Located in Northwest Connecticut, Salisbury General Store and Pharmacy at 20 Main Street in Salisbury is one of those purely delightful stores with merchandise far beyond what the name might imply. Located in the gateway to the Berkshire Mountains, the store welcomes visitors, tourists, hikers, and shoppers looking for gifts. The store stocks specialty soaps and spa products, unique gifts, toys, crafts, cards and party goods, wooden kitchenware like cutting boards, and textile arts. The store features the work of local artisans. Hiking supplies too! 860-435-9388.

You don’t need to be a photographer or painter to appreciate the beauty of farm barns. These icons of farming life have caught the attention of Connecticut historians, who created a Connecticut Barn Trail. Use the trail and its maps to explore this beautiful countryside at your own pace. The trail has seven routes that highlight barns at farms and farm stands, orchards, wineries, and historic sites. 203-562-6312.

You never need an extra excuse to take a ride around the lovely country roads of Connecticut, but here’s one anyway: the New Milford Barn Quilt Trail. This trail passes eight farms and consists of eight colorful quilt patterns painted on large wood blocks and hung on antique and vintage barns around New Milford. The trail is fun from explores and photographers and people who simply love the old barns. It honors the state’s agricultural history and the tradition of quilt making. The barn quilt blocks are hung on private property and may be viewed only from public roadsides.