10 Things We Love About Bantam, CT
Bantam has an eclectic style, characterized by a history of hard-working, engaged townsfolk who appreciate the slower pace of life. Locals include artisans, craftworkers, and small business owners who appreciate country living. Here are some favorite local spots.
White Memorial Conservation Center
The White Memorial Conservation land is a picturesque destination comprising 4,000 acres of forest, fields waterways, and stunning natural vistas. There’s 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; environmental education exhibits in the Nature Museum; and over 50 campsites. On the property, our family has spotted bald eagles, great blue herons, minks, turtles, and bobcats, to name a few of the local crowd.
Merritt Clarke Store
An institution in the area, the Merritt Clarke store is an outfitter that Litchfield that has an eclectic style, checks a lot of boxes for country living apparel. Before heading out onto the trail or digging into the garden, if you need suitable attire, this historic landmark in the area is a must-visit spot. The team is friendly and inviting, taking the time to help visitors find what they need in the ttime-tested tradition of the former founder (deceased as of 1992), Merritt Clarke himself, whose philosophical approach and steadfast style made \him a local icon. Whether you need a new pair of Carharts, a Pendleton blanket, a beanie, or a solid pair of work boots, the purveyor will go above and beyond. Clarke celebrates 100 years of business in 2023—a Bantam legacy.
Bantam River
The river is ideal for paddle boarding or sit-on-top kayaking, offering wildlife sightings such as turtles, herons, beavers, deer, and theoccasional black bear. The flow and current can increase in high-water situations, and if you follow the river to the end, you can end up in the lake, which has motorized craft, so be mindful of your route, timing, and weather.
A sprawling, bucolic water body, Bantam Lake offers a stunning central source of natural beauty in the Litchfield Hills, You’ll find two town beaches, a boat launch on East Shore Road, and protected trails and land, including property in the White Memorial Conservation organization.
Mount Tom State Park is a lovely spot to take a swim or go for a hike, and the stone tower offers expansive views of the surrounding region—a favorite during fall foliage season.
The Bantam Arts Factory is a former industrial space—once home to a switch factory—that serves the community as a shared studio space for local artists and businesses. “We moved into a studio in the building in 2020 and have since grown and expanded into multiple studios. There are some incredible artists here, Carol Leskanic, Cynthia Zinser, Caylin Jensen, and businesses like Bantam Blooms and Hair Factory,” shares Charlie Dumais, ceramics artist in the space. The Switch Gallery, on level one of the building, is run by artists Pietro Spagnulo and Jenna Gonzalez and features a rotating selection of local artists.
Founded in 1929, the historic movie and arthouse nonprofit, Bantam Cinema, offers independent films and live music in an intimate setting. The refreshments counter sells alcoholic beverages and fresh-made popcorn served with real butter, for popcorn connoisseurs.
The smell of fresh-baked bread wafts through town on certain days of the week and locals flock to get their hands on the fresh loaves. Founded by a New York chef, Niles Golovin, and his wife, Susie Uruburu, Bantam Bread became a local necessity after Henry Balsamo’s farm stand on Route 202 would instantly sell out of bread each week. In addition to loaves, you can purchase deserts and sweets. Golovin, who studied baking in the Berkshires, spent years refining his craft and their baked goods are so sought after, a recent review from a visiting tourist noted stuffing their luggage full of breads and pastries for the flight home. The business is now run by their kids, Zak and Amanda Golovin, who are maintaining the loaves’ legendary status. Not to be missed.
Arethusa al Tavolo is a popular restaurant for locally harvested fare serving the more refined palette. Chef Dan Magill uses heirloom and organic ingredients where possible, including items from the award-winning Arethusa Farm, for the fine cuisine served at the restaurant in Bantam. The menu changes daily but includes dishes like walnut-crusted beet salad with grilled fig and Arethusa buttermilk, oysters on the half-shell with Arethusa smoked sour cream, pork tenderloin with rosemary-pear relish, and Peking duck breast with braised cabbage and pickled green strawberries.
Lines go around the block in Bantam from May to October at Arethusa Dairy, located next door to the restaurant. The dairy plant teamcreates custom mixes for each flavor using the fresh milk and cream from Arethusa Farm in Litchfield. Worth the wait every time.
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