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Ham radio operators from around the world know Newington as the home of the American Radio Relay League, whose headquarters and station W1AW sit on a quiet campus here. Licensed visitors can even get on the air from the memorial station. Beyond that claim to fame, Newington is a friendly suburban town of about 30,000 just south of West Hartford, carved out of Wethersfield and incorporated in 1871.
The town's history is kept alive by the Newington Historical Society, which cares for two old houses: the 18th-century Enoch Kelsey House, with rare hand-painted wall decorations, and the Kellogg-Eddy House. Newington Junction, where rail lines met, has two small historic districts of railroad-era homes.
The heart of town is Mill Pond Park, with a pond, a small waterfall and the annual Waterfall Festival. Locals line up at Doogie's for foot-long hot dogs on the Berlin Turnpike. Hartford, New Britain's art museum and the river towns of the Connecticut Valley are all within 20 minutes.
The American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio, is based here along with W1AW, its Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial station. Weekday tours show the station and offices, and licensed operators can bring their license and make contacts from W1AW. Call ahead to confirm visiting hours.
An 18th-century house cared for by the Newington Historical Society, notable for rare hand-painted wall decorations that imitate costly wallpaper. Guided visits explain colonial farm life in what was then part of Wethersfield. Open on select days, so check the society's schedule.
A Federal-style house from the early 1800s that serves as the Newington Historical Society's museum, with period rooms, local artifacts and changing exhibits on the town's farming and industrial past. Grounds are pleasant for a short walk. Hours are limited and seasonal, so plan your visit ahead.
The town's best-loved park has a millpond with ducks and geese, a small waterfall, walking paths, a playground and picnic spots. Summer concerts and the Waterfall Festival are held here. The falls run strongest in spring after rain, which is the best time to photograph them.
A large town park with a pond, wooded trails, ball fields, a playground and picnic shelters, used for fishing, walking and team sports. It feels quieter than Mill Pond Park and is good for a longer walk with a dog. Parking is free, and restrooms are open in season.
Held each summer at Mill Pond Park, this community festival brings carnival rides, food stalls, local vendors and live music to the center of town. It is one of the biggest local gatherings of the year. Park at the satellite lots and walk in, since streets fill quickly.
Two small National Register districts, north and south, preserve the homes that grew up around the junction where rail lines met in the 19th century. Victorian and Colonial Revival houses line the quiet streets. It is a short, pleasant walk for anyone interested in railroad history and old architecture.
A roadside stand on the Berlin Turnpike famous for its two-foot-long hot dogs loaded with toppings, along with burgers, fries and other diner classics. The giant dog is a challenge best shared. Seating is simple, service is quick, and it is a classic stop on a Connecticut road trip.
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Photo: TheCatalyst31, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: TheCatalyst31, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
