Trip Ideas

Climbing to the Top

There are few things as satisfying as climbing up to a high point and taking in the view – and that feeling is a little bit different in each of the four seasons. Here’s a workable plan that will take you to three of Connecticut’s best-known towers. By the end of the day you’ll feel like the ruler of all you survey.

1 day

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

  • Mount Tom State Park
  • Heublein Tower
  • Sleeping Giant State Park
Mount Tom State Park, Litchfield

Mount Tom State Park

You might begin this day early, with a good breakfast at Patty’s Restaurant in Litchfield. From there, it’s a short drive to Mount Tom State Park, and then a short but fairly steep climb up to the stone tower at the top. The tower is 34 feet high and it offers one of Connecticut’s great views (you’re 1,325 above sea level), with all sorts of distant landmarks in sight.

Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury

Heublein Tower

Next, head due east, where Heublein Tower is the crown jewel of Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury. The tower was built in 1914 as the summer home of Gilbert F. Heublein, a food and beverage magnate, and it stands atop 875-foot Talcott Mountain like a Bavarian castle. Climb to the top (through six stories of former living quarters) and you’ll have deep views in all directions.

Hungry? Along Route 10 from Simsbury to Hamden, you’ll see many great spots to stop and have lunch

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Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

Sleeping Giant State Park

Yes, from a distance the formation of hills at Sleeping Giant State Park does look like a sleeping giant. Your final climb of the day will take you along the Tower Trail through a series of switchbacks until you get to the quite wonderful Norman-style tower/castle that offers great views from its 800-foot-high perch. Still feeling energetic after your three-towers-in-a-day getaway? There are lots more trails in the park.

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