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

December 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

Saturday Farmers Market in Washington Depot CT

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

Filed Under: Connecticut Tagged With: gilmore girls, going solo, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, romantic

A Weekend Away in Litchfield, Connecticut

November 12, 2015 by Elizabeth Larkin 1 Comment

Weekend in Litchfield Connecticut

When I thought about what I wanted to do for my birthday this year, I couldn’t stop thinking about a weekend away in Litchfield. [Read more…] about A Weekend Away in Litchfield, Connecticut

Filed Under: Connecticut Tagged With: airbnb, good for groups, Litchfield, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, weekend getaway

A Visit to Averill Farm in Washington Depot

October 18, 2015 by Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

Averill Farm Washington Connecticut

If you thought picking apples and pumpkins in an orchard and then eating apple cider doughnuts and drinking apple cider were great, how about throwing some pizza in there too. [Read more…] about A Visit to Averill Farm in Washington Depot

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: apple cider doughnuts, apple orchards, day trip, foliage, girls day out, good for groups, kid-friendly, Litchfield, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, lunch, outdoorsy, pizza, pumpkins

October at Miranda Vineyard

October 23, 2014 by Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

IMG_7933

This visit was over my birthday weekend in October and the leaves had juuuust fallen off the trees so the landscape was barren-esque, bit not so barren as to have no color at all. [Read more…] about October at Miranda Vineyard

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel Tagged With: ct wine trail, good for groups, Goshen, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, outdoorsy, Preppy Connecticut, romantic

Where can you find cider wine between Farmington and Litchfield?

October 14, 2014 by Elizabeth Larkin 2 Comments

IMG_7878

I received this question and can’t think of what this place could be… any ideas?

Hi. I visited Connecticut in 2012 and happened on a small roadside shop on the route to Litchfield from Farmington. I cannot for my soul recall the name of the place, but it had the best cider wine I ever had! It was not a huge farm or orchard, just a small family run store. Any ideas what it is? I don’t know the route name either, but it even may have been further out as I went on up into Cornwall bridge too. Thanks for any help!! Anna Walker

SOLVED: Hogan’s Cider Mill in Burlington

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: Farmington, Farmington Valley, Hartford County, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, questions

Christmastime in Litchfield, Connecticut

December 13, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 3 Comments

Christmas in Litchfield - 1

Christmas in Litchfield - 1

I could say that I didn’t take too many pictures in Litchfield because I wanted you to experience it in person, for yourself, but the fact is I just wanted to walk around and window shop. Like Stonington and Essex, Litchfield is the kind of town to just park your car and take a walk around.  I love all three of these towns so much for that reason, and because each is a great jumping off point for a day trip. [Read more…] about Christmastime in Litchfield, Connecticut

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: a good walk, Bantam, christmas in connecticut, ct wine trail, girls day out, good for groups, Litchfield, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, Preppy Connecticut, romantic, shopping

Things to Do Near Winvian in Morris

October 27, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 1 Comment

Winivan in Morris, Connecticut - 1

Winivan in Morris, Connecticut - 2

The best place to wait out a major hurricane, freak snow storm, or other natural catastrophe is–by far–a city. Mike and I remained blithely unaware of the doom inflicted on Greater Hartford for a full 24 hours after 2011’s “Snocktober” storm because we were in Hartford. [Read more…] about Things to Do Near Winvian in Morris

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, Morris, Preppy Connecticut, romantic

An Afternoon in New Preston

August 30, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 4 Comments

Kitchen Supply in New Preston

New Preston, Connecticut - 11

New Preston, Connecticut  is actually called New Preston Marble Dale and it’s part of the town of Washington, Connecticut. Yes, I’m confused, too. Washington was the inspiration for the setting of the TV show “Gilmore Girls.” The show’s creators took a trip to Connecticut while renovating their home to inspect the wallpaper in the Mark Twain House in Hartford, and stayed in Washington Depot while in the State. I believe they stayed at the Mayflower Inn, and I really can’t believe this is my first-ever reference to that show on this blog (and neither can anyone that knows me personally). I was a huge fan, and I probably should have waited until I actually visit Washington to drop my “Gilmore” knowledge on you. [Read more…] about An Afternoon in New Preston

Filed Under: Connecticut, Gilmore Girls, Travel Tagged With: a good walk, antiquing, day trip, gilmore girls, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, New Preston, Preppy Connecticut, romantic, shopping

Make-Your-Own Picnic Lunch in Bantam

August 7, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 3 Comments

Arethusa Dairy in Bantam, CT - 01

Bantam Bread Company in Bantam, CT - 05

I first discovered the Bantam Bread Company at the Hill-Stead Museum Farmer’s Market one Sunday morning when my mother insisted I try a “dirt bomb,” from their stand. A dirt bomb is basically a doughnut hole covered in sugar and cinnamon so there’s really nothing not to love about it (you can see a picture of my nephew enjoying one in this post on the Hill-Stead Farmer’s Market). I’m really more of a savory breakfast person than a sweet one, so when Mike and I visited their shop in Bantam earlier this summer we chose a freshly-baked loaf of bread instead and then headed across the street to Arethusa’s Dairy to find an accompaniment.  Arethusa’s sells fresh milk, ice cream, cheese, and butter from cows that are treated better than most beloved household pets (you can read all about how the dairy and farm were started in this New York Times article The Dairy Built on Stiletto Heels).

Park your car at one or the other and carefully cross the street–or as Mike calls it “frogger it”–to the other. This little stretch of road is really a foodie’s make-your-own-picnic dream spot. Here you will get some of the best bread and dairy products in Litchfield County, and they are the perfect accompaniment to wine tasting at one of the many vineyards in this area, a hike, or back at home after a day trip. Check out the trips page for ideas in the area. [Read more…] about Make-Your-Own Picnic Lunch in Bantam

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel Tagged With: Bantam, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, 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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Saturday Farmers Market in Washington Depot CT

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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