A Day (Or Two) In Washington Depot And Kent, Connecticut
Drive through Litchfield County and you’ll encounter one charming New England town after another, separated by winding, forested roads. If you’re looking for a daytrip activity in the Litchfield Hills, you can start out at one of these two towns as you explore the allure of Northwest Connecticut.
Washington Depot
The Depot was once a major hub of the Shepaug Valley Railroad, when the area was bustling in Industrial Age commerce, and yes, the General did sleep here. But the town evolved into a community of sophisticated permanent and weekend residents whose mark is well observed in the town’s eateries, shops and cultural institutions.
Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
Front and center is the Judy Black Memorial Park ad Gardens. Community members turned this once-abandoned gas station into a hub for cultural programming and a farmers market. Art exhibits, performances, and movie nights make this an active gathering place.
Restaurants include The Pantry, specializing in gourmet country foods; the G.W. Tavern, for upscale pub fare; and Marty’s Café, a neighborhood breakfast, lunch, and coffee spot.
Locals are proud of the Gunn Historic Museum overlooking the historic Washington Green; its exhibits showcase how the Shepaug Valley Railroad ushered the farming community into the age of ironworks and quarries.
Drive around picturesque Lake Waramaug, the second largest natural lake in Connecticut, and admire the stately homes designed by renowned architect Ehrick Rossiter at the turn of the last century. Overlooking the lake is Hopkins Vineyard, well worth a visit. Hikers will love exploring Hidden Vallery Preserve, 700 acres of mixed forest and meadows with a view of the river valley below.
Kent
Kent has a bustling Main Street with shops, galleries and restaurants. Retail urges are sated by Terston, for tabletop and other gorgeous textiles; Chic Boutique, jam-packed with women’s clothing and sparkly accessories; and, yes, Kent Station Pharmacy, because it has distinctive gift items and fun things you didn’t know you wanted. And the Sidwalk Sale Days in Kent are a highlight of the summer — coming right up August 4-7 this year. During this free, town-wide event, Main Street shops and boutiques offer their wares at deep discounts, and St. Andrew’s Church down the block holds its tag sale while the Kent Memorial library’s used book sale is going on.
You’ll find more galleries, food, and shops at Kent Barns, a park-like village of restored antique barns just off Main Street. On Second Saturdays from May through October, the complex hosts seasonal activities, fresh farm produce, boutique pop-ups , and live music.
Restaurants include the Fife’n Drum, a landmark eatery for five decades; and Swyft, a Joel Viehland venture, a modern tavern serving farm-driven pizzas and local beers.
Kent Falls. Photo: Wikipedi at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
You’ll be ready for a walk at Kent Falls State Park, where you can wander across the covered bridge and hike the series of waterfalls. For a bit of Kent history, check out the 30-foot Kent Iron Furnace, which tells the story of the iron industry that took root in the region in the early 18th century.
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