Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Shelton, CT

Summary

Jones Family Farms
Indian Well State Park
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
Downtown Shelton
Wells Hollow Creamery
Paugussett Trail
Shelton Riverview Park
Sports Center of Connecticut
Veterans Memorial Park
Shelton Lakes Recreation Path
Whitney Farms Golf Club
Lake Zoar
Webb Mountain Discovery Zone
Shelton History Center
Shelton Farmers’ Market

In the lower Naugatuck Valley, Shelton is a charming riverside community that has undergone a renaissance since the 1980s.

From the 1860s until relatively recently, Shelton depended on heavy industry, remnants of which persist in large brick factories, some of which have been transformed into luxury condominiums.

A section of the waterfront has been revitalized and converted into Veterans Memorial Park. There is consistently an array of enjoyable activities occurring here in the summer, including a farmers’ market that operates on Saturday mornings.

If you find yourself in Shelton to appreciate the foliage in autumn, you will be impressed by the surrounding farms offering pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Additionally, there are various delights such as cider, wine, homemade ice cream, and delectable baked goods like apple cider donuts.

Let us examine the top attractions in Shelton:

1. Jones Family Farms

Founded in 1848 and situated in the White Hills of Shelton, Jones Family Farms encompasses 400 acres across three locations.

A significant portion of this land is allocated for growing Christmas trees. The farm also cultivates blueberries and strawberries available for picking in summer, along with pumpkins in October.

During the pumpkin season at Pumpkinseed Hill Farm, children have the opportunity to interact with farm animals, enjoy hay rides, and navigate a corn maze. Adults can savor the autumn scenery while purchasing apples and squash.

Furthermore, there is a winery located in the historic barn of Homestead Farm, producing a selection of white wines including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Muscat, Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, and Cayuga grapes, along with red varieties primarily sourced from California.

Visitors can enjoy wine on the spacious patio during summer weekends, where a schedule of live music often adds to the ambiance.

2. Indian Well State Park

This picturesque strip of rugged woodland bordering the west bank of Lake Housatonic offers a wealth of enjoyment. It is worth noting that non-Connecticut residents will incur a considerable fee for parking, especially during summer weekends.

However, once you enter the park, a brief hike leads to a stunning horsetail waterfall, standing at 15 feet and cascading into a splash pool.

During the summer, Indian Well State Park becomes a preferred location for cooling off, featuring a beach on the lake that is supervised by lifeguards during peak season.

Children particularly appreciate the designated swimming area, which remains shallow, ensuring safety. On the hottest days, visitors can retreat to the shaded area by the water’s edge for a relaxing picnic.

3. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard

This cider mill thrives in the fall season, producing UV-treated alcohol-free cider that retains its unique flavor profile.

Cider is available throughout autumn and into late winter, yet the farm boasts many additional offerings.

From mid-September to late October, visitors can engage in apple-picking with over 15 varieties available, including Gala, Honeycrisp, and Macoun early in the season, and Granny Smith, Winesap, and Braeburn later on.

The farm features a shop open seven days a week, offering the renowned apple cider donuts, along with a selection of homemade pies, cookies, fruit breads, honey, jellies, and jams.

4. Downtown Shelton

Considering that Shelton was predominantly an industrial town until a generation ago, the downtown area has emerged as a pleasant destination for an afternoon visit.

Riverside parks, which will be discussed further below, enhance the experience, while some of the historical factories have been rehabilitated for residential use.

Examples of this can be seen on Bridge Street and Howe Avenue, where the streetscape has been improved over the last two decades with upgraded sidewalks and tree plantings.

Many independent eateries have emerged, among which are the esteemed Italian restaurant Amici’s on Howe Avenue, Caloroso Eatery & Bar specializing in pizza, and the long-established Billy D’s Full Belly Deli for breakfast.

5. Wells Hollow Creamery

This family-run dairy farm, now in its fifth generation, operates an ice cream shop open daily during the spring and summer seasons.

Wells Hollow Creamery offers a diverse menu of homemade ice cream flavors. Options range from classic vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry to unique creations like cannoli ricotta and baklava.

Visitors can select between a cup or a cone, with additional choices including sorbets and fat-free options.

The shaded outdoor patio provides an enjoyable setting to savor your treat, while younger guests can explore the farm’s cows, chickens, and goats.

In the fall, a harvest celebration features live music, a corn maze, and a sprawling pumpkin patch.

6. Paugussett Trail

This 14-mile Blue-Blazed trail extends through Shelton and parts of Monroe, connecting much of the natural areas mentioned. Hiking along this route, you will traverse Indian Well State Park, Webb Mountain Park, and the southern shore of Lake Zoar.

The main path spans from southeast to northwest, generally paralleling the Housatonic River, which occasionally comes into view, particularly during the winter months when foliage is sparse.

Along the trail, you will encounter the ruins of long-forgotten mills, substantial boulders, the falls at Indian Well, and the entrance to an old silver mine.

A notable section features a challenging ascent at Princess Wenonah Drive, where steps rise steeply between two suburban homes.

7. Shelton Riverview Park

As the town’s oldest official park, Shelton Riverview Park sits atop the bluffs beside the Derby-Shelton Dam, showcasing a serene view of the artificial falls and the wooded hills on the Derby side of the river.

Established at the close of the 19th century and featuring the “Boy with Fish” statue cast in zinc atop a granite fountain, this park serves as a significant historical landmark.

Additionally, Fort Hill boasts the location of Shelton’s final palisade fort from the Native American Pootatuck tribe, marked by an inscribed boulder. An intriguing historical feature includes a descendant of Hartford’s renowned Charter Oak, symbolizing American independence.

Alongside its scenic views, Riverview Park offers opportunities for physical activity, with facilities that include baseball fields, basketball courts, and hiking trails.

8. Sports Center of Connecticut

Families seeking varied activities will find them at this multifunctional attraction.

Notably, the Sports Center of Connecticut features full-size double-decker rinks ideal for recreational skating and pick-up hockey, along with figure-skating lessons and youth hockey league options.

In addition, the center offers a plethora of entertainment options typically found in family fun centers, including an 18-hole mini-golf course, a bowling alley, driving range, batting cages, paintball, laser tag, basketball court, video arcade, and virtual reality games.

9. Veterans Memorial Park

Shelton hosts a series of public events at this riverside park, which features the town’s solemn granite war memorials.

The Veterans Memorial Park includes a vast expanse of green spaces, complemented by a pavilion and a tree-lined walkway alongside Shelton Riverwalk.

This tranquil environment holds historical significance, as it was once the site of one of the most significant arson incidents in American history. On March 1, 1975, the Sponge Rubber Products Plant was ignited, resulting in an explosion visible from several miles away.

Today, Veterans Memorial Park is the venue for Shelton’s Fourth of July fireworks, the Downtown Sounds summer concert series, as well as the Food Trucks on the River program, the town’s farmers’ market, and outdoor theater events.

10. Shelton Lakes Recreation Path

Featuring 11 miles of trails across more than 450 acres, the Shelton Lakes Greenway Network extends into the town’s tranquil countryside. The paths meander past a series of serene reservoirs enveloped by woodland.

The most frequented path within this network is the multi-use Shelton Lakes Recreation Path, designed with a crushed stone surface suitable for bikes, wheelchairs, and strollers.

This 4.1-mile path, completed in 2012, begins at Pine Lake, close to the town’s center, progressing westward up a gentle incline, following the dam at Silent Waters to an inviting overlook at Hope Lake Dam.

11. Whitney Farms Golf Club

This 18-hole Par 72 championship golf course, located a mere ten minutes from Shelton, offers a challenge even to seasoned golfers.

Whitney Farms operates as a semi-private club, welcoming public play and providing breathtaking views from its tees and fairways.

The course presents challenges with its small, contoured greens, necessitating precision in iron play. Additionally, a driving range and practice green are available for refining skills.

A noteworthy contemporary addition to Whitney Farms is The Player’s Club Virtual Golf Lounge, equipped with state-of-the-art simulators allowing players to maintain their swing throughout winter.

Moreover, the Sand Trap Grill and Bar serves refreshments via a mobile cart that circulates the course during busy days.

12. Lake Zoar

Just prior to flowing past Shelton, the Housatonic River is dammed to create Lake Zoar, covering over 900 acres, making it the fifth largest lake in Connecticut.

This historic reservoir, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to the hydroelectric Stevenson Dam, constructed in the 1910s, which carries Roosevelt Drive (Route 34) across the river.

Lake Zoar is accessible to the public and is particularly renowned for the Blue-Blazed Zoar Trail, a circular route beginning at the end of Great Quarter Road on the north shore, ascending to a rugged peak within Paugussett State Forest.

Recreational activities on the lake include waterskiing and jet-skiing. Although it is not stocked with fish, the nearby Pomperaug and Pootatuck Rivers host vast populations of trout alongside plentiful bass, perch, white catfish, and pike.

13. Webb Mountain Discovery Zone

Adjacent to the border with Monroe lies over 300 acres of wilderness spanning rugged terrain across two separate parcels.

Approximately half of this area constitutes Webb Mountain Park, which descends steeply towards the Housatonic River. This park serves as a prime location for hiking, climbing schist walls, and camping activities.

Further up from the river lies the Webb Mountain Discovery Zone, an outdoor educational facility designed for children, nestled within 170 acres of woodland.

The Discovery Zone offers after-school programs focused on science and nature, as well as seasonal enrichment classes that encourage children to engage with the natural environment.

Visitors are welcome to utilize the trails, explore freshwater species at the vernal ponds, enjoy picnics, and observe local wildlife at the various feeders and birdbaths. Children can participate in a complimentary outdoor scavenger hunt for added fun.

14. Shelton History Center

To gain insight into Shelton’s history, the local historical society has assembled a collection of buildings at the intersection of Ripton Road and Cloverdale Avenue.

The Brownson House (1822) and Trap Fall School (1872) have been relocated to this site, while the Wilson Barn (1860) remains in its original location.

This barn houses the museum’s permanent exhibition titled “Three Centuries of Shelton – From Farming to Industry and Beyond.”

Visitors can tour the museum complex, which also features a carriage barn with a collection of horse-drawn vehicles, as well as a traditional outhouse and corn crib that add to the historical experience.

The society actively engages with the community by organizing events such as the Harvest Fun Fest in the fall, along with town tours, reading groups, open houses, and clubs tailored for youth.

15. Shelton Farmers’ Market

The transformation of Shelton is exemplified by the presence of a quaint farmers’ market, situated where a large factory once stood. This market operates every Saturday throughout spring and summer, adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park.

From 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM, visitors can browse fresh produce, locally roasted coffee, farm-raised meats, eggs, baked goods, flowers, and handcrafted items, all sourced directly from local producers.

Alongside supporting the local economy, attendees have the opportunity to engage with producers who can offer invaluable tips on utilizing their products effectively.

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