The Historic Litchfield Hills of Connecticut

Today’s New England Getaways sharing is from the nutmeg state and the area known as the Litchfield Hills, a spot in the northwest corner of Connecticut nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires and Taconic Mountains.

My day job has kept me busy during the fall season so posts have been scarce. Now as we approach the end of the busy season and enter the “stick season” as Vermonters call the period between late fall and the first snows arriving, I ‘m hoping to get back in my stride of sharing.

I help a lot of people plan vacations and getaways and understand the draw of Cape Cod and the Maine coastline and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, but I come across a number of places in New England that just seem to be overlooked and are just pure gems.

The Litchfield Hills is one such destination.

An area covering about a quarter of the state it borders New York to the west and Massachusetts to the north, this region has the Appalachian Trail running through its high ground and the scenic Housatonic River for recreation and breathtaking views. It’s best known for its villages, scenic drives and the Town of Litchfield itself.

Better writers than I have already captured the beauty of the region and so I’ll just stick to pointing out some must sees for you and where to get more information.

The town of Litchfield is central to the region and is a good first stop for visitors. Check out the homes you can visit such as the Tapping Reeve House Law School and tour Litchfield’s Historic District on North and South Streets.

Just outside the town is Mount Tom State Park for recreational activities, and the natural history center at the White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center. This is gem of a place to visit with walks and a large freshwater lake to spot plenty of wildlife.

Kent Falls State Park is located in the northeastern section of the town of Kent. The stream that feeds the falls begins in Warren and flows west to the big fall of 70 feet from where it descends in a series of lesser falls and cascades to the valley, where it enters the Housatonic River some 200 feet below the brink of the big fall only a quarter mile away. This is a picturesque park and there’s a picnic area and walking trails.

If you’re a covered bridge enthusiast then one of the few in New England still allowing vehicle traffic through it is at the village of West Cornwall. It’s one of the most photographed covered bridges in New England and one of the few in Connecticut. The village is pleasant and tranquil to stroll around.

With all this rural tranquility you may have the impression the area isn’t for family activities but Bristol is home to Lake Compounce Theme Park – the oldest amusement park in America. By Disney standards this is not huge but it still operates the fastest and longest wooden roller coaster on the east coast. The town of Bristol is also home to the Carousel Museum of New England – right in keeping with the amusement park theme of Bristol.

Finally, Connecticut is the unofficial antiquing capital of New England, and in particular, Woodbury is a popular haunt for collectors and bargain hunters. The town has over 45 shops and dealers and this is not only a town to pick up a memorable souvenir but view some classic New England church architecture lovingly preserved.

Next time you’re thinking of a getaway in New England and looking for a place away from stress-filled weeks then take a few days respite in the Litchfield Hills, and rediscover a part of New England most don’t know exists in their own backyard.

Jed

Camden Maine – Perfect Small Town America for a New England Getaway

Are you looking for the ideal small town America for your New England getaway? If so it would be difficult to find a place more fitting than Camden, Maine.

Camden is one of those places in Maine with a picturesque harbor, some colorful history, and distinctive shops and galleries along the waterfront. And if you’re after lobster – who isn’t when they visit Maine – then you won’t be disappointed.

The best views of the town are at the top of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park which overlooks the harbor and the surrounding Penobscot Bay region. It’s a short hike to the top of the hill from the town or you can drive when the road is open – usually mid-May to mid-October.

Other trekking destinations in the area include Beech Hill Preserve which offers hiking, picnicking and birding activities, Fernald’s Neck Preserve that offers trails through forests along the shores of Megunticook Lake, and Bald Mountain preserve which is a more strenuous climb to views of Penobscott Bay and Camden Hills. These destinations are managed by the Coastal Mountains Land Trust and you can pick up a brochure and trail maps from their web site.

For those that remember the classic small town depiction in the movie Peyton Place from 1957 then Camden Maine was the inspiration and where a lot of the location filming took place. But Camden was not only inspiration for Hollywood; it was also the inspiration for Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent who went to school in Camden, and it’s said the breathtaking views from Mount Battie led to her first volume of poetry.

Camden has not been without it’s drama as the town almost burned to the ground in a catastrophic fire in 1892. Much of the rebuilt town was down in red brick – one side of Main Street is almost entirely of brick. The town was also eyed by the British – though never occupied – during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.

While Camden may be your nightly resting haven for the time you spend in the area your stay should include visits to nearby Rockport and Lincolnville where you’ll find the same charm and relaxed feelings you’ll experience in Camden.

Of Maine’s more than 60 Lighthouses seven are within striking distance of Camden, including Curtis Island Light in Camden Harbor and Indian Island Light off Rockport. They make a fine day tour and the others include: Rockland Breakwater Light at Rockland Harbor, Grindle Point Light on Isleboro – a short ferry rife from Lincolnville Beach, Owls Head Light just south of Rockland, Marshall Point Light at Point Clyde, and Pemaquid Point Light at Damariscotta.

Other activities popular in the Camden area are Windjammer cruises which are offered for a one day trip or a 5-day vacation, Mountain biking especially on Ragged Mountain, and antique hunting which folks seem to love scouring the shops for resell bargains or that special memento.

For those seeking evening cultural entertainment the area is well represented throughout the year with Camden and Rockport each having their own opera houses and the Schoolhouse Museum in Lincolnville providing exhibits covering thousands of years of history in the region. Summer seasonal arts include productions at the Camden Civic Theatre and Bay Chamber Concerts can be enjoyed at Rockport.

Food is important in mid-coast Maine and Camden offer fine dining along the Main Street and waterfront area. Naturally seafood is prominent and offered at places like: the Atlantic Seafood Bistro, Bayview Lobster, Camden Harbour Inn and Cappy’s Chowder House. If deli sandwiches or pizza is more to your liking then try the Camden Deli or Zaddick’s Pizza & Mex.

When it comes to finding a place to rest your head for your Camden getaway then the town offers up superb and budget minded lodging. If you’re looking for a coveted AAA Four Diamonds Award then the Camden Harbor Inn has achieved that distinction for both the inn and restaurant. The town has plenty of Bed & Breakfast lodging available such as Swan House Bed & Breakfast, Inn at Camden Place and Elms B&B at Blackberry Common.

If your New England getaway plans coincide with the fall then be aware autumn and foliage comes a little later to coastal Maine than the interior. But in these parts the crisp air makes the mountains and the town sparkle one more time before “closing down” for the winter.

Happy New England getaways,

Jed