Daytripping In Simsbury, CT
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Simsbury is located in the Farmington Valley in north-central Connecticut. Simsbury is a quaint city that prides itself on community spirit, the highest level of educational excellence, and safety. Very much a family community, Simsbury has a wide variety of activities, both indoor and outdoor, that gives makes it a fantastic destination for your family.
State Parks
Simsbury is home to four Connecticut State Parks. Onion Mountain, located in West Simsbury, offers 190 acres of hiking trails. There are both flat trails, for those with small children or just looking for a leisurly walk, and more rugged trails on the mountain side, for those looking for a challenge or some exercise.
Stratton Brook State Park offers everything from fishing and swimming in the warmer months to cross-country skiing and ice skating in the colder months. There are both biking and hiking trails and is one of the very few parks that is completely wheelchair accessible.
Penwood State Park is located off of Route 185, on the Simsbury/Bloomfield border. Penwood circles Lake Louise and offers spectacular views. There is cross country skiing in the winter and numerous biking and hiking trails, which are color-coded.
Directly across the street from Penwood State Park is Talcott Mountain State Park, which is also home to the Heublien Tower.
The Heublein Tower is open from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. It is accessed by a walking trail along a ridge that overlooks the beautiful Farmington Valley. The hike to the tower takes between 30-45 minutes. Once you reach the tower and you ascend the stairs to the observation deck, the views are spectacular. From each direction, there are descriptions and explanations of what you are seeing, which includes Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire, the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts, and Long Island Sound. Picnic accomodations are also offered.
Outdoor Fun
There are many outdoor activities that Simsbury offers.
Bike Trails
Both the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and the Farmington River Trail run through Simsbury. The FCHT stretches over 30 miles from New Haven, CT to the Massachusetts border, and continues from there. Historical buildings, abandoned railway corridors, and old aqueducts can be seen along the trail as it passes through urban and rural areas of Southern Connecticut and the Farmington Valley.
The Farmington River Trail connects to the FCHT in Farmington and Simsbury along its 18 mile loop that runs through Canton, Collinsville, and Burlington.
An exciting new project called the East Coast Greenway is a proposed 650 mile trail that would run from Calaise, Maine to Key West, Florida would include a 196 mile trail that would run through Connecticut that would link with the FCHT in Simsbury and run to New Haven. For more information, as well as updates, visit the link below.
Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows
Simsbury is the summer home of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Each year, they participate in the Talcott Mountain Music Festival. Concerts are held on Friday evenings from the end of June through the end of July and 2011 marks its sixteenth year.
Simsbury Meadows also offers the Iron Horse Music Series, as well as arts and craft shows and Simsbury's Septemberfest. For for information and for a calendar of events, visit:
Dining
Simsbury offers a variety of restaurants that are extremely popular among the residents of the Farmington Valley. Whether you're craving Asian, American, or Italian, there is definitely a place for you.
A few suggestions you may want to consider:
Meadow Asian Cuisine - A small, yet beautiful restaurant with fantastic food and drink at more than reasonable prices.
Plan B Tavern - Aptly named for their variety of Beef, Bourbon, and Burgers, Plan B Tavern is definitely the best bet for a great tasting American meal in Simsbury. With a long list of gourmet burgers and entrees, it is a casual establishment that is perfect for families. They also have a fantastic beer selection which does not include any imports. For more information and to look at the menu, visit their website at: www.planbburger.com
Little City Pizza - Traveling with families can often be difficult and one place that can accomodate a large bunch for a quick meal also happens to serve up some of the best pizza in the Farmington Valley. Whether you enjoy traditional toppings or more ecclectic ones such as shrimp and mashed potatoes, Little City Pizza is sure to have something to suit your taste.
Abigail's Grille and Wine Bar - Abigail's opened in the old Pettibone's Tavern and has quickly become one of the busiest and most successful restaurants in the area. Serving both lunch and dinner, they also have a fantastic wine list to accompany their upscale casual style of dining. The building has a rich history as it is in an old house that is rumored to be haunted by ghosts. You can read more about Abigails at: www.abigailsgrill.com
