Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Windsor Locks, CT

The name of this town, situated between Hartford and Springfield on the west bank of the Connecticut River, originates from a canal constructed in the 1820s.

The Enfield Falls Canal remains largely intact despite becoming obsolete over 150 years ago, and its towpath can be traversed via the Windsor Locks Canal State Park.

Regarding transportation, this town is home to Bradley International Airport, which ranks as the second largest airport in New England and the busiest in Connecticut.

Within a series of hangars at the airport, visitors can explore the New England Air Museum, showcasing significant pieces of aviation history pertaining to Connecticut and the broader region.

Let us investigate the finest activities available in and around Windsor Locks, Connecticut:

1. New England Air Museum

New England, particularly Connecticut, possesses a rich aviation heritage, which will become evident at this exceptional museum located at Bradley International Airport.

Here, visitors can gain in-depth insights into the history of Sikorsky Aircraft and view nine models from this Stratford-based manufacturer, including the oldest existing Sikorsky aircraft and the last remaining Sikorsky VS-44 flying boat.

Displayed within three expansive hangars are numerous airplanes and helicopters, alongside artifacts such as ejection seats and missiles.

One extraordinary aircraft to observe is a WWII-era B-29 Superfortress.

Additional exhibits provide enlightening perspectives on captivating subjects, including the airship era, the Wright Brothers, and the contributions of New England women to aviation.

2. Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail

In Windsor Locks and Suffield, one can walk along the 4.5-mile towpath of the Enfield Falls Canal, which was completed in 1829. This waterway was engineered to assist river traffic in bypassing a section of rapids navigable only by a “fallsman” equipped with a lengthy pole.

The canal is well-preserved, maintaining its locks, which have not been operational since the 1970s.

As you stroll along this gentle path, you will enjoy stunning views of the Connecticut River and exemplary instances of 19th-century engineering and masonry in the canal’s bridges and aqueducts.

3. Noden-Reed Museum

This historic residence, accompanied by its unique brick barn, is managed by the Windsor Historical Society and is available for guided tours in the afternoon on the last Sunday of each month.

The barn, which dates back to 1826, contains a captivating collection of old carriages and agricultural tools related to the tobacco farming industry of the Connecticut Valley.

The adjacent farmhouse, featuring Greek Revival details, was constructed in 1840 and showcases a collection of historic military uniforms, costumes, and various curiosities, such as hand-stitched blankets and quilts displayed on antique beds.

The property itself has a richer history, dating back to the 18th century, and was the location of a cabin for Hessian soldier Hendrick Roddemore and is locally believed to be the site of New England’s first decorated Christmas tree in 1777.

4. Northwest Park

If the area’s tobacco-growing heritage interests you, then a visit to Windsor’s Northwest Park is essential, located just beyond the Farmington River.

This park spans 473 acres, featuring sports facilities as well as forests, meadows, and wetlands on a landscape previously dominated by tobacco plantations.

Visitors can experience this history at the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum, which chronicles the native origins of the tobacco plant in New England, culminating in a timeline exhibit tracing the industry’s early 20th-century boom.

Moreover, the Northwest Park Nature Center offers insights into the area’s geology and natural history and includes farm animals in a nearby barn.

The park features live music annually during its Coffeehouse Concert Series, and its Northwest Park Country Fair has been a cherished tradition for over 40 years each fall.

5. Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

This trail retraces the route of a former canal, stretching through East Granby and Suffield, situated just west of Windsor Locks.

The Farmington Canal was completed in 1835 to create a prompt waterway trade route between New Haven and Northampton.

However, within a decade, railroads had emerged as a more economical and efficient alternative, leading to the canal’s eventual conversion as the trackbed for the future New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.

The railway line was gradually abandoned towards the close of the 20th century, and as of 2019, approximately 85% of the route from New Haven to Northampton has been transformed into a trail.

In northern Connecticut, you can access the longest uninterrupted section, measuring 24.6 miles, from the Massachusetts border down to northern Plainville.

6. Connecticut Trolley Museum

Situated on the opposite bank of the Connecticut River in East Windsor, the Connecticut Trolley Museum is the oldest museum in the United States dedicated to electric railroading.

Established in 1940 along the right of way of the Hartford and Springfield Street Railway Company’s Rockville Branch, the museum has preserved an extensive collection of antique trolleys and streetcars from across the nation.

Some of these vehicles are operational and can be enjoyed for rides on the museum’s 1.5-mile stretch of heritage railroad.

Others are displayed in the Visitor Center’s main hall, where the history of electric transport is illustrated, along with models currently in the restoration process.

7. Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of CT

This engaging museum in Windsor offers an in-depth journey through modern communication technology history.

Inside a surprisingly spacious building filled with artifacts, the timeline begins in the 19th century with phonographs, advancing through the evolution of radios (including one inscribed within a refrigerator!), television, film production equipment, and computers.

A notable exhibit features a sizable television camera from the 1970s, while the museum also hosts its own amateur radio station, operable by visitors with a valid license.

Other fascinating pieces include a functional 1940s Wurlitzer jukebox and a Kodak VP-1 Videoplayer, among only five prototypes from the early 1970s.

8. Phelps-Hatheway House

During the weekend, consider taking a ten-minute drive to Suffield to explore another aspect of Connecticut’s heritage.

The oldest sections of the Phelps-Hatheway House, located on the southern ell, date back to the 1730s; however, the house underwent expansions throughout the 18th century, with the central block added in the 1760s and the northern ell completed in 1795. This enlarges the property, featuring a charming gambrel roof on each section.

These enhancements were designed by architect Asher Benjamin early in his career at the request of the affluent land speculator Oliver Phelps.

The interior is adorned with an exquisite array of 18th-century antiques, while outside, a formal parterre and substantial herb garden are complemented by flowering shrubs cared for by the Suffield Garden Club.

9. Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine

This somewhat somber yet fascinating National Historic Site in East Granby began in the early 18th century as a copper mine, functioning until the 1740s.

Subsequently, this tunnel network was repurposed into Connecticut’s first recognized prison, which also housed British prisoners of war and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War.

Visitors can explore approximately half of the remaining tunnels through guided tours, delving into a location notoriously described as “Hell” by its inmates.

Above ground, you can find the remnants of structures from the early 19th century, including five brick and masonry buildings along with the perimeter prison wall.

After nearly a decade of renovations, the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine reopened in 2018, welcoming visitors from Wednesday to Sunday.

10. Southwest Family Park/Veterans Memorial Park

Spanning over 40 acres, these two parks located to the southwest of Windsor Locks offer a variety of recreational facilities.

Among the amenities are baseball and softball fields, football fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts, many of which are illuminated for evening play.

The larger Veterans Memorial Park also features a children’s playground, a pavilion, and an outdoor skating rink for the winter months.

In early July, these parks host the popular annual Windsor Locks Fire Department Carnival, which has been a cherished tradition since the 1940s, complete with a fireworks display.

11. Brignole Vineyards

Located in East Granby, Brignole Vineyards features an impressive Greek Revival estate surrounded by meticulously maintained vineyards.

The wine selection is carefully crafted from estate-grown grapes that thrive in Connecticut’s climate, in addition to California varieties that bring a hint of Napa Valley to New England.

From sweet white dessert wines to robust red varieties, there is a diverse range of options for visitors to savor while enjoying the pleasant atmosphere from the twinned-level deck and pergola.

12. Spare Time Windsor Locks

Formerly known as Bradley Bowl, this vintage bowling alley has been a staple in the community for generations.

As of 2019, it had just reopened as Spare Time after a thorough renovation, transforming it into an entertainment venue suitable for all ages.

The bowling lanes remain, but they are now enhanced with modern amenities such as sleek banquettes and numerous LCD screens.

In addition to bowling, the facility features escape rooms, laser tag, and a state-of-the-art arcade with virtual reality games.

13. Connecticut Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Located near Bradley International Airport, just moments away from the New England Air Museum, this solemn monument commemorates the firefighters of the state who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The memorial was dedicated in 2002, following a concept proposed a decade earlier.

At its center lies a sizable slab of polished impala black granite, measuring 3.7 by 1.8 meters, featuring a carving that depicts four firefighters combating a fire.

Surrounding the base are granite tablets inscribed with over 300 names, along with eight granite benches, representing each of Connecticut’s counties.

14. Broad Brook Brewing

As of September 2019, this cherished craft brewery was in the process of expanding, relocating from East Windsor to Suffield across the river.

Established in 2010, Broad Brook Brewing produces a range of year-round, seasonal, and specialty beers, including IPAs, porters, stouts, red ales, and Oktoberfest selections.

Previously, its old venue had limited operating hours but featured live music, Saturday tours, and permitted patrons to bring their own food to complement their beverages.

At the time of this update, the new brewery was under development, with an announcement for its grand opening expected soon.