1. Breadloaf Mountain Lodge And Cottages
City: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (860) 672-6064
Address: 13 Route 7
Insider Pick:
Description: On a hill overlooking the Housatonic River sits this historic lodge and 5 cottages, each of which has a kitchenette, gas fireplace, outdoor grill, and screened porch. It’s a great in-between place, for those of us who want the camping experience, but without the bugs and sleeping bags. The owners have a fly shop nearby and run a fly-fishing school for those who’d like to learn the art. A seasoned guide will take you out for the day to show you the best spots. They also have an adventure guide service, arranging full or half-day rafting float trips down the river for fishing, birding, or just relaxation. Staying in one of the cottages in the winter is another great experience, with a warm fire crackling and a glass of champagne. In any season, this is a great place to stay if you want to explore the changing faces of the Housatonic River.
2. Hitching Post Country Motel
City: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (860) 672-6219
Description: This family-run motel right on Route 7 has been recently remodeled, and its 12 units are clean and the beds comfortable. There are kitchenettes available, and they give special rates for hunters, fishermen, hikers, bikers, and skiers. Since almost all of us fall into one of those categories, just show them your bikes or fishing rods and you’ll be all set. If you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on lodging, but don’t like camping, the Hitching Post is a reliable and well-kept motel. What more do you really need? After all, there’s so much to do in the Litchfield Hills that you’re probably just going to come home after dinner and collapse each night.
3. Housatonic River Outfitters
City: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 672-1010
Address: 24 Kent Rd.
Description: You might wonder that there are two outdoor stores so close to each other on Route 7, but you shouldn’t. This area of the Litchfield Hills is an outdoorsman’s paradise. And, of course, the competition means that you might even get a bargain. Still, these two stores have different focuses, with Housatonic River Outfitters selling fishing equipment, outdoor clothing, and camping equipment. They also do fly tying on-site. This is a great place to stop before camping at Housatonic Meadows State Park. Buy your license and choose from among 50,000 flies. The outfitters also arrange guided float trips on the river.
4. Matthews 1812 House
City: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (800) 662-1812
Address: 250 Kent Rd. South
Description: Once a small home business in the kitchen of her 1812 house, Deanna Matthews’s operation has grown from its origins (in 1979) into a huge gourmet production. She and her team now bake cakes, cookies, brownies, candies, and sauces, all made on the premises in small batches with natural ingredients to insure quality. The Matthewses run a thriving online and catalog business shipping these goodies all over, with 165,000 catalogs printed each year. But if you’re in the Litchfield Hills Mon through Fri from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can stop at their shop (at the factory itself) 2.5 miles south of Cornwall Bridge on Route 7. Save yourself the shipping charges, and get the Cookies Deluxe Tin for your favorite travel guide writer, please.