1. Charlie Brown Campground
City: Eastford, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (877) 974-0142
Address: 98 Chaplin Rd. (Route 198)
Description: Nestled in the crook of the Natchaug River and adjoining the huge state forest, the Charlie Brown Campground has 123 open sites for tents and RVs, a laundry room, restrooms, hot showers, flush toilets, pavilions, a camp store, and a recreation hall. It does have the “amusement park” atmosphere of some other family campgrounds, so if you’re looking for the amenities without the crowds of children splashing in a pool or miniature golf, this is it. The Natchaug River is one of the best places to catch trout in the county, and you can throw in a line right from sites 41 to 70. The Natchaug Trail crosses the road just north of the property, making this a great stopover on a multiday hike. It is also the perfect place to launch a kayak or canoe to head down this exciting river toward Willimantic.
2. Still River Cafe
City: Eastford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 974-9988
Address: 134 Union Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: The Zagat guide selected the Still River Cafe as one of America’s top restaurants from 2008 to 2011, and when you eat there, you’ll see why. The repurposed barn is 150 years old, and is simply and beautifully appointed. The cafe is only open Fri and Sat for dinner and lunch on Sun, so make reservations. The rabbit is marvelous, small medallions along with a stuffed and roasted leg with farm onions and a leek crepe. The butternut squash soup will make you want to start a new religion around it. Save room for dessert, like the crème brûlée trio of lavender, vanilla bean, and lemon thyme. Much of the food is really locally grown, as in right there, on the 27-acre North Ashford farm that the cafe sits on. This is one of the top 10 dining experiences in the state, and everyone, diners and chefs alike, speaks reverently about the work they are doing.
3. Natchaug River
City: Eastford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 295-9523
Description: The deep pools of the Natchaug hold legendarily large trout, witnessed by record after record here. Many sections will remind you of a stream in northern New Hampshire or Vermont, with plunge pools and endless runs and riffles. Much of it follows state forest lands and it is never far from an access road. In the spring, stay at one of the private campgrounds along Route 198 south of Eastford, and you’ll find fish that have used this section to hide in all winter long. If you don’t mind hiking a little, try Bigelow Brook, the feeder stream that comes down from Bigelow Hollow State Park as well, accessed by sections of the blue-blazed Natchaug Trail. I caught two trout here in 20 minutes during the middle of a hot summer day.
4. Natchaug State Forest
City: Eastford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 928-6121
Description: There are remnants of old foundations throughout the forests, and stone walls and old roads abound in these 13,000 acres. The nearby horse farms all bring expeditions through here, and it is one of the only places in the state that you can actually horseback camp, with 15 free sites at Silvermine Horse Camp. The network of trails attaches to the Natchaug Trail, which meets the Nipmuck in Tolland County, as well as the Air Line State Park Trail, making this the hub of an endless hiking and biking network. The south end of the Natchuag meets Goodwin State Forest, which has even more trails and some of the absolutely loveliest stone-walled roads you’ll find in the entire state. In the winter these state forests are a popular place for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. This is also a water-sports destination, with easy canoeing from the junction of Routes 198 and 44 south to the England Road Bridge, and more difficult rapids south all the way to Mansfield Hollow State Park.
5. Buell’S Orchard
City: Eastford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 974-1150
Address: 108 Crystal Pond Rd.
Description: Off of Route 198 in Eastford, this 100-acre farm has pick-your-own fruit beginning with strawberries in June, and moving through blueberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. The small store also sells the produce, as well as cheeses, preserves, candles, maple syrup, and cider. Buell’s has become famous for its caramel apples, available after Labor Day. From Aug to Oct, watch the apples enter the machine and become candied. Check the website for updated seasonal hours and the day of their annual fall festival, with hayrides, apple pie, hot dogs, hamburgers, cider, and donuts. This is the most popular farm in the area, and everyone speaks fondly of their food and their fun.