1. Tucker Hill Inn
City: Middlebury, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (203) 758-8334
Address: 96 Tucker Hill Rd.
Description: Opened first as a “tea room” in 1923, the Tucker Hill Inn has a winding staircase and is surrounded by huge oaks and maples. Located in Middlebury, the inn is literally at the center of 3 counties, and is the perfect spot from which to journey to all of them. There are 4 guest rooms, 2 of which can be combined into a family suite. They are all named after works by Nathaniel Hawthorne (like the Scarlet Room), because owner Susan Cebelenski is related to that famous author. She is also an expert in fashion, and her husband refurbishes antiques. You’ll see evidence of their crafts throughout this beautifully appointed home. Prices are radically different according to season, as might be expected. Why not make an off-season trip here to the nexus of New Haven, Litchfield, and Fairfield Counties?
2. Quassy Amusement Park
City: Middlebury, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (203) 758-2913
Address: 2132 Middlebury Rd.
Description: Named for Lake Quassapaug, where it’s located, this amusement park doesn’t look like or feel like one of the giant parks, or even like nearby Lake Compounce. However, although it feels like an old-fashioned amusement park, it has been recently refurbished, and remains a great time for all concerned. Quassy has 3 roller coasters, bumper cars, carnival rides, a carousel, a miniature railroad, a petting zoo, paddleboats, and a swimming area on the lake. There’s also a huge water park jungle gym unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen, and about 100 carnival and arcade games to play. For adults, an 18-hole golf course is on the premises. As you can tell, this is not a typical amusement park, but has much more to do than many others.