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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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Litchfield County

Connecticut Barns | Dorsett Farm

March 9, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love them? This one is from the Dorsett Farm in Morris, Connecticut.

Filed Under: Connecticut Tagged With: barns, Litchfield County, Morris

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 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

Day Trip to Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT

November 16, 2011 by Elizabeth Larkin 5 Comments

Day Trip to Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT{Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT  (map)}

Walking into the tasting room at Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT is akin to walking into your college roommate’s parents’ super-posh home. The kind that decided while on a day trip antiquing from the city, to just buy an old barn and convert it into a vacation home, you know, just because… Haight-Brown is just downright comfortable. The tasting room features a large bar with plenty of seating, some tables and chairs scattered around the room for groups, and a few fireplaces to cozy up to. For eats, they serve a killer combination of the three Cs: cheese, crepes and chocolate.

I was far too busy enjoying the cheese and wine to get pictures of the indoor tasting room (you can peruse some here), but the views outside were pretty spectacular, too.

[Read more…] about Day Trip to Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel Tagged With: ct wine trail, day trip, girls day out, good for groups, Litchfield, Litchfield County, Preppy Connecticut, romantic

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Connecticut Day Trips is a blog about travel and life in Connecticut, written and photographed by a native who moved away, moved back, and learned to love it: About/Contact

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

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 […]

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