Foilage Driving Loops

CONNECTICUT FALL FOLIAGE
DRIVING LOOPS

Connecticut's scenic delights range from hilltop panoramas to colonial villages, from deep forests to busy cities.  Although Connecticut is a small state, each loop has a look and flavor of its own.  As you drive you will discover roadside stands with tempting fruits and vegetables in season, cider mills, picnic areas, old-fashioned country inns, antiques and craft shops, museums and art galleries.

1. Connecticut Heritage

   Facing Long Island Sound and the sea, New London (1) and Mystic (2) 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(3), North Stonington(4) and Lisbon(5) that now produce wines from Connecticut grapes. Yankee courage is exemplified at the northernmost point of the loop, in Canterbury (6), 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 (7).

   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.

    

    

2. Connecticut River Gateway

   Here's a chance to see the Indians' Long Tidal River from many angles. Follow it south from Middletown (1), and at Chester (2)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 (3), home of one of the largest collections of impressionism art, Florence Griswold Museum. Cross the river on the Baldwin Bridge to Old Saybrook (4), where David Bushnell launched the country's first submarine in 1776. In Essex (5), 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 (6). 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 (7) 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.)

    

    

3. Hartford West

   Hartford (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) drowses by the river, with the Hitchcock Chair Factory retaining the hand methods of a century ago. Canton (4), Avon (5), Farmington (6), 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.

    

    

4. New Haven and Surroundings

   The Shubert Theater, in New Haven (1), 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 (2), offers a nostalgic ride over historic, and in Guilford(3) you will see a New England green surrounded by historic houses. The town of Cheshire (4) 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.

    

    

5. 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 (1) 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 (2) and Roxbury (3). 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 7 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.

    

    

6. Traditional New England

   The cities of Litchfield County -Torrington (1) and Winsted (2)- 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 (3), Canaan (4), West Cornwall (5)- with its 19th century covered bridge. The views continue as you reach Warren (6) and Lake Waramaug-a scenic road around the lake-and its cluster of country inns, through New Preston (7), Bantam, and finally Litchfield (8), 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.

    

7. 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 (1). 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 (2). 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 (3), 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 (4) 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.