Jim & Phoebe’s Guide to Hikes and other Activities

Jim & Phoebe
Jim & Phoebe
Jim & Phoebe’s Guide to Hikes and other Activities

Museums

A small museum highlighting Litchfield's historic past
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Litchfield Historical Society
7 South St
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
A small museum highlighting Litchfield's historic past
Part of the Litchfield Historical Society's offerings
16 preporuka/e lokalaca
Tapping Reeve House and Law School
82 South St
16 preporuka/e lokalaca
Part of the Litchfield Historical Society's offerings
An outstanding collection of American clocks and timepieces, showcasing Connecticut's contribution to American manufacturing.
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
American Clock & Watch Museum
100 Maple St
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
An outstanding collection of American clocks and timepieces, showcasing Connecticut's contribution to American manufacturing.
A fascinating collection of Merry-go-round artifacts from America's bygone era of amusement parks.
12 preporuka/e lokalaca
New England Carousel Museum
95 Riverside Ave
12 preporuka/e lokalaca
A fascinating collection of Merry-go-round artifacts from America's bygone era of amusement parks.
More interesting than the name would suggest, this museum was founded by Winsted native Ralph Nader.
The American Museum of Tort Law
654 Main St
More interesting than the name would suggest, this museum was founded by Winsted native Ralph Nader.
An extraordinary collection of early American tools.
12 preporuka/e lokalaca
Eric Sloane Museum & Kent Furnace
31 Kent Cornwall Rd
12 preporuka/e lokalaca
An extraordinary collection of early American tools.
An excellent art and history museum showcasing the Naugatuck Valley.
19 preporuka/e lokalaca
Mattatuck Museum
144 W Main St
19 preporuka/e lokalaca
An excellent art and history museum showcasing the Naugatuck Valley.
The best collection of Impressionist Paintings in Connecticut in a gorgeous setting.
18 preporuka/e lokalaca
Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain Rd
18 preporuka/e lokalaca
The best collection of Impressionist Paintings in Connecticut in a gorgeous setting.
A small museum all about nature.
71 preporuka/e lokalaca
White Memorial Conservation Center
80 Whitehall Rd
71 preporuka/e lokalaca
A small museum all about nature.

Our favorite hikes

Some of the nicest hiking in the county is right around the corner. Make sure to use bug spray or you might be frustrated by the little monsters.
Less than a mile round trip, this short hike down the road to the waterfall and swimming hole is a must for our guests.
Perkins Road
Perkins Road
Less than a mile round trip, this short hike down the road to the waterfall and swimming hole is a must for our guests.
The land trust owns several properties with trails. Our favorites are the Upper Bantam River Trail (381 Torrington Road), The Stillman-Danaher Trail (Now accessible from Perkins Road), and the Prospect Mountain Trail (Cathole Road in Bantam)
Litchfield Land Trust
28 Bantam Rd
The land trust owns several properties with trails. Our favorites are the Upper Bantam River Trail (381 Torrington Road), The Stillman-Danaher Trail (Now accessible from Perkins Road), and the Prospect Mountain Trail (Cathole Road in Bantam)
A beautiful setting with short hikes and a stunning Tudor house
31 preporuka/e lokalaca
Topsmead State Forest
31 preporuka/e lokalaca
A beautiful setting with short hikes and a stunning Tudor house
Miles of trails. Some of the trails might be crowded on nice weekends but there are plenty of out of the way trails that you can have almost to yourself. The boardwalk around little pond is a must. Bring bug spray.
71 preporuka/e lokalaca
White Memorial Conservation Center
80 Whitehall Rd
71 preporuka/e lokalaca
Miles of trails. Some of the trails might be crowded on nice weekends but there are plenty of out of the way trails that you can have almost to yourself. The boardwalk around little pond is a must. Bring bug spray.
This trail is part of the extensive Mattatuck trail that traverses the county. The Leatherman was reported to have used the cave as part of his annual trek.
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
Leatherman's Cave
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
This trail is part of the extensive Mattatuck trail that traverses the county. The Leatherman was reported to have used the cave as part of his annual trek.
In addition to swimming and picnicking, Mt Tom offers some excellent hiking trails. The tower trail is a favorite. The stone tower at the summit offers 360 degree views of the county. On a clear day, you can see New York and Massachusetts.
44 preporuka/e lokalaca
Mount Tom State Park
Mount Tom Road
44 preporuka/e lokalaca
In addition to swimming and picnicking, Mt Tom offers some excellent hiking trails. The tower trail is a favorite. The stone tower at the summit offers 360 degree views of the county. On a clear day, you can see New York and Massachusetts.
Like Mt Tom, Haystack offers an impressive stone tower at the summit.
11 preporuka/e lokalaca
Haystack Mountain Tower
11 preporuka/e lokalaca
Like Mt Tom, Haystack offers an impressive stone tower at the summit.
For a more rigorous hike, the Appalachian Trail passes over the summit of Bear Mountain. You can hike up to the summit from the south side, and then descend down the steeper north side and loop back to the access trail. We also like taking a backpack, climbing over the summit and then camping out in Sages Ravine or Race Mountain. Then the next day going over the top of Race Mountain and down the Race Brook Falls Trail to the road. It requires taking two cars or leaving a bicycle at the Race Brook trailhead, but it is well worth it.
19 preporuka/e lokalaca
Bear Mountain
19 preporuka/e lokalaca
For a more rigorous hike, the Appalachian Trail passes over the summit of Bear Mountain. You can hike up to the summit from the south side, and then descend down the steeper north side and loop back to the access trail. We also like taking a backpack, climbing over the summit and then camping out in Sages Ravine or Race Mountain. Then the next day going over the top of Race Mountain and down the Race Brook Falls Trail to the road. It requires taking two cars or leaving a bicycle at the Race Brook trailhead, but it is well worth it.
A fairly easy hike to one of the nicest waterfalls in western Massachusetts.
282 preporuka/e lokalaca
Državni park Bash Bish Falls
Falls Road
282 preporuka/e lokalaca
A fairly easy hike to one of the nicest waterfalls in western Massachusetts.
There are two falls here, the upper and the lower, both of which are beautiful, especially in the spring or after a rainy spell. The lower falls is an easier hike, but for the more energetic, I recommend the upper.
22 preporuka/e lokalaca
Race Brook Falls
22 preporuka/e lokalaca
There are two falls here, the upper and the lower, both of which are beautiful, especially in the spring or after a rainy spell. The lower falls is an easier hike, but for the more energetic, I recommend the upper.
A lovely park with spectacular falls, the trail takes you up to the top of the falls and back down the other side. Picnic tables abound here so make a day of it.
121 preporuka/e lokalaca
Kent Falls State Park
462 Kent Cornwall Rd
121 preporuka/e lokalaca
A lovely park with spectacular falls, the trail takes you up to the top of the falls and back down the other side. Picnic tables abound here so make a day of it.
Beautiful State Park in New Preston. hiking, swimming, and boating.
29 preporuka/e lokalaca
Lake Waramaug State Park
30 Lake Waramaug Rd
29 preporuka/e lokalaca
Beautiful State Park in New Preston. hiking, swimming, and boating.
Spectacular views, really cool old train tunnel.
49 preporuka/e lokalaca
Steep Rock Preserve
2 Tunnel Rd
49 preporuka/e lokalaca
Spectacular views, really cool old train tunnel.

Bike Paths and Rail Trails

These are some of the nicest bike trails around. If you are more of a road biker, just ask Jim to recommend roads for all day bicycling.
A very well maintained cinder and gravel bike/hike trail connecting Litchfield and Bantam
Litchfield Community Greenway Trailhead on South Lake Street
South Lake Street
A very well maintained cinder and gravel bike/hike trail connecting Litchfield and Bantam
A very nice asphalt bike path that goes almost from Torrington to Winsted.
Sue Grossman Still River Greenway
18 Lanson Dr
A very nice asphalt bike path that goes almost from Torrington to Winsted.
This extensive trail system goes from New Haven, CT up to Westfiield, MA. It can be crowded in some spots, especially when the weather is nice, but if you go north of Simsbury, you will have plenty of trail to yourself.
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
480 Cornwall Ave
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
This extensive trail system goes from New Haven, CT up to Westfiield, MA. It can be crowded in some spots, especially when the weather is nice, but if you go north of Simsbury, you will have plenty of trail to yourself.
Make a day of it and ride this lovely bike path with spectacular views of the Berkshires.
74 preporuka/e lokalaca
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Rail Trail
74 preporuka/e lokalaca
Make a day of it and ride this lovely bike path with spectacular views of the Berkshires.
This is a gem of a bike path that goes from Wassaic to Copake Falls.
19 preporuka/e lokalaca
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
19 preporuka/e lokalaca
This is a gem of a bike path that goes from Wassaic to Copake Falls.

Water Activities

Canoe and Kayak Rentals. We highly recommend taking a boat out on the Bantam River from Alain White Road.
Sportsmen's of Litchfield
725 Bantam Rd
Canoe and Kayak Rentals. We highly recommend taking a boat out on the Bantam River from Alain White Road.
Rent a Kayak, Canoe, or Tube and ride on the Farmington River.
38 preporuka/e lokalaca
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak
41 Bridge St
38 preporuka/e lokalaca
Rent a Kayak, Canoe, or Tube and ride on the Farmington River.
Cool water for swimming.
44 preporuka/e lokalaca
Mount Tom State Park
Mount Tom Road
44 preporuka/e lokalaca
Cool water for swimming.
Kayak and Canoe rentals on the housatonic
27 preporuka/e lokalaca
Clarke Outdoors
163 US-7
27 preporuka/e lokalaca
Kayak and Canoe rentals on the housatonic

Mini Golf

7 preporuka/e lokalaca
Matterhorn Mini Golf
10 Dyer Cemetery Rd
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
One of our favorites with the kids.
Riverfront Miniature Golf
218 River Rd
One of our favorites with the kids.
A fun mini golf and ice cream spot - they also have a driving range.
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream
1048 Farmington Ave
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
A fun mini golf and ice cream spot - they also have a driving range.
Mini golf, go carts and batting cages.
R&B Sports World
19 Rowley St
Mini golf, go carts and batting cages.
Enjoy a brew and try the three mile disc golf course.
Norbrook Farm Disc Golf Course
204 Stillman Hill Road
Enjoy a brew and try the three mile disc golf course.

Sightseeing

Guided horseback riding on nice trails through Topsmeade State Forest
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Lee's Riding Stable
57 E Litchfield Rd
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Guided horseback riding on nice trails through Topsmeade State Forest

Wineries, distilleries, breweries

40 preporuka/e lokalaca
Sunset Meadow Vineyards
599 Old Middle St
40 preporuka/e lokalaca
30 preporuka/e lokalaca
Kent Falls Brewing
33 Camps Rd
30 preporuka/e lokalaca
Very good Bourbon and gin.
35 preporuka/e lokalaca
Berkshire Mountain Distillers
356 S Main St
35 preporuka/e lokalaca
Very good Bourbon and gin.
A cool place in the old Torrington Fire Co. building.
Bad Dog Brewing Company
117 Water Street
A cool place in the old Torrington Fire Co. building.
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Brewery Legitimus
283 Main St
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Brass Works Brewing Company
2066 Thomaston Ave
Very good brews.
Little Red Barn Brewers
32 Lake St
This place has become the go to place for hard cider tasting on weekends. If the weather is nice you might have trouble finding a place to park.
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
Hogan's Cider Mill
522 Spielman Hwy
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
This place has become the go to place for hard cider tasting on weekends. If the weather is nice you might have trouble finding a place to park.
haven't been there in a while, but the last time I was there, the wine was very good.
50 preporuka/e lokalaca
Hopkins Vineyard
25 Hopkins Road
50 preporuka/e lokalaca
haven't been there in a while, but the last time I was there, the wine was very good.
This brewery is only about 20 minutes away. Excellent brews!
Evening Sky Brewing Company
280 Spielman Highway
This brewery is only about 20 minutes away. Excellent brews!
Good bourbon, good gin. A nice place to visit. about 45 minutes away.
35 preporuka/e lokalaca
Berkshire Mountain Distillers
356 S Main St
35 preporuka/e lokalaca
Good bourbon, good gin. A nice place to visit. about 45 minutes away.
17 preporuka/e lokalaca
Norbrook Farm Brewery
204 Stillman Hill Rd
17 preporuka/e lokalaca