Scenic and Quaint Kent, Connecticut
Litchfield County's Best Kept Secret for Shopping and Browsing
Nov 22, 2008
The Northwest corner of Connecticut has long been known as one of the premier areas for viewing the colorful, changing fall leaves. But there's more to the area than just beautiful foliage. Litchfield County is filled with picturesque small towns that are perfect for a weekend getaway. Located just two hours from New York City and three hours from Boston, the area is lined with twisting two-lane roads, bed and breakfasts in beautiful old farmhouses, walkable downtown shopping villages, and wonderful hiking trails and parks.
Downtown Kent Connecticut
Kent is a small town with only about 3,000 residents. Spending a weekend in Kent has much to offer. There are many bed and breakfasts that make you feel right at home. Several small stores line Kent's Main Street, where visitors can spend hours strolling and browsing.Railroad tracks run right through town, and several business occupy an authentic old railroad station.
Grab a cup of coffee at the Kent Coffee and Chocolate Company. Enjoy lunch at Caralee's Diner. Purchase Belgian chocolates and pastries at Belgique. Eat a gourmet dinner at the Fife and Drum Restaurant. All of these shops and restaurants, along with several others, are along Main Street, making it easy to walk to them. There are numerous art galleries, gift stores, and antiques shops to browse through. The galleries often feature local artists. The Sloane Stanley museum features art and old tools form the collection of writer Eric Sloane.
Outdoor Activities
Kent has some great hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,000 mile long trail stretching from Georgia to Maine, and it runs right through downtown Kent. Hikers who are traveling long distances can stop in Kent to pick up mail, buy gear at Backcountry Outfitters, and get some food. Day hikers can easily enjoy a shorter hike along the trail. There are also several other shorter hikes in the area. Kent boasts two state parks, Kent Falls State Park and Macedonia Brook State Park. Both parks are great for picnics, hikes, scenery, and just lying in the sun and enjoying the great outdoors.
Annual Events
Summer in Kent boasts several events. During August, Kent's annual Firemen's Fair occurs. This fair has rides, food, games, and contests, including bingo. The money collected at the fair goes to Kent's Volunteer Fire Department. The summer also includes Kent Memorial Library's sidewalk book sale, where you can browse gently used books and buy them for a steal. August also has the Summer Sidewalk Festival, where local shops have great deals and put merchandise out on the sidewalks. Local artists display their work for sale. It's a great time to stroll through town, even without buying anything.
Kent is filled with things to do for a relaxing weekend getaway. Great food, impressive art, friendly residents, and more are there to enjoy.
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