14 Best Things to Do in Torrington, Connecticut

By VacationIdea Staff on April 30, 2022 - Updated

10 Best Things to Do in Torrington, Connecticut

Dan/stock.adobe.com

Renowned for its historic New England charm, Torrington, CT offers a variety of dining, shopping, recreational, and entertainment opportunities for visitors of all ages. The downtown area is a thriving cultural hub which is filled with theaters, museums, and art galleries.Torrington’s Burr Pond State Park or John A. Minetto State Park are the perfect choices for activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, boating and cross-country skiing.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Warner Theater

The Warner Theater opened in Torrington in 1931 and was, at that point, “Connecticut’s most beautiful theater” and one of the largest and most modern theatres in the area. Built by Warner Brothers Studios and designed by Thomas Lamb, the theater succeeded for several years as a movie palace before it was shut down and reopened again in 1982 as a performing arts center. Warner Theater is now one of the largest performing arts centers in the state, putting on an array of concerts, dance recitals, movies, community theatre performances, and more each season.

68 Main St, Torrington, CT 06790

2.KidsPlay Museum

KidsPlay Museum is a safe environment where children up to ten years old can foster their creativity and imagination through a number of hands-on, multi-sensory activities and interactive exhibits. The exhibits are focused on the arts, sciences, and everyday interactions that they’ll face in the world as they grow older; this allows growing children to practice developmental skills such as sharing, role-playing, and communicating. Exhibits include a designated toddler area, a ball conveyor, a diner, fire truck, grocery store, infinity mirror, Lego wall, stage area, and much more. There are several events and programs held at the museum throughout the year such as Science Day, Technology Day, and Art Adventures.

61 Main St, Torrington, CT 06790, Phone: 860-618-7700

3.Burr Pond State Park

Spanning 438 acres, Burr Pond State Park is a popular recreational space in Torrington. The park is home to the 85-acre Burr Pond which is used for swimming, fishing, and boating - on-site boat rentals are available. The pond was created in 1851 to create a source for power generation and the surrounding park was established in 1949. It has since then been one of the most popular outdoor spaces in the area, attracting visitors throughout the year to participate in fun activities. Anglers head over there to catch fish species such as black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and more. If you’d prefer staying away from the waters, take a walk along the 2.25 mile loop trail which goes around the pond.

Burr Mountain Rd, Torrington, CT 06790

4.Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum

The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum was built in 1897 as the home of Torrington resident Orsamus R. Fyler for himself and his family. The home remained in their family till 1956, when the estate was eventually given to the Torrington Historical Society. Today, visitors are invited to take a step back in time and explore the home museums, the surrounding grounds, and the Carriage House. The Queen Anne-style Victorian home includes the classic kitchen from the 1930s as well as several of the original woodwork, parquet floors, stenciled decoration, ornamental plaster ceilings, and more. Along with the architecture of the house, you’ll also be able to see some of the family furnishings as well as their collection of paintings, art glass, porcelain, and more.

192 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790, Phone: 860-482-8260

5.Wright's Barn & Flea Market, Torrington, Connecticut

Wright’s Barn is a historic structure which once served as a dairy barn and then a teenage dance club for the area’s youth. In 1980, the Wright’s converted it into a flea market which remains in their family today. Some of the vendors and dealers which you’ll meet there have been a part of the barn family for over twenty years. Visitors will come across a number of unique collectibles, antiques, and specialty items such as furniture, china and glassware, jewelry, books, tools, reproduced period pieces, as well as Victorian-style artwork. It’s a great place to meet members of the community, make some purchases, and have a fun day in Torrington.

104 Wright Rd, Torrington, CT 06790, Phone: 860-482-0095

6.John A. Minetto State Park

John A. Minetto State Park, formerly known as Hall Meadow, was established in 1965 and soon became a popular recreation area for the public to enjoy. The park spans nearly 715 acres and is a great place to enjoy activities such as picnicking, hiking, pond and stream fishing, and cross-country skiing; during the designated seasons, visitors can also partake in hunting as long as they have proper licenses. There are a few picnic benches you can make use of or bring along a blanket to enjoy your meal on the grass. The open expanse of green makes it the perfect place for large groups to get together.

Route 272, Torrington, CT 06790

7.Topsmead State Forest, Torrington, Connecticut

Topsmead State Forest can be found nestled in the Litchfield Hills and is a popular place for hiking, picnicking, birding, hunting, and cross-country skiing. Before the grounds were bequeathed to the state of Connecticut, it was the summer home of the daughter of the first president of the Chase Brass and Copper Company - Edith Morton Chase. Visitors can still explore the estate house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it was built in 1929 and is an exceptional instance of a Tudor Revival country estate house. During the summer months, there are several tours of the estate which you can combine with your choice of recreational activity.

Litchfield, CT 06759

8.Pizza Marzano, Torrington, Connecticut

Fall in love with delicious pizza at Pizza Marzano - the only spot in town that even comes close to the pies served in the pizza capital of the world: Naples, Italy. The restaurant is committed to serving their guests authentic pizzas which follow the traditions and tastes of Italy; the handcrafted and wood fired pies are concocted by pizzaioli who were trained under the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. The secretly concocted dough, imported San Marzan tomatoes, imported mozzarella, and fresh local herbs all come together perfectly. Try popular choices from their array of pizza rosas and pizza blancos such as the clams oreganato, quattro formaggi, or the milani which has a roasted garlic base and is topped with sautéed spinach, artichoke, and three different types of cheese.

1315 E Main St, Torrington, CT 06790, Phone: 860-618-0875

9.Paugnut State Forest

Paugnut State Forest covers a sprawling 1700 acres adjacent to Burr Pond and Sunny Brook State Parks in North-central Torrington. The forests comprise mixed woodlands with white pine and hemlock in the dryer areas. Most of the forests you see here today where established during the depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The main activities in the forest are mountain biking, hunting, walking and hiking - Burr Pond State Park offers boating, fishing, swimming and picnicking. The 2.1 mile John Muir Trail leads you through the main section of the forest, connecting Burr Pond and Sunny Brook State Parks. In winter you can enjoy cross-country skiing along the trail.

Paugnut State Forest, Torrington, CT 06790

10.DOS Amigos Restaurant, Torrington, Connecticut

DOS Amigos is a Mexican restaurant which a group of family and friends opened in 1999. The restaurant is a famed addition to Torrington’s dining scene and is the perfect place for those who are searching for a delicious, home-style meal. Renowned for their signature margaritas and sizzling fajitas, the menu is filled with an array of delicious dishes that will entice patrons of all ages and with varying tastes. Be sure to try some of their favorites such as the taco salad, steak & chicken fajita, burrito especial, and Chon’s Special, which is your choice of meat or seafood sautéed with fresh vegetables in a special sauce and served over a bed of rice.

910 E Main St, Torrington, CT 06790, Phone: 860-482-7557

11.Five Points Arts

Five Points Arts started as a temporary summer store-front art gallery in the heart of Torrington’s Downtown Historic District in 2012. The exhibition was so well received that it led to the establishment of the Five Points Gallery which is dedicated to bringing contemporary art to the people of Torrington and to nurturing artists at the various stages of their careers. In 2020 Five Points acquired a large Art Center on the campus of the University of Connecticut where artists will have studio space to share their ideas and create wonderful works of art. There is also an auditorium where workshops and lectures will be held. Art lovers are encouraged to visit the Five Points Gallery which hosts a new exhibition every 6 weeks.

Five Points Gallery, 33 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790, 860 618 7222

12.Eastwood Country Club

Offering a great round of golf at an affordable price, the Eastwood Country Club is an attractive 9-hole public golf course in Torrington. The course was built in 1962 and boasts flat, manicured fairways lined with mature trees which put on a magical show of fall foliage. The course provides an enjoyable game for golfers of all abilities and offers great mid-week daily rates. Seasonal memberships are also available. The on-site Pro Shop stocks everything you need for a day on the fairways and also offers a re-gripping service. Group and individual lessons are available if you need to brush up your game.

Eastwood Country Club, 1301 Torringford West Street, Torrington, CT 06790, 860 489 2630

13.Pursue the Clues

Some call it an Escape Room, some call it an Adventure Room and in Torrington they call it Pursue the Clues. Here in Torrington, Pursue the Clues places more emphasis on an engaging story, and a challenging, fun activity that will get all members of the team involved in a lateral-thinking exercise. Every member will need to work together as a team to pursue all the clues and solve a series of riddles in order to achieve a common goal within an hour. The activity is great for families, a group of friends or even for couples looking for something a little different on date night.

Pursue the Clues, 733 E. Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790, 860 618 5811

14.Sasso's Coal Fired Pizza

Food and family have always been important to the Sasso family – in fact, the two go hand in hand and are inseparable. When Matt Sasso opened his pizzeria in 2016, he was determined to bring the flavors, aromas and sense of family to all his guests. The coal fired pizza oven was a must, partly to provide the atmosphere and partly because the pizzas just taste so delicious when cooked in the coal-fired oven. Today you can visit his warm and inviting restaurant to taste some of his very special artisan pizzas and other delights which are prepared in the oven. The menu is fresh and innovative and a good selection of cocktails, craft beers and wines complete the picture.

Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza, 52 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790, 860 618 7162