Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Naugatuck, CT

The Central Naugatuck River Valley was first settled by Europeans at the very beginning of the 18th century. For much of its history, Naugatuck was part of the city of Waterbury, located just minutes upriver to the north.

Here, visitors can engage with Connecticut art at the Mattatuck Museum or enjoy a Broadway show or concert by a renowned musician at the splendid Palace Theater.

Naugatuck is surrounded by abundant natural beauty. Opportunities abound to explore this scenery along the Naugatuck River Greenway or through the secluded trails of the Naugatuck State Forest.

The focal point of the town is the 125-year-old green, which is bordered by churches and remarkable civic buildings. Although the winding roads of Naugatuck can feel isolated, none of the destinations on this list are more than a 15-minute drive apart.

1. Naugatuck Center Historic District

Source: Howard Whittemore Memorial Library / facebook

Located on Naugatuck’s tree-lined Town Green, this district contains most of the town’s primary civic and religious buildings. It has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999, comprising 137 significant structures and monuments within a compact area.

Flanking the green to the north and south are the Congregational Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, while the Borough of Naugatuck Building and the elegant Howard Whittemore Memorial Library dominate the east side.

The green was beautifully landscaped in 1895 and features paved walkways that radiate from the 1885 Civil War Memorial and the 1895 Memorial Fountain. 

In mid-May, this area becomes the venue for the Naugatuck Spring Festival, with live music, numerous activities for children, and local craft vendors. Even if there were no other events occurring, the Food Truck Festival here makes it worth the visit, providing an excellent sampling of local cuisine.

2. Mattatuck Museum

Source: Mark B. Schlemmer / Flickr

Within a few minutes, you can access this meticulously curated museum, which delves into the region’s history, culture, and industry of the Central Naugatuck Valley.

Established in some form since 1877, the museum showcases artwork by distinguished Connecticut artists. Visitors will discover works by Alexander Calder, Anni Albers, Arshile Gorky, John Trumbull, John Frederick Kensett, and Erastus Salisbury Field.

Additionally, it boasts a comprehensive button collection, featuring 20,000 pieces from various historical eras and global origins.

Button production was a key component of Waterbury’s economy since the late 18th century, and this collection includes buttons displayed at the 1878 Paris Exposition along with four engraved buttons from General George Washington’s coat.

3. Naugatuck State Forest

Source: Derek Story / facebook

Spanning over 5,000 acres across five distinct “blocks,” the Naugatuck State Forest encompasses portions of eight different towns.

This initiative was conceived by local industrialist Harris Whittemore, who acquired multiple land parcels in the 1920s to donate to the state. 

Following his passing in 1928, his family continued the project. Visitors can explore this hilly terrain for hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Two of the five blocks are partially located within Naugatuck: East and West, situated on either side of Route 8, featuring a blend of evergreen and hardwood forests, rich in hemlock trees.

The East Block is capped with Beacon Cap, a glacial boulder rising 770 feet, accessible via the Naugatuck Trail—a 5.5-mile network of Blue-Blazed paths winding through the state forest.

The West Block contains four reservoirs, two waterfalls, and scenic overlooks of the river valley. Among the highlights is the striking Spruce Brook Gorge, characterized by cascading waters.

4. Hop Brook Lake

Source: Shanshan0312 / shutterstock

Situated in the northern part of Naugatuck, Hop Brook was dammed in the mid-1960s, resulting in a substantial reservoir that extends into the adjacent communities of Waterbury and Middlebury.

The surrounding recreational area boasts over 530 acres of birch, ash, oak, hemlock, white pine, and hickory woods. This environment harbors a range of wildlife, including owls, hawks, black bears, white-tailed deer, bobcats, turkeys, and even bald eagles.

The area offers trails suitable for hiking and mountain biking, along with facilities for baseball/softball, volleyball, picnicking, and grilling. Water enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, kayaking, boating, and fishing for bass and trout.

5. Whittemore Glen State Park Scenic Reserve

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This scenic reserve offers hiking and horseback riding opportunities across 242 acres of woods, located opposite Hop Brook Lake on Route 63. 

For those seeking a more challenging hike, the park serves as the eastern trailhead for the Larkin State Park Trail, which follows the former New York & New England Railroad trackbed for 10.3 miles through Middlebury, Oxford, and Southbury.

The railway line was inaugurated in 1881 and was decommissioned in 1939. Four years later, this 10-mile section was acquired by Dr. Charles L. Larkin to establish an equestrian trail.

The most attractive parts of the trail navigate through the old railway cuts that were blasted nearly 150 years ago.

6. Naugatuck River Greenway

In the future, it may be possible to traverse the entire length of the Naugatuck River along an unbroken NRG Trail that extends 44 miles from Torrington to Derby.

Currently, the Naugatuck River Greenway serves as a green corridor connecting various riverside parks. 

This paved trail in Naugatuck stretches for 1.1 miles, linking the Pulaski Footbridge at 199 River Street to a small park on Maple Street. It is particularly enjoyed during the fall, when the foliage is extraordinary. 

Mainly, the trail cuts through the charming Linden Park, which, in addition to its soothing river vistas, features four tennis courts, a basketball court, a soccer field, a skate park, and a playground for children.

7. Harvest Moon Festival

During the compilation of this list, the Harvest Moon Festival was approaching its 40th anniversary. This two-day event occurs every September on the town green.

Over the last several decades, the festival has been organized and supported by Boy Scout Troop 102.

Each year, over 100 vendors set up on the green, many of whom specialize in handmade arts and crafts. The festival also features a dynamic roster of live performances at the gazebo, accompanied by delectable seasonal fair food. Notably, the troop’s booth, which serves fried dough, has become a staple of the event.

8. Palace Theater

Source: Palace Theater – Waterbury, CT / facebook

This distinguished venue was designed by celebrated performance space architect Thomas W. Lamb (1871-1942) and showcases an opulent Renaissance Revival style.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Palace Theater opened in 1921 and is a remarkable example of architectural splendor. Every detail is exquisite, from the marquee over the sidewalk to the richly adorned lobby and auditorium.

The crowning feature is the stunning dome, which showcases intricate stucco work and functions as a parabolic reflector to enhance acoustics.

This venue serves as a fitting location for grand Broadway musicals. For instance, during my research, “The Book of Mormon” was scheduled to perform here. 

Notably, Bob Dylan performed at the Palace Theater with the Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975 and has returned to this venue in recent years.

9. Quassy Amusement & Waterpark

Source: Ritu Manoj Jethani / shutterstock

This well-established family entertainment destination has been delighting guests at Lake Quassapaug since 1908.

Located along the Waterbury to Woodbury Line, Quassy initially functioned as a trolley park before evolving into a summer resort and amusement park over the decades.

Families enjoy the park’s variety of midway-style arcade games and amusement rides, such as a carousel, tea cups, bumper cars, and a pirate ship, among others.

The highlight is the Wooden Warrior, a wooden roller coaster introduced in 2011 that has ranked among the top 50 rides of its type according to Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards.

The park features a spacious beach area on Lake Quassapaug, complemented by a waterpark that includes a selection of newly constructed slides. Younger guests will particularly enjoy the Fish Pond—a large splash pad designed specifically for children.

10. Old Sawmill Grill & Miniature Golf Course

Source: Old Sawmill Grill & Miniature Golf Course / facebook

Just beyond the Naugatuck State Forest lies a seasonal 18-hole miniature golf course. Consistent with New England tradition, it is paired with a restaurant that serves comforting food. The menu includes fried fish, burgers, hot dogs, wraps, sandwiches, ice cream, and shakes.

Situated beside the Little River, the course is well-landscaped and surrounded by extensive woodland.

While playing, you’ll encounter charming elements such as a vintage Boston and Maine Railroad caboose from 1939. Another appealing feature is a replica sawmill, which nods to the area’s historical lumber industry. After your game, you can dine inside under ceiling fans or outdoors on the grill’s deck.

11. Hop Brook Golf Course

Source: Hop Brook Golf Course / facebook

Naugatuck is the birthplace of renowned golfer Billy Burke (1902-1972), who achieved his career highlight by winning the U.S. Open in 1931 after a grueling 72-hole playoff.

Burke’s home course, Hop Brook Golf Course, is a welcoming nine-hole municipal facility recognized for its pristine and expansive greens.

Established in 1923, the course is open to visitors daily. During my visit, summer green fees were priced at $22 on weekdays and $24 on weekends for non-residents (nine holes). 

On-site is the upscale Jesse Camille’s Restaurant, which offers a contemporary American menu. Some notable dishes include seared sesame crusted ahi tuna, eggplant parmesan, and the classic French dip.

12. Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe

Source: CT Revelry / facebook

This sub sandwich chain is exclusively located in central and western Connecticut, having originated in Waterbury in the 1920s by three newly-immigrated Nardelli brothers: Joe, Anthony, and Fred.

Witnessing the immense popularity of overstuffed Italian sandwiches in New York, they began crafting similar creations at their grocery store.

By the 1970s, Nardelli’s had expanded throughout Greater Waterbury, ultimately relocating its flagship store to Naugatuck at 87 Maple Street, becoming known as the “Grinder Kings of Waterbury.”

Members of the Nardelli family have all contributed to the business, and this branch was featured on the Travel Channel show “Sandwich Paradise.” Nardelli’s consistently earns the title of “Best Grinder” in CT Magazine’s annual poll and offers a menu filled with both hot and cold options.

For recommendations, consider the Italian Combo (mayo, provolone, pruzitini, lettuce, tomato, capicola, salami). The Baked Stuffed Pastrami and Pulled Pork with Coleslaw are also excellent choices.

13. Bethany Airport

Located just south of Naugatuck, visitors can explore an airfield that has been reclaimed by nature. The history of Bethany Airport dates back to the 1920s, and it served as a base for the Civil Air Patrol during WWII.

Although the facility closed in the mid-1960s, it now features a blend of hardwood forest and municipal recreational amenities for the town of Bethany. Notably, a newly restored hangar remains, alongside a concrete airmail arrow discovered a few years ago.

There are three marked trails winding through the woodlands. Keen observers may spot subtle remnants of the airport in the form of markers amidst the underbrush. 

14. OEC Brewing

One need not travel far to discover a craft brewery in Connecticut. Situated near the Larkin State Park Trail, just beyond Naugatuck’s southwestern limits in Oxford, OEC Brewing offers a charming setting in Colonial-style buildings.

Founded in 2014, OEC is inspired by traditional European brewing methods from Belgium and Germany, presenting a refreshing alternative to the IPA-centric breweries prevalent throughout the state. 

The brewery provides a notably diverse array of beers in its main lineup (Usual Suspects), with particular strengths in Lagers, Sours, and English-style ales. 

Guests can also relish simple yet flavorful accompaniments, including local cheeses, smoked peanuts, and a delightful Bretzel, which is a sourdough pretzel served with mustard.

15. Tomo 68

Naugatuck offers an unexpected array of dining options spread over a substantial area. This Japanese restaurant, located on picturesque Prospect Street off Route 8, has been a staple for approximately 20 years.

Tomo 68 stands out for its extensive sushi selection, artfully presented. It’s best to dine in to fully appreciate the creativity involved. The menu features a comprehensive range of popular rolls and sashimi, as well as numerous distinctive creations. 

Examples include the Bay Breeze, made with fried coconut shrimp paired with mango and cucumber, topped with spicy crab and sweet chili sauce. Alternatively, try the local favorite, the Naugatuck Roll, which includes yellowtail, king salmon, tuna, cucumber, avocado, and fish roe. 

A diverse range of poke bowls, teriyaki, and noodle dishes from udon to ramen rounds out the menu.