TRAILS TO HIKE With more than 130 miles of trails, at least 25 recreation areas, and countless campgrounds, this valley’s the ultimate in green. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union Bigger is better–9,600 acres (combined with Nipmuck State Forest) of scuba diving, fishing, hiking, and biking. Epic mountain laurel in June. 860-684-3430; ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp James l. Goodwin […]
By Yankee Magazine
Mar 05 2009
Still River Cafe, Eastford, Connecticut
Photo Credit : Graves, AnnieWith more than 130 miles of trails, at least 25 recreation areas, and countless campgrounds, this valley’s the ultimate in green.
Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union
Bigger is better–9,600 acres (combined with Nipmuck State Forest) of scuba diving, fishing, hiking, and biking. Epic mountain laurel in June. 860-684-3430; ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
James l. Goodwin State Forest, Hampton
All kinds of foliage and flowers, fishing and hiking, plus a natural science and forestry museum. 860-424-3200; ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
Mansfield Hollow State Park, Mansfield
Big water–that’s Lake Naubesatuck. Water sports and hiking. 860-928-6121; ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Pomfret
Check out Wolf Den, Indian Chair, and Table Rock. 860-928-6121; ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
There’s no shortage of inns and B&Bs; here’s a handful to get you started.
Chickadee Cottage B&B, Pomfret Center
As cute as it sounds, with two options: Carriage House and Lower Nest, available as short-term rentals or for families with children. 860-963-0587; chickadeecottage.com
Feather Hill B&B, Pomfret
Beautiful country rooms or a separate cottage with gas fireplace. 860-963-0522; featherhillbedandbreakfast.com
The Inn at Woodstock Hill, Woodstock
Cozy rooms, canopy beds, fireplaces, and country dining in a large, 1816 Federal mansion. 860-928-0528; woodstockhill.com
Campgrounds
Go to visitthelastgreenvalley.info and click on “Campgrounds” for a full listing (more than 35).
85 Main, Putnam
860-928-1660; 85main.com
The Golden Lamb Buttery, Brooklyn
860-774-4423; thegoldenlamb.com
Mansion at Bald Hill, South Woodstock
A former Gilded Age estate, it’s gone green, with a seasonal menu and local produce. 860-974-3456; mansionatbaldhill.com
Still River Cafe, Eastford
860-974-9988; stillrivercafe.com
The Vanilla Bean Cafe, Pomfret
860-928-1562; thevanillabeancafe.com
Connecticut Wine Trail
Pick up a “passport” and get it stamped as you travel through the vineyards and wineries, many in the Last Green Valley. 860-267-1399; ctwine.com
Antiques Marketplace, Putnam
All antiques, all the time. In fact, the entire downtown is like one big antiques market. 860-928-0442; putnamantiques.com
Celebrations, Pomfret Center
Ten rooms of original art and gifts in a colorful 1885 Queen Anne. 860-928-5492; celebrationsshoppes.com
The Christmas Barn, Woodstock
Twelve rooms of everything Christmas in a 1795 barn. 860-928-7652; thechristmasbarnonline.com
Majilly, Pomfret Center
Colorful, hand-painted pottery by Italian craftsmen and exhibited in an airy 19th-century barn (the adjacent Victorian farmhouse is also a B&B). 888-625-4559; majilly.com
Scranton’s Shops, South Woodstock
A group shop in a former smithy, with a mix of antiques, crafts, collectibles, and gifts. 860-928-3738
“Sundae Drives”
Pick up a copy of this brochure, listing no fewer than 21 places to sample a scoop, or download the PDF. mysticcountry.com
Creamery Brook Bison, Brooklyn
A bona fide bison farm offering year-round guided tours and wagon rides for groups. Reservations required. 860-779-0837; creamerybrookbison.net
Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, Sterling & Franklin
Family farm raising free-range turkeys and geese; Brown Cow Cafe with farm-fresh ice cream; and Milkhouse Bakery with pies, cookies, and muffins. 860-564-0248; ekonkhillturkeyfarm.com
Mik-Ran’s Sugarhouse, Brooklyn
Sugaring season is February/March: 3,000 taps; free samples and sugarhouse tours; lots of maple products year-round. 860-774-7926
Safe Haven Farm, Hampton
Baby alpacas galore in the spring and fall. What’s cuter than a cross between a fawn and a fuzzy little swan? 860-455-1101; safehavenalpaca.com
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Click here for a route through Brooklyn, Pomfret, Putnam, Eastford, and Hampton, for a visit in Connecticut’s Last Green Valley.