Looking for a charming New England town with outdoor fun and local flavor? Head to Southington! Located in central Connecticut, Southington blends small-town charm with scenic beauty, rich history, and family-friendly attractions. Whether you're hiking to scenic vistas, picking apples, or enjoying the town’s seasonal festivals, Southington is a four-season getaway.
Southington, CT Highlights:
- For Hikers: Trek up to the summit of Ragged Mountain – Enjoy panoramic views, dramatic cliffs, and forested trails on the Metacomet Ridge.
- For Families: Have fun at Lake Compounce – The oldest continuously operating amusement park in the U.S. with rides, water slides, and roller coasters.
- For Nature Lovers: Explore Crescent Lake – Peaceful trails, picnic spots, and a popular loop for walking and dog-friendly outings.
- For Foodies: Sample cider and donuts at Rogers Orchards – A favorite fall destination for fresh fruit, homemade pies, and Connecticut apples.
- For Cyclists: Ride the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail – A scenic, paved bike path that passes through woodlands and rural landscapes.
When I like to visit Southington, CT
The best time to visit Southington is in spring (April–June) and fall (September–October). Spring brings blooming orchards and mild weather, while fall is perfect for foliage, apple picking, and seasonal festivals. Summer is great for hiking and water parks, and winters offer small-town holiday charm.
Tips for getting to Southington, CT
- By Car: Southington is located just off I-84, about 25 minutes southwest of Hartford and 2 hours from New York City.
- By Plane: The nearest major airport is Bradley International Airport (BDL), about 40 minutes north near Hartford.
- By Train/Bus: Nearby cities like Meriden and New Haven offer Amtrak and CT Rail connections; local taxis or rideshares can bring you into town.
Where I like to stay in Southington, CT
- Recommended for Families: Homewood Suites by Hilton – Spacious suites with kitchenettes, free breakfast, and an indoor pool.
- For Couples: Captain Josiah Cowles Place B&B – A historic bed-and-breakfast offering cozy rooms and charming colonial touches.
- For Budget Travelers: Motel 6 Southington-Hartford – Clean and simple lodging right off I-84, convenient to restaurants and shops.
Best Things to Do in Southington, CT
1. Learn about local history at the Barnes Museum
The Barnes Museum is a one-of-a-kind example of an originally furnished historic American home that houses an extensive archival collection of landmark diaries and documents dating back to the 1740s. Built in 1836 for Amon and Sylvia Bradley in the Greek Revival style, the house sprawling six-room homestead was handed down from generation to generation until 1973 when it bequeathed to the town of Southington. The Barnes Museum offers a variety of educational programs, history talks and presentations, and youth groups throughout the year. Museum tours of six people or less are welcomed during regular business hours with no reservation required, while bigger groups require advance bookings.
Barnes Museum, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Phone: 860-628-5426
2. Go skiing at Mount Southington Ski Area
Mount Southington Ski Area is a popular skiing area on Mount Vernon Road in Plantsville that is open from December to mid-March. The ski area features fourteen trails for all skill levels, namely six Green Circle, four Blue Square, and two Black Diamond and seven ski lifts serve the mountain, including two double chairs, two triple chairs, one rope tow in the children's learning area), and two Magic Carpets in the beginner area and children's learning area. In addition to offering a full range of terrain for beginners to experts, the area also features a terrain park for children with fun and challenging features, including ski and riding lessons and weekly children’s programs, afterschool programs, night skiing, racing teams and plenty of weekend entertainment and special events throughout the season.
Mount Southington Ski Area, 396 Mt Vernon Rd, Plantsville, CT 06479
3. Taste local brews at Kinsmen Brewing Company
Kinsmen Brewing Company is a family-owned and operated brewery in Southington that produces craft brews such as Silent Parade Hoppy Blonde Ale, Couch Nap Sweet Apple Pie IPA, 21.3 American IPA, Quick Bunny American DIPA, and Dinoswords American DIPA, among others. The brewery is based in a building formerly known as the Clark Brothers Bolt Company, which was founded in 1854 by the Clark brothers and has been completely renovated and restored, with careful detail to preserve its rich history and heritage. Situated along Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, the brewery features a modern taproom built using reclaimed lumber, pipes, and materials from the old factory. The brewery also has a lovely outdoor deck and patio areas where visitors can sip some of the local brews and watch the world go by.
Kinsmen Brewing Company, 409 Canal St, Milldale, CT 06467, Phone: 860-578-4778
4. Enjoy family fun at Karabin Farms
Karabin Farms is a locally owned working farm that produces award-winning fruit and seasonal vegetables, along with local honey, maple syrup, jams, pickles and other gourmet treats like local milk, cheese, and yogurt. In addition to the fruit orchard, the farm is home to four greenhouses, over 10 acres of Christmas trees, and a charming country store. A donut house and snack shack are open on the weekends and during fall harvest and Christmas tree season, and sell delicious home-baked pies August through December. The country store also sells handcrafted country furniture and home décor items by local artisans in Pennsylvania and Maine, and offer an extensive selection of specialty candles and soaps. Visitors can pick their apples and pumpkins beginning around Labor Day weekend, and special programs are provided for school groups during the fall harvest.
Karabin Farms, 894 Andrews St, Southington, CT 06489, Phone: 860-620-0194
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
5. Interact with goats at Bradley Mountain Farm
At Bradley Mountain Farm you and your family can get acquainted with some of the cutest goats on the planet, while stocking up on some unique goat products. The farm is nestled on an historic 200 year old dairy farm at the foot of Bradley Mountain, where it is home to a herd of around 50 dairy goats. To say that they are captivating and adorable would be an understatement. Unique goaty activities you can experience include Goat Cuddling Therapy, Goat Yoga and Full Moon Goat Walks. In addition, the facility is ideal for birthday parties and bachelorette celebrations – get your best friends together and sign up for a goat soap making party.
Bradley Mountain Farm, 537 Shuttle Meadow Rd, Southington, CT 06489, 860 385 4628
6. Visit Witchdoctor Brewing Company
Witchdoctor Brewing Company is a locally-owned and operated brewery in the heart of Southington that uses over 35 years of brewing experience to produce a range of casual craft beers, limited editions, and seasonal releases. An inviting taproom allows visitors to sample the local brews with pints and mug fills served in-house and growlers to take home, and on-site food trucks provide delicious fare. The brewery also hosts live music on specific nights and showcases the works of local artisans, and offers a range of branded merchandise, such as clothing items and glassware, as well as pints, mugs (for mug club members), growlers and tasting flights.
Witchdoctor Brewing Company, 168 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, Phone: 860-356-3042
7. Enjoy a fun-filled day with friends at Escapism LLC
Escapism LLC is a thrilling escape room experience where teams work together to solve a series of puzzles and challenges to escape the room in which they are locked. This exciting team-based, live-action experience offers four different themed rooms each of which provides an immersive environment with its own unique set of encounters. Players are transported into different worlds for a thought-provoking and fun experience. An Escapism Lounge provides a casual and private spot for teams to gather afterward to discuss and relive the experience, which is fantastic for team building activities or entertaining corporate outings.
Escapism LLC, 168 Center St #112, Southington, CT 06489, Phone: 860-426-0084
Where to Eat:
8. Have dinner at Anthony Jack's Woodfired Grill
Anthony Jack's Woodfired Grill is a family-owned and operated restaurant that specializes in serving wood-fired meat and seafood off the grill. Boasting an elegant and relaxed atmosphere, Anthony Jack's is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week with signature grill specials including Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Grilled Prime Rib, Bone-In Pork Chops, Cajun Grilled Chicken, Tuna, Swordfish, Salmon, Sea Scallops and Jumbo Shrimp. The cuisine is accompanied by an extensive list of fine wines from around the world, local craft beers, and imported spirits, and decadent desserts are available to end the perfect meal.
Anthony Jack's Woodfired Grill , 30 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, Phone: 860-426-1487
9. Experience fine dinning at Cava Restaurant
Cava is a fine dining establishment on West Street in Southington that serves prime steaks, fresh seafood and housemade pasta in an elegant European-inspired environment that features a charming sunroom and an upmarket bar area. Established in 2008, Cava Restaurant has garnered rave reviews for its sublime cuisine, award-winning wine list, outstanding service, and beautiful setting, in which the rich flavors of Italy come to life. The menu boasts an array of creative Italian-centric cuisine, ranging from 28-day aged beef steaks and sumptuous pasta to exceptional seafood dishes and decadent desserts, all of which are prepared using only the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Cava restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Cava Restaurant, 1615 West St, Southington, CT 06489, Phone: 860-628-2282
My favorite local events:
- For Fall Fun: Apple Harvest Festival (late September–early October) – Two weekends of carnival rides, craft vendors, food, and fireworks in downtown Southington.
- For Summer Entertainment: Southington Music on the Green (Wednesdays, summer) – Free outdoor concerts with food trucks and local talent.
- For Holiday Cheer: Southington Lights of Love (December) – A community tree lighting and luminaria walk celebrating the season and local giving.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Southington, Connecticut:
- For History Buffs: New Britain Museum of American Art (20 min) – Outstanding collection of American artists in a world-class setting.
- For Family Fun: Connecticut Science Center (Hartford) (30 min) – Interactive exhibits and live demonstrations in a high-tech facility downtown.
- For Hiking: Sleeping Giant State Park (25 min) – Towering stone ridges and scenic trails near Hamden, perfect for half-day adventures.
- For Brewery Fans: Firefly Hollow Brewing Co. (Bristol) (15 min) – Small-batch local brews in a funky industrial space with outdoor seating.
- For Shopping: Westfarms Mall (20–25 min) – Upscale indoor mall with big-name retailers and boutique options near West Hartford.
Plan Your Trip