Simsbury, CT: Ethel Travel Guide

Simsbury, CT: Ethel Travel Guide


1. Recommend a hotel/motel in your town/city:
Definitely book a room at the Simsbury 1820 House. It is a quintessential New England country inn located right in the center of town. They have a restaurant, Soma Grill, on-site and serve a complimentary, continental breakfast that you can enjoy on the wrap-around porch. Staying there, you will be within walking distance to local, family-owned restaurants, ice cream shops and Simsbury’s famous flower bridge. Guests can swim and exercise at the Inn’s sister property, The Simsbury Inn, a five-minute drive down the road. Built in 1820, the house was restored by the town of Simsbury in 1985 and is listed on The National Register of Historic Places due to its historic integrity, connection to the Revolutionary War and Colonial-Revival architecture. You are likely to feel like you stepped right onto the set of Gilmore Girls.

2. Recommend a restaurant in your town/city:
Abigail’s Grill and Wine Bar has been around forever and is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. With an extensive, creative and modern menu that includes wood-fired pizza, a full seafood raw bar, and everything from fillet mignon to pasta bolognese, you are sure to find something you’ll love. But the real treat with this tavern, built in 1780, is that it is said to be haunted! Several ghost hunters have visited over the years to track paranormal activity, and many Simsbury residents have stories of their own encounters with the infamous ghost. Abigail Pettibone, the wife of the original owner of the home, is said to have been decapitated by her husband when he came home and found her in bed with another man! If you would like to meet her, visit the upstairs women’s bathroom where her spirit is rumored to be quite active. Just don’t tell her I sent you.

3. What's a must-see in your town/city?
The Heublein Tower is a historic home and current museum located on top of Talcott Mountain State Park: a must-see! Hike (approximately 1.25 miles) up to the top of Talcott Mountain, and take in the picturesque views along the way. There are plenty of rest points, so the hike is suitable for all fitness levels. The tower itself was built as a summer retreat by Gilbert Heublein in 1914, as a gift to his wife, after promising her he would build her a castle on the peak. And this castle has fairytale (namely, Rapunzel) written all over it. When you tour the inside of the home, be sure to make it up to the observatory to take in the panoramic views of the Hartford area. Visit in the fall to catch sight of the breathtaking foliage and prepare to see some hang gliders, who launch themselves right off the mountain.

4. What makes your town/city fun for tourists?
It’s all about nature’s beauty, family fun and historic charm. With farms, wineries and outdoor music events, there is always something to do. It is also home to both of the nicest (in my humble opinion) public golf courses around and The International Skating Center of Connecticut, which draws a lot of visitors for hockey tournaments and figure skating events.

5. What should you avoid when visiting your town/city?

The bears! We jokingly call it Simsbeary because unless they are hibernating, the bears are definitely among us. Don’t be surprised if you notice garbage cans knocked down with trash scattered about — it’s just a sign that the bears have been out and fed. They are black bears and generally leave us humans alone, but that doesn’t mean they are friendly. Beautiful animals, they are massive in size and much quicker than one would think. If you do see one, stand still, keep your distance and only then — from a safe distance — take a video for your friends back home. Then again, maybe not.

Check out another of our Ethel travel guides here.