This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/19/2016 06:00 AMFall in Connecticut is about more than flavoring everything with pumpkin spice. With crisp air, clear skies, and perfect temperatures, it is the perfect time to get outside to enjoy the many joys of autumn including fantastic foliage, themed events, fun on the farm, and more. There is something for everyone to enjoy on the shoreline this fall.
Leaf Peeping
According to Connecticut Office of Tourism’s website (ctvisit.com), the state’s leaf-peeping is about to peak with the best foliage expected through Tuesday, Oct. 25 for eastern and western mid-state counties and through the end of October or early November for the shoreline and the lower Connecticut River Valley.
There are plenty of scenic drives, but to truly take in the colors and atmosphere of fall in Connecticut, you’ll have to step away from the car. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers foliage cruises through Sunday, Oct. 23. There is a 2 ½-hour nature excursion that starts at the Essex Train Station for a 12-mile narrated tour before guests board the Becky Thatcher riverboat for a cruise along the Connecticut River. The Essex Clipper Dinner Train and lunch excursions are so popular that both are sold out for 2016.
“You get to see a blanket of trees on the hills of the Connecticut River changing color from a unique perspective,” said Paul Costello, boat operations manager and lead captain. “When you’re out there in the middle of river, you can see the hills rolling on around you that you can’t really see from the roads. The train runs parallel to the river, so when you’re on the steam train...passengers can see the colors across the marshes and going over streams.
This year, the company added the “Haddam Special,” which starts with a ride on the Essex Steam Train with views of the Connecticut River Valley foliage. After disembarking at the Goodspeed Station, guests have three hours to explore the historic Haddam riverside community before returning to Essex on the train. There is an option to add a one-hour Riverquest boat ride while in Haddam to view the foliage from the river.
“That goes up even further, at least four more miles beyond your regular steam train and riverboat connection,” says Costello. “In town, you can spend time shopping, dining, or enjoying the RiverQuest river cruise, which allows you to see a different part of the river that the Becky Thatcher doesn’t go to.”
Of course, there are also plenty of options for hiking and biking along the many trails in Connecticut’s state parks and town’s local parks. One of the highest places to take in views in the area is the lookout at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden.
If you’re looking for a destination at the end of your drive, many of the local breweries and wineries offer locally made beverages and scenic views.
Faeries, Knights, and Arts
The Florence Griswold Museum hosts its annual Wee Faerie Village through Sunday, Oct. 30. Guests can tour the exhibit, A Flutter in Time: Faerie Houses Around the World and Across the Ages, on the 13-acre grounds of the museum where they will find more than 30 hand-crafted, faerie sized homes.
There are several fall-themed special events at the museum, too. A Timeless Pumpkin Patch Party is Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with pumpkin decorating and balloon creations. On Saturday, Oct. 29, there will be a Wee Faerie Funderful Costume Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a costume parade, prizes, and crafts.
On weekends throughout the month of October, visitors to the North Haven Fairgrounds travel back in time at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Each weekend has a theme with Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16 being Time Travelers’ weekend, Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23 is Fantasy and Romance, and Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30 is All Hallows weekend.
According to its website, ctfaire.org, it is “an old-world amusement park with eight stages on non-stop entertainment, arts and crafts made by local artisans, a jousting tournament, and feasting—all in a day of continuous family fun.”
Artspace, a non-profit organizations for artists, hosts the City-Wide Open Studios in New Haven on weekends throughout October at various locations. On Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23, Artspace organizes bike tours and other routes for Private Studios weekend. There will be open studios on Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30 for Erector Square weekend.
Pumpkins, Mazes & Other Farm Fun
Apple picking season is in full swing at local orchards and the trees are ready at Rose Orchards in North Branford, Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford and Northford (weekends only in Northford), and Lyman Orchards in Middlefield.
“People like pick-your-own all year-round, but this time of year is especially popular with the apples and pumpkins,” says Candice Ferraro, who has worked at Rose Orchards for two years.
Rose Orchards also has a large pumpkin patch in front of its hay maze, open daily. There is also a creamery with ice cream, frozen yogurt, and custard; the farmstand with pies, baked goods, and produce; a corn maze ($5) that is open on weekends when there are also hay rides pulled by a tractor driven by “Pumpkinhead.”
“Everyone loves the hayrides and the kids all like seeing Pumpkinhead drive the tractor,” said Ferraro.
Lyman Orchards is celebrating 275 years of farming in Middlefield with its four-acre corn maze in 2016. Lyman Orchards also offers pick-your-own apples.
There is a host of fun at Bishop’s as well. On weekends, just beyond the Little Red Barn, guests will find a pumpkin patch, a concession stand with sandwiches, fried dough, kettle, corn, and more; a corn maze, scarecrow making ($12) and face-painting in partnership with Branford’s Community Dining Room, donkey rides through Guilford’s Triple Dell Farm, glitter tattoos, and a Kids’ Play Corner ($7 weekends, $3.50 weekdays) that includes admission to the hay maze, hay pyramid, tractor track, and corn kingdom.
The corn maze ($6) is open on weekends throughout the month. This year’s corn maze was made in partnership with the Beardsley Zoo and has a design of a red panda. There are trivia questions to help guide people through the maze.
“There’s something for everyone,” says Erica DeNuzzo, marketing coordinator at Bishop’s Orchards. “The kids can play and pick pumpkins and the parents can go inside and do a wine tasting and pick up groceries.”
Bishop’s also offers apple picking in its Guilford orchards daily as well as in its Northford orchard on the weekends. Those picking apples can enjoy a wagon ride through the orchard, as well.
“Pick-your-own is a staple for this fall season, getting out during this beautiful weather and picking your favorite fruit varieties to bring to your own home,” said DeNuzzo, who recommends calling 203-458-PICK before heading out for the latest information. “Everything going on here just screams autumn and it’s the place to be.”
Those who are looking to combine some leaf peeping and pumpkin picking can do so at the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven. Each weekend in October, people can board the trolley and enjoy the foliage during the ride on a vintage trolley to the pumpkin patch.
At the pumpkin patch, each child selects a pumpkin to decorate. There are also toy trains, coloring stations, face-painting, and more.