1. Zip’S Diner
City: Dayville, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 774-6335
Description: Zip’s is one of those classic diners that remind everyone of childhood, even if you are still a child. This one is a 1954 O’Mahoney diner, and nothing has changed in its appearance or its food. Stainless steel, spinning counter stools, and a neon sign says EAT. Try the roast turkey with trimmings or the Zip Burger. However, don’t forget to save room for dessert, especially the puddings, custards, and strawberry shortcake on which they use real whipped cream. The Grape-Nuts pudding is also a classic. This place is a favorite for truckers on I-395, but also with foodies looking for an authentic experience. They surely find it at Zip’s.
2. Palazzi Orchard
City: Dayville, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 774-4363
Address: 1393 North Rd.
Description: The Palazzi family has a 75-acre farm on the border of Rhode Island, growing a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, honey, and flowers. You can pick your own 7 days a week from Aug to Dec during the day. In their farm store they also sell apple butter, jam, apple cider, herbal salve, and handicrafts. You should make sure to head to the top of Palazzi’s hill, where you will have views of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. On a clear day you can even see to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. Also, check out the Revolutionary War cemetery in the back of the farm, with its 200-year-old Charter Oak tree.
3. Diamond A Ranch
City: Dayville, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 779-3000
Address: 975 Hartford Tpke.
Description: This beautiful ranch in Dayville is a year-round, working horse ranch that offers dozens of different options. Diamond A has a complete equestrian facility, including an indoor riding arena for those rainy days. They have English and Western riding lessons for all skill levels, day trail rides through the woods (to a restaurant for lunch!), and picnic-lunch trail rides to the creek. Their overnight trail rides are a rarity in New England; you just need a pillow and sleeping bag, and they’ll provide the rest. They do Wild West Cookouts as well. The prices are really reasonable, especially the overnight for less than $100 a person. Wear long pants and heavy shoes or boots and be ready for fun, no matter your level of experience. Reserve a horse a couple days in advance rather than just show up on the doorstep, and they’ll have your equestrian experience waiting for you.
4. Valley View Riding Stables
City: Dayville, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 617-4425
Address: 91 Lake Rd.
Description: This full-service equestrian center in Dayville was once a dairy farm but is now occupied by owner Amy Lyons and more than 30 horses. She has installed a large indoor riding arena and a huge outdoor arena that includes a 12-fence hunter course, a 30-obstacle cross-country course, and a 60-foot round pen. A variety of trails snake through the 250 acres of woods and pastureland, and you can go on guided trail rides on these after a 30-minute lesson. For younger children there are pony rides and birthday parties. Just be sure to wear jeans and tough shoes, but otherwise they provide all the equipment. The prices are very reasonable, and you’ll be amazed at how an hour on a horse will change your entire outlook on life.