Connecticut's Scenic Hill Country Hides A Historic City With A Quaint Downtown And Tasty Restaurants

Home to rolling hills, brilliant autumnal forests, scenic drives, and sprawling vineyards, Connecticut's Litchfield Hills region in the northwest corner of the state is a place of peace and tranquility. Often called the Secret Corner (as opposed to the Quiet Corner in the northeast), the area has a low population density compared with other parts of Connecticut. This uncrowded region in the foothills of the Appalachians and Berkshires is home to 26 small towns, each with its unique charm. Amidst this scenic hill country dotted with red covered bridges is the historic and quaint town of Torrington.

Settled on the banks of the Naugatuck River in the 18th century, Torrington has undergone many metamorphoses since its inception, from being a mill town to a place where Civil War army rations were produced. The town went through many hardships over its lifetime, such as a major flood in 1955. Today, it is home to an Art Deco downtown area, multiple state parks, a state forest, a thriving arts scene, and great restaurants. Torrington is located around an hour by car from both of Connecticut's travel hubs, New Haven and Hartford. Torrington is also less than an hour away from Sheffield, Massachusetts' hub of history and New England charm. Its proximal location in New England makes it the perfect escape from big cities like New York or Boston.

The land that Torrington rests on is full of history. The town may have been founded in 1735, but the area was occupied by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. A great way to learn about this is to head to the Torrington History Museum, conveniently located in the downtown area. There, visitors can find out about the area's founding, industrial history, and famous people from the region, including abolitionist John Brown. The museum also has seasonal special exhibits, such as the "Echoes of Freedom" exhibit on the Revolutionary War celebrating America's 250th birthday. Located on the same site is the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, a Victorian mansion once home to prominent local residents. Visitors can tour the Queen Anne-style house during the summer months to see historic furniture, local artifacts, and woodwork.

Although Connecticut doesn't make the list of the top five states with the most state parks, it does have a large number of them with 110 state parks and 32 state forests. Some of these are found in Torrington, and several have important connections to local history. Burr Pond State Park was the home of a historic site: the world's first condensed milk factory. It was here that Connecticut residents preserved milk using evaporation, which became an important part of Union Army rations. Today, parkgoers can swim at the pond, picnic, fish, and hike along the 4.6-mile John Muir Trail. Another natural area full of local history is Topsmead State Forest. Once the summer home of a wealthy heiress, visitors here can explore a historic Tudor-style home, hike, ski, picnic, and marvel at the butterfly garden. 

When visiting Torrington, it isn't enough to just check out a state park or museum — downtown Main Street is a can't-miss location. With its thriving art scene, its restaurants, and its architecture, the street has a lot to offer. Many of the buildings downtown were constructed in the Art Deco style, which prioritizes geometric shapes inspired by industrialization. Thanks to the preservation efforts of local visionaries, anyone strolling down Main Street can experience the beauty to this day. Like Connecticut's best college town of Storrs, having the downtown area be walkable is very important to the community of Torrington. Visitors can expect to navigate this area easily as they take in the historic Art Deco buildings.

While in this part of Torrington, visitors can participate in a number of cultural activities. Warner Theatre, housed inside one of the restored Art Deco buildings, features live music, stand-up comedy, and plays. Art lovers can head to Five Points Gallery to see contemporary art from both local and international creators. Those traveling with small children will find that KidsPlay Children's Museum offers interactive exhibits great for little ones under 10.

This area is also known for its restaurants. For those craving authentic Greek food like dolmades, souvlaki, and gyros, YiaYia's Greek Kitchen is recommended for its delicious eats and Mediterranean-style interior. Those looking for American food or cocktails can head to Sawyer's, which offers a Monday through Friday happy hour and classics like chicken wings. For Latin American cuisine, El Tenate Authentic Mexican Food serves tasty burritos, tacos, quesadillas, flautas, and more.