Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Vernon, Connecticut

Summary

1. The Tower on Fox Hill
2. Valley Falls Park
3. The City of Rockville, CT
4. New England Motorcycle Museum
5. Vernon Rails to Trails Park
6. Spare Time Entertainment Vernon
7. New England Civil War Museum
8. Connecticut Parachutists Inc.
9. Aussakita Acres Farm
10. Mar-Lea Miniature Golf & Driving Range
11. Hockanum River Trails
12. Dart Hill Park
13. Arts Center East
14. Vernon Historical Society
15. The Shoppes at Buckland Hills

Situated on the eastern side of the Connecticut River Valley, Vernon is just a 15-minute drive from Hartford via I-84. However, as I traversed the trails of Vernon, it felt as though a major urban center could be so distant.

The Vernon Rails to Trails Park meanders through the town, offering a slender strip of nature atop the paved bed of a 19th-century railway.

Valley Falls Park also showcases 19th-century heritage; the site was once home to a textile mill, now transformed into a space for leisurely activities such as walking, swimming, and relaxing during the summer months.

In 1965, Vernon integrated the city of Rockville, a former manufacturing center renowned for its textiles. Traces of this industrial legacy can be observed throughout this region of Vernon, previously known as Loom City.

Another textile mill, dating back more than 200 years, now accommodates the New England Motorcycle Museum, which displays approximately 200 motorcycles from 25 distinct brands.

Let’s delve into the top attractions in and around Vernon:

1. The Tower on Fox Hill

This octagonal Romanesque Revival tower rises to 72 feet within Rockville’s Henry Park. It occupies the site of a predecessor tower that existed briefly in the late 1870s.

The current structure was a Works Progress Administration endeavor during the Great Depression, built as a memorial for all wars.

Featured prominently on Vernon’s town seal, the Tower on Fox Hill is the highest artificial elevation in the area, providing stunning panoramic views to the west over the Connecticut River Valley.

In the distance, I could identify Talcott Mountain, Mount Holyoke, and Mount Tom on the Metacomet Ridge, situated 20 miles away on the opposite side of the valley.

A ceremonious promenade, 220 feet long and paved with random flagstones, leads to the tower.

2. Valley Falls Park

Regarded as one of the most beautiful parks in the state, Valley Falls Park offers a hilly, nature-rich retreat for hiking, swimming, and fishing.

A pond at the center is nestled in deep woods, accompanied by a beach area supervised by lifeguards during the summer months.

Adjacent to the beach, a grassy area features picnic tables sheltered by a gazebo.

The park carries significant historical value, having housed a mill from colonial times until 1877 when the last structure was destroyed by fire. The remnants of the foundations have been excavated and are intriguing to observe.

Several trails, varying in difficulty, stretch into the woods, traversing streams, wetlands, meadows, and scenic viewpoints. The foliage is particularly captivating in the fall, and the small waterfall serves as an ideal photographic opportunity.

3. The City of Rockville, CT

In 1965, Vernon integrated the former city of Rockville, which presents a captivating area for exploration. An intriguing aspect is its industrial history, having been a significant textile producer, often referred to as Loom City during the 19th century.

The old city constitutes a vast historic district, encompassing over 500 acres and housing nearly 850 historic structures. I will highlight a few notable ones later in this article.

For insight into the manufacturing heritage, consider visiting Florence Mill (1864) and the site of Saxony Mill (1836), now a public park. Additionally, the grand Memorial Building (1890), which houses Vernon’s town hall and the Civil War Museum, is noteworthy and will be discussed later.

The Vernon Historical Society has made available a downloadable self-guided walking tour of Rockville for those seeking further knowledge.

4. New England Motorcycle Museum

Established in 2018, the New England Motorcycle Museum features a diverse collection of motorcycles from over 25 manufacturers.

This initiative is the result of a lifelong passion for motorcycles by Ken Kaplan, who located the ideal venue at the abandoned Hockanum Mill, one of Rockville’s textile factories.

This impressive building, constructed in the 1810s, has been sympathetically restored and is illuminated by natural light.

It is an enthusiast’s paradise, with an entire floor dedicated to Harley Davidsons and another to dirt bikes.

Among the various brands displayed are Indian, Triumph, BMW, Rokon, Honda, Kawasaki, complemented by memorabilia from notable motorcycling events and figures. Furthermore, a remarkable archive of motorcycle magazines is available for viewing.

5. Vernon Rails to Trails Park

The Vernon area boasts nine miles of tree-lined rail corridors that have been transformed into greenways for hiking, cycling, jogging, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

The principal 5.1-mile trail commences at the Vernon-Manchester town line and winds east towards Bolton, tracing the route of the historic Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad, established in the mid-19th century.

This trail is part of the 21-mile Hop River Linear Park Trail, stretching from Manchester to Willimantic. For orientation, trail maps are available in Vernon at the Church Street and Tunnel Road parking areas.

The path passes through Valley Falls Park, and an access point on Warren Avenue connects to the Rockville Spur, extending north for 4.1 miles along a former industrial line laid down in 1862.

6. Spare Time Entertainment Vernon

Families with lively teenagers or individuals seeking ideas for an evening out with friends may find this entertainment center appealing. Spare Time is part of a group with multiple locations across the United States.

The primary attraction at the Vernon branch is a 25-lane bowling alley, featuring five lanes designated for a VIP experience.

Additionally, it includes a 4,000-square-foot laser tag arena equipped with ambient music, LED lighting, fog effects, and other enhancements. The arcade also offers over 80 state-of-the-art machines.

During my visit, there was a special all-you-can-bowl promotion for under $10, applicable Sunday through Wednesday.

7. New England Civil War Museum

One of the notable structures in the picturesque center of Rockville is the former Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall, established in 1890 for Union Army veterans from the Civil War.

The GAR’s Thomas F. Burpee Post #71 convened here until 1934, and its successor, Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, continues to meet monthly.

This makes it the oldest GAR building still in continuous use.

The complimentary museum, which operates on weekends, has been in existence since the hall’s construction, but attained official recognition in the 1990s.

Visitors can explore a variety of artifacts, including authentic rifles, muskets, and swords. Of particular interest is a diary belonging to a member of the 56th Massachusetts Regiment.

8. Connecticut Parachutists Inc.

Located north of Rockville is Ellington Airport, one of the two airports in Connecticut recognized as a parachute jump zone.

If skydiving has been on your wish list, consider Connecticut Parachutists Inc. for your introductory dive.

No prior skydiving experience is required for a tandem jump, where you leap from a plane at over 14,000 feet.

With favorable weather conditions, the views from the jump are extraordinary. You can see as far as Long Island Sound and trace the Connecticut River down to Hartford.

For a keepsake, various video packages are available, and for an added touch, a professional freefall photographer can accompany you during the jump.

9. Aussakita Acres Farm

Australian-style experiences await families with children aged ten and older at Aussakita Acres Farm, open for events from April to mid-November. During these events, the farm offers tours and various animal interactions.

Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes visits to the farm’s paddocks, allowing guests to meet, feed, and interact with goats, ponies, pigs, and alpacas.

If you visit early in the season, expect a delightful variety of piglets, goat kids, and baby alpacas.

For adults, the standout event is goat yoga, where participants engage in a yoga class surrounded by 30 lively and affectionate goats.

10. Mar-Lea Miniature Golf & Driving Range

The miniature golf course at Mar-Lea, located off the Boston Turnpike south of Vernon, provides additional family-friendly entertainment.

This course is ideal for younger or less experienced golfers due to its relatively simple yet creatively designed holes, adorned with whimsical decorations including a lighthouse, castle, windmill, church, barn, and treehouse.

Pricing is reasonable as well, with the cost for 18 holes listed at just $7 during my research. More serious golfers can practice their iron shots at the driving range situated against a scenic wooded backdrop.

11. Hockanum River Trails

The Hockanum River originates at Shenipsit Lake in Rockville, flowing for over 22 miles through Vernon, Ellington, Manchester, and East Hartford before entering the Connecticut River.

The Hockanum River Watershed Association has worked to enhance the accessibility of the riverbanks. This network of loops and point-to-point paths allows for a fresh perspective on the landscapes of Vernon and Manchester, with over three miles of orange-blazed linear trails in Vernon.

The 1.4-mile Dart Hill North Trail is among the steepest and most visually appealing paths in the network, commencing at a water treatment facility on Windsorville Road and trailblazing south to Dart Hill Park.

To the southwest of Vernon, Union Pond is accessible via the trail, providing a treasured natural retreat.

This pond is an excellent spot for birdwatchers, as it is home to various waterfowl and wildfowl, including cormorants, Canada geese, ducks, and gulls, with occasional sightings of great egrets and great blue herons.

12. Dart Hill Park

Located along the Hockanum River Trails, Dart Hill Park is a well-maintained community space equipped with various amenities.

A large grassy area invites kite-flying and picnicking, while a gazebo provides a pleasant retreat on hot summer days, situated next to a newly updated playground.

A recent addition during my visit was the park’s fitness trail, featuring hydraulic exercise equipment, implemented in the late 2010s. Centrally located in the parking area is a wildflower meadow designed to attract bees.

13. Arts Center East

Vernon is home to a dynamic community arts center founded in 2012, which fosters a vibrant local artistic scene.

Arts Center East hosts temporary exhibitions and offers a plethora of classes in painting, sketching, watercolor, pastels, art journals, and calligraphy, among others.

The events calendar is also rich, featuring theater performances, live music, dance, and activities for children. During my visit, I attended the remarkable annual photography exhibit and was impressed by the high caliber of works displayed.

The quaint Arts Center East building, constructed in 1927 in the Colonial Revival style, initially served as a school for orphans before transitioning to a standard kindergarten and subsequently fell into disuse.

14. Vernon Historical Society

For those interested in exploring the town’s 200-year history, the Vernon Historical Society operates a small museum open every Thursday and on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

This museum serves as a collection point for items of local historical significance. I found the works of notable local artists, such as Charles Ethan Porter and Gustave A. Hoffman, particularly captivating.

One of the significant events on the society’s calendar is the Annual Book & Media Sale, occurring over two weekends in late April or early May and featuring over 15,000 books, meticulously categorized for ease of browsing.

15. The Shoppes at Buckland Hills

Along I-84 in the southwest area of Vernon, visitors will find retail units; however, if you continue towards Hartford for a few minutes, you will arrive at an extensive cluster of malls and entertainment venues.

The largest among them is The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, featuring popular stores such as Barnes & Noble, Foot Locker, GameStop, H&M, and JCPenney.

Next to it, The Plaza at Buckland Hills is primarily focused on dining options, hosting a range of chain restaurants including Five Guys, Olive Garden, and Taco Bell.

Furthermore, just north is the upscale open-air Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, which includes stores like Apple, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Old Navy, and Sephora.

In between these shopping locations, a wide array of standalone restaurants can be found, ranging from Wendy’s to Red Robin. For entertainment, the Cinemark Buckland Hills 18 XD and IMAX multiplex is located just a few minutes outside Vernon.

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