FRIDAY
You’ve arrived in Kent. After driving over the iconic covered bridge onto route 7, meander alongside the Housatonic River and land in the center of town.
5:00 pm: Stop for a hot chocolate or cappuccino at 45 ON MAIN by the railroad tracks. This shop is an explosion of fun. Not only do they have a tremendous selection of chocolates made on site, they have a trove of candies from around the world, and some that you haven't seen since you were a kid; candy necklaces, gobstoppers, giant swirly lollipops. Willy Wonka would approve. Breathe in the rich smells and feel yourself unwind!
6:30 pm: Dinner: KINGSLEY TAVERN a Kent-rooted, family-run business that makes you feel at home. The beef cows and veggies are raised here. Sit on the porch, order the pork belly Saigon sandwich with kimchi and enjoy it with one of their signature cocktails. or... choose FIFE N’ DRUM. They make a Caesar Salad table-side that keeps people coming back. Started by Dolph Tremont as a piano bar, this long-time Kent fixture is now run by his daughter and usually has live music on Friday nights. It has been a meeting place for creative types for decades. Sit at the bar and sing along with the locals and sing along.
8:00 pm: Stay at one of The Kent Collection's newly renovated properties, The VICTORIAN, a beautifully appointed, modernized gingerbread confection with a dreamy front porch , TRAIN CAR , a bucket list fantasy stay in a restored baggage car parked right by the tracks or BUNK HOUSE if you have a crowd, where you can roast marshmallows in the fire pit or use the provided bikes to cruise through town.
SATURDAY
9:00 am: Have breakfast at WILSON'S. They make their own bread and that means killer breakfast sandwiches. Lox on an eggy jalapeno-cheddar bagel, yes, please! Sit on one of the rocking chairs out front and enjoy the sights and sounds of small town living.
10:00 pm: Explore Main Street, Kent. Check out the shops offering local artisan work, gifts and clothing in the welcoming village atmosphere. Duck into the charming HOUSE OF BOOKS and pick up a book on the Appalachian Trail that passes through town. This wonderful bookstore is one of the last independent bookstores left in Connecticut. Peruse some of the staff picks. They have hand-written personal reviews tagged to the book displays. Next door is a delightful tiny market called WOODFORD'S that sells local produce and baked goods. Just a few paces down the sidewalk is HERON GALLERY where one can find pottery, stylish kitchenware, artisan clothing, and a delightful children’s nook. A great gift spot.
11:00 am: RT FACTS DESIGN AND ANTIQUES has been a secret source for interior designers for over 30 years. What draws them is the 7,000 sq foot museum-like showroom with soaring ceilings, the quirky, interesting antiques paired with sleek contemporary pieces, designed and made right in Kent. This location has the “wow” factor. Sit in the oversized marble throne chair and gaze up at the big polished steel mobile floating above. Kids love the seek-and-find challenge sheets. Come on the Second Saturday May-September for the charming KENT FLOWER MARKET on the front steps.
11:30 am: Want to poke around some beautiful galleries? Kent has been known for art since Jacque Kaplan opened his Paris-Kent-New York Gallery in 1984. KENISE BARNES, CRAVEN CONTEMPORARY, CAROL COREY FINE ART , FOTODIARY , are all in the Kent Barns near RT Facts. The acclaimed MORRISON GALLERY is just north on Main Street. And it will blow your mind. That's it in the big black windowless box just across the railroad tracks.
12:30 pm: KENT FALLS. Cross the little covered footbridge over the stream and take in the pounding sound and wonderland view of the falls, especially during the spring run-off. Hike up the rustic woodland staircase that winds around the falls offering key overlooks.
1:30pm Have a quick lunch on the porch of CORNWALL MARKET
2:00 Rent Electric Bikes from COVERED BRIDGE BIKE in Cornwall and wind your way up the Housatonic River to Falls Village and Back. It is so peaceful. Virtually no cars, hawks, geese, ducks, a kayaker or two paddling by. Bliss.
3:00 While in Falls Village, duck into Bunny Williams' shop 100 MAIN where everything is crafted by local artisans. Tuck some cute napkins in your bike basket. Then pop over to MARCHE a beautifully curated kitchen shop in an old bank filled with vintage cast iron cookware, dishes and serving pieces. A visual jewel box!
7:00 pm: Dinner at PINK HOUSE in Cornwall and sit on the patio and have a local smash burger and special fries and steelhead crudo while you listen to the frogs (peepers) emerge singing their evening symphony.
SUNDAY
8:00am : On your way through WASHINGTON DEPOT, stop at WASHINGTON PARK ASSOCIATION, a postage stamp-size park on your left and admire the 46′ long “Currents”, a river sculpture in granite by MARK MENNIN. You will want to stop and lay in the ripples and run your palms along the smooth, hand-polished, undulating surface. Walk across town and be sure to peak into the windows of GEORGE HOME. They won’t be open this early, but looking in is worth the walk.
8:15 am: HIDDEN VALLEY EATERY. Sit at the counter and chat with the chefs and the locals. Chances are, they helped harvest or live near one of the farms from which the ingredients in your meal were sourced. The dining room is like a forest with branches of birch trees on the walls. Order the breakfast pizza with a sunny-side-up egg on top and one of their daily fresh-squeezed juices.
9:30 am: Drive around LAKE WARAMAUG. It’s almost a waste of time to try to describe. Just let the morning sun show you. This drive is imperative in the fall for “leaf-peepers”, the local term for visitors that come to town for the beautiful fall foliage. Ready for more winter sport? Strap on a pair of ice skates and soar over the winter ice of the lake. You can access the lake from Lake Waramaug State Park located on the west side.
11:00 am: Explore the shops in NEW PRESTON. PRIVET HOUSE for home goods and really beautiful brushes of every variety. PERGOLA a boutique of unusual plants and gifts for the horticulturally-inclined. PLAIN GOODS has great brands of cozy sweaters.
12:00 pm: HOPKINS INN WINERY. Overlooking Lake Waramaug is the Hopkins Inn Vineyard and Winery. The farm turned vineyard has been in the family for 225 years. Sign up for a tour, pick up a gift for your wine enthusiast friend (and yourself) at the gift shop, or simply sit back and enjoy sampling award-winning wines at the wine bar in the Hayloft barn. Pop over to the Inn for an amazing meal with a German flair. Make a mental note to come stay here for a getaway weekend next summer. The view for patio dining is breathtaking.
2:00 pm: ARETHUSA. Before heading back to the City, take a detour past Mount Tom Pond to Bantam where you can find a trio of shops featuring ingredients from the Arethusa farm. (Think it’s unusual that RT Facts has two shops in the same town? Arethusa has three.) Looking for a snack and a caffeine boost? Stop by Arethusa a Mano for a pastry and a latte made with milk from their cows. Feeling more than peckish? Arethusa Al Tavalo is a dairy farm-to-table restaurant drawing inspiration from classic Italian cuisine with local resources in mind. Want to see where the magic happens? Step over to Arethusa Dairy store, where they are scooping freshly churned ice cream. They sell cheeses and other products fresh from the farm a stone’s throw away. Take a peek into the back room and see the gleaming tanks where the milk is being processed.
3:00 pm: BANTAM BREAD. Just down the hill is Bantam Bread. Get the light and crispy-edged buttermilk biscuits to put your cheese on. Buy some store-made granola to take home and some fresh dog cookies for your buddy. Head back south replete!
