Eastern Connecticut Top 10

Hey guys, this is Zack bringing you my eastern Connecticut top 10 list. Most of these places are slightly off the beaten path. Connecticut is often overshadowed by its haughty neighbors of New York and Massachusetts. Unlike in these states which are chock full of world-renowned tourist attractions, Connecticut needs a little more digging to show its true self. In the Connecticut Lore book series, I brought the audience to legendary locales. In the new book that I am a contributor to, Connecticut 169 Club I give a taste of five Connecticut towns. Here though, is my eastern Connecticut top 10 list. Many of these places I try to frequent whenever I’m back home. From state parks and cemeteries to shops and breweries, (offbeat) eastern Connecticut makes a perfect backyard road trip! This trip is a mixture of nature, history and legends, with a dash of delicious beer, and picture-perfect quaintness as the cherry on top.  

#10  -Sunrise State Park in Moodus

The village of Moodus is synonymous with the “Noises” which reverberate from below the ground. (Even their high school mascot is the “Little Noises.”) In reality these are tiny earthquakes. Although it’s hard to show a picture of these rumblings, it’s easier to show Moodus’s next reason why it’s on the map. The backroads of Moodus were known for their camps. Klar Crest, Ted Hilton’s, and Cave Hill were three fun-filled destinations that even gave Moodus the moniker of “Catskills of the East.” Most of these are ancient history, but the former Ted Hilton’s, later known as Sunrise Resort, is open as Sunrise State Park. In contrast to many state parks where picturesque paths meander through tranquil woodlands, Sunrise features former park buildings and structures which are still standing. These include houses, parking lots, and tennis courts all of which are remnants of its past use. It is a little unnerving to ramble around an abandoned camp, even when it is legal to do so. This just adds the mystique of this park. (I guess Moodus is technically central CT, but it’s east of the Connecticut River so it still counts!) 

 

#9 Woodstock–

Rural Connecticut is best exemplified by this small town in northeastern Connecticut. So many attractions are worthwhile to visit in Woodstock including the annual Woodstock Fair, the landmark Roseland Cottage, with its bright, pink exterior, and Sweet Evalina’s roadside hotdog stand. Woodstock harkens back to a different day and age, where life is a bit slower. Historical sites such as the town cemetery and Woodstock Academy are prominent in the center of town. Its agricultural heritage is prevalent with the aforementioned Woodstock Fair and Woodstock Orchards. Other cool sites include the Christmas Barn, a boutique shop full of seasonal autumn and holiday decor and Mrs. Bridge’s Pantry, which sells delicious soup, British candy and teas.

 

#8 – Wells Dinosaur Haven in Montville

Dinosaurs are a big business. They rule the multiplex cinemas, are the stars of many a natural history museum, and a large purple one hypnotized children on public television for years. Wells Dinosaur Haven is the antithesis of those. The dinosaur haven displays one man’s passion of creating these homemade mega-lizards and letting them roam free on his sloping, hillside property. Also roaming free, or with a donation, is the public, who can venture through the dino-laden path in his backyard to witness these gigantic creatures. You can certainly see why this spot made my eastern Connecticut top 10!

 

#7 Lowthorpe Meadow and Old Burial Ground in Norwichtown

The Norwichtown cemetery is a fine example of a colonial era graveyard. Its stones have been weathered by the years as evidenced by the lichen encrusted facades in the above picture. Here lies the resting place of former Connecticut Governor, signer of the Declaration of Independence and President of the Continental Congress, Samuel Huntington. Also, legend says that Benedict Arnold arrives to visit his mother each Halloween night at midnight in this burial ground. The adjacent Lowthorpe Meadows is a parcel of land set aside to be forever wild. Paths wind through the meadowland crisscrossed by streams. A pond awaits on the far side. It is a peaceful and picturesque piece of public land.

 

#6 Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm in Sterling  

Northeastern Connecticut is predominantly rural with much of it either woodland or farmland. No trip to this region would be complete without a stop off at a farm. Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm fits the bill. In the fall, Ekonk Hill offers hay rides, a corn maze and a pumpkin patch. Its nearby store also thrives in the season, make sure to place your order well in advance for their feathered friends since they are staples of the dinner table on Thanksgiving. Ekonk Hill also makes delicious ice cream.

 

#5 Fox Farm Brewery in Salem

Fox Farm Brewery in Salem fuses top quality product in a striking place. Its beer is delicious. The brewery specializes in the New England style, unfiltered, hazy, juicy IPAs (India Pale Ales). (as well as many other fine flavors including sours, pilsners, and stouts). Even the smell of the beer is top notch. Drink the beer onsite in their rehabilitated barn or take it to go in growlers or cans. Not only is the beer spectacular though. The barn itself and adjoining silo provide the perfect backdrop for this brewery. Nestled into the Salem countryside, Fox Farm, although very popular with beer lovers, still feels as if its a secret. Great beer in a fantastic location definitely makes it on my eastern Connecticut top 10 list!

 

#4 Indian Leap at Yantic Falls in Norwich

 

 

The Yantic River thunders over rocks below as it drops swiftly into the basin. The falls goes by the colloquialism of Indian Leap. This spot has legendary attributes. The legend tells the story of Uncas, the Mohegan sachem who leapt across the falls in fast pursuit of rival leader, Miantonomo. The Yantic Falls is most certainly off the beaten path, a place that mostly locals know. A walkway provides visitors with a bird’s eye view from above. Other trails snake alongside it to enjoy its majesty from all angles. Although it is spectacular in any season, make sure to visit in the fall when the trees overhead burst with color and in the winter, where ice encapsulates the rushing water giving it the illusion of a snow palace

 

#3 -Franklin   

Can a whole town be on my eastern Connecticut top 10 list? Yes, and here is why. When monoculture stretches from sea to shining sea, towns like Franklin are a rarity, especially in the crowded northeast. Other than a few businesses along Route 32, most of Franklin terrain is farmland and woods. Its iconic Congregational Church looks as if it could be calling yeoman of yore to its pews, arriving on foot or carriage instead of automobile. Ayer Mountain provides a stunning nature walk through Bailey’s Ravine. When its major attraction is the Blue Slope Country Museum and Farm, an antique farm equipment museum, it is clear that Franklin is a town that time forgot.

 

#2 – Bozrah Rural Cemetery

From the road, the Bozrah Rural Cemetery looks similar to many country burial grounds. Its stones are scattered about and the dates on the graves span centuries since the town of Bozrah is so small. Near the beginning of the graveyard is the Johnson family plot. This is the burial location of Jane Maria Johnson. She was killed by a bludgeoning from the butt of a gun by family handyman, William Irving. Some say it was due to a love affair that could never be in Victorian Bozrah. Irving, who took his own life right after the murder, is also buried here. His grave is a bit harder to find though. Toward the back of the cemetery, past the stone wall towards the Yantic River, is a lone headstone. It is that of Irving, and his epitaph details the grisly murder. Supposedly, Irving is buried standing on top of his head to make sure he achieves eternal unrest for his atrocious crime. This graveyard is WAY off the beaten path, but still makes my eastern Connecticut top 10 list. 

 

#1- UConn Farm in Storrs

Of course UConn is a top notch school both academically and athletically. Now there are many shopping and dining opportunities for students and non-students alike in downtown Storrs, only built in the last few years. Agriculture was the focus of UConn when it was founded. View UConn’s agricultural heritage on Horsebarn Hill Road, located on the eastern side of the campus. Here are the school’s animal barns. Students are able to experience hands on learning, as they tend to the animals. The barns are open to the public (and free). Carouse with the sheep and the horses and get up close to a few cows. It’s fun to spend a while roaming around the barnyards. Spring is an especially joyous time on the farm as the young lambs, foals, and calves have just been born. As a kid I enjoyed frequenting this farm and now have passed this tradition on to my own son. Make sure to stop by the UConn Dairy Bar for a homegrown ice cream afterwards.

This article was written by Zachary Lamothe, author of Connecticut Lore and More Connecticut Lore. He grew up in Connecticut, but currently lives in Massachusetts. He is also the editor of the travel blog Backyard Road Trips. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/zacharylamothewriter, on Twitter at @CTconnoisseur, and on Instagram as @zlamothe. Backyard Road Trips is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/backyardroadtrips.com, Instagram at @backyardroadtrips, and on Twitter as @backydroadtrips.

Here is my eastern Connecticut Top 10. (This list would probably change daily though!) What are your favorite places in eastern Connecticut?  Let us know in the comment section!