A charming scene from downtown Wethersfield, Connecticut.

A Connecticut Downtown Built for Walking

Wethersfield rewards you the more you walk its downtown streets. Not with money but with that rush that comes with exploring historic places and meeting new and interesting people along the way. This charming town’s center does not revolve around a plaza or square. Instead, the streets unfold before you as you stroll on the sidewalks that run continuously along Broad Street and Main Street. These sidewalks form a walkable ‘path’ that takes you through one of the oldest settled communities in Connecticut. As you explore downtown, you will find colonial-era houses, riverfront parks, and plenty of shops and restaurants to stop in when you want to take a break.

The Core Of Old Wethersfield

Joseph Webb and Isaac Stevens Houses in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Image credit: Daderot via Wikimedia Commons.

Wethersfield is Connecticut’s second-oldest town, and as such, it brims over with history. Old Wethersfield, the town’s historic downtown district, was founded in 1634 and is home to more than 150 homes that predate the Civil War. Many of them also predate the Revolutionary War. Along Main Street, there are more than 1,100 preserved buildings, museums, and shops dating back to colonial times.

The Keeney Memorial Cultural Center houses the Wethersfield Museum, operated by the Wethersfield Historical Society. Image credit: Jllm06 via Wikimedia Commons.

Before you get to Main Street, you can stop by the Buttolph-Williams House on Broad Street. The house is believed to have been built in the early 1700s and inspired the setting for the book, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Walking down the road from here, you will find Broad Street Green, which once hosted the country’s first cavalry unit. You can sit under the shade of the oak trees here and have a picnic lunch. Your next stop is Main Street, where you can view three period homes at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. Across the street from the museum, you will find the 1893 Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, which is Wethersfield’s visitor center and history museum.

If you start feeling a little peckish from the fresh air and exercise, grab a bite to eat at the Main Street Creamery & Café. (The cafe closes for winter and usually reopens for the warmer months in March.) You can try one of their more than fifty flavors of ice cream, and you also have a choice of lactose-free or vegan flavors.

Churches And Public Spaces

Aerial view of the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Connecticut

When you pass Lucky Lou’s Bar and Grill, just a minute away from the café, you will approach the First Church of Christ, built in 1764. Behind it lies the Ancient Burying Ground, where the oldest tombstone dates to 1648. The Wethersfield United Methodist Church is located within easy walking distance from here. The second church sits closer to the road and is close enough to the sidewalk so you can see the building's architectural details without leaving your walking route.

Aerial View of the historic Cove in Old Wethersfield, Connecticut — Aerial view of the historic Cove in Old Wethersfield, Connecticut.

If you head back to Broad Street, specifically Broad Street Green, walk south for five minutes until you notice the road sloping slightly towards marshland and then the Connecticut River. Here, you will find the stunning Cove Park. The park was once an oxbow of the river and is ten feet above sea level. You can launch a boat from the park if you want to get out on the water. Thomas Deming built and launched the Tryall in this area in 1649. The Tryall was the first ship built in the state. Remember to check out the Cove Warehouse, which was once a commercial center and is now home to the Wethersfield Historical Society’s maritime exhibit.

Spoiled For Choice When Dining In Wethersfield

The Red Lobster restaurant in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

After so much exploring, you will likely be ready for a hearty meal. At River, you can enjoy panoramic water views while you have your meal prepared by Chef Xavier Santiago. Or, you can stroll back to Old Wethersfield for a cozy and delicious meal at The Charles. If you are in the mood for a great spinach ravioli or comfort food like lasagna, you will find both at Lenoci’s Italian Kitchen on Main Street.

Staying In Wethersfield

Silas W. Robbins House Bed and Breakfast in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

Chances are you will want to stay for a couple of days to really take in the sights in Wethersfield. At the Silas W. Robbins House, which overlooks the Broad Street Green, you will find five appointed rooms, each with a period interior. The amenities are all modern, so you can enjoy free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and even a hair dryer. You might also recognize this B&B from the movie Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane, which was filmed on location. Another option is the Comfort Inn at 1330 Silas Dean Highway, which offers complimentary breakfast and an indoor heated pool.

Strolling Downtown Wethersfield In October

Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre in Old Wethersfield lit up in the evening.

October is one of the best times to visit Wethersfield. When you walk down Main Street, you will see scarecrows along the way, a tradition that stretches back many years. You can follow the literary trail of The Witch of Blackbird Pond and stop by the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center to explore the exhibitions and historic homes. Wethersfield also offers a Witches & Tombstones tour and an Ancient Burying Ground Tour. You can take a guided tour, which includes themed walks and historical tales about witchcraft.

Expanding Your Connecticut Trip

Your Connecticut visit does not have to end when you leave Old Wethersfield. A thirty-minute drive from downtown, you will find the equally walkable town of Chester. Chester’s downtown core is situated along Main Street, but there are sights to see on other streets, including the Old Town Hall on Chester Green, between Liberty Street and Goose Hill Road. The hall was built between 1793 and 1794 as a meeting house, before becoming a theatre and town hall.

Aerial view of the Farmington Historic District in Connecticut. Image credit: Spongetastic69 via Wikimedia Commons.

Twenty minutes from Wethersfield, you will arrive in Farmington Village, which is part of the larger Farmington Historic District and a residential suburb of Hartford. This designated area comprises around 275 acres, including residential, civic, and commercial buildings dating from before 1835. Farmington’s downtown area is also clustered along Main Street, where you will find historic homes, museums, and churches all linked together. Take a couple of minutes to stop by the Stanley-Whitman House, one of the town’s oldest buildings, now preserved as a museum.

Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in ConnecticutThese small towns stand out because their defining features remain in daily use, whether for art, transit, defense, or industry, making each visit difficult to replicate elsewhere in the United States.

Downtown Wethersfield Is Perfect For A Leisurely Stroll

There is no doubt that you will see and experience more in Wethersfield, especially the downtown area, when you do so on foot. In Broad Street, you will see how the historic houses and churches fit together to create a pretty picture. Main Street also offers history along with modern amenities, but never feels crowded. When you take the route to Cove Park, where you can get close to the water, you will see just how rewarding it is to take your Wethersfield trip literally step by step. Still, strolling in this beautiful town is not just about getting from one place to the next. You will also step back in time as you watch its history unfold all around you.

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