1. Daniel Rust House
City: Coventry, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (860) 742-0032
Address: 2011 Main St.
Description: The Daniel Rust House was built in 1731, and from 1800 to 1832 it served as a tavern. Today it serves much the same purpose, a rest for weary travelers. There are 4 rooms available, all with private baths. One has a Jacuzzi and working fireplace, while another has a working fireplace and a secret closet thought to have been part of the Underground Railroad. The Maybell Cottage has a full kitchen and is great for a longer stay. Note that they cannot accommodate children under 13, but dogs are allowed for a small fee (see the website for full policy). Relax by the historic fireplace and read a book on a cold winter’s night, or stroll the landscape of fruit trees and gardens during the summer. If you’re at the Connecticut Historical Society Museum in Hartford, look for the original sign of this ancient tavern (when it was called the Bird in Hand).
2. Bidwell Tavern
City: Coventry, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 742-6978
Address: 1260 Main St.
Description: There aren’t many 1822 taverns famous for chicken wings, but that’s the Bidwell. Housed in a former water mill, the building and the decor are a fascinating mix of family restaurant and ancient tavern, comfortable and not intimidating. The wings come in about 30 different flavors, from Green Mountain to Mustard Horseradish to Mexican. These sauced and dry-rubbed (yes, both) fried wings are a little crunchier than some others you may have had, but remain juicy and tender inside. If you come with a group, get the tavern-size platter of 24 wings in 3 different flavors. Of course, you can get other things to eat, like Yankee pot roast and a blackened burger, but don’t miss the wings. Wash them down with one of the locally made Hosmer Mountain sodas or a microbrew.
3. Memory Lanes Country-Side Antiques
City: Coventry, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 742-0346
Address: 2224 Boston Tpke.
Description: These 3 buildings (2 barns and a house) at the junction of Routes 44 and 31 contain a total of 50 dealers, who sell every kind of antique you could possibly want. Lamp shades, garden furniture, sculpture, textiles, pottery, silver, Depression glass, and more await you at this charming multidealer shop. Search the shelves for bargains, because you’re not along the shore or in the Litchfield Hills, where the more expensive antiques are found. You’ll be coming this way anyway to go to the Nathan Hale Homestead, so why not take home a little piece of history, too?
4. Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market
City: Coventry, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 742-1419
Address: 2299 South St.
Description: Coventry boasts the largest farmers’ market in the state from June to Oct every Sun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The setting at the Nathan Hale Homestead is a gorgeous and historic backdrop for what is really more a small fair than a farmers’ market, with horse and wagon rides, demonstrations, sheep shearing—you never know! Fiddlers are there every weekend providing music, and dozens of vendors show up selling everything from traditional jams and preserves to smoked bacon to chocolate fudge. You’ll also find local artists and artisans selling handmade wares, from soap to candles to beadwork. And if you’re in the mood for a market from Dec to Mar, Coventry runs one of those, too, at the same time of week and day but at Coventry High School (78 Ripley Hill Rd.), with about 30 farmers and vendors taking part. After all, we don’t stop eating in the winter.
5. Nathan Hale Homestead And Memorial
City: Coventry, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 742-6917
Address: 2299 South St.
Description: Built in 1776, the Hale homestead is virtually intact, with family furniture and period antiques based on accurate inventories. Six of the eight sons of Richard Hale served in the Continental Army, and three paid the ultimate price. The most famous, Nathan, served as one of America’s first spies and was hanged by the British, uttering the last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Many family artifacts are on display, including Nathan’s powder horn and hunting rifle. There is a grove of maples in front of the house planted in 1812 called the Holy Grove. The trails behind the homestead leading into the state forest are the very trails young Nathan Hale walked centuries ago. The memorial at Nathan Hale Cemetery, on the shores of Wamgumbaug Lake at the center of town, is worth a stop as well. But Nathan Hale is not buried here. He was thrown in a grave somewhere on the island of Manhattan by the British, and rests somewhere far beneath the concrete today.
6. Cassidy Hill Vineyard
City: Coventry, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 498-1126
Address: 454 Cassidy Hill Rd.
Description: The lovely town of Coventry in the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor provides the backdrop for Cassidy Hill Vineyard. The picturesque landscape spreads out over 123 acres, ample room to stroll and enjoy the vines. The winery’s logo was inspired by a lone maple called the Thinking Tree located just a short walk from the log cabin tasting room. Balanced between whites and reds, the tasting menu includes an off-dry Riesling, and Chardonnay on its own and blended with Viognier for a wine called Winding Brook. Coventry Spice blends Merlot and estate-grown St. Croix. Jet’s Red is a blend of Sangiovese, Frontenac, and estate-grown Chambourcin. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fri and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat and Sun.