We were so happy to see Litchfield County, CT as the subject of The New York Time’s travel column, Frugal Traveler, “Litchfield County, Easy on the Wallet.” As Litchfield County residents, we concur with Seth Kugal’s highlights and only wish he had more space to include even more of Litchfield’s hidden gems. His trusty readers filled in many of the blanks in the pages of comments that follow the article, making the article a must read for anyone visiting during leaf peaking season and even year round. Consider, too, some of our own insider recommendations.
What to do in Litchfield County
Kent Art Walk, Kent, CT
Well known as a destination for art aficionados, Kent offers some of Litchfield County’s best art galleries all within walking distance of each other.
Start your walk at The Kent Arts Association (21 S. Main Street, Kent, CT). There you will find spacious galleries housing representational paintings and inspiring scenes of Connecticut and New England making for a cultural visit. Check their website for upcoming shows.
Morrison Gallery
Next walk to our own Kent Village Barns (6 N. Main Street, Kent, CT ). Kent Village Barns is home to two of the region’s leading galleries–the Morrison Gallery, one of the largest contemporary art galleries in New England and the Ober Gallery known for showing important twentieth century and contemporary Russian art. At Kent Village Barns you’ll also find an outdoor sculpture garden of works by acclaimed artist Peter Woytuk. There you can also grab lunch at Doc’s Trattoria and Brick Oven Pizza before moving on to the final art stop on your walk.
Continue on to the Heron American Craft Gallery (16 N. Main Street, Kent, CT). Over more than two decades Heron has become a destination for people from all over the North East and beyond looking for a dazzling variety of works shown in an explosion of color, wit and whimsy.
Belgique Chocolatier, Kent, CT
Chocolates from Belgique Chocolatier
A world of chocolate in Kent! In addition to hand-made artisan chocolates and truffles, cappuccinos and lattes this authentic Belgium chocolate shop offers what one local resident calls “the most outrageous hot chocolate that will fill you up for weeks.” Visiting Belgique Chocolatier is as close as one can come to actually visiting a chocolatier in Belgium without leaving the U.S. It is very close to Kent Village Barns.
1 Bridge Street (corner of Routes 7 & 341) Kent, CT
The White Room, Bantam, CT
Copper Pig Weathervane at The White Room
Bantam, a 20 min drive from Kent, has much to offer tourists and locals alike, as the NYTs points out. While there, be sure to check out The White Room — Litchfield’s newest art and antique shop opened by Robert Deyber, a noted pop surrealist artist, and his partner, Robert Graham. In their 10 years together, they have collected a lot of objects worth displaying thus opened their showroom in early June 2011, almost as an afterthought. Housed in the old Connecticut Electric Manufacturing Building on Route 202, The White Room has become an attractive space where unique furniture and décor are displayed, offering a totally unique shopping experience.
931 Bantam Road (Rt. 202) Bantam, CT
The Tollgate Inn, Litchfield, CT
Captain William Bull Tavern
Just 5 minutes from Bantam, Litchfield offers 4,000 wilderness acres managed and protected by the White Memorial Foundation Hiking trails range from 0.2 miles to 6 miles, and a trail map costs $3 at the Conservation Center. Whether you go for the hikes or not, check out the Tollgate Inn a historical building listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Chef Sammantha Tilley just took over the restaurant–Captain William Bull Tavern– a year ago and turned it into local sustainable delicious healthy food destination.
571 Torrington Rd (Rt 202), Litchfield, CT
Whatever you do when you visit Litchfield, have fun. Savor our natural beauty and historic places any time of year.
