Road Tripping Through the National Parks: Connecticut
On our next edition of “Road Tripping Through the National Parks” we are covering my home state of Connecticut. Connecticut currently only has three national park sites so this should be a pretty easy trip to get through. Start by flying into Bradley International Airport near the state’s capitol, Hartford. Grab a rental car and take the one hour and fifteen minute drive to Chittenden Park, which marks the southern terminus of one of the newest national park sites in the entire system, New England National Scenic Trail.
New England National Scenic Trail runs from Long Island Sound in Connecticut all the way to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. It preserves trap rock ridge landscapes as well as some historical New England settings. It’s the latter you will get on the walk you take from Chittenden Park. Enjoy the view of Long Island Sound before you set off, and don’t let the road walks scare you as they lead to some interesting places. The historic Whitfield House (one of the oldest buildings in Connecticut) is the highlight here and you can explore the grounds to your heart’s desire as well as get more information about the trail. After you get back to your car you should head to New Haven and grab some of the city’s world famous apizza (Pepe’s, Modern, and Sally’s are the three most popular restaurants). Conclude the day by driving to Ridgefield and finding a hotel to stay the night. If you go straight from Chittenden Park to Ridgefield it’s about another hour and fifteen minute drive (and New Haven is on the way so you won’t waste much time picking up dinner).
Begin day two by heading over to Weir Farm National Historical Park in Wilton. This park preserves the home and farm of the famous and pioneering impressionist painter, J. Alden Weir, as well as the painters that continued his traditions on this land after his death. You can start your time at the park by checking out the visitor center and getting a spot on one of the ranger led tours of the Weir House. Make sure to watch the park video while you wait for your tour. After concluding your tour make sure to check out the two studios (which I find to be the most fascinating buildings preserved in the park due to the wide range of art on display), and then head across the street to walk the Weir Pond Trail. At just over a mile in length and almost no elevation change, it’s an easy and stress free hike. Once you get back to your car take the hour long drive to Bull’s Bridge in Kent. Stop at one of the many restaurants and food stands available on route 7, which you will follow for most of the way, for lunch. Bull’s Bridge is a popular trailhead for Connecticut’s final national park site: the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. If you want an easier hike go south on the Appalachian Trail from Bull’s Bridge. This portion of the Appalachian Trail follows the Housatonic River so you can enjoy the many rapids from a safe distance. Turn around once you hit the Ned Anderson Bridge, which goes over the confluence of the Housatonic and Tenmile Rivers. If you want more of a challenge, head north from Bull’s Bridge where you will be able to summit Schaghticoke Mountain. The mountain has expansive views of southern Kent and the nearby state of New York. You can’t go wrong with either way as they are both some of the best hikes in the state. Conclude your adventure by driving across the street to Bull’s Bridge Inn (which is now a restaurant and not a place for overnight accommodations). They serve a fantastic turkey dinner.
Take a late night flight back home or stay over in this underrated state for one more night. Connecticut may be a small state, but you will have a great time in the few days that you spend exploring it.
