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CONNECTICUT
DRIVING ROUTES
| Coventry |
Yankee Roots
In spite of the hilly terrain and rocky soil that gave
Yankee farmers the wherewithal for miles and miles of
stone walls, Eastern Connecticut yields crops of note-for
example the aromatic harvest at Capriland Herb Farm in
Coventry. Nathan Hale's family home is in the same town,
a reminder of the state's role in American history. Farther
along the loop, surrounded by farmland is the University
of Connecticut in Storrs. It began as a school of agriculture
and you can still visit the animal barns and buy mouthwatering
ice cream at the dairy store, but other attractions have
been added-the William Benton Art Gallery, the Museum
of Natural History, and cultural programs of all sorts
at Jorgensen Auditorium. Winding roads lead to Brooklyn,
where a majestic statue commemorates local hero General
Israel Putnam. Subject of countless tales and legends,
"old Put" is credited with giving the orders
at Bunker Hill, 'Don't fire until you see the whites of
their eyes" Scarcely two miles up the road, twentieth
century art blossoms at the New England Center for Contemporary
Art (Brooklyn Rte. 169). Along with the unspoiled scenery,
farther north in Woodstock you will find a marvelous example
of carpenter gothic architecture, Henry Bowen's vivid
pink summer home, "Roseland Cottage." DRIVING
TIP: Approximately 100 driving miles.
Begin on I-84 Exit 67. Go south on Rts-e.31 to jct.
Rte. 44. Take Rte. 44 east to jct. Rte.195.n. Go south
on Rte. 195 to jct. Rte. 6. Take Rte. 6 east to Brooklyn.
Take Rte.169 north to North Woodstock. Go west on Rtes.
197 and 190 to I-84 Exit 73. Take I-84 west to close
the loop.Connecticut Tourism |
| Fairfield |
Scenic Fairfield
The Connecticut county nearest the Big Apple is "commuter
country", and right away you see its appeal. White
clapboard houses, winding streets with over branching
shade trees, quiet stretches between towns, and always,
water-a stream or pond, lake or river. History? The green
and white town of Ridgefield was the scene of a Revolutionary
War battle in 1777; at the Old Keeler Tavern on Main Street
you can see the British cannonball still lodged in a corner
post. Contrast? A block north, the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary
Art challenges visitors with the latest from avant garde.
Along Route 7 you pass corporate homes of companies that
have opted for a Connecticut address but the road is best
known as "antiques alley" because of its many
shops devoted to yesterday's treasures. As you move into
the higher hills, keep your eyes open for views, especially
along the ridge between New Milford and Roxbury. Unspoiled
state parklands, orchards and villages make the crush
of city life seem far away.
DRIVING TIP: Approximate driving distance from Norwalk
making a loop back to Norwalk is 115 miles.
Begin in Norwalk on Rte. 15 (Merritt Parkway) Exit
38. Rte. 123 to Rte. 33 to Ridgefield then take Rte
35 to Rte. 7 to New Milford, pick up I-84 E at Danbury
and go to Exit 6 and get off to continue on Rte. 7 to
New Milford, take Rte. 67 to Roxbury 10 miles, Roxbury
Rte 317 to Woodbury 7 miles, Woodbury to Southbury and
RTE 84W to EXIT 10 Sandy Hook 16 miles, Sandy Hook to
Bethel (Rt.302) 7 miles, Bethel South on Rt. 58 to Rt.
136 to Merritt Parkway Rt. 15 to Norwalk and close the
loop.
Connecticut Tourism |
| Hartford |
Hartford West
Hartford gives you 350 years of history-the Center Church
burying ground with gravestones in place since 1640, Charles
Bullfinch's 1796 Old State House, the mansion of Mark
Twain built in 1874, the Wadsworth Atheneum built in 1842
and America's oldest public art museum, and the skyscrapers
of glass and stone that have filled out the city skyline
in recent years. Art, theatre, good food, lively events-all
contribute to Hartford's delights. Venturing north from
the capitol city, you pass through what was prime tobacco-growing
country to Windsor Locks and Bradley International Airport,
and the New England Air Museum with cherished reminders
of aviation history. Rolling hills and open land-unexpected
in megalopolis-lend serenity to the drive through the
northern section of the state. Riverton drowses by the
river, with the Hitchcock Chair Factory retaining the
hand methods of a century ago. Canton, Avon, Farmington,
blend typical New England scenes with historic sites,
i.e. Hill-Stead Museum. Add shopping and dining opportunities
that invite you to linger.
DRIVING TIP: Approximately 90 driving miles.
Begin in Hartford, take I-91 N to Exit 45, Warehouse
Point. Go West on Rte.140 and South on Rte.75 to jct.
of Rte. 20. Go west on Rte. 20 to Riverton. Go South
on West River Rd. through People's State Forest to Pleasant
Valley. Go South on Rte. 181 to jct. Rte. 44. Turn Right
on Rte. 10 South to Rte. 4: go East on Rte. 4 to Hartford
to close the loop.
Connecticut Tourism |
| Litchfield
Hills |
Litchfield Region Drive 1
Begin at the New Milford Green, and take CT Route 202
West to Route 7 North. Take Route 7 through the towns
of New Milford, Gaylordsville and Kent. Outside of Kent,
pick up Route 45 South to Warren. Drive around Lake Waramaug
into New Preston. In New Preston, take Route 202 East
to Route 47 South. Take a right onto Route 199, and then
right on Route 67. Follow Route 67 to the junction of
Route 202 in New Milford where the drive began. This drive
is 64 miles and takes about 1/2 day. The route will take
travellers past the Housatonic River, Bull's Bridge (one
of only two covered bridges in Connecticut), the town
of Kent and its many art galleries, historic homes and
churches in Kent and Warren, Lake Waramaug, Mt. Tom State
Park, the historic Mine Hill Preserve (ruins of an early
iron mine), and the Institute for American Indian Studies.
Visit New England Litchfield Region
Drive 2
Start in Litchfield at the intersection of Routes 118
and 202. Take Route 202 West to Route 209 South. Follow
209 around Bantam Lake to Route 109 through the town
of Morris. When you reach Thomaston, take Route 6 East.
At the intersection of Route 254, take a left onto 254
to Main Street. Follow Main Street into Thomaston center
to Route 6 East through Plymouth and Terryville, then
into Bristol. At the junction of Maple Street, take
a right onto Maple, and stop at the American Clock and
Watch Museum and Federal Hill Green. Go back to Route
6 and continue east to Route 229. Take 229 south to
Lake Compounce. Head back to Route 72 West, which goes
past the New England Carousel Museum. Head back on Route
6 West and at Maple Street, take Route 69 North to Route
4 W. Take Route 4 West into Harwinton. At the junction
of Route 118, take 118 West and follow it back to the
junction of Route 202 where the trip began. This trip
is approximately 53.
Visit New England
Litchfield Region Drive 3
Begin in Torrington at the junction of Route 8 and Route
4. Take Route 8 north into Winsted, where it will intersect
Route 44. Take Route 44 east into New Hartford. In Hartford
pick up Route 219 north through Lake McDonough to Route
318. Continue on Route 318 west and 181 south for 1
mile, then make a right just before the metal bridge
and take the road through the People's State Forest
to Route 20 in Riverton. Take Route 20 west through
Riverton and at the junction of Route 8, take 8 south
into the center of Winsted. Pick up Route 44 west and
take it to Route 183 north into the center of Colebrook.
From Colebrook take Route 182A to 182, and make a right
on 182. At the intersection of Route 44, take 44 west
into Norfolk. In Norfolk, pick up Route 272 South into
Torrington. Take 272 to Route 4 east, bear right onto
Main Street. Where Main Street meets Route 202, take
202 east to the junction of Route 8 and 4, where the
trip began. This tour is approximately68 miles.
Visit New England
Traditional New England
The cities of Litchfield County -Torrington and Winsted
- share in the industrial legacy of New England, but
the area is best known for natural beauty. Offering
endless delight to sightseers, photographers, hikers,
nature lovers, the scenery presents rolling green hills,
thick forests, and sudden vista of well-kept farms and
villages spread out like toys in the valleys. The towns
seem scarcely touched by time. Norfolk, Canaan, West
Cornwall - with its 19th century covered bridge. The
views continue as you reach Warren and Lake Waramaug-a
scenic road around the lake-and its cluster of country
inns, through New Preston, Bantam, and finally Litchfield,
where 18th century mansions are kept not as museums
but as homes. On the town green is the classic New England
Congregational Church, white, tall, stately.
DRIVING TIP: Approximate mileage is 100 miles.
Start in Torrington, go north on Rte. 8 to Winsted.
Take Rte. 44 to Canaan. Take Rte.7 past the Cornwall
Bridge to Rte. 45 to Warren-continue on Rte. 45 and
it becomes a scenic road around Lake Waramaug. In New
Preston take Rte. 202 -at junction of Rte. 47 go south
to Washington Depot. Go north on Rte. 109 to East Morris
and then go north on Rte. 63 to Litchfield. Go east
on Rte. 118 to Rte. 8 north to close loop. Connecticut
Tourism |
| Middletown |
Connecticut River Gateway
Here's a chance to see the Indians' Long Tidal River from
many angles. Follow it south from Middletown, and at Chester
take the ferryboat, car and all, for a five minute crossing.
On the opposite side, high on a bluff you'll see Gillette
Castle, a latter-day fortress of stone and wood designed
by actor-author William Gillette. His portrayal of Sherlock
Holmes set the pattern for all actors who have followed
him in the part. A drive through wooded hills take you
to the shore town of Old Lyme, home of one of the largest
collections of impressionism art, Florence Griswold Museum.
Cross the river on the Baldwin Bridge to Old Saybrook,
where David Bushnell launched the country's first submarine
in 1776. In Essex, the Valley Railroad offers a steam
train ride along the river bank, then a midstream view
aboard a connecting riverboat. The Connecticut River Museum
at Steamboat Dock in Essex will fill you in on the river's
rich past. The next river crossing is by the way of the
swing bridge at East Haddam. Lots of history here: the
Goodspeed Opera House (built 1876), the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse
(1750) and probably The oldest bell in Christendom (cast
in Spain 815 A.D.). Head north again for your final crossing,
the graceful Arrigoni steel arch bridge between Portland
and Middletown.
DRIVING TIP: Approximately 80 miles.
Begin in Middletown Go South on Rte. 9 to Exit 10.
Take Rte. 154 South to jct. Rte. 148. Go East on Rte.
148 and cross the river by ferry, April to November
(NOTE: BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND APRIL, continue south on
Rte. 156, through Devils Hopyard State Park, to Rte.
82 and scenic routh 154-see map-and Rte.9 to Middletown
closes the loop.)
Connecticut Tourism |
| Mystic |
River Road - Pequot Trail – Route 1
Start in Downtown Mystic on the Groton side of the drawbridge
by turning onto Pearl Street. After a few blocks of charming
homes you will see the Mystic River on the right. Stay
close to the river and you will be brought onto River
Road, which meanders alongside the river to Old Mystic.
River Road is used by many walkers, runners and bikers
so please drive slowly and enjoy the views. Shortly after
you pass a cemetery on the right you will come to a traffic
light. You are now in Old Mystic. Turn right at the light
and then turn right at the stop sign on to Route 27 South.
Just past the view of the river on the right, and the
refurbished brick mill, turn left onto Route 234-Pequot
Trail. The road climbs quickly and sharply and then gently
twists and turns through Stonington. Follow the route
234 signs. When you reach the traffic light at Route 1
turn sharply to right onto Route 1 South. Follow Route
1 back to Mystic. Total drive time is about one-half an
hour.
Visit New England Routes 49 and 14A
A State Scenic Highway, Route 49 begins in North Stonington,
in Southeastern CT, and runs north to Route 14A in Sterling.
Along the way, travelers enjoy dramatic vistas viewed
from large hilltop farms. Three of those farms have
been used by the same families continuously for almost
300 years. This route runs for 19.5 miles north to the
Sterling Hill National Register Historic district. Offering
views of fields and farms, it's a great way for visitors
to nearby Mystic (in Southeastern CT) to extend their
trip northward to Northeastern CT.
Visit New England |
| New
Haven |
New Haven and Surroundings
The Shubert Theater, in New Haven, a traditional stop
for shows on the way to Broadway, is back in business
as a performing arts center. The Old Park Plaza has been
renovated and is now the Omni. The ivied walls of Yale
with its Yale Center for British Art and Peabody Museum
of Natural History continue to provide a rich background
for the emerging cityscape. New Haven has no trouble mixing
in old and new: jazz concerts rock the Green that was
laid out by the founders in 1638. Art, theater, delectable
food-all this and a harbor boat ride as well in New Haven.
Nearby, the Shoreline Trolley Museum, in East Haven, offers
a nostalgic ride over historic, and in Guilford you will
see a New England green surrounded by historic houses.
The town of Cheshire boasts a restored section of the
Farmington Canal, a waterway that ran briefly from New
Haven to Northampton. By 1848 the railroads had made the
canal obsolete, and Lock 12 became history.
DRIVING TIP: Approximately 70 miles driving distance.
Begin in New Haven. Take I-95 north (eastbound) to
Exit 51. Go east on Rtes.1 and 146 to Guilford (Rte
146 is a scenic shoreline road). Go north on Rte. 77
(scenic road) to Durham Center. Go north on Rte. 17
and west on Rtes.147, 157, 68 and 70 to Cheshire. Take
Rte.10 south to New Haven and close loop.
Connecticut Tourism |
| New
London |
Connecticut Heritage
Facing Long Island Sound and the sea, New London and Mystic
drew restless, venturesome Yankees of earlier centuries
and sent them around the world in search of whale oil,
porcelain, rum and spices. New London was for a time the
second busiest whaling port on the east coast; the mansions
built by her sea captains testify to the success of their
voyages. Mystic Seaport the seagoing, shipbuilding era,
from shops and homes to skill and lore- even to the preservation
of the last of the wooden whaling ships, the Charles W.
Morgan. Inland, rural Connecticut maintains its steady
habits, sowing and reaping. In recent years the hillsides
have yielded new crops: three wineries in Stonington,
North Stonington and Lisbon that now produce wines from
Connecticut grapes. Yankee courage is exemplified at the
northernmost point of the loop, in Canterbury, where Prudence
Crandall opened New England's first school for black girls
in 1833. A nice side trip while completing the loop would
be the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville.
DRIVING TIP: Approximate driving distance from New
London making a loop back to New London is 90 miles.
Begin in New London. Take I-95 north (eastbound) across
Thames River to lefthand Exit 86. Go east on Rte. 184
to Old Mystic. Take Rte. 27 south to Mystic. Go east
on Rte. 1 to jct. Rte. 2. Go north on Rtes. 2, 184 and
49 to jct.14A to Canterbury. Go south on Rtes.169 (scenic
road) and 2 to Norwich. take Rte. 32 south to close
loop in New London.
Connecticut Tourism |
| Northeast
Corner |
Route 169
The Norwich-Woodstock Turnpike, Route 169, runs for 32
miles from Canterbury to Woodstock. It's the longest scenic
state highway in Connecticut, and offers views of historic
sites, rolling hills, gentle woodlands. An estimated 189
pre-1855 homes survive along the highway, as well as historic
churches and farms. The highway winds through the towns
of Lisbon, Canterbury (home to a confluence of Georgian
architecture), Brooklyn (the "other" Brooklyn),
Pomfret (once known as the "other Newport" for
its strong influx of wealthy vacationers), and Woodstock,
which has an architectural feast surrounding a traditional
New England town green.
Visit New England |
| River
Valley and Shoreline |
| Route 82 offers some spectacular views of the Connecticut
River Valley countryside. Begin at Exit 7 off Route 9
in Chester and wend your way through a portion of the
Cockaponset State Forest. The road then crosses the Connecticut
River into East Haddam, offering a stunning view of both
the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle. You'll
meander through the village of East Haddam, past the opera
house, and then back into the countryside. The road also
goes right through Devil's Hopyard State Park, before
continuing east into Salem and Norwich in the eastern
part of the state.
For a scenic trip through the shoreline towns of Old
Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and
Branford, begin in Essex and take Route 154 south into
Old Saybrook. 154 goes right through the center of Old
Saybrook and then heads out to Saybrook Point where
it turns and follows the coastline. Great waterviews
can be found all along the route, but the scene of the
Sound from Saybrook Point with the homes out in Old
Lyme in the distance (assuming good visibility) is unforgettable.
In Westbrook, 154 will intersect with historic U.S.
Route 1. Following U.S. 1 west into Branford (where
you can pick up I-95 for a speedier trip from there)
will take you through traditional New England village
centers, past numerous shoreline and marina settings,
and even near to the popular Hammonasset State Beach.
Visit New England |
| Southington
and Central |
| Begin in Plainville, off I-84 at Exit 34 on Crooked
Street. Take CT Route 372 west to Pierce Street and make
a left. Continue to Broad Street and make a right. Take
Broad Street to South Washington Street, and make another
left. Continue to Town Line Road, take a right, and then
a right again on Resdtone Hill. Make left onto Redstone
Hill Road, and continue to Route 229.
Take a right on 229 and a quick left onto Cross Street.
Make a Left on Lake Avenue and take that into Southington
(where it becomes Mt. Vernon Road). Continue on to Marion
Avenue and make a left. Bear right onto West Main Street
and take it to Route 10. Make a right onto Route 10,
and continue into Cheshire. Where Route 10 meets Route
42 make another right. Follow Route 42 to Mountain Road,
and take a right, then another right on Higgins Road.
Make a left onto Oak Street and then a right onto Cornwall
Avenue. Then make a left back onto Route 10. Follow
Route 10 to Academy Street and take a right. At South
Meriden Road take a left and then another left onto
Cheshire Street. Make a left on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike
and take it into Southington.
At Old Turnpike Road make a right and take it back
to Route 10 (Main Street). Take a right onto Hobart
Street and a left on Pleasant Street. Follow along to
Flanders Street, make a right and then a left onto Floanders
Road. At Mine Hollow Road take another right, and then
again onto Long Bottom Road. Take Long Bottom Road to
Andrews Street and make another right. At Kensington
Road (Route 364) make a left and then bear left again
onto Route 71. Follow Route 71 into Berlin, and at Norton
Road take a right. Continue on Norton Road (which becomes
Hudson Street). At Worthington Ridge Road make a left,
and then left again onto Farmington Avenue.
Take Farmington Avenue to Route 71A, and then take
71A north. At Route 372 make a left and follow the road
into New Britain. At Shuttle Meadow Avenue go left again
and head west on Reservoir Road. Where Shuttle Meadow
Road forks to the right, take it. Follow Shuttle Meadow
Road onto Ledge Road. Make a left back onto I-84.
Visit New England |
| Waterbury |
| From I-84 in Waterbury, begin at Route 8 north to Exit
38. At the end of the exit ramp, make a left. Travel down
to the first traffic light and make another left. You
should now be on Route 6. At the next stop sign go left
again. Make sure you stay on Route 6 through the traffic
light, and continue on until you spot the entrance to
Black Rock State Park, make a right and enter the park.
Enjoy the park scenery, and upon exiting the park, take
a right back onto Route 6. Follow the road into Watertown,
and at the intersection of State Route 63, make a left.
Follow Route 63 into Middlebury and to the intersection
at Route 64. Make a right onto Route 64 and follow it
down about 4 miles to Route 188, where you'll make a left.
As you continue on Route 188, you'll pass Rose Hurst Stables
on the left. Continue on Rte 188 for 5 miles to Route
67. Turn left onto Route 67 South. This will take you
through Oxford and then into Seymour. In Seymour, pick
up Route 8 North and take it back to Waterbury.
The time of the drive, without any stops, is approximately
1 hour and 15 minutes.
Visit New England |
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