These Towns In Connecticut Come Alive In Spring

An affront to the crowded beaches, pricey cocktails, and ear-splitting music expected from southern destinations, Connecticut is a back-to-basics spring break retreat. Most of the images evoked by the season, such as bright flowers, fresh fruit, and cultural events, punctuate the state from March to June. Additionally, these spring staples can be paired with modernized takes on traditional festivals held in small communities. See which towns made the Connecti-cut for a serene spring vacation.

Litchfield

Litchfield is a relatively remote community hugged by spring-enhanced nature preserves. These include Wyantenock State Forest, Topsmead State Forest, and the White Memorial Conservation Center, the last of which hosts an array of vernal activities like hiking, camping, birdwatching, fungus foraging, edible plant gathering, and eclipse viewing. But those are far from the only spring events in this 8,000ish-person town. Though it has passed, Litchfield Restaurant Week happens in late March and features special three-course meals at participating eateries. While waiting for 2025's event, check out the Litchfield Hills Road Race, held the second Sunday in June, and admire daffodil blooms at Laurel Ridge Farm. You can also drive to nearby Harwinton for Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire, a merry multi-month renaissance festival set to run on weekends from May 18 to June 30.

Mystic

Mystic's spring attractions match its name. Pirate Days are scheduled for April 9 and 10 in this seaside village and involve treasure hunting, ship navigating, and many other kinds of pirate cosplaying. There will even be a pirate parade. Less mystical but still somewhat mythical is the Mystic Irish Parade, whose shamrock-themed events run from February to April. Its namesake parade already occurred on March 24. You can finish out the season with the Mystic Half Marathon and 10K, which are set for Sunday, May 19. The enchanting half marathon begins at Olde Mistick Village and passes historic ships and downtown haunts before ending at Mystic Aquarium.

Middlefield

Middlefield is a year-round tourist destination with skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and leaf peeping in autumn. During spring, this Middlesex County town becomes a berry-picking paradise thanks to Lyman Orchards. Voted Connecticut's best pick-your-own farm, Lyman has harvest seasons for different kinds of produce. Typically, the strawberry- and honeyberry-picking season begins in early June, while the raspberry season gets underway in late June. Some fruits, like pears and apples, cannot be picked until late summer or fall. But do not worry: Lyman hosts the Spring Apple Hunt and Pancake Party, so you can find and taste juicy apples and apple pastries months ahead of time (although the apple hunt in the Hay Maze is reserved for children aged 1 to 10). This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, April 13.

After apple hunting and berry picking, close out spring with guitar picking at the Mountain Music Series set for Tuesday, June 18, at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort.

New Milford

Spring is about growth, and New Milford celebrates growth with Spring Fest at Meadowbrook Gardens. It is a multi-day festival focused on gardening, but past events have included food trucks and kids' activities. For 2024, Spring Fest is scheduled to run on April 13 and 14. Another serene spring event in beautiful New Milford is the Spring Art Show at Gallery 25, which is to span three months from April 12 to June 9.

Although not spring-specific, the Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market, a highly rated and highly eclectic trove for "treasure hunters, antique collectors, farmers, foodies, up-cyclers, deal seekers, and entrepreneurs of all kinds," will soon commence for the season at 490 Danbury Road. It is expected to recur every Sunday from April until December.

Woodbury

On April 22, municipalities across America honor the environment for Earth Day, but perhaps no place does it better than Woodbury - at least not in the state. Dubbed "the largest Earth Day celebration in Connecticut," Woodbury Earth Day is commemorating its 30th year with everything from artisan vendors to sustainable lifestyle demonstrations. Attendees can expect to buy birdhouses, alpaca wool goods, herbal iced teas, and beeswax candles, and learn about birds, honey bees, hiking first aid, and native trees. Other woodsy wonders to see in Woodbury this spring are Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, Walker Road Vineyards, and Highwire Deer & Animal Farm.

Cheshire

Spring in Cheshire is bound to make you smile. The season brings colorful fruits and festivities, which combine for the Cheshire Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair. Scheduled for Saturday, June 8, on the grounds of the First Congregational Church, the festival is famous for farm-fresh strawberries, which are made into strawberry shortcake, plus food and craft vendors, face painting, bouncy castles, and live music. It also serves as an expo for community members to rub elbows and strawberry-stuffed stomachs.

From there, you can shop for a larger selection of produce at Norton Brothers Fruit Farm and then relax with a beverage at Counter Weight Brewing Company. For Cheshire visitors wanting more color but in a different form, The Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum offers a "trip down memory lane" with over 80,000 toys and collectibles.

Vernon

Incorporated in 1808, Vernon is a historic town whose attractions harken back to bygone days. Tourists wander Henry Park and, on the rare occasions that it is open, climb The Tower on Fox Hill, a 72-foot veterans' memorial that was completed in 1939. They also check out the New England Civil War Museum, which is housed in a building dating to the late 1800s. During springtime, however, tourists and residents flock to an event that is older than the tower and almost as old as the museum: the Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival. Founded in 1909, the festival celebrates Connecticut sheep and their wonderful wool, plus other homespun fibers. Vendors booked for 2024 include Karen's Lambs, Twist of Fate Spinnery, Purgatory Falls Alpaca Farm, Stitched by JessaLu, and Cold Goats Farm. Do not be sheepish and visit Vernon on April 27.

Connecticut is a spring break destination for spring seekers, not avoiders. From Litchfield's daffodils to Mystic's shamrocks to Middlefield's apples to New Milford's flea market to Woodbury's Earth Day to Cheshire's strawberries to Vernon's sheep, the state comes alive with seasonal hallmarks that are passed over by south-flying tourists. Leave summer attractions for summer and embrace spring attractions in spring in authentic Connecticut.