Connecticut Best Attractions 2010

Best Heirloom Veggies
URBAN OAKS, New Britain
You may not expect to find an organic farm in the Hardware City, but that’s exactly what you get at Urban Oaks. The volunteer-run store is chock-full of heirloom and specialty produce, from ‘Thai Dragon’ peppers to ‘Red Kuri’ squash. 225 Oak St. 860-223-6200; blog.urbanoaks.org

Best Women’s Boutique
ARCHETYPE, New Haven
Pick up some cute Pur jeans, luxe cashmere cardigans, or stylish pieces such as slinky tanks, silk mini-dresses, and Kooba leather handbags. 265 College St. 203-562-6772; archetypeclothing.com

Best Under-The-Radar Arts Venue
HENDERSON CULTURAL CENTER AT HUNT HILL FARM, New Milford
A Litchfield Hills gem for nearly four decades, the art gallery, cooking school, and kitchen store are now joined by the Skitch Henderson Museum, honoring the famous conductor and composer who, with his wife, Ruth, lived on this 18th-century farm. 44 Upland Road (off Route 202). 860-355-0300; hunthillfarmtrust.org

Best Birding
BLUFF POINT STATE PARK & COASTAL RESERVE, Groton
Birders love this oasis on the otherwise-crowded Connecticut shoreline for its abundance of songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds–in the woods, along the beach, and on the namesake bluff perched above Long Island Sound. Depot Road (off Route 1). 860-444-7591

Best Short Hike
PINE KNOB LOOP TRAIL, Sharon
This 2.5-mile Appalachian Trail spur in the hills above the Housatonic River is perfect for hikers who want to sample the venerable footpath and be back to the car in a couple of hours. Parking: west side Route 7, south end Housatonic Meadows State Park. 860-424-3200, ct.gov/dep

Best Gourmand Stop
WEEKEND KITCHEN, Essex
Need a gift for the discriminating chef in your life? You’ll find a fascinating collection of everything from nutmeg graters to herbal dish soap, panini pans, and whimsical tea accoutrements (don’t miss the stainless-steel Michael Graves teapots). 6 North Main St. 860-767-1010; weekendkitchenct.com

Best Family Winery
SUNSET MEADOW VINEYARDS, Goshen
With 40 acres of grapes on rolling hills, the fruit yields nine handcrafted wines–six whites and three reds–that you can sample ($5.50) in a 19th-century barn (Fri.-Sun.). Fan favorite: the whimsically named “Sunset Blush.” 599 Old Middle St. (Route 63). 860-201-4654; sunsetmeadowvineyards.com

Best Children’s Bike Ride
FARMINGTON RIVER TRAIL, Collinsville
Riding this railroad-bed-turned-multiuse-trail is perfect if you’re cycling with a platoon of kids. Bridge St. (Route 179). fvgreenway.org

Best Local Craft
GUY WOLFF POTTERY, Bantam
This iconic artisan remains a favorite among fine-crafts aficionados. A renovated two-room house dating from the 1740s contains the artist’s workspace and retail showroom, filled with his trademark handmade garden pots inspired by 18th- and 19th-century English and Italian designs. 1249 Bantam Road (Route 202). 860-567-5577; guywolff.com

Best Music Hall
INFINITY MUSIC HALL & BISTRO, Norfolk
Three cheers for this converted 19th-century Victorian theater. It’s now Connecticut’s most-talked-about new performance hall. Come early for the cuisine and stay late for the rock, jazz, and blues. 20 Greenwoods Road (Route 44). 866-666-6306; infinityhall.com

Best Picnic Spot
TOPSMEAD STATE FOREST, Litchfield
Take your pick: the gardens surrounding the English Tudor cottage, a bench beside the pond, a table overlooking the hayfields, or the great sweeping lawn, where you can watch the sun dip below the hills. Buell Road (off Route 118). 860-567-5694; ct.gov/dep

Best Retro Duds
TOVA’S VINTAGE SHOP, Old Saybrook
Funky frocks and accessories spanning decades, from rhinestone-encrusted 1800s jewelry to elegant Christian Dior suits from the 1950s. 1330 Boston Post Road (Route 1). 860-395-1955; tovasvintage.com