With its significant coastline and interior farmland, Connecticut suffers no shortage of great food from land and sea. But notwithstanding the state’s well-documented affection for pizza, it seems that the humble hamburger is the point of greatest pride in these parts–and it may have even been invented here. Where would American cuisine (and the U.S. […]
Wander the food trails of New England to discover the regions most popular fare.
Magnificent vistas along the miles of hiking paths and carriage roads in Acadia National Park are the result of man’s planning as much as nature’s hand.
William Tecumseh Sherman looks as though he hasn’t slept in 36 hours. His brow is sagging and creased, his eyes are swollen, and it’s unclear whether the scraggly beard on his chin is something he grew intentionally. His tie is noticeably askew, but, so the story goes, when Augustus Saint-Gaudens asked him to straighten it, […]
By the time Joe Decker lumbered to the finish line at last year’s PEAK Death Race, an ultra-endurance competition in Pittsfield, Vermont, he was clearly ready to stop moving. Over the course of 28 hours, Decker, a 40-year-old Californian whom Guinness World Records had once labeled “The World’s Fittest Man,” had jumped, run, and lifted […]
If you’re a young, talented musician and aspire to join a symphony orchestra one day, there’s one place where you want to summer. On a humid afternoon in late June, I’m walking across Tanglewood’s manicured grounds with a young violinist named Tema Watstein. She has long, dark hair and wears sandals and blue jeans, a […]
BEST ART ON A HILL Sculpture Barn, New Fairfield Dynamic in feeling, diverse in media, this atelier’s contemporary works reside in natural spaces both inside and out. The changing exhibit gallery was once owned by Louise Nevelson’s son. 3 Milltown Road. 203-746-6101; sculpturebarn.com BEST PEACEFUL RETREAT St. Edmund’s retreat, Enders Island, Mystic This retreat house […]
POTTERY PERFECTION Bantam Tileworks, Bantam Fired up by a many-colored spectrum of ceramic-topped game boards, trays, and handmade tableware, owners Darin Ronning and Travis Messinger make their one-of-a-kinds affordable, with prices from $20 to $100. Don’t miss the menagerie of bas-relief animal tiles. 931 Bantam Road (Route 202). 860-361-9306; bantamtileworks.com COTTAGE RETREAT Beech Tree Cottages, […]
BEST BALINESE IMPORTS Agabhumi: The Best of Bali, Westport Filled with beautiful, diverse jewelry, handbags, scarves, and sandals, all fashioned far away, but a good fit here. The prices will keep you coming back for seconds. 165 Post Road East. 203-557-0188; agabhumi.com BEST GARDEN & PICNIC PARK Wickham Park, Manchester Gardens inspired by England, Italy, […]
BEST TUBING Farmington River, New Hartford The gentle rapids here provide a rollicking good ride down a 2.5-mile stretch. Farmington River Tubing provides tubes, lifejackets, and a shuttle bus from the take-out back to the starting point (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day). 92 Main St. 960-693-6465; farmingtonrivertubing.com BEST RIVERSIDE BIKING Essex Loop, Essex A […]
BEST IMPRESSIONIST SUNSETS Bee & Thistle Inn & Spa,Old Lyme All nine guestrooms in this Colonial mansion are as graceful as the works of the American Impressionists who once painted beside its backyard river. There’s also a convivial restaurant and a rare petanque court for French lawn bowling. Rates: from $170. 100 Lyme St. 800-622-4946, […]
BEST CHOCOLATE INFUSION Chocopologie Cafe, South Norwalk No apologies for sweet-tooth temptations from breakfast to bedtime: cocoa-intensive baked goods for dessert and candies such as ginger-passion fruit. There are savory offerings, too, and a French-accented menu that includes cocoa-braised short ribs. Entrées: from $15. 12 South Main St. 203-854-4754; chocopologie.com BEST CITY CHIC Firebox, Hartford […]
