A Springtime Escape to Litchfield County, Connecticut
- kflynn80
- Jun 8
- 5 min read
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to escape to the picturesque landscape of Litchfield County, Connecticut for the wedding of a dear friend’s daughter. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew that it would most likely be an enchanting slice of heaven given that the fictitious television show, the Gilmore Girls, was supposed to be based in the region, which is just as lovely as you might expect. Nestled amid the rolling hills and scenic beauty are charming inns, culinary delights, and antique treasures. It’s well worth a visit if you are ever in the area. Here are a few notes on what we saw:
Where to Stay
Mayflower Inn & Spa
The wedding took place at the region’s famous Mayflower Inn & Spa, which apparently is where the creator of the Gilmore Girls, Amy Sherman-Palladino, stayed when she was in the area and used the inn as the inspiration for the TV series.
The second you begin the drive towards Washington, where the Inn is based, you feel like you are in another world. Wifi is spotty and you find yourself driving amongst the trees in and around the area looking for a location that seems hidden, and this is absolutely what draws you in from the start.
From the moment we arrived, we were treated as honored guests and the grounds are just lovely with gorgeous green vistas, stunning rhododendrons and even a maze on the grounds with logs ready to be lit when the sun sets for a lovely nightcap by the fire.
I did not stay at this inn, but during the two nights we spent being entertained there, I saw enough to want to return and for all of the guests who we spoke to who did stay there, we heard nothing but wonderful remarks about feeling relaxed and pampered. One could even imagine a “White Lotus” episode taking place here as they offer wellness retreats that reminded me of the most recent season in Thailand.
The Garden Room where the rehearsal dinner was held was truly stunning and we loved enjoying cocktails on the terrace – truly a magical experience.
Abner Hotel
Our hotel for our stay was the newer Abner, which is set in a former courthouse that dates back to 1888. It has been renovated with warm light-washed rooms and intriguing artwork. Although it rained while we were there, we saw a charming rooftop bar that would be delightful on summer evenings.
The staff could not have been nicer and the breakfasts, which are included as part of the stay, were delicious and homemade every morning. They included a different frittata each day, homemade muffins, and delicious local strained yogurt with fresh fruit to name a few of the offerings.
We enjoyed being in the town of Litchfield and within walking distance from charming shops and restaurants. If you like being closer to the center of things, this is a great option for a visit.
Where to Eat
Our first stop upon arrival was to this low-key sandwich shop, where I ordered a Cuban sandwich made with turkey, roast pork, pickles, and mustard on a pretzel roll with the cheese made from the dairy. My husband had chicken salad on pain au lait. This casual eatery is great for a quick pit stop for coffee and baked goods.
Famed throughout the region is the Arethusa Farm Dairy, which is a wonderful ice cream shop that also sells cheese, yogurt, ice cream, milk, butter, sour cream, and seasonal eggnog, which several people mentioned to us. I wasn’t expecting too much as I’ve had some pretty impressive options for ice cream before, but it was truly great, and the portions were huge! I bought the cheese and had yogurt for breakfast and was equally delighted. Worth the trip.
Located right next to the Housatonic River in what appears to be an old mill, this bakery offers artisanal breads and rustic pastries along with delicious cookies, brownies, and biscuits. It smells heavenly from the second you enter, and you will be compelled to buy even if you are full! A dream for anyone who enjoys a delicious loaf of bread with butter.
Located right near the Abner, our favorite spot of the trip, was this neighborhood haunt offering a variety of appetizers from nachos and cauliflower flatbreads to spiedini and mozzarella en carozza. Everyone was friendly and clearly knew the bartender and were frequent guests from what we could tell. I would have stayed longer, but we were pacing ourselves for what we knew would be an enchanting occasion in terms of the wedding!
Housed in what was once the jail for Litchfield, this snug spot offers comfort food and a large deck overlooking the village green. The authentic cell blocks frame the three-story bar while iron barred windows and exposed brick tell the story of the centuries past. We enjoyed an excellent burger here along with some libations from the local breweries.
Along the main strip in Kent, CT is this adorable bakery and café that appears to attract readers, pastry eaters, and committed caffeine drinkers. It’s a homey and fun environment that is clearly the centerpiece of this charming community.
What to Do
Although we were only in Litchfield for a short time, we made the most of the weekend and drove around the surrounding area to explore it and discover some of the places we might want to visit again.
The town of Litchfield was named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best places to go in 2025 and it is easy to see why. It’s an area filled with beautiful villages, stunning vistas and babbling brooks. The flowers adorning the valleys are equally beautiful and there are numerous hiking trails throughout the region to explore with many lakes filled with trout and several gorgeous waterfalls.
As we stayed in the main town, Litchfield, we explored that area on foot and checked out some of the charming shops. Went into Little-ish, Hope and Honey Gifts, and CP Farmhouse to explore the wares on offer.
A drive a few miles away brought us to New Preston. Unfortunately, the shops weren’t open when we got there, but what we saw looked charming.
Our true destination, however, was Kent, which is the town where my friend and colleague Evelyn is from and attended school. I had been wanting to see it, so it was fun to take the trip and finally rest my eyes on this charming village. She directed us to check out Kent Falls State Park, which would have been beautiful to explore, however, it happened to be pouring the day we were there. No matter, we still enjoyed the visit and hope to return again someday. While there, we visited House of Books, a charming bookstore, and enjoyed the quaint town and beautiful homes.
If you are looking for a break from city living or just a charming, beautiful place to get away and be surrounded by beauty, you can do no better than this location which is filled with lovely shops, nearby hikes, a few nearby wineries and farms, and some very good restaurants. It’s a place to savor slower days, relax and find the peace and calm so needed these days.