1. Yankee Pedlar Inn
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (860) 489-9226
Address: 93 Main St.
Description: Built in 1891 as a high-quality Victorian hotel, the Yankee Pedlar was at that time the grandest in the state. Today they have 60 rooms with private baths, most with antique Hitchcock furniture and four-poster beds, as well as 2 suites and a large ballroom for events. At the corner of the huge downtown hotel, there is an oak-beamed restaurant and pub (the wonderfully named Bogey’s) that is a dark, old-fashioned, roaring fireplace tavern, perfect for some hearty American fare (www.bogeysatthepedlar.com). Don’t go here expecting the ridiculous luxury of some of the inns and resorts in the Litchfield Hills, but then again, you won’t be paying nearly as much. The Warner Theater is right across the street, so if you’re going to a show and staying overnight, this is the perfect place.
2. Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (860) 496-6666
Address: 540 Litchfield St.
Description: A 109-bed facility, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital provides care for 30 towns in northwest Connecticut. Uri T. Hungerford, an industrialist, created the hospital in 1916 in honor of his mother, Charlotte. Her inspiration for quality, affordable, and passionate care remains the mission of the hospital. A full range of patient-care services is available, including acute care, cardiology, pulmonary services, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and behavioral health, among others.
3. Register Citizen
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Media
Telephone: (860) 489-3121
Address: 59 Field St.
Description: The Register Citizen is the local paper for Torrington, Winsted, and the other towns of Litchfield County.
4. The Venetian
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 489-8952
Address: 52 E. Main St.
Description: This is the finest Italian restaurant in Litchfield County for over 40 years, owned and operated by Michael DiLullo and his family, after he worked in restaurants in Rome and honed his craft. You’ll find escarole, manicotti, spaghetti with meatballs, ravioli, roasted peppers with cheese—all classics, all done to garlicious perfection here. Pick up a bottle of their famous house-made salad dressing (for sale there), and if you’re a chemist, try to figure out the ingredients at home. It’s worth the trouble. There are a few dishes that are either updated, modern ones or forgotten classics from the old country, like the fire-grilled veal chop. It’s hard to keep track of all that anymore. But what we shouldn’t lose track of is how to appreciate great food. And at the Venetian, you’ll get a great lesson in that art.
5. Nodine’S Smokehouse
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 489-3213
Address: 65 Fowler Ave.
Description: The smell as you approach Nodine’s smokehouse in Torrington is just sinful. Your mouth will water and your stomach will rumble. And the sight inside the shop attached to the smokehouse will make any meat lover cry with joy. Along with all the hams and bacons and beefs you’d expect, they smoke pheasant, deer, and even alligator here. The venison summer sausage is particularly delicious, with a hint of rich gaminess mixed with a beefy flavor. Try the apple-smoked bacon, which has earned national recognition. Nodine’s has been making their custom-smoked meats since 1969, and they are featured in some of New York City’s most respected stores. Come here and get these tasty treats right from the original store.
6. Hotchkiss-Fyler House
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 482-8260
Address: 192 Main St.
Description: There are dozens of historical houses in Connecticut, and all are worth a visit. However, a few stand out for their preservation, their collections, or their location. The Hotchkiss-Flyer has all three. This remarkable Queen Anne home was completed in 1900 and was bequeathed to the Torrington Historical Society 56 years later. Though certainly not one of the older houses in the state, the beautiful millwork throughout the home is second to none, with mahogany, bird’s-eye maple, red birch, and quarter-sawn oak. Next door to the showpiece house is another that now houses the historical museum. The collection of glass, porcelain, and paintings is impressive, with Limoges crystal and paintings by Connecticut Impressionist Winfield Scott Clime. The historical society also has impressive collections in their museum next door. While you’re here, you probably should visit the site of controversial abolitionist John Brown, whose raid on Harper’s Ferry helped spark the Civil War. Follow Route 4 west, turn right on University Drive, and 1 mile farther turn left onto John Brown Road. The birthplace site is 0.5 mile on the right.
7. Warner Theatre
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 489-7180
Address: 68 Main St.
Description: The Warner Theatre was built in 1931 as a movie theater when plays were supposedly going out of style, and now ironically has turned back to dramatic productions, leaving films to the big chain multiplexes. It’s been restored and refitted, and has become (again) one of the best venues in Connecticut, with over 2,500 seats and a unique star-shaped chandelier ceiling. There’s also a smaller, 300-seat black box theater and an on-site school for the arts. All kinds of different events are presented throughout the year, including plays, discussions, comedy, classical music, country music, rock-and-roll concerts, operas, ballets, and more. In other words, the Warner is booked solid, and you should take advantage of this amazing theater, no matter what you enjoy.
8. Burr Pond
City: Torrington, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 482-1817
Description: This is a great swimming area, practically on top of a mountain but with a sandy beach and picnic grove. From May to Labor Day you can park for a small fee right by the beach and dive into this cool lake. The lake (really a very large pond) is small and shallow but perfect for canoeing. You can bring a motorboat here, but you’re probably better off taking it to one of the big lakes. The launch is west of the entrance, or during the summer you can rent a canoe or paddleboat. The lake is stuffed with largemouth bass, and you can fish from shore to catch them. In the wintertime the lake freezes over, and you can ice fish for perch and pickerel.