Things To Do
Avert Brasserie
We have eaten at this restaurant for several special occasions. Food and drink are excellent. Great happy hour menu available Monday-Saturday 3-6pm.
The North House
A Historic restaurant & tavern consisting of an original 1757 home and 1823 blacksmith shop that have been connected and added on to. Located right across the street from our room block hotel. The forge dining room (the original blacksmith shop, and home to oldest continuously running fireplace in CT) is the location for our rehearsal luncheon and the Tavern features a wonderful wood-burning stove and large beer and whiskey selection.
Talcott Mountain State Park
State park with hiking trails and panoramic views of the area from the top, Also at the top is the Heublein Tower offering even better views. Be aware that there are various trails to get to the top but the most direct and shortest is very steep but manageable.
The Big E
The weekend of our weeding is opening weekend for The Big E; New England's multi-state fair and the largest agricultural event on the east coast. Located in West Springfield, MA about 45 minutes from Simsbury; the fair offers tons of crazy fair food, livestock events, a carnival, various music events and the iconic "state houses" miniature replicas of each New England state building housing local vendors. A great family event but be prepared for large crowds and potentially long waits in traffic to get into the area and parked. Nearly all local businesses and even residents offer parking for various prices depending on how far from the fairgrounds they are.
Six Flags New England
New England's six flags location is about 40 minutes from Simsbury. The scale of the New England is not quite as large or grand as the locations across the country.
Blue Back Square (West Hartford Center)
Upscale town center with shopping and dining ~20 minutes from Simsbury. A favorite spot of ours for a weekend evening out or happy hour. So many chic and upscale restaurants in a very walkable area including notable mentions: Avert Brasserie & Le Mazet (Casual French), Zohara (Mediterranean), Bricco (Italian), Harvest Wine Bar (American), Max Burger (the best burgers!), The Friendly Toast (all day Brunch), The Elbow Room (casual tavern with rooftop), Sparrow & Savoy (Pizza), Bartaco (Mexican/tacos), Barcelona Wine Bar (spanish/tapas), Max Oyster Bar (seafood & raw bar), Blue Elephant Trail (Thai) and World of Beer (casual and tons of beer selection). Also a special mention to Coracora, a relatively new location of a Peruvian restaurant that were finalists for multiple recent James Beard awards and coincidentally in the space where we had our first date! Note most parking is paid with street parking, parking lots and two large garages at either end of Isham road.
Back East Brewery & Kitchen
Popular local brewery with a great in-house kitchen! Most well known for their Ice Cream Man and Double Scoop IPAs.
Brignole Vineyards
Popular Winery with variety of wines and great outdoor terrace for warm days. Usually has food trucks and snacks for purchase.
Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue
Very good Kansas City/Texas style BBQ restaurant near Bradley Airport (~30 minutes from Simsbury). Highlights include the pulled pork, burnt ends, BBQ baked beans and their different bowl options that combine choice of meat with sides like baked beans, cornbread or mac & cheese.
The Mark Twain House & Museum
Historic house & museum offering tours of Mark Twain's residence. The former residence of Harriet Beecher Stowe is also right next door!
Hogan's Cider Mill
Old-fashioned cider mill dating back to 1912. Great family attraction for those looking for more of a fall themed activity. The property includes the cidery and a taproom with spiked options as well as a small country store with fresh donuts and a mini-golf course!
Plan b Burger Bar - Simsbury
Great burger spot in an old train depot in Simsbury near our venue and hotel.
Wood-n-Tap - Farmington
Casual American Restaurant & Tavern on the Farmington River further down than The Riverview. They have the best spinach artichoke dip and also try the bar bites!
Hartford Reservoir Number 6
For those looking for a mostly paved and flat hike near water, the reservoir is actually very scenic and is nearly 4 miles if you go all the way around. Also had trails connecting to Talcott Mountain.
J Timothy's Taverne
Old American Restaurant and Tavern & historic stagecoach stop dating back to 1789 (~20 minutes from Simsbury). Great menu all around but by far most famous for their "dirt style" wings that are fried and sauced twice and are a must have! Very popular, so we recommend arriving early for dinner-the dining room is fairly large so there isn't usually a long wait time.
Elizabeth Park Conservancy
Large open public park with various gardens including a large rose garden and wildlife viewing around the central pond and Pond House Cafe for a small bite to eat.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Art museum in Hartford