Top 20 Things To Do In Bethel, Connecticut

things to do in Bethel CT
Louise
Louise 
Updated
| 9 min read

Nesting in the peaceful area of Fairfield County, Bethel is a lovely town with a rich culture and lots of heritage sites. It boasts of a downtown that tells so much history, excellent hiking routes for tourists who like physical activities and reconnecting with nature, picturesque natural wonders, and more. It is a fantastic vacation area for those who want to escape from the noise and pollution of the concrete jungle and enjoy the relaxing vibes of this charming town. While in town, you might enjoy exploring its culture through museum and landmark visits. You can also enjoy swimming and picnicking with your family in its natural parks. If you are planning to visit this town any time soon, here are the top things to do in Bethel.

1. Try exploring the beauty of Wolfpit's Nature Preserve

Gravel Family Nature Preserve (8)
Source: Photo by user Nicholas A. Tonelli used under CC BY 2.0

If you like being one with nature and exploring its beauty, you should definitely check out the Wolfpit’s Nature preserve while in Bethel. It features 32 acres (33.1 hectares) of the land of three combined properties - Norwalk Savings, Nature Conservancy, and Wormser Family. Here you will find the Enchanted Trail which is an excellent route with lush greeneries and lovely flora. During the hike, you will also get to pass through wetlands, and you will have a glimpse of the Beaver Swamp. This is a fun and exciting adventure to do with your friends or your significant other.

Wolfpit's Nature Preserve

Address: 37 Wolfpits Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Wolfpit’s Nature Preserve

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2. Learn the past at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society

Bethel, Connecticut
Source: Photo by user Doug Kerr used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Museums of the Bethel Historical Society is located in Broad Street in Bethel. Its main goal is to share the fascinating stories of the White Mountains region and western Maine through its collection of artifacts and old photographs. It features exhibits, period rooms, galleries, lectures, and events that interested guests can be a part of. Not only that but it also houses a majestic library with rare books and manuscripts. If you are interested in the history and culture of the places you visit, you should not miss a chance to come over to the Museums of Bethel Historical Society while in Bethel.

Museums of the Bethel Historical Society

Address: 10 Broad St, Bethel, ME 04217, USA

Website: Museums of the Bethel Historical Society

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3. Take souvenir pictures at Rev. John Ely House

BethelCT RevJohnElyHouse
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Magicpiano used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Bethel is a fascinating town with lots of heritage sites and interesting history. One testament to that is the Rev. John Ely House. It features a wood frame structure and a two-and-a-half-story setup. Its foundation is made from stone, and a side-gable roof adds charm to the look of this historic landmark. It was home to Rev. John Ely House, and after his death, the house was transferred to different owners who were important people in the society of Bethel. Some of them were businessmen while two of them ministers.

Rev. John Ely House

Address: 54 Milwaukee Avenue in Bethel, Connecticut

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4. Try all the games at Monster Mini Golf


Thinking of fun and exciting things to do that the kids will love while in Bethel? Take them to the Monster Mini Golf and watch them have the best time and the widest smiles. The Monster Mini Golf is one of the most popular attractions in Bethel. It features a Monster Mini Golf Track, a Laser Tag room, a Monstrous Gaming Arcade section, Mini Bowling area, Virtual Reality room, and many more. There are lots of fun games and activities in Monster Mini Golf for the kids and kids at heart. A lot of people even celebrate their birthdays and important life events here in this fantastic paradise for gamers.

Monster Mini Golf

Address: 13 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA13 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Monster Mini Golf

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm

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5. Have a milkshake at Sycamore Drive-In


Need a quick pause from exploring natural wonders, sightseeing, and city walk? You might want to stop over the Sycamore Drive-In and fill your tummy with delicious food and cold drinks. The Sycamore Drive-In is located in Greenwood Ave. It is a lovely diner with a cool and airy ambiance, lots of natural light, and a nice vintage decor. Not to mention, the food is exceptional. Get your fill of classic American fare from burgers to fries to milkshakes at Sycamore Drive-In.

Sycamore Drive-In

Address: 282 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Sycamore Drive-In

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6:30 am - 8:30pm; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 9pm; Sun: 6am - 7:15pm

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6. Harvest your own at Blue Jay Orchards

Orchard
Source: Pixabay

The Blue Jay Orchards is a majestic farm and market in one. It features 140 acres (56.5 hectares) of land that are maximized with fruit-bearing trees and plants. In the Blue Jay Orchards, customers are encouraged to pick their one goods and pay them in the counter. It is a fun way of shopping for fresh produce while at the same time enjoying the picturesque views of the place. In the Farm Market, aside from fresh fruits and vegetable, you can also buy some honey, maple syrup, pastries, pies, cookies, and other sweet treats.

Blue Jay Orchards

Address: 125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Blue Jay Orchards

Opening hours: Aug - Dec: 10am - 5:30pm (daily)

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7. Read a book at Seth Seelye House


The Seth Seelye House is a historic house that is now the Bethel Public Library. It is a library and a bookstore in one. During your free time, you may grab a book or simply browse through the wide collection of books in Seth Seelye House, and read it in a quiet corner of the house. It is also a bookstore proven by the fact that it holds an annual sale that serves as a fundraising program for the library’s needs and maintenance. It is a paradise for bookworms.

Seth Seelye House

Address: 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Seth Seelye House

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu: 10am - 8pm; Tue, Fri, Sat: 10am - 8pm (closed on Sun)

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8. Check out the iconic Plumtrees School House

Plumtrees School, Bethel, CT

Posted by Karen Keeler on Sunday, 26 September 2010

The Plumtrees School House in Bethel is one of the oldest schoolhouses. It was built in the 1800s. It no longer serves as a school at the present time but is a heritage site. The Plumtrees School Association is the organization that maintains and preserves the look of this structure in its original setup. During the Christmas season, a wonderful annual Christmas event happens in the Plumtrees School House with entertaining music, a lecture from a historian, some snacks and drinks, and Santa to make the kids’ Christmas a merrier one.

Plumtrees School House

Address: Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Plumtrees School House

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9. Watch an indie movie at Bethel Cinema


If you’re in the mood for a great time watching box office movies, you might want to check out the movies shown in the Bethel Cinema. The Bethel Cinema is a vintage, clean, and comfortable cinema in Greenwood Ave. It shows updated movies that are popular to people of all ages as well as iconic indie films. No need to worry about the snacks as this locally owned cinema has a snack bar where you can buy your popcorn and soda.

Bethel Cinema

Address: 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Bethel Cinema

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10. Jump high at Sky Zone Trampoline Park

*New obstacles* Come test your skills on our new Warrior Course obstacles. We are open NOW!

Posted by Sky Zone Bethel on Friday, 8 December 2017

Whether you are young or young at heart, it never gets boring playing in a big playground where you can jump up in the air and feel like flying, run like your life depends on it, and climb like a monkey. If you agree with the idea, you might want to visit the Sky Zone Trampoline Park and spend a day playing to your heart’s content. The Sky Zone Trampoline Park has lots of fun games and activities for everyone such as a Warped Wall, a Ninja Warrior Course, free climb, a dodge ball section, Foam Zone, Sky Slam, and so much more. Lots of people celebrate their birthdays here too for a unique experience.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Address: 13 Francis J Clarke Cir, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 7pm

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11. Have a relaxing day at Collis P. Huntington State Park


Are you in the beautiful town of Bethel with your family? If so, why don’t you enjoy a day of picnic and fishing in the Collis P. Huntington State Park? It is a paradise of lush greeneries and breathtaking natural views. When you enter the park, you will notice a fascinating wolf and bears sculpture that seems like welcoming your arrival. The park has lots of amenities and activities that guests can enjoy. You can go hiking through the dense woodlands, fish in the pond, mountain biking, hunt deers and turkeys, and a lot more. Also, it has available pit toilets for its guests’ added convenience.

Collis P. Huntington State Park

Address: 164 Sunset Hill Rd, Redding, CT 06896, USA

Website: Collis P. Huntington State Park

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12. Get gardening tips from pros at Hollandia Nurseries


Whether you are naturally born with a green thumb or a florist wanna be, the Hollandia Nurseries in Old Hawleyville is a paradise that you would want to visit. Hollandia Nurseries is a garden and a plant and flower shop in one. You can also buy gardening necessities here. It features artistically landscaped lands, greenhouses, spectacular gardens, giant gazebos, and cute onsite shops. Here, you can also ask for gardening tips and tricks from professional gardeners.

Hollandia Nurseries

Address: 103 Old Hawleyville Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Hollandia Nurseries

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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13. Fish with the family at Mike's Pond

Mike_Bower_fishing_site
Source: Photo by user Oregon Department... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Do you like fishing or swimming? If so, you might want to check out the stunning Mike’s Pond in Chestnut Ridge Road. It is a beautiful natural park with a trail in between two ponds in 1,5 acres (0.6 hectares) of lands. These ponds are excellent fishing sites. Lots of people come here to catch some fish, relax, and enjoy the views. Also, it is a wonderful place to practice your photography skills as it has wildflowers adorning the place and rich wildlife.

Mike's Pond

Address: 142 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Mike’s Pond

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14. Buy some fresh fruits at the Holbrook Farm


The Holbrook Farm is a product of the Holbrook family’s interest in farming while being ecologically responsible. It features extensive lands with different plants and vegetables. One cool thing about this farm is that for the longest time, they have not been using pesticides and herbicides in their farming system. If you are looking for fresh ingredients for the dish that you are planning to prepare for your family during your Bethel vacation, you should buy them in Holbrook Farm and while at it, enjoy exploring this lovely farm.

Holbrook Farm

Address: 45 Turkey Plain Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Holbrook Farm

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm; Tue - Fri: 9am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

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15. Play basketball at Meckauer Park


You cannot end your Bethel escapade without visiting the beautiful Meckauer Park in Shelter Rock Road. This charming park features a stunning pond and picturesque views of dense greeneries. It has excellent picnic areas, a playground, and dog trails that are ideal for families who want to bond and spend quality time in the park. Also, there is a basketball court and volleyball net for sports enthusiasts. To top it all off, it has bathhouses that everyone can take advantage of.

Meckauer Park

Address: 16 Shelter Rock Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Meckauer Park

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

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16. Enjoy the views and explore the trails of Overlook Park


Reconnect with nature and enjoy its breathtaking views at Overlook Park. Imagine stargazing in a starry night, enjoying some barbecue, and waking up to the relaxing ambiance of the forest. These are delightful mundane experiences that await you in Overlook Park. Overlook Park features six campsites that are available for everyone, resident or not. It also has hiking trails if you like physical activities and exploring natural wonders.

Overlook Park

Address: 31 Nashville Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Overlook Park

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

Price: 8 USD onwards

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17. Go fishing with your family at Bennett Memorial Park


Located in Shelter Rock Road, Bennett Memorial Park is a gorgeous park with a lake that is excellent for fishing, hiking trails, a picnic area with tables, barbecue facilities, and a spacious parking area. Not to mention, the views and the ambiance of this place are a few other reasons to visit Bennett Memorial Park. It is an ideal place to bond with families or chill with some friends. Don’t forget to bring your camera as every moment is a treasure you’ll be keeping for the rest of your life.

Bennett Memorial Park

Address: 14 Shelter Rock Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Bennett Memorial Park

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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18. Chug excellent craft beers at Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery

things to do in bethel ct | chug excellent craft beers at broken symmetry gastro brewery
Source: instagram

Thinking of a place to have a get-together with long-time friends? You might like the vibes at Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery. Featuring stunning interior designs with expansive windows that allow lots of natural light and long hardwood tables, this lovely brewery and bar has a friendly ambiance that guests will surely love. They are popular in Bethel for their ever-improving variety of craft beers and delicious food served in creative presentations that are Instagram-worthy.

Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery

Address: 5 Depot Pl, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9pm (closed on Mon)

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19. Sway to the melody of live music at Widow Brown's Café


If you feel like your body is starting to take its toll on you from days of long city walks and sightseeing, you might want to relax for a while and just sit as you sway to the melody of lovely live music while gorging on excellent food at Widow Brown’s Cafe. The Widow Brown’s Cafe features a relaxed tavern-like space. It’s been long-running since 1977 offering delicious bar food and live music to the people of Bethel and its guests. The brick walls, rustic accents, and friendly vibes add charm to this fantastic hangout spot.

Widow Brown's Café

Address: 128 Federal Rd, Danbury, CT 06811, USA

Website: Widow Brown’s Café

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2am

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20. Gorge on delicious Italian food at Rizzuto's Wood-Fired Kitchen & Bar


If you are done with the sights and the sounds of Bethel, you might want to immerse in its eats. One place to do so is the Rizutto’s Wood -Fired Kitchen & Bar located in Stony Hill Road. It is a charming Italian restaurant with a romantic ambiance, lots of natural light and stunning rustic accent. The food they offer is guaranteed made from fresh ingredients, delicious, and are served in generous portions. They also offer catering services for special occasions and business functions.

Rizzuto's Wood-Fired Kitchen & Bar

Address: 6 Stony Hill Rd #100, Bethel, CT 06801, USA

Website: Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Kitchen & Bar

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm

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Beautiful Bethel

Bethel is a peaceful and charming town located in Fairfield County in Connecticut, the United States. It is rich with natural wonders, hiking routes, picturesque views, marvelous landmarks, and excellent eats. It is an ideal vacation destination for guests who are tired of the city’s routinary lifestyle and its noise and pollution. If you are planning a quick getaway to Bethel any time soon to, either to relax and breath fresh air or visit a relative, here is a list of exciting things to do in town that might pique your interest. Use this as your guide for your itinerary.

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