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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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Afternoon in Union Square, Flatiron & Gramercy

December 19, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 2 Comments

I spent the weekend in New York City a few weeks back and I’ve decided to break it up into several posts. Today’s part two is about how to spend a lovely afternoon in Union Square, Flatiron and Gramercy Park. You can read part one here, A Saturday Morning in Soho and my tips on How to Walk in Midtown Manhattan. 

On our walk up from Soho we hit one of the most familiar and dear places in New York City to me, Union Square. My last NYC apartment was in Gramercy, the neighborhood directly northeast of the Square, and I used to spend many weekend mornings strolling the famous Union Square Farmers Market with a cup of coffee. I would carefully select produce for the week, half of which I would use within three days, and the other half of which would go bad in my fridge as I got lazier about cooking as the week went on and succumbed to the allure of happy hour appetizers.

Regardless, you have to visit the market, and Union Square is a good jumping off point for touring these neighborhoods.

[Read more…] about Afternoon in Union Square, Flatiron & Gramercy

Filed Under: Food + Drinks, New York, New York City, Travel Tagged With: a good walk, cocktails, day trip, dinner, farmers markets, going solo, good for groups, holidays, lunch, romantic, shopping

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

How to Spend a Saturday Morning in Soho

November 30, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 2 Comments

A Saturday morning in Soho

I spent the weekend in New York City a few weeks back and I’ve decided to break it up into several posts. Today’s part one is all about how to kick off Saturday with one of the best brunches around, followed by a good walk and some window shopping.

My favorite way to experience New York is not to go in full-tilt planned. Instead, I like to choose a neighborhood and then go from there. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling with a group because you only have to take the subway, bus or a cab once, and I truly believe New York was meant to be experienced on foot.  On this trip, we did very grown up things: brunch at Balthazar, shopping in Soho and dinner at The Modern. This is not a kid-friendly trip, this is a trip for people who like to eat really good food and do a great deal of walking. You could do this as a group, as a couple, or by yourself.

The nice thing about NYC is that you can be alone together. While it’s a very romantic city, you can also spend a day by yourself out and about without getting any side-eyed glances. [Read more…] about How to Spend a Saturday Morning in Soho

Filed Under: Food + Drinks, New York, New York City Tagged With: a good walk, brunch, day trip, good for groups, lunch, romantic, shopping

Raincoat Shopping

October 9, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

Lands End Raincoats

Lands End RaincoatsRegular Rainstop Parka + Modern Swing Rain Parka

I don’t own a raincoat and haven’t in recent memory.  I’m sure when my mom was dressing me, I had one, but in my adult life, no. I probably own a dozen fall coats because they are one of my favorite things to shop for (after shoes, boots, and nail polish), but it never occurred to me to buy a raincoat. Even when I was living in New York City where,  without the aid of a car, I was exposed to the elements on my daily commute to and from work, I just soldiered on with a simple umbrella.  A few weeks back I went to a tailgate and the UConn game and had to borrow a raincoat from my mom. That just won’t do, so I’ve now committed myself to making this extremely boring purchase.  Plus, I’m a full time Connecticut girl now, owning and wearing a proper raincoat seems like a must-do.  My requirements are:

  1. It must be appropriate for spring and summer, since it’s not like it just rains in the fall. So no fleece or wool lining.
  2. It must be at least slightly fashionable. Even though raincoats are pretty utilitarian, I don’t want to look like I just decided to cut holes for my arms and head into a garbage bag.

I’ve order both the jackets above, and I’ll let you know how it goes, Internets.

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: shopping

5 Romantic Things to Do in Connecticut this Fall

September 27, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 3 Comments

5 Romantic Things to Do in Connecticut this Fall

Fall is hands-down my favorite time of the year. When I say this to friends, they respond “Yeah, because of your birthday.” My birthday is October 22, and I do take it seriously because I firmly believe any reason to celebrate should be embraced.  But it’s not my birthday that makes me cherish this season so much.  I could go on about the crisp air, the smell of leaves burning, the comfortable and chic fashion combo of jeans-sweater-boots, the apple cider donuts, Octoberfest ales, and the fact that everyone looks better with the glow of red-and-orange fall foliage in the background.

Instead I will summarize fall’s many charms this way: If it rains on a summer Saturday, it’s a real bummer, if it rains on a Saturday in the fall, it’s romantic. So take advantage.

Here are five ways to celebrate the most romantic time of the year. [Read more…] about 5 Romantic Things to Do in Connecticut this Fall

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: ct wine trail, good places, lists, Preppy Connecticut, romantic, shopping

A Day Trip to the Coventry Farmers Market

September 21, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 2 Comments

Coventry Farmers Market - 08

I posted my pictures from A Walk Through the Coventry Farmers Market last month, and today I’m posting the day trip. I could go on and on about how bright and vibrant the market is, but I’m going to let the fruits and veggies of the Coventry Farmers Market speak for themselves. Day trip itinerary is below. [Read more…] about A Day Trip to the Coventry Farmers Market

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel Tagged With: a good walk, Coventry, day trip, farmers markets, good for groups, kid-friendly, shopping, Tolland County

Another Hostess Gift Idea

September 20, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin Leave a Comment

Until you turn 80, you are no longer allowed to complain about “being old” around me.  Turning 80 is when you can eat whatever you want, in any quantity you feel is appropriate, and you can begin talking about how old you feel. After listening to an early twenty-something complain about “how old they’re getting” last night, I realize how inane and ridiculous the line of conversation is.

You may of course continue to discuss how certain things that signal the passage of time. Like, “I can’t believe my niece/nephew is in first grade,” or, “Can you believe we started high school 20 years ago this month?” Passage of time is still a legitimate and interesting topic of conversation.  (Other cliched topics I enjoy discussing: the weather in New England, bad hair days, and traffic patterns.)

Simply stating “I’m turning 28, I’m so old!” is not a legitimate topic of conversation. [Read more…] about Another Hostess Gift Idea

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: hostess gifts, shopping

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

A Walk in Stonington Borough

August 20, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 1 Comment

Stonington Borough, Connecticut - 05

Stonington Borough, Connecticut - 14

Stonington Borough is really having a moment right now. A movie was filmed there last summer that is now in theaters, and it’s August, so people are no doubt heading to the beach and stopping in this quainty quaint little village for dinner or drinks on the way back home. My next few posts will be about Stonignton Borough (I visited with Johnna in July, and with Mike on the day of the huge, paralyzing storm back in October of 2011) and I’ll be highlighting a different aspect of touring this tiny enclave with so much to offer. Today’s it’s simply taking a walk around. You could use a map, but you really don’t need one; one because this is such a small area it would be impossible to get lost, and two because it’s nice to be surprised as you turn each corner and run into yet another sea captain’s old house. [Read more…] about A Walk in Stonington Borough

Filed Under: Connecticut, Travel Tagged With: a good walk, CT Shoreline, historic districts, Mystic Area, New London County, Preppy Connecticut, romantic, shopping, Stonington

A Mother & Daughter Day Trip to Woodbury, Connecticut

August 17, 2012 by Elizabeth Larkin 1 Comment

2012-07 Day trips to Woodbury, CT - 29

Woodbury, Connecticut has been on my list for a long time but it wasn’t until my mom said she wanted to do a day trip for her birthday that I started researching the area. I wanted a grown-up girls-day-out feel and Woodbury really delivered. We started with lunch at Carole Peck’s Good News Cafe, did some strolling around the Main Street (this is another town where you can park your car and walk to different attractions), visited the Glebe House Museum, and a flower shop. The one thing missing to cap off a perfect mother-daughter day trip was a glass of champagne, so I’ve added in a recommendation for a spot to do just that in nearby Middlebury, CT.

(Next time: I’ll hit Flander’s Nature Center for the outdoorsy-ness, and Dottie’s Diner for some famous doughnuts.)

[Read more…] about A Mother & Daughter Day Trip to Woodbury, Connecticut

Filed Under: Connecticut, Food + Drinks, Travel Tagged With: antiquing, Litchfield County, Preppy Connecticut, shopping, Woodbury

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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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The Pelican Grand in Fort Lauderdale

Connecticutters at the Pelican Grand in Fort Lauderdale

Kitchen Supply in New Preston

An Afternoon in New Preston

Afternoon in Union Square, Flatiron & Gramercy

Day Trip to Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT

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Lobster Shack in Branford

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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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