Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Somers, CT

This quaint town situated on the eastern ridge of the Connecticut Valley boasts a rich agricultural heritage.

The Somers Historic District on Main Street features stunning 19th-century homes constructed by fruit and tobacco farmers.

Today, numerous farms in the region continue the tradition, offering pick-your-own apples and berries.

With highly regarded schools, safe neighborhoods, and magnificent historic properties, Somers is recognized as one of Connecticut’s most sought-after communities for residence.

Visitors can relish in the splendid natural landscapes, local rural enterprises, and enduring customs such as the annual Four Town Fair.

Let us delve into the remarkable experiences awaiting you in and around Somers, Connecticut:

1. Sonny’s Place

This family-oriented destination offers a diverse array of activities, ensuring that children and teenagers have plenty of options to engage in.

Some of the highlights include a video arcade, batting cages, climbing walls, go-karts, a gyroscope, a state-of-the-art virtual reality game, laser tag, miniature bowling, miniature golf, a zip-line, and an expansive multilevel outdoor play area.

A notable attraction is the recently added carousel, originally built in 1925 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

This ride reopened in 2019 following two years of meticulous restoration at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT.

For dining, the snack bar at Sonny’s Place features locally sourced, farm-raised Aberdeen Angus burgers alongside various vegetarian selections.

2. Somers Historic District

The intersection of Main Street, Springfield, and South Road in Somers has served as the town center for nearly 300 years.

This district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982, celebrated for its numerous 19th-century residences, primarily showcasing vernacular Federal and Greek Revival architectural elements.

The majority of these buildings are located on Main Street, with interesting clusters also found on Springfield Road and Battle Street.

Overall, there are three main clusters encompassing 55 contributing structures, seven of which date back to the 18th century.

Prominently situated within the district is the imposing Greek Revival Congregational Church, constructed in 1842 and recognized for its grand scale, large portico, and distinctive two-stage tower.

The Somers Historical Society operates from the elaborate former public library building, which was once adjacent to the Town Hall but is now on Battle Street.

3. Irish Bend Orchard

For a quintessential New England experience, this small, welcoming farm opens its doors for a pick-your-own season during summer and autumn, including complimentary hayrides.

Fruit-picking can be an enjoyable family activity at Irish Bend Orchard, as the low-growing dwarf trees allow younger children to participate easily.

The level terrain also ensures accessibility for individuals with mobility devices.

The season commences with peaches and nectarines in August, transitioning to Asian pears, followed by various apple types from September to October, with pumpkins available starting mid-October.

Guests receive picking containers, and the fruit is sold by weight at the orchard stand, which additionally offers a variety of other produce.

Prior to your visit, consult the farm’s website for current availability.

4. Somers Public Library

For local residents, particularly those with children, the Somers Public Library represents a premier resource.

This spacious, contemporary facility on Vision Boulevard functions as a lending library for books and multimedia, but additionally hosts movie screenings, book clubs, storytime sessions, craft workshops, playgroups, an adult coloring club, and an intergenerational painting night where teens and parents can create art while enjoying pizza! Travelers will find this library an excellent resource for local information.

No residency is required to enjoy the complimentary Wi-Fi, computer access, magazines, and newspapers (a visitor pass is granted), with staff readily available to provide maps and information about the area.

5. Shenipsit State Forest

Covering nearly 7,000 acres, the Shenipsit State Forest spans 11 different tracts, encompassing Somers as well as neighboring Ellington and Stafford.

The history of this forest traces back to 1927 when a watchtower was established atop Soapstone Mountain, standing at 328 meters, to monitor the surrounding woodland for fires.

Although not strictly part of the forest, the town of Somers manages public land on Bald Mountain, another prominent peak in the area.

Both peaks are traversed by the scenic Shenipsit Trail, which will be discussed further below.

A result of decades of clear-cutting and periodic fires, the forest predominantly features oak trees, which yield valuable timber while their acorns serve as essential nourishment for deer, squirrels, and turkeys.

6. Shenipsit Trail

Visitors frequently explore Shenipsit State Forest as it hosts the Blue-Blazed Shenipsit Trail.

Somers serves as the northern trailhead for this route, which extends for 50 miles along the eastern ridge of the Connecticut River Valley, running north to south.

Some of the finest hiking opportunities on the entire trail can be found in Somers, especially given recent extensions of 2.5 miles to include Bald Mountain (342 meters).

This mountain represents the highest elevation on the eastern edge of the Connecticut River Valley between the Vermont border and Long Island Sound.

The northern section offers hiking, skiing, and cycling through oak woodlands adorned with magnificent boulders deposited at the close of the last Ice Age.

7. Soapstone Mountain

A further exploration of the peak that served as the foundation for Shenipsit State Forest: Soapstone Mountain is a striking feature of a hike along the northern segment of the Shenipsit Trail.

The original fire tower from the 1920s is no longer present, having been supplanted by a modern observation tower that ascends just beyond the treeline, offering expansive views of the Connecticut Valley.

In fair weather, it is possible to discern landmarks on the Springfield skyline, situated across the border in Massachusetts.

The name Soapstone Mountain derives from the geology of the area, where a quarry for soapstone—a metamorphic rock—was once located during colonial times.

8. Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

Located at the headquarters of Shenipsit State Forest, just a few minutes east on Main Street, you will find the last remaining Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) barracks in Connecticut.

This barracks was one of 21 throughout the state, established following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal in 1931. It houses a museum dedicated to the CCC, which provided jobs for young men during the Great Depression.

The museum features an intriguing display of artifacts, photographs, personal narratives, and documents from across the Northeast, providing unique insights into life within CCC camps and the various infrastructure projects they executed.

As of 2019, the museum operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

9. Pell Family Farm

Pell Family Farm is another local business that deserves patronage, cultivating fruit, ornamental shrubs, nursery trees, and Christmas trees. This farm has remained within the same family since the 1930s.

During the months of June, July, and August, visitors can stop by from Monday to Saturday to pick strawberries and raspberries, while the Christmas tree season runs from late November until approximately December 22.

The trees are cultivated from seedlings and are priced between $45 and $100. In previous years, Pell Family Farm offered a pumpkin patch alongside a corn maze, hayrides, and a petting zoo.

Unfortunately, these activities were discontinued in 2019 due to an E.coli outbreak at another farm in Connecticut in 2018, although they may resume in the future.

10. Field Road Park

The primary location for outdoor recreation in Somers is a spacious area equipped with tennis courts, a volleyball court, three softball fields, five multi-purpose fields, a pavilion, and a gazebo.

For younger visitors, there is a playground nestled beneath a grand old tree, featuring play structures for various age groups and even a small climbing wall.

Field Road Park is part of a larger campus that includes two schools and the town’s public library.

11. Cedar Knob Golf Course

This private golf course, established in 1963, is open to non-members and is renowned for its meticulously maintained greens and fairways amidst picturesque surroundings.

The fairways are bordered by towering cedars, creating an atmosphere of drama as players make their way through the course.

The signature holes at Cedar Knob are the 10th and 18th, both of which veer left-to-right through a corridor of tall evergreens and require a precise shot over water, whether from the tee or during the approach.

As of 2019, rates ranged from $23 for nine holes (walking, Monday-Friday) to $59 for eighteen holes (riding, Saturday-Sunday).

12. Scantic River State Park

The Scantic River, a tributary of the Connecticut River, is fed by streams in Massachusetts and flows through Somers, Enfield, and East Windsor.

The linear state park comprises three separate parcels along its banks and was first proposed over 50 years ago, steadily expanding in the past two decades.

As of 2019, the park covered just under 800 acres, with expectations to more than double in size.

Access to the park is convenient, with a small parking area located along Hazard Avenue, just west of central Somers.

Trails close to the riverbanks are light yet well-trodden, leading through a secluded wooded riverside environment.

13. Four Town Fair

Over four days in the second weekend of September, the Fair Grounds in Somers host an agricultural festival with origins tracing back to a cattle show in the 1830s.

This would thus position it as the oldest country fair in New England, and potentially the entire United States.

The four towns mentioned in the title are East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, and Somers. Historically, the event rotated among these locations until a permanent site was established in Somers in 1960. Livestock shows and competitions remain key components of the Four Town Fair, supplemented by a variety of contests, such as oxen, horse, and pony drawing, women’s skillet throwing, and pie eating.

The highlight of the Saturday festivities is a parade from Main Street to the fairgrounds, with live music concluding each evening’s events.

As is characteristic of country fairs, attendees can indulge in numerous food and beverage options, including fried dough and freshly squeezed lemonade.

14. Somersville Historic District

In the western part of Somers, a community developed around a mill located by the Scantic River.

Although the textile mill, which began operations in the 1830s, has been lost to fire, its legacy persists in the structures erected along Maple Street and Main Street to the north.

One particularly intriguing remnant is Ye Olde Blacksmith (75 Maple Street), a former blacksmith shop from the early 19th century, which likely survived due to its construction from local brownstone rather than wood.

Following the mill’s acquisition by the Somersville Manufacturing Company in 1879, numerous multi-unit and tenement residences were built for its labor force, with nearly 30 surviving on Main Street and Quality Avenue.

The duplexes along Quality Avenue prominently display their original clapboard and charming late-Victorian design elements.

15. Shallowbrook Equestrian Center

In a town that embodies a charming rural character like Somers, horseback riding represents an important leisure activity.

This passion is reflected in institutions such as Shallowbrook, established in 1962, which features two indoor arenas for horse shows, one of which boasts an impressive four-story height.

While these facilities may seem advanced, Shallowbrook offers lessons tailored for participants of all skill levels, whether newcomers to riding or individuals returning after a long hiatus.

The center accommodates a range of well-trained and groomed ponies and horses, serving also as a premier boarding facility.