Top 15 Activities to Experience in East Windsor, CT

Established as early as 1768, East Windsor is a small town located on the east bank of the Connecticut River, comprising five distinct villages.

East Windsor emanates a captivating small-town allure, complemented by enriching attractions such as a museum dedicated to electric railroading and a preserved academy building where notable 19th-century Yale students received their education.

This museum operates under the auspices of the local historical society, which manages a modest campus of relocated historical landmarks.

The surrounding area of East Windsor offers scenic walking trails, fruit farms, golf courses, craft breweries, and antique shops. Additionally, the New England Air Museum represents a significant regional attraction situated just across the river in East Granby.

Let us delve into the premier activities and destinations in and around East Windsor, Connecticut:

1. Connecticut Trolley Museum

East Windsor is home to what is considered the oldest electric railroading museum in the United States.

The Connecticut Trolley Museum was founded in 1940 on the route of the now-defunct Rockville Branch of the Hartford and Springfield Street Railway Company, which ceased operations approximately 14 years prior.

The museum features a functioning 1.5-mile stretch of track, allowing visitors to enjoy unlimited rides on restored streetcars originating from New Orleans, Montreal, Boston, Springfield, MA, and various locations throughout Connecticut.

At the visitor center’s main hall, several static cars await exploration, presenting the history of this elegant mode of transport.

The museum operates primarily as a seasonal attraction, open daily except Tuesdays from June to September, with special events held during Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.

2. Connecticut Fire Museum

Situated in a warehouse at the rear of the Trolley Museum, this separate attraction is dedicated to the history of firefighting within the state.

While the museum has less regular operating hours, admission is included in the ticket price for the Trolley Museum, making it a convenient option for visitors.

Exhibits feature a rare collection of firefighting equipment, including trucks and hand and horse-drawn apparatus dating from 1850 to 1967, along with models and a variety of memorabilia such as photographs, medals, historic life nets, flags, bells, and uniforms.

3. East Windsor Academy Museum

The East Windsor Historical Society oversees a modest selection of buildings within this campus located in Scantic Village. Notably, the Federal-style academy building, constructed in 1817, stands as a significant landmark. Built with bricks on a brownstone foundation, the academy provided higher education to boys from the vicinity, producing notable alumni such as Yung Wing (1828-1912), the first Chinese graduate of Yale and America, and Junius Spencer Morgan (1813-1890), the banking father of J.P. Morgan.

By the mid-20th century, the building was converted into apartments and was later donated to the historical society by its owner.

Among the fascinating artifacts you can discover inside are Native American arrowheads, a cannonball from King Philip’s War (1676), a scale model of the ferry that traversed the CT River from 1641 to 1917, as well as weapons, uniforms, and other memorabilia from various wars throughout American history.

4. East Windsor Hill Historic District

This district predominantly spans Main Street, located between the Scantic River and Edwards Cemetery. It features a historically significant collection of folk vernacular buildings constructed from the early 18th century up to approximately 1860. Settled in the 1630s by families migrating from Windsor across the river, this area showcases various architectural styles, ranging from Georgian Colonial to Federal and Greek Revival, all conceived by local architects.

The impressive retention of period details speaks to the area’s historical significance.

The most exemplary representation of Georgian Colonial architecture is found in the Ebenezer Grant Mansion (1653 Main Street), while the predominant Greek Revival structure is the 1835 mansion commissioned by Bennett Tyler, the president of the Theological Institute of Connecticut (1748 Main Street).

5. St John’s Episcopal Church

A cornerstone of Warehouse Point village, St John’s was constructed at the dawn of the 19th century. The foundation of this church is tied to a group of founders who were members of the First Congregational Church of East Windsor, eager to establish a new place of worship following a previous meeting house’s destruction by fire. They were acquitted of arson charges during this period.

Architecturally, the church is characterized by a clean Federal style exterior, featuring a two-stage tower and rows of Doric pilasters adorning the façade. Conversely, the interior underwent a neo-Gothic remodeling in the latter part of the 19th century, during which original side galleries were removed, and a barrel vault ceiling was introduced over the nave, accompanied by the addition of a new chancel at the rear.

6. Broad Brook Barber Shop Museum

Nestled behind the East Windsor Academy, a cluster of smaller buildings each recounts its own unique story. The Barber Shop, dating back to the late 19th century, was relocated here from Broad Brook in 1967. Founded by Maximilian Ertel, a native of Saxony, in the 1880s, it remained in operation until 1919 when sold to local judge Rudolph C. Geissler. Inside, visitors can view intriguing artifacts, including Ertel’s license and Geissler’s original barber chair.

Another small 19th-century building within the complex served as the East Windsor District Probate Court and was also utilized as a doctor’s office during the 1860s. Additionally, visitors can find a collection of farming equipment previously housed in a tobacco shed, as well as the recently restored Osborn House (1785) along Scantic Road.

7. Scantic River State Park

This linear park encompasses various segments that total nearly 800 acres, following the banks of the Scantic River through East Windsor, Enfield, and Somers. Originally conceived in the 1960s, the park’s establishment took two decades, with ongoing acquisition efforts yielding about one-third of the targeted 2,200 acres to date.

In East Windsor, access to the park is available at the terminus of Melrose Road in Broad Brook, offering visitors a scenic setting for hiking amidst rolling hills, hardwood forests lining the riverbanks, and sections with rapids and small waterfalls. Close to the trailhead near the parking area, visitors will encounter the remnants of a steel-frame bridge spanning the river.

8. Problem Solved Brewing Company

Point to a location on a map of Connecticut, and the odds are high that you will find a craft brewery nearby. The intense competition within this industry ensures that only the most exceptional establishments remain operational, including East Windsor’s Problem Solved Brewing Co., which enjoys a favorable rating on the competitive platform Untappd.

Problem Solved Brewing focuses its efforts on a select range of offerings. As of October 2019, their draft list included five distinct beers: Prime Factor, a Belgian saison; Second Root, a cream ale infused with coffee; Conductivity, a Centennial IPA; The Origin, a sweet wheat stout; and One Squared, a red honey lager. The brewery consistently introduces new beers every few weeks, ensuring a fresh experience each visit.

Moreover, at least one or two guest ciders are available on tap, and patrons are welcome to bring their own food or arrange for takeout delivery, along with the option to engage in board games with friends. The taproom operates from Thursday to Sunday.

9. East Windsor Park

Spacious and meticulously maintained, East Windsor Park serves as a quintessential recreational area, offering lighted basketball and tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a sizable playground for younger children.

Notably, the park features the Broad Brook Reservoir, which transforms into a swimming area during the summer months, equipped with a slide and diving board. A sandy area nearby provides children with an enjoyable environment for play and sandcastle building.

A concession stand operates during this period, accompanied by grills and two pavilions available for rental by residents. When this list was compiled in 2019, visits by non-residents were permitted only from Monday to Thursday during the summer season.

10. New England Air Museum

Located just 10 minutes from Warehouse Point, this premier aviation museum is housed within three hangars at Bradley International Airport.

Boasting an impressive array of historic aircraft, the museum illustrates New England’s contributions to the nation’s aviation sector, placing special emphasis on notable Connecticut manufacturers such as Sikorsky, Kaman, and Pratt & Whitney.

Visitors can admire the oldest remaining Kaman and Sikorsky aircraft, including a K-225 and an S-39, as well as the last surviving Sikorsky VS-44A flying boat. A notable showcase within the museum displays the preserved basket of balloonist Silas Brooks (1824-1906), believed to be the oldest surviving aircraft in the nation.

Informative exhibits parallel the displayed aircraft, covering topics such as the Wright Brothers, New England Women in Aviation, and contributions from Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney.

11. The Vintage Shops

This antiques center in Warehouse Point is delightful not only for its varied offerings but also for its location within a stately Greek Revival-style building featuring a striking portico.

Housing 11 distinct dealers, each with a unique specialty, visitors can explore a range of antiques. For instance, Airwaves Antiques specializes in vintage radios, while the Clock Man provides timepieces dating back to the 1700s. Moreover, Reflections of the Past features a diverse mix of items, from coins and kitchenalia to ephemera and lighting fixtures.

This building has served multiple purposes throughout its history, functioning previously as a boarding house and later as a bar.

12. Grassmere Country Club

For an exceptional golfing experience, look no further than this public course located just five minutes away in Enfield.

Grassmere Country Club features a nine-hole course, inaugurated in 1973, along with practice and chipping greens. The initial holes present challenges with doglegs (both par 4), while the fourth hole (also par 4) is notable for its long, uphill second shot obscured from view. Additionally, the fifth par 3 hole is popular for its scenic vista towards the green, although it introduces a winding brook into play, as does the par 3 ninth, which features a challenging sloping green.

13. Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail

Crossing over the Connecticut River, visitors can enjoy a pleasant waterside walk along a trail rich in historical significance.

This 4.5-mile walk traces the towpath of the Enfield Falls Canal, constructed in the 1820s to facilitate waterborne transport around a challenging section of the Connecticut River.

Prior to the canal’s development, boats required the assistance of a fallsman, who propelled the vessels using set poles. Although the canal quickly lost its transportation utility with the advent of railways, it subsequently served as a vital water source for mills.

In addition to offering impressive views of the river, the trail features numerous remnants of 19th-century stone construction from the canal, including bridges and aqueducts.

14. Warehouse Point Library

East Windsor’s local library serves as a valuable resource for the community, surpassing expectations for its size.

In addition to its selection of books, films, and other media, the Warehouse Point Library plays a pivotal role in community engagement by organizing clubs, activities, and classes for all age groups. They also host weekly screenings of recent films and exhibitions from local artists and photographers.

For visitors, the library offers a useful refuge, equipped with free Wi-Fi and public computers. It is an excellent place to read a book, newspaper, or magazine while acquiring necessary information about East Windsor and its surroundings.

15. Irish Bend Orchard

Located just outside the East Windsor village of Melrose, Irish Bend Orchard provides a quintessential New England seasonal experience.

The pick-your-own fruit season extends from August to October, commencing with peaches and nectarines, followed by Asian pears and concluding with various apple varieties. Visitors can also stop by the farm stand to purchase these fresh products.

As autumn approaches, the focus shifts to pumpkins, with complimentary hayrides available for children on the weekends.

Additionally, the farm provides an online guide detailing the seasonal produce available.