Situated In West Connecticut Is A Charming Village With Historic Homes, Boutiques, And Global Eats

New England is full of charming locales, like Sturbridge, a Massachusetts town with cute shops and nature trails, or Matunuck, a Rhode Island village that promises surf and beaches. Bethel, Connecticut, is another similar destination. This historic village in Western Connecticut features 19th-century homes, local boutiques, and a global food scene. Located about 60 miles from NYC and 50 miles from Hartford, Bethel has a population of about 18,000 people, combining small-town appeal with a walkable downtown and frequent community events. Although having a car is a good idea for getting around Bethel, you can also reach the village by the Metro-North rail or HARTransit bus.

Bethel is full of historic properties and homes, making it an attractive base for commuters who prefer small town quiet to big city bustle. It's also a vacation spot for day trippers and weekend visitors seeking a peaceful getaway. Some houses date back to the 1760s, before the Revolutionary War, including the birthplace of circus showman P. T. Barnum. Historic local landmarks include the Bethel Public Library, the Bethel Opera House, and a one-room schoolhouse, Plumtrees School.

Bethel offers both outdoor activities and a locally famous boutique shopping scene. One of the village's most popular destinations is Blue Jay Orchards, where you can pick your own apples and pumpkins as well as sample apple cider donuts and maple sugar candy. Another must-visit is the C. P. Huntington State Park, a 1,017-acre state park spanning the villages of Bethel, Redding, and Newtown. With five ponds, a 15-acre lake, 10 miles of trails, and historic entrance sculptures, the park draws visitors year-round.

Bethel is also known for its charming local boutiques and it's easy to spend hours browsing different stores on Greenwood Avenue. Popular stores include independent bookstore Byrd's Books, used bookstore Rainy Day Paperback Exchange, specialty toy shop the Toy Room, decor and gift store Gather Boutique, secondhand fashion shop the Thrifty Hippy, and record shop Disc & Dat. Visit during the annual Summer Shop and Stroll event to enjoy live music and special sidewalk sales as you browse.

Foodies will find several gastronomic attractions in Bethel. Popular restaurants include Italian spot Portofino Restaurant & Wine Bar, known for its pizzas; La Zingara's seasonal menu; brunch favorite Vesta Rooftop Kitchen; and Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant, which has served up diner favorites for 75 years. Bethel is also home to a growing global food scene, as seen in restaurants like Nour Lebanese Cuisine, Sprouts Vietnamese Cuisine, Spice Indian Cuisine and Bar, Avocado Mexican Restaurant, Japanese restaurant House of Yoshida, and Greek spot Stony Hill Diner.

Bethel is also home to several fun foodie experiences. Located in a historic train station, Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery gives you the chance to sample beers brewed on-site while enjoying live music and a unique atmosphere. Don't miss Dr. Mike's Ice Cream, which has been serving flavors like chocolate lace and caramel brown butter since 1975. Eclectic coffee shop Molten Java often hosts open mics and local art exhibits as well as serves coffee and desserts. Looking for more to do in the area? A short drive away, you'll find Redding, a charming Connecticut town with tons of trails.