FUN IN NORTHWEST
CONNECTICUT!

I have been going to the northwest corner of CT, specifically Sharon and Salisbury, since 1978. My parents bought a little cottage as a weekend getaway from NYC and we all fell in love with it. Since it is summer and a lot of fun things go on up there this time of year, I am going to highlight my go-to’s and hope you get a chance to visit some of them!

On your way up route 22 from NYC, you have to stop at the RED ROOSTER DRIVE-IN. Opened in 1963 as a custard stand, it has the best hamburgers, fries and milk shakes around! Oh, and if you are an onion rings person, this is definitely the place to splurge. Everything is fresh and made to order.
1566 Route 22, Brewster NY.

Take a right on route 343 when you get to Amenia, NY and you will pass PALEY’S FARM MARKET. Stop and pick-up some beautiful flowers, fresh fruit, homemade pies and a lot of other delicious things for your weekend!

The Paley family has owned the farm market for 40 years. It grew from a small road side farm stand selling corn to a full scale garden center and farm market. Stop by and support them, they are the best.

Paley’s Farm Market ~ 230 Amenia Road, Sharon CT

Heading into Sharon, you will pass the SHARON PLAYHOUSE. The playhouse has been around since the early 1950’s and is an anchor in this community and an important gathering place. The board kept the playhouse busy during Covid with outside shows, concerts, readings and so on which was a lifesaver for everyone. Drive up and watch/listen the event from your car and even buy a boxed catered dinner that would be delivered to your car window!

There are putting on some fabulous shows this summer. Come by and attend the summer kick-off “Red Carpet” tour on Friday, June 24th! The Sharon Playhouse also has events for writers, a youth theatre and theatre classes for all ages.
Sharon Playhouse ~ 49 Amenia Road, Sharon, CT

The SHARON AUDUBON CENTER is a wonderful place to visit. Their mission is to protect birds and the sanctuaries they live in. The Audubon center has over 2,100 wooded acres in Northwest Connecticut with trails, live animal exhibits, nature programs and conservation-themed events throughout the year. We brought our kids here all the time when they were little. There might even be a little summer camp….
325 Cornwall Bridge Road ~ Sharon CT

I know, I can already hear you yawning that I am about to mention a historical society. Well, here it goes ~ THE SHARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY is adorable and you can take a quick tour through this pretty house to learn more about the community. There, I said it!

18 Main Street, Sharon CT

Time for some sustenance! J.P. GIFFORD has the best breakfast and lunch around. The food is yum and they are the caterers for most events around here. Also, who else has tater tots on the menu?
16 West Main Street, Sharon CT

LE GAMIN is a newer addition up here and we are so happy! Authentic French food from the original restaurant in Brooklyn and NYC (now Hudson NY too), the Sharon cafe serves French comfort food made from seasonal and locally sourced ingredients for heavenly “farm to table” cooking.

It was named one of the 2022 Connecticut BEST new restaurants, so grab a table outside and give yourself some time to relax and enjoy a long lunch. Le Gamin serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, open 9am to 8pm.
10 Gay Street, Sharon CT

Another staple in our repertoire is THE WOODLAND restaurant. I have been coming here since 1978. My kids were babies here. So many wonderful family gatherings have happened at these tables.

The food is divine, the portions generous as you can see from the sole almondine above! I love this place. Every time I am in this neck of the woods, I make sure to come here. It’s like coming home for me.
192 Sharon Road, Lakeville, CT

Taking a quick 10 minute drive over to Millerton, NY (another gem of a town) to go to the movies at THE MOVIEHOUSE. This is where you go to the movies up here and, not only that, it is the cutest family-owned movie theatre ever. Food, wine and dessert are served and they feature a lot of indie movies (yay!) and all of the blockbusters. This is a no miss.
48 Main Street, Millerton NY

OBLONG independent books is where you grab any and all of your weekend reading. There is a huge children’s section where I’ve spent a ton of time and a wide selection of books for every type of reader.
26 Main Street, Millerton NY

Last, but not least, we are headed to Salisbury, CT. The picture above is THE WHITE HART INN. Tim and I had our wedding reception here, so yes, a special place for us.

There are 16 beautiful hotel rooms here if you want to stay and explore the area. There is a little breakfast and lunch cafe called “Provisions” where you can grab something to eat and sit on the lawn or wraparound porch. The White Hart has  a great choice of dinner options, including my favorite the “Taproom” where you eat in the oldest part of the Inn.

15 Undermountain Road, Salisbury CT

SWEET WILLIAM’S coffee shop and bakery is just that. Fresh baked goods, amazing coffee. I was here this week!
17 Main Street, Salisbury CT

This concludes my little nostalgia tour. I hope you get to visit some of these wonderful places!

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