have no choice but to document the afternoon snack I had there last Friday.

My mom and I stopped in on our way back from Bethlehem, CT, and couldn’t have been happier with our glasses of cabernet and homemade chips-with-a-kick, which the restaurant makes daily as a bar snack for patrons. According the bartender Chris, the “kick” is from the BBQ seasoning, and most people sidle up to the bar or at a table at The Corner for their famous bison burgers. This is the perfect up-scale-but-friendly pit stop when visiting Haight-Brown Vineyard, or any of the many other fantastic attractions Litchfield County has to offer.

At The Corner (map)
3 West Street
Litchfield, CT 06763
(860) 567-8882

Notable neighbors: Haight-Brown Vineyard, Arethusa Dairy and Southfarms.

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks Tagged With: happy hours, Litchfield, Litchfield County

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