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State: CT

  • Hidden Acres Family Campground – Preston, CT

    Hidden Acres Family Campground – Preston, CT

    Hidden Acres Family Campground

    Preston, CT

    hidden-acres-family-campground-preston-ct
    A cabin porch at Hidden Acres. 📸 Hidden Acres Family Campground

    Hidden Acres Family Campground
    • Address: 47 River Rd, Preston, CT 06365
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: https://www.hiddenacrescamp.com/

    Overview:
    Located along the Quinebaug River, Hidden Acres is a lively yet peaceful campground offering a mix of RV sites, tent spots, and a variety of cabin rentals. With on-site tubing, a pool, hayrides, and a roaming flock of peacocks, this place has a personality all its own.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    It’s a true family-run gem with tons of charm and loyal campers who return year after year. Whether you’re there to relax by the river or join in the crafts and camp events, the atmosphere is always welcoming.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Cabin styles vary—check descriptions before booking.
    • Some riverfront cabins available.
    • Pet-friendly.
    • Best suited for families or social campers.

    Fun Fact:
    Peacocks roam freely around the campground and have become something of a mascot for the property.

  • Charlie Brown Campground – Eastford, CT

    Charlie Brown Campground – Eastford, CT

    Charlie Brown Campground

    Eastford, CT

    charlie-brown-campground-eastford-ct
    The Charlie Brown Campground sign glows in the sunset light at the entrance to this Eastford favorite. 📸 Charlie Brown Campground

    Cozy Hills Campground
    • Address: 98 Chaplin Rd, Eastford, CT 06242
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: https://www.charliebrowncampground.com/

    Overview:
    Located in the pre-Revolutionary town of Eastford, Charlie Brown Campground offers a peaceful, family-friendly setting nestled among rolling hills, rivers, and more than 12,000 acres of state parks and forests. The campground features wooded tent and RV sites, rustic cabins, a swimming hole, and access to hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    The campground sits at the head of the Natchaug River—beloved by spring kayakers and summer anglers alike—and is within driving distance of antiques districts, sugarhouses, and pick-your-own apple orchards. With themed weekends, bonfires, hayrides, and on-site amenities like Wi-Fi, a rec hall, and oversized RV sites, there’s something here for every kind of camper.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • A variety of cabins available, from rustic to fully equipped luxury units.
    • Open mid-April through mid-October.
    • Seasonal sites include perks like free Wi-Fi and private events.
    • Recreation hall available to rent for events.

    Fun Fact:
    The campground’s swimming hole marks the head of the Natchaug River—one of Connecticut’s most heavily stocked trophy trout streams.

  • Acorn Acres Campground – Bozrah, CT

    Acorn Acres Campground – Bozrah, CT

    Acorn Acres Campground

    Bozrah, CT

    acorn-acres-campground-places-to-stay-ct
    The outdoor pool at Acorn Acres, surrounded by tall trees and summer sunshine. 📸 Acorn Acres Campground

    Acorn Acres Campground
    • Address: 135 Lake Rd, Bozrah, CT
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: https://acornacrescampsites.com/

    Overview:
    Set on 100 wooded acres, Acorn Acres is a family-run campground offering year-round tent sites, RV spots, and four cozy cabins. It’s peaceful, well-kept, and great for both weekenders and seasonal stays.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Whether you want to winter camp or visit during peak fall foliage, this place delivers comfort and calm. Themed weekends like Lobster Fest and Halloween Campout add a festive local touch.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Cabins have A/C and heat.
    • Campground is open year-round.
    • Outdoor pool, game room, and group areas.
    • Pet-friendly with a dog walk zone.

    Fun Fact:
    Acorn Acres has been known to host winter campers—even during snowstorms.

  • Cozy Hills Campground – Bantam, CT

    Cozy Hills Campground – Bantam, CT

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Bantam, CT

    cozy-hills-campground-places-to-stay-ct
    Tall trees surrounding a fishing pond at Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam. 📸 Cozy Hills Campground

    Cozy Hills Campground
    • Address: 1311 Bantam Rd, Bantam, CT
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: https://www.cozyhills.com/

    Overview:
    Cozy Hills is a family-friendly campground offering cabin rentals, RV sites, a fishing pond, arcade, climbing wall, and themed weekend events. It’s a fun, activity-packed destination that still feels like a peaceful woodland retreat.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    There’s something for everyone—kids love the outdoor laser tag and pedal carts, while adults appreciate the quiet corners and wooded sites. It’s approachable for both seasoned campers and first-timers.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Cabins sleep 4–6 guests.
    • Book in advance for popular themed weekends.
    • Pet-friendly options available.
    • Located near Litchfield’s shops and trails.

    Fun Fact:
    Cozy Hills regularly features live music and farm-stand weekends with local vendors.

  • Perk on Main – Middletown, CT

    Perk on Main – Middletown, CT

    Perk on Main

    Middletown, CT

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    Crepes, coffee, and community—Perk on Main makes every bite count. 📸 Perk on Main

    Perk on Main
    • Address: 386 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.perkonmain.com

    Overview:
    Perk on Main has been serving up coffee and crepes with a conscience since 2002. What started in a tiny shop in Durham has grown into a bright, welcoming café right in the heart of Middletown. Perk focuses on local and organic ingredients, fairly traded coffee, and environmentally responsible practices—from wind-powered energy to compostable packaging. Whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-day pick-me-up, you’ll find handmade crepes, espresso drinks, and a crew that makes everyone feel like a regular.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Come for the crepes, stay for the good vibes. Perk on Main is the kind of place where you can grab a lavender latte, read the community bulletin board, and run into your neighbors. It’s casual, friendly, and full of thoughtful details—from the food to the mission behind it.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open daily—check website for current hours
    • Menu includes sweet and savory crepes, smoothies, and coffee drinks
    • Vegan and gluten-free options available
    • Environmentally conscious: composts food waste, uses wind energy, and supports local farms
    • Indoor and outdoor seating

    Fun Fact:
    Perk on Main’s food waste doesn’t go to the landfill—it’s turned into mulch, and even the coffee grounds are donated to local gardens.

  • Mr. D’s – Wallingford, CT

    Mr. D’s – Wallingford, CT

    Mr. D’s

    Wallingford, CT

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    Scoops, sweets, and small-town charm—Mr. D’s makes every visit feel like a treat. 📸 Mr. D’s

    Mr. D’s Ice Cream & Sweets
    • Address: 50 N Main St, Wallingford, CT 06492
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.getmrds.com

    Overview:
    Mr. D’s is the kind of place that becomes part of your routine without even trying. Maybe it starts with a scoop of Black Raspberry after school. Or a birthday cake you picked up once—and now pick up every year. For owner Heather Williams, it started with childhood memories of Praline’s Ice Cream and turned into a dream come true when she bought the shop in 2021. Today, Mr. D’s still serves those classic Praline’s flavors, along with cupcakes, candy, coffee, and a little local magic.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Because every town needs a spot like this—where the cones are generous, the candy jars are full, and everyone knows your go-to order. Mr. D’s makes everyday moments feel like little celebrations.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open year-round—check the website for current hours
    • Sells Praline’s Ice Cream, a Connecticut original
    • Ice cream cakes, cupcakes, and candy galore
    • Coffee, smoothies, and rotating dessert specials
    • Indoor seating with a few outdoor tables

    Fun Fact:
    Heather’s love of Praline’s Ice Cream goes back to her childhood in Meriden—and now her daughters are regulars at the shop she runs herself.

  • Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream – Griswold, CT

    Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream – Griswold, CT

    Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream

    Griswold, CT

    buttonwood-farm-ice-cream-griswold-ct
    Come for the ice cream, stay for the sunflowers—Buttonwood Farm is summer sweetness in every sense. 📸 Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream

    Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream
    • Address: 473 Shetucket Turnpike, Griswold, CT 06351
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.buttonwoodfarmicecream.com

    Overview:
    Out in the quiet countryside of Griswold, Buttonwood Farm has been a family-run operation since the 1970s. These days, it’s best known for two things: rich, creamy homemade ice cream and its sunflower fields that bloom each July for a good cause. With more than 50 flavors to choose from—plus fresh-made waffle cones and real whipped cream—it’s the kind of place that draws a crowd on sunny afternoons. Kids can see the cows, parents can kick back under the open sky, and everyone leaves happy.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    This is classic Connecticut summer at its best. Buttonwood keeps things simple: good ice cream, friendly people, and a peaceful place to enjoy both. Add in the sunflowers and it’s no wonder folks come back year after year.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open March through October, 12–9 p.m. daily
    • More than 50 flavors, including non-dairy and frozen yogurt
    • Sunflower season hits mid-July and can get busy
    • Fresh waffle cones and whipped cream made in-house
    • Big parking lot and picnic tables available
    • No indoor seating—pack sunglasses and a blanket

    Fun Fact:
    Each year, Buttonwood plants over 14 acres of sunflowers to raise money for Make-A-Wish Connecticut—so far, they’ve raised almost $2 million.

  • Grassroots Ice Cream – Granby, CT

    Grassroots Ice Cream – Granby, CT

    Grassroots Ice Cream

    Granby, CT

    grassroots-kitchen-and-creamery-granby-ct
    From honey lavender to goat cheese swirl, Grassroots Ice Cream is a scoop above the rest. 📸 Grassroots Kitchen + Creamery

    Grassroots Ice Cream
    • Address: On the Town Green, 4 Park Pl, Granby, CT
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.grassrootsicecream.com

    Overview:
    Just off the Farmington River Trail, Grassroots Ice Cream in Collinsville serves up wildly creative, small-batch scoops made at their Granby Creamery. Best known for imaginative flavors like Goat Cheese Blackberry, Blood Orange Chocolate Chip, and Honey Lavender, Grassroots churns out over 100 unique varieties throughout the year. The shop sits in a charming brick building with rainbow benches outside, perfect for a post-paddle or biking break. What started in the former Granby General Store has grown into a family-run favorite with locations across Connecticut and a reputation for making everything—down to the mix-ins—from scratch.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Voted one of Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” and a “Best of Hartford” winner, Grassroots balances creative flair with genuine community charm. From scratch-made jams and brownies to welcoming service, this spot delivers more than a scoop—it delivers a whole experience.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open year-round; hours vary seasonally
    • Rotating ice cream menu—check online for updates
    • Vegan and dairy-free options available
    • Street parking nearby
    • Take your cone for a walk along the river or nearby trail system

    Fun Fact:
    Though best known for ice cream, Grassroots also dishes up “fast-gourmet” street food—think tacos, wraps, and salads—at their Granby, Simsbury, and New Milford locations.

  • OEC Brewing – Oxford, CT

    OEC Brewing – Oxford, CT

    OEC Brewing

    Oxford, CT

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    Wild-fermented beers, rustic vibes, and a hint of mystery—OEC Brewing isn’t your typical brewery stop. 📷 OEC Brewing

    OEC Brewing (Ordinem Ecentrici Coctores)

    Address: 7 Fox Hollow Road, Oxford, CT
    State: Connecticut
    Website: https://www.oecbrewing.com

    Overview
    OEC Brewing isn’t your average taproom—it’s a little weird, a little mysterious, and a whole lot of fun if you’re up for something different. Tucked away in the woods of Oxford, this brewery leans into old-world brewing traditions with a modern, eccentric twist. Expect unfiltered, barrel-aged, sometimes funky beers inspired by Northern Europe, made using wild fermentation, open vats, and techniques that sound more like alchemy than brewing.

    The space itself feels like a rustic clubhouse for people who love beer (and maybe a good secret society reference or two). There’s stone and wood and Latin symbols on the walls, plus a patio for nice days. It’s quirky in all the right ways—and surprisingly approachable, even if you don’t usually go for the sour or funky stuff.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop
    There’s nowhere else in Connecticut quite like it. If you’re into unique beers, oddball history, or just want a brewery visit that stands out, this place checks all the boxes.

    What to Know Before You Go

    • Open Tuesday–Sunday (hours vary slightly; closes at 7pm Friday–Saturday)
    • Small seasonal menu available; outside food and snacks also welcome
    • Seating is limited indoors; outdoor courtyard open in warmer months
    • Beer list changes constantly—come curious
    • Funky, barrel-aged, and old-world styles are their specialty

    Fun Fact
    The Latin name is intentionally wrong—OEC stands for Order of the Eccentric Boilers, a playful nod to old brewing traditions and secret societies. The founders fully admit: they don’t take themselves too seriously.

  • Fox Farm Brewery – Salem, CT

    Fox Farm Brewery – Salem, CT

    Fox Farm Brewery

    Salem, CT

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    Crisp pours and country views—Fox Farm Brewery is a peaceful spot to sip and stay awhile. 📷 Fox Farm Brewery

    Fox Farm Brewery

    Address: 62 Music Vale Road, Salem, CT
    State: Connecticut
    Website: https://www.foxfarmbeer.com

    Overview
    Tucked down a winding country road in Salem, Fox Farm Brewery is a quiet standout on Connecticut’s craft beer scene. It’s set in a beautifully restored dairy barn surrounded by rolling fields, with a tasting room that’s equal parts rustic and refined. There’s no restaurant, no live music, no frills—just really, really good beer and a setting that makes you want to hang out for hours.

    Fox Farm is known for clean, balanced beers—IPAs, pilsners, lagers, saisons—all brewed on-site with an emphasis on subtlety and quality. You can grab a pour or a flight inside the barn, or take it outside to the picnic tables on the lawn. It’s not loud or crowded—just friendly, well-paced, and thoughtfully done. If you’re into beer (or with someone who is), it’s absolutely worth the trip.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop
    It’s peaceful, scenic, and refreshingly chill. A perfect place to unwind with a beer that was brewed just a few feet away.

    What to Know Before You Go

    • Open Thursday–Sunday
    • No food for sale, but you’re welcome to bring light snacks
    • Kid-friendly and dog-friendly outdoors
    • Indoor and outdoor seating available year-round
    • Most beers available to-go in cans

    Fun Fact
    The tasting room sits in what used to be a hayloft, and the original post-and-beam construction is still fully intact.