Litchfield County, CT is the Ideal Place for Your Autumn Getaway If you’re looking for an autumn getaway, look no further than idyllic Litchfield County, CT. Litchfield boasts a rich history, stunning natural beauty, spectacular shopping and dining, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to commune with nature. Autumn is one of our preferred times to visit the area, as the trees are awash in a kaleidoscope of brilliant fall colors. Following are some of our suggestions for visitors planning on traveling to Litchfield in the fall.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Litchfield County is ideal for “outdoorsy” types. The county boasts several state parks State and Local Parks in Litchfield Connecticut (visitconnecticut.com) which feature miles of hiking trails—some of which also boast ponds, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls—which means that there is something for every type of outdoor enthusiast. We suggest Kent Falls State Park Kent Falls State Park (ct.gov) in Kent and Topsmead State Forest Topsmead State Forest (ct.gov) in the town of Litchfield.
Kent Falls State Park is the perfect spot for hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The highlight of this park is the a 70-foot waterfall that plunges dramatically into the body of water below it. We suggest you have your camera ready, as the falls are impressive any time of year—but even more so in autumn—when the vivid yellows, reds, and orange of the leaves on the trees are juxtaposed with the cascading water.
Located in the town of Litchfield, Topsmead State Forest was originally the summer estate of Edith Morton Chase—the daughter of Henry Sabin Chase—who was the first president of Chase Brass and Copper Company. Edith received the land from her father in 1917, on which she originally built a cabin. She replaced the cabin with an English Tudor style home, designed and built between 1923 and 1925 by prominent architect, Richard Henry Dana Jr. Free guided tours of the residence are offered June through October, on the second and fourth weekends of each month. The grounds surrounding the home are ideal for picnicking, birdwatching, and hiking.
WINERIES AND BREWERIES
Fancy a tasty libation after spending an exhilarating time in the “great outdoors”? Litchfield County has several wineries and breweries in the area that are sure to please oenophiles, as well as beer aficionados. Here are our favorites:
Sunset Meadow Vineyards (Goshen – Home | Sunset Meadow Vineyards) This family owned and operated vineyard was originally a cattle farm that was converted to a winery in 2008. Today, the vineyard cultivates 15 types of grapes, and produces 16 varieties of wine. Their tasting room is open year-round, with limited seating during the cooler months. If you happen to be in the area in late September or early October, we suggest you sit outside and enjoy your glass of wine while taking in the spectacular autumn vistas!
If it’s fine beer you crave after a vigorous hike in Kent Falls State Park, we suggest you pay a visit to Kent Falls Brewery (Kent Falls Brewing Co. | A Working Farm Brewery). This farm brewery is part of Camps Road Farm—a 50-acre diversified farm located in Kent—where the brewery grows their hops on 1-acre of land. The owners encourage guests to see their farm, learn more about how their products are made, as well as enjoy one of their beers in the newly added tasting room.
FINE DINING
Litchfield County is a gastronome’s paradise. Fancy French food? We suggest Le Gamin SHARON CT — LE GAMIN in Sharon, CT. If it’s fresh seafood you desire, look no further than West Shore Seafood About Us — West Shore Seafood in the town of Morris. Lastly, Arethusa al tavolo Arethusa al tavolo | New American Restaurant | OpenTable Top 100 in U.S. | Bantam, CT in Bantam, CT, prides itself on farm-to-table food made with products from the Arethusa Dairy Farm.
Beautifully situated among the undulating hills of Northwestern Connecticut, The Litchfield Inn is a luxurious boutique hotel replete with a library, fitness center, and banquet space. With twenty very well-appointed guest rooms—as well as twelve impeccably designed themed rooms—guests will certainly enjoy a good night’s sleep.