Location and When to Go:
The historic town of Litchfield, Connecticut, settled in 1721, is located in northwestern Connecticut at the intersection of Routes 202 and 63. It is about a 2-1/2-hour drive from Boston, 2 hours from New York City or Albany, New York, and an hour from Hartford, Connecticut. The closest airport is
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Fall colors can usually be observed during most of the month of October, with peak likely to occur around mid-month.
Fall Appeal:
The town of Litchfield is set amid the rolling Litchfield Hills, foothills of the Berkshire Mountains that provide a vibrantly colorful backdrop for autumn activities. Litchfield melds both history and cosmopolitan flair. Its quintessential town green dates to 1723, and nearby, you'll find both historic structures and upscale boutiques and restaurants. A fall visit to Litchfield puts leaf peepers in the heart of a region noted for scenic driving, hiking, biking, antiquing, wine tasting and more.
Places to Stay:
Dating to 1782, the
Abel Darling Bed & Breakfast is within walking distance of the Litchfield Green. Just a bit outside of town, you'll find country lodging and dining at the
Toll Gate Hill Inn & Restaurant. The
Litchfield Inn also provides convenient access to all of the enticements in and around Litchfield. Use kayak.com to
compare rates at hotels and inns in the Litchfield area.
Nearby Scenic Drives:
During fall foliage season, scenic driving is one of the Litchfield area's lures. I love to drive along the shores of picturesque
Lake Waramaug in nearby New Preston, Connecticut. Heading north to the
covered bridge in West Cornwall, then south on Route 7 past Kent Falls to Kent, another charming New England town, is also a beautiful way to spend a fall day. The Litchfield Hills Visitors Bureau provides several themed
driving tours for travelers to follow.
Local Attractions:
While you're in Litchfield, tour
The Tapping Reeve House, America's oldest law school; enjoy a complimentary wine tasting and winery tour at
Haight-Brown Vineyard; learn more about this historic town at the
Litchfield History Museum; see the leaves from above in a hot air balloon with
Aer Blarney Balloons; walk the
Labyrinth at Wisdom House; find gardening inspiration at
White Flower Farm; or enjoy the outdoors at
Topsmead State Forest,
Mt. Tom State Park or the
White Memorial Conservation Center.
Within Three Hours:
If you'd like to take day trips from Litchfield, there are many wonderful places to visit in the fall including
Chesterwood and the
Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts; the Bennington Battle Monument and Robert Frost's gravesite in
Bennington, Vermont;
Lake Compounce, America's oldest amusement park in Bristol, Connecticut; the scenic and cultural attractions along Massachusetts'
Mohawk Trail; and Frederic Church's
Olana in Hudson, New York.
Dining Delights:
In Litchfield, popular dining choices include
West Street Grill and
3W & the Blue Bar. In nearby New Preston, I recommend the
Hopkins Inn Restaurant both for wonderful food and beautiful fall views of Lake Waramaug. Visit the
wine bar at Hopkins Vineyard next door before or after your meal. The Litchfield Hills Visitors Bureau provides additional
dining listings.
More Fall Fun:
There's more fall fun near Litchfield: attend the annual
Scottish Festival held in October at the Goshen Fairgrounds; take a
pumpkin patch train ride at the Danbury Railway Museum; or book passage aboard the
Naugatuck Railroad and view fall foliage along the Naugatuck River on a leisurely train ride.
For More Information:
Request a free
Litchfield Hills brochure online or by calling the
Northwest CT Convention & Visitors Bureau at 860-567-4506.
