Plan the perfect day trip
Enjoy the foliage and great restaurants at these 6 places in Connecticut
To help you plan the perfect fall day trip, we came up with six recommendations for ways to enjoy the fall foliage: a hike to 360-degree views of central Connecticut; Impressionist paintings and grazing sheep; a drive through Litchfield County to a pair of historic covered bridges; a steam-powered mill and nearby vineyard; a rail trail converted for scenic hikes; and a castle. And with each one, we’ve offered dining suggestions.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection suggests the peak viewing period for fall foliage this year is Oct. 24 through Nov. 6, but color is spreading in some parts of the state, and the viewing season may be shortened by strong windstorms that have been forecast for this month.
Bask in the wonders of the leaves while they’re still up there, glowing and turning.
A lot of parks, tourist destinations and other prime fall day trip destinations have been compromised by COVID regulations but are fine for leaf-looking. Check websites, include the state’s own portal. ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/, for useful updates.
Simsbury: Towering images
Hueblein Tower, looming over Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury, is actually the fourth, and by far the longest lasting, tower on the site. The 165-foot structure itself is not climbable right now due to COVID restrictions but the surrounding park is open and you can see foliage from there just as well. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset (which is around 6:30 p.m. these days).
Restaurant suggestions: Metro Bis is open Saturdays through Tuesdays for leisurely lunches at the Joseph Ensign House mansion (metrobis.com) or pop over to the Popover Bistro and Bakery, with casual healthy (and decadent) breakfast, brunch and lunch fare popoversimsbury. com
Farmington: Gazing and grazing
Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington was a jewel in Connecticut’s culture crown all summer during the COVID crisis. Its large lawn has hosted concerts, play readings, comedy shows and dance events by dozens of local artists who couldn’t work in their own spaces. (On Oct. 25 there’s a operatic tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.) Hill-Stead has always been versatile that way. Its vast property of over
150 acres is anchored by a historic home that’s been turned into a museum of 18th century home furnishings, 19th and 20th century sculptures, an impressive collection of French Impressionist paintings and more. Tours have resumed, on a first-come first-served basis, for very small groups, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Outdoors, which is where you’ll want to be to look at leaves, Hill-Stead has three miles of hiking trails, including one that leads to a sheep farm. hillstead.org.
Restaurant recommendations: You can find New American cuisine at Fork &
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