CONNECTICUT

Set in natural surroundings, Merritt Parkway's significant design brilliantly integrates the craft of the engineer and the artist. The bridges along the route are excellent examples of Art Deco, or Art Moderne, styles of the 1920s and 1930s. Magnificent foliage abounds in both spring and fall. This mapped route shows the Merritt Parkway from the New York-Connecticut border near Purchase, New York, to Milford, Connecticut, where the parkway ends. Allow one hour to drive this parkway.

This tour of classic Connecitcut towns begins at Routes 8 and 4 in Torrington. Take Route 8 north through Burrville and nearby Burr Pond State Park. At Routes 8 and 44 in Winsted, take Route 44 east to the center of New Hartford, nestled on the banks of the Farmington River. Proceed to Routes 44 and 219. Take Route 219 north to the Lake McDonough Recreation Area, near Ski Sundown. At Routes 219 and 318, take Route 318 west, passing the Saville Dam and Barkhamsted Reservoir. A scenic parking area on Route 318 is a favorite spot for taking photos.
Proceed on Route 318 west. At Routes 318 and 181, take a right onto Route 181 west to Hartland. At Routes 181 and 20, take Route 20 east. Along the way you will pass the Gaylord House, a lovely colonial home circa 1845. Continuing on Route 20, enter the center of West Hartland and then drive through Tunxis State Forest. At Routes 20 and 179 enter the center of East Hartland, a bucolic village with a traditional Congregational Church and town Green.
Take Route 179 south through Tunxis State Forest and miles of mountain laurel, Connecticut's state flower. At Routes 179 and 219 take Route 219 south; at Routes 219 and 318, take Route 318 west, crossing the Saville Dam to the junction of Routes 318 and 181. Proceed on Route 318 west and Route 181 south for one mile. Take the right just before the metal bridge and follow East River Road to the village of Riverton. This narrow serpentine road follows the west branch of the Farmington River. Your drive takes you through Peoples State Forest.
At the first intersection in Riverton, take a left over the bridge. Continue on Route 20 west to Route 8 south to Winsted. At Routes 8 and 44 by the Winsted Green, take Route 44 west. Continue on Route 44 west through Winsted to Route 183 north to Colebrook, Connecticut's most authentic example of a post-Revolutionary village. Leaving Colebrook, take Route 182A to Route 182; bear right on Route 182 and follow for eight miles to Norfolk. A walk around the historic Norfolk Green is a pleasant way to absorb the ambience of this quintessential New England village.
Resuming your drive take Route 272 south. At the junction of Routes 272 and 4, take Route 4 east, bear right on Main Street to the center of Torrington. At the intersection of Main and Litchfield streets is Coe Memorial Park, an oasis of beauty and serenity. Retrace your steps to the junction of Main Street, Route 202 and Route 8, and follow Route 202 east to the junction of Routes 8 and 4.

This tour begins in Goshen at route 63 and 4. Goshen, settled in 1738, is noted for its rolling hills, sparkling lakes and rich agricultural heritage. To visit Sunset Meadow Vineyards, overlooking scenery of the Western Connecticut Highlands, take Route 63 south for 2 miles.
In Goshen center, there are two architecturally interesting buildings to photograph, the 1833 Federally styled Congregational Church and the Old Town Hall, built in the Victorian style in 1895.
At route 63 and 4, in the center of Goshen, take Route 4 west. To visit Miranda Vineyard, take a left on Beach St.(1 mile) follow for 1.5 miles; at the end of the road, take a right on Ives St., the vineyard is on the right. Then return to Route 4 west.
Continuing on, pass Tyler Lake. At the junction of routes 4, 43, and 128, take Route 128 west to the storybook village of West Cornwall. Here you will find one of two covered bridges in Connecticut still open to automobile traffic. Fly-fishing on this section of the Housatonic River has always been popular and now several experienced guide services offer trips.
Continue on Route 7 north, which follows the serpentine course of the Housatonic River on a designated scenic road that winds its way through the 9,534 acre wilderness of the Housatonic State Forest. Pass passing the junction for Route 112 and Lime Rock Park Race Track and continued to the junction of routes 7 and 126. Take Route 7 north to Route 126 north, bear left on Main Street to Falls Village.
Falls Village remains much the same today as it did in the 1840's when it was established as a station stop on the Housatonic Railroad. The buildings on Main Street include excellent examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire and Queen Anne architecture.
Continue on Route 7 North. At the junction of route 44 and 7, take Route 44 west to the center of Canaan. It is ten scenic miles on Route 44 west from Canaan to Salisbury, Connecticut's most northwestern community situated in a setting of great natural beauty. Excellent fishing and a boat launching area is open to the public at Twin Lakes. For the adventurous, hike the Appalachian Trail to Bear Mountain, Bald Peak, or Mount Frissell.
At the junction of route 44 and 41 in Lakeville, take Route 41 south to Sharon. This is one of the most scenic roads in the state with large colonial homes, dairy farms, scores of ponds and brooks, flower strewn meadows, and range upon range of hills.
At the junction of route 41, 4, and 343, take a right on Route 343 take a left on Route 4 east.
Continuing on Route 4 east, you will pass Cornwall Village and then pass Mohawk Mountain Ski Area. At the junction of routes 43, 128, and 4, continue on Route 4 east to the entrance to Mohawk State Forest. Continue on Route 4 east to the junction of Route 63 in Goshen.
Litchfield Landscapes Trail Map

Connecticut State Route 169 is a ribbon through quiet village landscapes, scenic woodlands, and quaint farmsteads amid fertile river bottoms and rolling hills moving through the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor. This byway winds through history, passing colonial homesteads, churches, stone walls, meeting houses, and private schools as it connects classic New England towns. Views include maple and pine stands and glacially deposited rocks and boulders that lie strewn throughout fields. In mid-fall, beautiful foliage will greet you around every bend. Many old farms, stone fences, bridges, churches and other quaint historic structures line the byway, providing the perfect opportunity for a snapshot of colonial architecture framed by vibrant leaves. Stop by Mashamoquet Brook State Park in the byway town of Pomfret.