Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Monroe, CT

Home to just under 20,000 residents, this town in affluent Fairfield County is predominantly residential and conveniently located for commuting to New Haven and Bridgeport.

Monroe radiates small-town allure, boasting an abundance of well-maintained local parks alongside picturesque and secluded natural areas.

The tranquil northern section of the town borders Lake Zoar, one of the largest inland water bodies in Connecticut, with nearby trails including the Zoar and Paugussett.

Local family-owned enterprises in Monroe invite you to explore orchards, creameries, cider mills, vineyards, and craft breweries.

1. Webb Mountain Park

This 135-acre park encompasses a prominent rise on the western bank of the Housatonic River.

Visit to traverse the steep trails during spring and autumn, while enjoying panoramic views from the highest elevation.

This area of wilderness is celebrated for its diverse arboreal species, including sugar maple, eastern hemlock, tulip tree, tree of heaven, and eastern black oak, among others.

There is also significant geological interest, featuring rocks from the Collinsville Formation composed of schist interlayered with gneiss and amphibolite, attracting rock climbers.

A segment of the Blue-Blazed Paugussett Trail meanders through Webb Mountain Park, continuing towards the Housatonic River.

2. Webb Mountain Discovery Zone

Parents with school-aged children will appreciate this 170-acre nature center located on the southern side of Webb Mountain Park.

The Discovery Zone provides educational enrichment and connections to school curricula covering history, science, and nature through after-school programs and courses tailored for pre-school children.

Admission is complimentary for visitors, and on the three walking trails, children can engage in a scavenger hunt featuring 27 stations that involve solving clues about local ecology and human history.

Children can also explore vernal pools for salamanders and frogs, engage in bird-watching, and enjoy a family picnic at the shaded tables near the entrance.

3. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard

Beginning in early September, this farm opens its gates on weekends throughout the fall for apple picking.

The orchard cultivates over two dozen varieties, each ripening at slightly different times.

For a rough timeline, varieties such as Gala, Macoun, Honeycrisp, and Liberty are typically ready by mid-September; while Empire, Mutsu, and Red Delicious are harvestable by early October. Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Winesap become available later in the season.

Beardsley’s Orchard utilizes dwarf trees, which do not exceed 3.5 meters in height, facilitating easier picking.

The farm stand remains open daily, offering a selection of apples and cider, in addition to peaches, fruit breads, scones, local raw honey, and delightful honey cider donuts.

4. William E. Wolfe Park

This expansive 300-acre park located on the western side of Monroe offers a diverse range of amenities.

It features a municipal outdoor pool operational from Memorial Day Weekend, charging a daily fee for non-members (notably high for non-residents). Additionally, there is a man-made lake with a beach, which will be discussed further below.

The park includes several playgrounds, alongside facilities for tennis, soccer, baseball, and football situated on the eastern side.

Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the park’s wooded areas: The Wolfe Park Hiking trail starts from the entrance off Cutler’s Farm Road and encircles the lake, while the Housatonic Railbed Trail follows the park’s western boundary (with further information about that trail below).

5. Great Hollow Lake

The 16-acre lake on the western side of William E. Wolfe Park is well-suited for various activities when the weather is favorable.

This beautifully maintained 210-meter beach is located on the northern perimeter, complemented by the Wolfe Park Concession Pavilion offering refreshments.

The beach, along with the shallow waters of the lake, is ideal for a leisurely day, and there is a play area for younger visitors situated just behind the pavilion.

Non-motorized boating is permitted on the lake, which is also abundantly stocked with trout for fishing enthusiasts.

6. Veracious Brewing Company

The presence of a high-quality craft brewery is an essential aspect of Connecticut’s identity, and Monroe’s establishment ranks among the finest.

The taproom boasts an inviting ambiance, furnished with 29 repurposed church pews and hosting karaoke sessions every Friday evening.

A food truck is typically available on Fridays and Saturdays, serving a variety of dishes including Tex-Mex and hot dogs.

As for the beer selection, notable options include Grady’s Better Bitter, an English-style pale ale with caramel and hop notes, Golden Summer, a light Belgian-style single, and the zesty and spicy Hoppy Ending IPA.

Veracious Brewing Company takes local pride in its 1823 Inc, an English Pale Ale crafted with grains and hops that were accessible in 1823, the year Monroe was established.

7. Housatonic Rail Trail (Rails-to-Trails)

This five-mile trail for hiking and cycling traces a former railroad’s route through forests, alongside wetlands, and between towering rock formations as far as the Newtown town line in Botsford.

The trail features a finely crushed stone surface and a gentle incline, making it a pleasure to walk or cycle.

This route constitutes the last segment of a 13.6-mile trail system that commences at Long Island Sound in Seaside Park, Bridgeport, and is formed from existing paths along the former Housatonic Railroad Line.

8. Lake Zoar

Monroe’s northern boundary lightly touches the southern and western shores of this reservoir on the Housatonic River, formed by the construction of the hydroelectric Stevenson Dam in 1919. The dam, measuring 50 meters in length and 25 meters in height, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves Route 34 across the river.

Motorized water activities are permitted, and families flock to the lake during summer for jet skiing, water skiing, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding (Kettletown State Park on the east bank is the optimal entry point). Fishing is also a popular endeavor here, with the waters teeming with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, white catfish, and more.

Consider venturing into the wooded areas along the western shore via the Blue-Blazed Zoar Trail, a 6.5-mile path that traverses the lower section of Paugussett State Forest, just beyond Monroe’s town line into Newtown.

9. Stepney Cemetery

This burial ground is the final resting place for over 1,400 individuals, including many of Monroe’s early settlers.

Stepney Cemetery was established in 1794 when early landowners Noah and James Burr, Jr. donated the land for this purpose.

The oldest legible tombstone belongs to Nathaniel W. Knapp (d.1787), and the cemetery contains markers for veterans from nearly every conflict in which the United States has participated, from the Revolutionary War through to Vietnam.

An informative plaque is present on-site, allowing visitors to spend time unraveling the history of grave markers that date back more than 200 years.

10. Jones Family Farm

The Jones Family has been cultivating these lands in nearby Shelton for over 150 years.

Visit this 400-acre working farm, now in its sixth generation, to harvest your own strawberries and blueberries during the summer months.

Pumpkins are available in fall, providing children with exciting hayride experiences.

During the Christmas season, you can select the ideal tree for your home.

Vines for various grape varieties, including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Muscat, Vidal Blanc, Can Franc, Zinfandel, Merlot, and many more, were planted approximately 20 years ago, and the winery tasting room welcomes guests Thursday through Sunday, featuring a diverse selection of white and red wines.

On Sundays, live music is offered as part of the Sunday Serenades program.

Additionally, the Harvest Kitchen serves as a farm-to-table cooking studio, hosting culinary classes, food and wine pairing sessions, and educational programs about farming.

11. Old Mine Park

This park, situated on the Pequonnock River to the south of Monroe, features a historically significant tungsten mine that operated from 1828 to 1946, with a pause during the interwar years.

While tungsten was the primary mineral extracted, other valuable materials such as tourmaline, topaz, and over 60 additional crystals and minerals were also sourced from what was known as Hubbard Mine.

Today, visitors can enjoy an 11-mile circular trail designated for hiking and biking, along with two pavilions, a versatile field, picnic areas, and a charming walking bridge traversing the Pequonnock River.

12. EverWonder Children’s Museum

This compact yet thoughtfully designed museum in nearby Newtown encourages children to discover the wonders of science through hands-on experimentation.

Many of the exhibits at EverWonder were created in collaboration with some of the region’s leading interactive children’s museums, including the Rochester Museum & Science Center and the Sciencenter of Ithaca.

Exhibits offer a variety of stimulating experiences, featuring Tornado Tubes, a Theremin, a Three-Wheeled Racer Car Track, Swinging Pendulums, a LEGO Table, Dinosaur Dig, Digital Media Lab & Studio, Tinker Stations, and many other engaging activities.

The museum also maintains a small collection of animals, including albino African clawed frogs, bearded dragons, and a ball python.

13. Rowanwood Farm

While llama hiking may not be an activity commonly associated with Fairfield County, Rowanwood Farm operates as the USDA licensed and approved llama hiking company in Connecticut.

Embark on scenic trails through Newtown’s forests and vineyards, accompanied by these gentle animals.

Llamas maintain a slow and steady pace, ensuring comfort throughout the trek, with numerous opportunities for interaction.

A Level 1 hiking experience includes a llama handling class followed by a one-hour trek, whereas Level 2 features an extended two-hour hike with frequent stops for photographs with your new furry companions.

14. Wells Hollow Creamery

If you are indulging in a treat day, Wells Hollow Creamery is an excellent destination.

This fifth-generation dairy farm in Shelton creates 40 unique ice cream flavors available in cups or cones, along with a selection of sundaes, puddings, and shakes.

Visitors can also take a moment to observe the farm’s herd and chicken coops during their visit.

Choosing a flavor may prove to be the most challenging decision: Some of the more extravagant options include Dark Cashew Caramel, Campfire S’mores, and Blackberry Cobbler.

15. The Warrens’ Occult Museum

Edward Warren Miney (1926-2006) and Lorraine Rita Warren (1927-2019) were the founding members of the New England Society for Psychic Research, recognized as the oldest ghost-hunting group in the region.

As self-taught “demonologists,” they gained recognition as early investigators in the alleged Amityville Haunting and authored books that inspired numerous films and television shows.

Their Occult Museum, located in their home at 30 Knollwood Street, was filled with intriguing artifacts acquired over decades.

A notable highlight was the doll Annabelle, which featured in The Conjuring (2013). The museum served as a central hub for fans of the paranormal, though it has recently closed due to zoning regulations.

As of summer 2019, the museum has been actively seeking a new location.