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Every October, Southington turns its town green into one of New England's biggest apple celebrations, with a parade, carnival rides and the famous apple fritters of the Apple Harvest Festival. The festival fits this central Connecticut town perfectly: orchards still cover its hillsides, and one family has been farming apples here since 1809.
Southington was settled in the late 1690s as part of Farmington and became a separate town in 1779. In the 1800s its villages filled with factories making bolts, tinware and hardware, and the old Farmington Canal, later a railroad, carried goods through the valley. Today that corridor is a paved trail, and the town center and the village of Plantsville keep their old storefronts, churches and green.
Traprock ridges frame the valley. Ragged Mountain draws hikers and rock climbers to its cliffs, Crescent Lake sits beneath the wooded ridge to the east, and Mount Southington Ski Area offers family skiing in winter. Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury are each about half an hour away.
Running since 1969 on and around the town green, this festival fills two October weekends with a parade, carnival rides, craft booths, road races, live music and food stalls known for apple fritters and pies. Weekends get crowded, so park at a shuttle lot and arrive before noon.
Farmed by the Rogers family since 1809, this hilltop orchard grows dozens of apple varieties along with peaches and pears. Its farm stand sells fruit, cider, baked goods and preserves, and the view from the orchard over the valley is lovely in fall. Check the website for pick-your-own dates.
A family farm in Southington offering pick-your-own apples and pumpkins in fall, Christmas trees in winter and a farm store with cider donuts, local products and seasonal treats. Fall weekends bring hayrides and family activities. Visit on a weekday for an easier picking experience and shorter lines.
Ragged Mountain's traprock cliffs rise above reservoirs on the Southington-Berlin border, and a blue-blazed loop trail of about six miles follows the ridge edge with dramatic views. The cliffs are popular with rock climbers. Wear sturdy boots, stay back from the edges and allow three to four hours for the full loop.
A quiet town-owned lake on the east side of Southington beneath a wooded traprock ridge, with trails that climb to lookouts over the valley, including the Panthorn Trail. It is a peaceful spot for a short walk or fishing. Trails are rocky in places, so bring good footwear and a map.
A small, family-friendly ski area with beginner to intermediate trails, lifts, snowmaking and night skiing, plus a ski school popular with first-timers. Its size makes it easy to manage with children. Night sessions on weekdays are the best value, and rentals are available at the base lodge.
A classic outdoor movie theater on the Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, revived by a community group and showing family films on summer weekends from your car. Bring chairs or blankets for a picnic before dark. Screenings often sell out, so check the schedule and buy tickets in advance.
Southington's paved section of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail follows the route of the 1820s canal and later railroad through town, passing the town center, Plantsville and wetlands. It is flat and ideal for biking, walking and skating. Park near the town center and ride north or south as far as you like.
The 1836 home of the Barnes family preserves three generations of furnishings, clothing, diaries and everyday objects, offering an unusually complete look at nineteenth-century life in Southington. It is run with the town library. Tours are offered on limited days, so call ahead before visiting.
The town green at the heart of Southington is framed by the First Congregational Church, historic homes and the town hall, and it hosts the Apple Harvest Festival, concerts and a holiday display with a nativity scene. Stroll around it and continue to the shops and restaurants of Center and Main streets.
Southington's former factory village of Plantsville keeps a compact center of old brick and wood buildings with antique shops, restaurants and small businesses, right along the canal trail. It is a pleasant detour by bike. Stop for coffee or browse the shops before riding back toward the town center.
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