What to do and see in Granby, United States: The Best Places and Tips

January 22, 2018 Diedre Savory

Granby is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 11,282 at the 2010 census. The town center is defined as a census-designated place known as Salmon Brook. Other areas in town include North Granby and West Granby. Granby is a rural town, located in the foothills of the Litchfield Hills of the Berkshires, besides the suburban natured center, the outskirts of town are filled with dense woods and rolling hills and mountains. From the 1890s to the 1920s a large number of immigrants from Sweden came to reside in the town.
Restaurants in Granby

1. New England Air Museum

Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 +1 860-623-3305
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 253 reviews

New England Air Museum

The New England Air Museum houses over 80 aircraft in three large hangars and outdoor display area, as well as an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia. Plan a visit today to check out exciting aircraft, displays, exhibits and programs that are perfect for all ages!

Reviewed By Amberjack03 - Brooklyn, Connecticut

Once you've paid the very reasonable admission fee, you enter the first room where right in front of you are all kinds of Viet Nam era warplanes and various helicopters. The second room provides you with more aircraft to view and in some cases, stand right up next to the cockpits for a good birds-eye view of what the pilots would see. The third room houses only a few planes but is the best example I've ever seen of a pristine condition B-29 Bomber and a couple of other propeller driven small planes. Overall, a great place to spend a couple of hours viewing the flying machines. The gift shop is quite filled with books, souveniers, and other memorabilia of the machines and military.

2. Talcott Mountain State Park

Rte. 185, Simsbury, CT +1 860-424-3200
Excellent
63%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 154 reviews

Talcott Mountain State Park

Reviewed By RedVegMag - Hartford, Connecticut

Despite several reviews that say this is "easy" hike. That should be modified to "if you are young and in shape with no health issues". It is steep, very steep. There is loose gravel and earth for 80% of the pathway, so going down is problematic.
Also those with young children or animals should make sure they can keep them close and away from the many edges into nothingness.

3. Northwest Park

145 Lang Rd, Windsor, CT 06095-1550 +1 860-285-1886
Excellent
68%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 66 reviews

Northwest Park

Reviewed By kzsull01 - Windsor, Connecticut

We have visited Northwest Park and Nature Preserve in Windsor, Connecticut many times over the past 30 years and have always enjoyed it. The park is a diverse habitat with forests, fields, streams and a lot of scenic views. The many trails in the park vary in length, are well-marked and maintained and are nice to hike. The park offers a nice detailed map/guide of their trail system. Some of the trails even provide a good view of Rainbow Reservoir on the Farmington River and the associated boating activities happening on the river.

The park’s Nature Center has an interesting assortment of wildlife, including snakes, turtles, frogs and fish as well as additional exhibits on the species of animals native to the park, all with good write-ups and is educational. Exhibits on the weather associated with the park and the center’s geothermal heating and cooling system are also included as well as a gift shop.

The multiple types of gardens, including the butterfly and organic demonstration gardens are interesting and so is the maple sugar house, which is seasonal. The animal barn is quite nice with various types of heritage breed farm animals, including a donkey and a goat, sheep, chickens, rabbits, turkeys, pigs, and ducks. Two separate areas in the park include a pasture with the park’s cow, Strawberry, and another large section with a mule and a hinny, all quite unique. There is also a pond with turtles and multiple types of fish that children really enjoy.

The park even has a tobacco museum (Luddy Tobacco Museum and Archives) which is housed in two separate buildings. One of the buildings has exhibits of the early and modern types of equipment and the process used in growing and harvesting the cigar tobacco crop. The other building is an archive exhibiting paintings, photographs, writings and other artifacts related to tobacco. Both buildings provide a good representation of the history associated with the park and of the tobacco growing industry in the Connecticut River Valley.

The park could be used for picnicking as well as group functions, having multiple picnic areas, including a picnic pavilion, a warming shed and a group of picnic tables under trees. Some of the picnic areas require a permit in order to use them.

The park could be enjoyed by children as well as adults, and includes a playground with multiple activities for children. It is a nice place to walk a dog and includes a fenced in Dog Park with benches with two separate sections, one for small dogs and another for large dogs. The only thing is dogs are not allowed in most of the buildings in the park. The park is a hidden gem in Windsor, a great place to get away for a while, relax and enjoy nature as well as the exhibits on display. The park has changed throughout the many years that we have been going there, with many improvements. It has a lot to offer with something for everyone and changes with the seasons with several events throughout the year, including a country fair, coffee houses and day camps. It’s a great place to visit for the whole family.

4. Lost Acres Vineyard

80 Lost Acres Rd, Granby, CT 06060-1312 +1 860-324-9481
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 50 reviews

Lost Acres Vineyard

Reviewed By victoriak971 - Massachusetts, United States

Visited here on a whim today after being extremely disappointed at the other winery in Granby, CT. I planned on visited here soon, as I heard great things about here. The wines were fantastic. The ambience indoors was cozy and relaxed. The staff was pleasant and knowledgeable. Our tasting was great, our host was friendly and knew a lot about the wines she was serving. We each got a glass of wine and a cheese plate to share. The outdoors was well kept and relaxing. Ample chairs and space to sit. We pulled up a pair of chairs to the shade of the vineyards. Such a relaxing afternoon. Thanks for the great day! See you again soon!

5. Flamig Farm

7 Shingle Mill Rd, West Simsbury, CT 06092-2311 +1 860-658-5070
Excellent
42%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Flamig Farm

An Enviro-friendly Family-centered Farm with Petting Zoo, alternative energy sources, Earth Products (Mulch, Compost and Comp-soil) division, Farm Shop, Farm-raised fresh eggs and local honey, Pony/Hay-rides, Staycation accommodation, Birthday Parties and Summer Camp programs. Over the past 30 years, driven by Nevin Christensen's eco-environmental vision, Flamig Farm has grown from a modest Egg, Organic Vegetable, and Strawberry Farm into arichly-varied, education and entertainment Farm complex.

Reviewed By Chris F - Farmington, Connecticut

The Flamig Farm Halloween Hay Ride begins several weeks before Halloween and ends soon thereafter. Each Hayride seats about a dozen people and follows the same trail through a variety of Halloween scenes with live actors. Some of the effects are scary and may not be appropriate for young children and some seniors. Dress appropriately for an outdoor ride of about an hour duration. Also be sure to pick up some locally baked donuts before or after the ride.

6. Brignole Vineyards

103 Hartford Ave, East Granby, CT 06026-9518 +1 860-653-9463
Excellent
51%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 40 reviews

Brignole Vineyards

Reviewed By TomM1951 - Hartford, Connecticut

This vineyard gets top ratings for the service. The bartender who poured our tasting was not only knowledgeable, but she answered our questions with a smile and was flexible with their offering to meet our preferences.

They were also willing to allow us to take the wine outside to drink (but it was a cold afternoons).

On the downside, the wine was good, but not of the top level among Connecticut vineyards.

The indoor room is very nice and warm, but the view outside does not come close to the best in the state.

7. Rosedale Farms & Vineyards

25 E Weatogue St, Simsbury, CT 06070-2501 +1 860-651-3926
Excellent
50%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
7%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 38 reviews

Rosedale Farms & Vineyards

Reviewed By Food9er - Hartford, CT

Stopped in to get fresh breads and produce. Noticed the won't tasting while we were there. Seems nice. Priced right. Very low key environment. Just know it's more than a farm stand. Food is always fresh. Produce is fresh and well stocked with lots of it local. Plenty of parking. Nice location that's seems to be out in the country but is close to everything.

8. Enders Falls

From Rt 20 Take Route 219 West For 1.4 Miles, Granby, CT
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

Enders Falls

Reviewed By Shutter G - Ludlow, Massachusetts

Enders falls is a fantastic place for nature and waterfall photographs. If your going to take photographs then go early in the morning! This place gets busy. Also both times I went people had dogs there so I guess they are allowed if you want to go for a walk. There are several waterfalls that range in size. My advice is to cross the river at the first falls, this is located right as you walk in from the car park. There are paths along both sides of the river but be careful as they are some slippery areas.
If you cross the river you will get better angles to shoot from. However again be very careful and be aware of where you are stepping. A couple falls have rocks that you can setup a tripod, just don't step off them. This is not a good place to bring kids.
Go after a rainfall, good water flow and saturated colors on vegetation.

9. Cowles Park

S. Main St, East Granby, CT
Excellent
34%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 9 reviews

Cowles Park

Reviewed By patrickmeyer - Washington DC, District of Columbia

Nice park giving access to Metacomet Trail and overlooks of Farmington River. We used to ride our mountain bikes here requently. Powerlines run through the middle of the park, which don't detract from it since the park is very wooded. The powerline trail is great for biking too. Easy to spend a few hours or an afternoon here. There is a parking lot along S. Main St (Rt187) specifically for the park. Look for the sign.

10. Escape Lounge

Gate 1, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 +1 860-758-7743
Excellent
80%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Escape Lounge

Escape Lounge at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport has fabulous views over the airfield and boasts an appetizing menu, carefully crafted from fresh, local ingredients by Chef Tyler Anderson of Millwright’s Tavern & Restaurant. Choose from an enticing range of complimentary items accompanied by a selection of soft and alcoholic beverages, or upgrade to our premium a la carte menu.

Reviewed By DaveRoadWarrior - Normal, il

There are a large number of flights departing Bradley early in the morning.

i tried to enter the lounge at 4:50 am - about an 30 minutes before my flight is boarding, and it is closed.

so for bradley travelers leaving early, you have a choice of two long lines in the A concourse at mcdonald's or dunkin.


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