Vernon

Day Trips

Wake up refreshed after your journey and settle into your charming Vernon accommodation. Step out onto Main Street for a fresh brew at a local café and watch the town come to life. Wander through boutique shops and grab a light pastry before your next stop.

Enjoy a hearty lunch at a family-run diner renowned for its homemade pies. Explore the town square, browse artisan stalls, and pause for photos at the historic clock tower. Take a leisurely walk through Crescent Lake Park and admire the seasonal blooms.

Dine at a cozy bistro offering farm-to-table specialties and local craft beers. Attend a live performance or open-mic night at the Forum Theatre to soak up Vernon’s arts scene. Cap the evening with a nightcap on a rooftop patio overlooking the twinkling town lights.

Begin with a guided tour of the Vernon Historical Society Museum to uncover the town’s early settler stories. Examine vintage photographs, artifacts, and interactive exhibits that bring the past alive. Enjoy a complimentary coffee from the museum’s quaint café.

Head to the Heritage District for lunch at an old estate converted into a tearoom. Meander along the historic walking trail and admire restored Victorian homes with intricate gingerbread trim. Pop into specialty shops selling antiques and locally crafted goods.

Join a lantern-lit ghost tour through the old cemetery and hear spine-tingling local legends. Continue downtown for a flight of samplers at a nearby craft brewery. Relax back at your B&B with a slice of homemade pie and a tome from their small library.

Gear up for a kayaking excursion on the gentle Hockanum River, where you’ll paddle through scenic green corridors. Your instructor will guide you on basic strokes and river safety as you glide past wooded banks. Pause mid-journey for a riverside coffee and wildlife spotting.

Settle on a grassy riverbank for a packed picnic lunch under a canopy of trees. Try paddleboarding or float downstream on an inflatable raft for a different vantage point. Photograph wildflowers and birds that inhabit this peaceful stretch of water.

Return to town for a laid-back riverside barbecue hosted by a local outfitter. Share stories with fellow adventurers around the fire pit as you grill fresh sausages and veggies. End the night roasting marshmallows and stargazing at the clear country sky.

Drive to nearby Lakeville Ridge for a moderate morning hike up to Summit Lookout. Breathe in crisp air as you ascend through mixed hardwood forests. Snap panoramic photos of rolling hills and farmland below.

Enjoy a gourmet picnic at the summit pavilion prepared by a local deli. Scan the horizon for migrating hawks and seasonal wildflowers in bloom. Wander along the ridge trail on your way back down, keeping an eye out for deer.

Head back to Vernon for dinner at a rustic steakhouse known for dry-aged cuts and local craft cocktails. Share stories of the day’s adventure by the fireplace in the dining room. Take an after-dinner stroll under softly lit lampposts along Main Street.

Embark on a scenic drive to a family-owned vineyard just 20 minutes from Vernon. Take part in a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyards and barrel cellars. Sample a flight of crisp whites paired with artisanal cheese.

Relax over a gourmet lunch at the vineyard’s terrace bistro, overlooking rows of vines. Learn winemaking tips from the resident vintner and browse the wine shop for special reserves. Grab a bottle to savor later and take home as a souvenir.

Return to town for a casual pizza night at a local pizzeria offering fresh dough and wood-fired ovens. Uncork your purchased wine and enjoy it al fresco in the garden seating area. Finish with gelato from a nearby gelateria before heading back to your lodgings.

Catch the scenic commuter train to Hartford for a city-style cultural immersion. Visit the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and explore its galleries of classical and modern masterpieces. Grab a latte at the museum café and watch street performers on Trinity Street.

Enjoy lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant downtown that sources ingredients from local growers. Explore Goodwin Park’s rose gardens and turtle pond, or rent a rowboat for a peaceful afternoon on the water. Swing by the Mark Twain House for a guided tour of the author’s historic residence.

Attend a Broadway-style performance at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Dine at an upscale Hartford bistro featuring seasonal small plates and craft cocktails. Return to Vernon by train, reflecting on a day of city contrasts.

Start your day at the Vernon Farmers Market, held every Saturday under colorful tents. Sample fresh produce, artisanal bread, and local honey while chatting with friendly growers. Pick up seasonal flowers and homemade preserves.

Join a pottery workshop at the Vernon Community Arts Center and create your own ceramic bowl. Learn wheel-throwing techniques from a local artisan and decorate your piece with custom glazes. Sip herbal tea as your masterpiece is kiln-fired for pickup later in the week.

Experience a pop-up art show in the Old Mill District featuring works by regional painters and sculptors. Mingle with artists over craft beer and gourmet sliders at a food truck rally. End the night with a stroll along the riverwalk, dotted with twinkling light installations.

Rent mountain bikes and hit the Hop River Trail, a scenic 30-mile pathway through lush woodlands. Pace yourself as you pedal past farmland, marshes, and shaded groves. Pause at Bolton Notch for a quick water break and photos by the old stone arch bridge.

Refuel with gourmet sandwiches at a trail-side café in historic Bolton. Continue westward, watching for migrating birds in the wetlands. Return to Vernon in the late afternoon and unwind with a cold beverage at a riverfront pub.

Set out for a backyard-style barbeque at a local campsite near Great Cedar Pond. Gather around a crackling fire pit, grill fresh vegetables and sausages, and swap adventure tales. Roast marshmallows for s’mores as the night sky unfolds above you.

Participate in a hands-on cooking class at Vernon’s community culinary school. Master traditional recipes like clam chowder and Connecticut-style lobster roll. Enjoy your own creations alongside classmates with freshly baked bread.

Explore downtown’s gourmet dessert scene by sampling chocolates at a family-run chocolatier. Stroll to a specialty tea shop and learn about loose-leaf blends from tea masters. Savor a delicate cup paired with macarons in a tranquil setting.

Embark on a guided food tour that highlights five of Vernon’s best eateries. Taste small plates ranging from global fusion tacos to classic New England seafood chowder. End the tour with a decadent dessert and a farewell toast.

Unwind with an outdoor yoga session in Elm Hill Gardens, surrounded by blooming flowers. Follow with a leisurely brunch at a nearby café serving farm-fresh omelets and pastries. Journal your favorite memories over a cup of espresso.

Take a final stroll through the fragrant Herb Sanctuary at Sunnyfields Garden. Shop for local honey, hand-crafted soaps, and herbal teas at the garden’s gift shop. Pause on a shaded bench to read or simply breathe in the peaceful ambiance.

Celebrate your last night with a refined dinner at the town’s premier fine-dining restaurant. Savor multi-course tasting menus paired with regional wines curated by a sommelier. Return to your lodging, pack your bags, and drift off to sleep with memories of a perfect Vernon getaway.