Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Colchester, CT

The tranquil rural community of Colchester was incorporated at the onset of the 18th century and developed around a charming town green. Three centuries later, it is heartening that much of the activity in Colchester Center converges at this area, which has been designated as a historic district.

Amidst the 18th and 19th-century residences and monuments, one will find shops, cafes, restaurants, and local services. The town is surrounded by natural beauty, featuring elements such as waterfalls, ponds, and lakes. Hidden gems abound in this region, including one of the last remaining covered bridges in the state and the remnants of mills that once populated the countryside.

1. Salmon River State Forest

The Salmon River is recognized as the longest river and largest watershed to have both its source and mouth within the state of Connecticut. The Salmon River State Forest, spanning a substantial 6,000 acres, offers numerous hiking trails along the banks and through its various tributaries.

The Salmon River Trail is a Connecticut Blue-Blazed trail, nearly seven miles long, and is primarily located within Colchester’s town boundaries. While the forest might evoke a sense of primitivity, your journey will reveal streams that were once heavily impacted by industry in the 19th century, including a paper mill that operated during daylight hours in North Westchester and a grist mill at night.

2. Day Pond State Park

Day Pond, situated east of Salmon River State Forest, also witnessed significant industrial activity. During the Colonial era, the Day family established a sawmill, creating a dam to turn a large overshot waterwheel. Although only the foundations of this enterprise remain, they provide insight into what life might have been like three centuries ago.

The pond is well-stocked with trout, making it an excellent location for novice anglers to hone their skills. It is also open for swimming during the summer months, featuring a small beach for relaxation. Winding trails through the woodlands comprise about five miles for hiking enthusiasts.

3. Colchester Village Historic District

The oldest section of Colchester centers around a quaint town green, established around the town’s original meeting house. Surrounding this green are pedestrian-friendly streets lined with homes, commercial and civic buildings, predominantly from the 19th century.

Among the notable structures from the early 1800s are the Greek Revival Colchester Federated Church and Bacon Academy, which was the first secondary school in the region, established in 1803. A significant testament to Colchester’s 19th-century industrial growth is the Wheeler Block (1872) located at 40 Norwich Avenue, designed in the Second Empire style with an elegant mansard roof. This building housed retail establishments on its ground floor and a Masonic lodge above, before functioning as a town hall from 1936 to 1991. At 9 Hayward Avenue, directly across from the green, stands the Hayward House (1775), which served as the residence of inventor Nathanial Hayward from the 1840s.

4. Priam Vineyards

Established in 1998 and vinifying wines since 2003, Priam Vineyards cultivates, blends, ages, and bottles its wines on a picturesque 20-acre estate nestled in the hills. The vineyard, which utilizes exclusively European varietals, thrives in a unique microclimate within New London County, benefiting from consistent breezes and mineral-rich, gravelly soil.

Powered entirely by solar energy, the winery is seamlessly integrated into the vineyard, taking advantage of the naturally cool temperatures in the wine cellar. The tasting bar, tasting room, and patio are operational year-round, welcoming visitors from Wednesday to Sunday between May and December, and Friday to Sunday from January to April. Guests will find a diverse selection of 16 handcrafted wines, each reaching maturity at different times, ensuring new offerings upon each visit.

5. Comstock Covered Bridge

Located on the western perimeter of Salmon River State Forest, the Comstock Covered Bridge is one of only three surviving covered bridges in Connecticut. The design of these structures was advantageous as the roof protects the timber components from rainfall, extending their lifespan.

Completed in 1840, the bridge features two spans over the Salmon River—one covered and one open. The main covered span boasts a triangular gabled roof and is adorned with vertical board siding. Currently, access to the bridge is restricted to pedestrians, with gates placed at either end. In the 1920s, a truck breached the floor, prompting restoration in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which also installed the gates.

6. Mooween State Park

Acquired by the state in 1989, this 600-acre area of dense forest was originally the homeland of the Native American Mohegan Tribe, which separated from the Pequots in the 17th century (Mooween translates to “bear”). Subsequently, the land underwent deforestation for grazing purposes until the establishment of Camp Mooween, a summer camp for boys, which operated here until the 1960s.

Faint remnants of this era can still be observed, represented by the stone chimney of the main hall and the concrete foundations, which are gradually being reclaimed by nature. The trails meander through the woodlands to the shores of Red Cedar Lake, an excellent location for fishing and non-motorized boating.

7. Colchester RecPlex

Colchester RecPlex serves as the central hub for outdoor recreational activities, featuring a comprehensive complex that includes baseball and softball fields, a tennis annex, a lighted basketball court, a skate park, and multiple lighted horseshoe pits. Additionally, there are three distinct playscapes tailored for children aged 3-5, 5-12, and those aged 12 and up.

During the summer months from June to September, young children can also enjoy the splashpad, which offers designated hours for children with special needs on Saturday mornings. Given the level of competitive baseball hosted at the RecPlex in the summer, a concession stand named The Dugout offers hot dogs, burgers, cheese steaks, fries, and similar fare. Furthermore, visitors can access complimentary wireless internet throughout the park.

8. Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.

A quintessential small-batch craft brewery, Fat Orange Cat Brew Co. is situated on a farm and operates seasonally during weekends. The beers produced here are crafted using pure well water sourced from the property situated on the Salmon River watershed. This artisanal operation offers a rotating selection of beers on tap, which is announced weekly on the brewery’s website.

As of September 2019, patrons could choose from eight different options, including a guava and passion fruit sour ale, three New England IPAs enriched with tropical notes, a white stout, as well as a pale ale and gose featuring jalapeños.

9. Lebanon Green Vineyards

Also located locally, Lebanon Green Vineyards grows vitis vinifera and French hybrid vines to create blended wines. Over the years, Lebanon Green has conducted various experiments to identify suitable grape varieties that can withstand the harsh winters prevalent in rural Connecticut. Visitors are welcome for tastings from Friday to Sunday at a rustic repurposed shed.

Among their white wines are Patriot White (Cayuga White, Chardonnay Riesling), Liberty White, and Freedom White (both Cayuga and Chardonnay). The red wines include the fruit-forward War Office Red and the smooth Revolutionary Red (Cab Franc, Saint-Croix), while Wayland Blush is a refreshing rosé produced from Riesling, Cayuga, and Saint-Croix. On Saturdays, guests may bring a picnic and enjoy live music outdoors.

10. Devil’s Hopyard State Park

Located at Chapman’s Falls on the Eightmile River, this 1,000-acre state park offers opportunities for hiking, camping, birdwatching, fishing, and biking. The main attraction is the stunning waterfall, which descends 20 meters over Scotland schist ledges.

In the 19th century, these falls were the power source for “Beebe’s Mills.” Prior to that, this area was thought to have housed a mill owned by British Loyalists, which was destroyed by the Sons of Liberty in 1775. Supporting this narrative, a large fragment of a millstone was uncovered at the base of the falls in 2002. Visitors should also explore the orange trail leading to Vista Point cliff, a scenic overlook perched 53 meters above the Eightmile River, while discovering three historic highway bridges listed in the National Register of Historic Places along the river’s course.

11. Cato Corner Farm

Support local agriculture and procure exceptional cheese at Cato Corner Farm. The milk used in their cheese production is sourced from a herd of 45 pasture-fed Jersey cows that are raised without growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. An interesting aspect of the farm’s offerings is the seasonal variation in taste, influenced by the cows’ diet—fresh pasture in summer and local hay in winter, producing a richer milk ideal for semi-soft cheeses like “Hooligan.” A selection of 16 cheeses is available, including Bloomsday, a firm cheese notable for its cheddar-like acidity balanced with subtle sweetness, and Black Ledge Blue, which pairs well with dessert wines and pairs beautifully on a steak.

The farm’s quaint shop operates on Fridays, Saturdays (10 am-4 pm), and Sundays (11 am-4 pm).

12. Lake Hayward

This lake, located at the northern edge of Devil’s Hopyard State Park, is named after Nathaniel Hayward (1808-1865), the inventor of the vulcanization process, who partnered with Charles Goodyear. Hayward later relocated to Colchester to establish a shoe factory and acquired land along the shore of what is now known as Lake Hayward.

This picturesque 174-acre lake, drained by the Eightmile River, features upscale residences along its banks, many equipped with private jetties. For those with non-motorized boats or kayaks, a public launch is accessible from the northern shore at 15 Fedus Road. The north and east shores are relatively untamed, providing opportunities to observe wildlife, including beaver lodges and wading birds such as herons.

13. Blue Slope Country Museum

Functioning as both a working farm and a rural museum, Blue Slope presents a year-round schedule of events and activities suitable for all ages. The museum offers engaging experiences such as wagon rides drawn by Belgian draft horses, square dancing, craft exhibitions, horse-driving clinics, campfires, and an annual concert.

The museum operates by reservation and showcases an extensive collection of antique agricultural implements, providing insights into the rural lifestyle and ecology of New London County. Guests may also request a private tour of the collection on any typical day.

14. Zagray Farm Museum

This farm located in Colchester is dedicated to preserving New England’s agricultural history, hosting Spring, Summer, and Fall exhibitions in May, June, and October. These events feature a wealth of vintage machinery, including tractors, cars, trucks, bulldozers, a working sawmill from 1873, and the 1938 32E14 Fairbanks Morse diesel engine.

Visitors can witness these formidable machines in action during demonstrations, as well as take tours of a 1930s farmhouse and a working antique machine shop. Additional offerings include wagon rides, a trade area, and various vendors, including food trucks providing breakfast, lunch, and sweets.

15. Gallery Cinemas

Adjacent to the Colchester RecPlex, Gallery Cinemas is a well-regarded local multiplex featuring intimate screening rooms. While it may lack the scale and luxury of larger cinema chains, it remains a beloved destination for movie enthusiasts. Notably, one can enjoy affordable screenings, particularly with the $6.25 admission for movies all day on Tuesdays.

Each auditorium is equipped with advanced sound systems, and the concession offerings are also highly praised. Freshly baked pretzels are available upon request, and patrons can serve themselves with melted butter for their popcorn, enhancing the cinema experience.