Things to Do in Simsbury, CT - Simsbury Attractions
Things to Do in Simsbury
Tours near Simsbury
Book these experiences to see what the area has to offer.
- fromper group (up to 8)$39
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult$10
Fun & Gamesfromper adult$10
Scavenger HuntsHartford Bar Hunt: Hartford Party
0 reviewsfromper adult$13
Fun & Gamesfromper group (up to 10)$20
Fun & Gamesfromper adult$10
Fun & Gamesfromper group (up to 10)$20
Fun & Gamesfromper adult$10
Photo Shootsfromper group (up to 4)$280
Fun & Gamesfromper group (up to 10)$20
Other Top Attractions around Simsbury
What travelers are saying
- Grover RPensacola, FL22,266 contributionsIn trying to see various parts of the country, I am hiking in every state and my opportunity in Connecticut was this beautiful mountain setting just outside Hartford. There are not a lot of mountains in Connecticut, especially outside the NW corner. However, there is a nice ridge between the Connecticut River and the state's NW corner that provides great views over the tranquil valley of western Connecticut.
We visited just after lunch on Labor Day under perfectly clear skies for hiking. On a holiday this close to Hartford parking was hard to find. However, even though there were a lot of people there, we did not feel necessarily crowded. There is a lot of space to find your own place in the park.
The entire hike, listed as #6 in the state, is 2.8 miles with 439 feet of elevation gain. We only had time to do about a mile round trip but most of the vertical feet, nearly 300 are in that first half mile. Despite the 17% grade, the view is impressive especially for a hill under 1,000 feet. Still the slight rise and the west cliff face provide you amazing views of the western Connecticut Valley. Our entire group greatly enjoyed this diversion and chance to get outside. While we did not get to see any wildlife, we did see a snake shed so there was wildlife close by. All in all, a good hike to get some exercise and to see the natural side of Connecticut.Written September 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - cosmo321Sun City Center, FL32 contributionsGreat hike with beautiful views! We took the 1.4 mile hike up to the tower. Tower is only open Fridays through Monday so we weren’t able to go in. Very good hike, steep at first then levels off. Great views. Would love to see it in the fall!Written July 20, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ctjustdoitSimsbury, CT112 contributionsA relaxing spot with picnic tables, canoe launch, benches and gardens. Be advised the bridge will be closed for renovations through 2024 . The closure includes the larger park on the west side and small park on the east side.Written March 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jill LSouth Windsor, CT53 contributionsI have visited this farm twice during the summer, and both times I had a great time. We participated in the wine tasting. We really enjoyed it so we bought bread from the farm market and a bottle of wine. We then sat out in the vineyard and had a wonderful time just chatting. This was such a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.Written October 14, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kzsull01Windsor, CT348 contributionsMy husband and I visited Stratton Brook State Park in West Simsbury, many times this past spring, summer and fall.. It is a small park in a beautifully wooded setting with a lot of different things to offer. The park is definitely very clean and well maintained. We even have seen the beach raked during the in-season. The map of the park on the CT.Gov website is good to help navigate through the park.
The entrance to the park is not very prominent. There is a yellowish sign on your right, going towards Bushy Hill Road, saying that the “Park Entrance is Ahead”. However, we almost missed it. There are two places to park inside the park, convenient to the park amenities. The first parking area that you come to from the park entrance is definitely large with plenty of parking. The second parking lot, which is further from the park entrance, has a separate area for handicap parking, beyond the rotary. There are several spaces for handicap parking. We usually park in the second parking lot, which seems to be more convenient to the parts of the park that we like and you don’t have to go up or down a hill as you do if you park in the first parking lot.
There is an admission fee for non-state residents. Restrooms are available in the back section of the green building labeled Nature Center, but I am not sure when they are open, since we have never used them and they were closed on October 13th, 2021. There is also a portable restroom, but I didn’t see it there when we went to the park on October 13th or after.
Note that there is a trash receptacle/recycling bin in back of the green building. We could not find one anywhere else in the park
Don’t forget to bring bug spray with you because the insects could be bothersome at times.
Our Favorite Walk:
From the second parking lot, described above, there is a path in front of the parking spaces that leads to a rotary. When you are in the rotary, head right, towards a gate, which is closed to motor vehicles, but has entries on both sides of it to walk inside the park. After going through this entryway. go down the walkway and head left onto a path that goes along/circles the beach that goes in front of the green building, labeled Nature Center. This path has a boardwalk on it part of the way. This path both begins and ends on the Farmington River Trail. After we follow this path, we then take a left and follow the Farmington River Trail. This part of the trail is nice to walk rain or shine, because it is covered by forest trees most of the way. It is even cooler during the hot summer months. It goes over a Footbridge that crosses Stratton Brook, where Ensign Memorial Forest starts on your left, based on the map, however, there are no signs for the forest. We follow the Farmington River Trail just beyond where we reach the backyards of some homes where it starts to narrow. We then head back the same way that we came, walking about two miles in total.
More on the Farmington River Trail: The Park’s Main Trail:
The Farmington River Trail is the trail that goes in front of the Covered Bridge and the first pond that you see from the second parking area that is primarily for fishing. There is no sign for this trail but you could go either left or right on it when you reach the Covered Bridge.
The Farmington River Trail is the main trail that traverses the park. It is part of the Farmington River Trail System that was previously part of the Central New England Railway/Connecticut Western Railroad, based on some research that I did. This trail links to the much longer Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. The part of the trail that goes through the park is about 2.5 to 3.0 miles long is not paved but improved/refined, being a non-motorized multi-use trail. The surface is stone-dust with crushed stones with some natural dirt and is great for dogs to walk on. It seems to be nice for their paws. The trail is gentle grade, being flat, and easy to walk. However, please note that there are some areas that have exposed tree roots that you may have to watch out for when walking or riding a bike, in particular, when there are a lot of leaves or pine needles on the trail in the fall.
Some sections of the trail go along Stratton Brook but I don’t believe any of it goes along the actual Farmington River. The part of the Farmington River Trail that goes through the park meets with other motorized sections of the Farmington River Trail on one end at the Bushy Hill Road (State Route 167)/State Route 309) intersection and on the other end on Stratton Brook Road where it intersects with Town Forest Road.
The park also has multiple other trails, as shown on the map.
The Beach and Pond for Swimming:
The park has a small pond with swimming and a large beach area, but no life-guard. However, dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the water. This is the second pond that you will come to from the parking area.
Fishing in the Park:
Fishing is permitted with the park designated as a Trout Park by the state. There is a separate area for handicap fishing, with a platform on each side of the small pond for this purpose. There are signs limiting the catching to two trout and the requirement to have a Trout and Salmon Stamp on your fishing license in order to fish in the park. However, the water seems to be a bit shallow in the small pond and perhaps even in the larger pond, beyond the swimming area, where fishing is allowed, from what we could tell.
Picnicking in the Park:
The park has a large picnic area with picnic tables and charcoal grills in multiple places throughout the park, with a separate receptacle to throw out hot coals in front of the green building, towards the left of the building if you are facing it. But don’t forget to bring charcoal and cooking utensils if you want to do any grilling. Also, a table cloth is recommended for the picnic table. The park even has a picnic shelter, the Massacoe State Forest Pavilion, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, which has a very impressive stone fireplace in it. .
An interesting feature of the park is its Covered Bridge with a waterfall underneath it in one section of the park as well as a footbridge on the Farmington River Trail that crosses Stratton Brrok..
This is definitely a nice place for families with young children, who we have seen enjoying the pond and beach during some of our visits. But it is a nice place for everyone to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Note that this park is also used for Cross-Country Track/Running meets/events on some weekends and even occasional weekdays, based on our experience at the park.
We have enjoyed our walks in this park and our two dogs have enjoyed it as well. Please note that dogs must be on a leash in this park.
A Scenic Ride to the Park from Windsor:
Take Route 187 North to 189 North (turning onto 189 North at the Tariffville, Granby Exit) and then turn left onto 315 West at the first light that you come to. At the end of 315 West, take a right onto Route 10/202 North and then a left at the first light that you come to onto Hoskins Road, just before Antonio’s Restaurant in Simsbury. Follow Hoskins Road going left at each fork. It turns into Laurel Lane and then Hop Brook Road. Once you reach Old Farms Road, where the road ends, take a left. Follow this road until you come to a light and take a left onto Farms Village Road (State Route 309). Follow this road until you come to the park which will be on your right, going from this direction. But keep your eyes out for it because it is easy to miss. However, there is yellowish sign on your right stating that the “Park Entrance is Ahead” before the actual entrance. . .
Written October 18, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dukel1986Simsbury, CT135 contributionsIf you are interested in history, make sure to stop by this great museum. You'll learn a lot. The house is very well-preserved. You can take guided tours or go through the house on your own.Written February 23, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Steve MSimsbury, CT105 contributionsSuperb pro staff here! great course layout and conditions! walkable, but its got a few hills! beautiful vistas, particularly in the spring and fall. The site is the former Orkil farms orchards and many of the old apple and pear trees remain.Written March 22, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
