15 Best Things To Do In Ellington, Connecticut

1. Satisfy your Italian food cravings at Trattoria Da Lepri

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Serving classic Italian cuisine with a touch of modernity, Trattoria da Lepri in Ellington is known for providing exquisite fine dining experience complemented by cozy atmosphere attributed to an authentic Italian trattoria. This restaurant uses the finest quality ingredients from grass-fed beef, to fresh seafood, to organic vegetables so expect nothing but the best in every bite. They serve antipasti, insalata, secondi, and classical Italiano and fresco pasta at very reasonable prices. This restaurant also boasts of its wide array of crafted drinks from cocktails, coffee, and wine. Trattoria da Lepri is undoubtedly one of the best Italian restaurants in Connecticut and you should not miss out on it!

Trattoria Da Lepri

Address: 89 West Rd #4, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Trattoria Da Lepri

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

2. Take a relaxing walk at Arbor Park

Conveniently located on Main Street in the heart of town, Arbor Park is the locals’ favorite spot for taking a relaxing walk any time of the day. It features a wide open space that is perfect for picnics and for your pets to play around, a walking track, and a little gazebo where live weekend performances are held. Visit the park on Saturdays for their weekly farmer’s market that is open from 9am to noon and expect to be welcomed by a friendly community bonding together!

Arbor Park

Address: 31 Arbor Way Ellington, CT 06029

Website: Arbor Park

Price: Free

3. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Kloter's Icecream Barn

Everyone has a sweet tooth just like Jason and Sue Kloter, founders of Kloter’s Ice Cream Barn. This one-of-a-kind ice cream house offers 22 heavenly flavors you can choose for every scoop. They have a wide range of specialty desserts from soft serve, hard yogurt, and sorbet to non-dairy coconut ice cream. Bring your friends and family, hang out by the in-house fire pit, and enjoy their premium creamy treats and the sweet smell of waffle cones in the atmosphere. Kloter’s Icecream Barn prides itself for this gastronomic and aromatic ice cream experience like no other!

Kloter's Icecream Barn

Address: 216 West Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Kloter’s Icecream Barn

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 9:30pm (closed on Sun)

4. Bring home some delightful donuts from Gerry's Donuts

A staple in Ellington, Gerry’s Donuts is famed for its delicious and fresh donuts. For 34 years, this charming house has been serving the finest donuts, muffins, pastries, soups, and much more, making its way to the locals’ tradition of bringing home these treats to their families. Gerry’s Donuts offers a variety of cake donuts, raised donuts, and filled raised donuts that includes classic flavors and house specials. These donuts have a special appeal to its fans that they sell out fast even early in the morning. No doubt, Gerry’s Donuts are the best local donuts there is in Ellington so do forget to grab a dozen of these sweet gems.

Gerry's Donuts

Address: 180 Windsorville Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Gerry’s Donuts

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6am - 5:30pm; Sat: 6am - 4pm; Sun: 7am - 12pm

5. Go skydiving with Connecticut Parachutist Inc

Ever wondered what jumping from 14,000 ft (2.7 miles) above ground feels like? Wonder no more and book your thrilling jump with Connecticut Parachutist Inc (CPI). Priding itself as one of the oldest diving zones in the US, this skydiving club strives to give everyone a chance to experience the amazing sport of skydiving. CPI offers different types of activities assisted by professionals, like tandem skydive which is offered to first-time jumpers, while experienced jumpers are given special facilities and aircraft suitable for their own skydiving experience. You can also capture these adrenaline-seeking moments because Connecticut Parachutist Inc. provide videography services for an additional fee.

Connecticut Parachutist Inc

Address: 360 Somers Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Connecticut Parachutist Inc

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 4pm (closed Mon - Fri)

Price: 199 - 235 USD

6. Get active at Brookside Park

Brookside Park is conveniently located a few miles from the center of town and is an ideal place to break a sweat! The park feature amenities for your sporting needs like a baseball field, football field, tennis court, and volleyball court. It also has a playground that is guaranteed safe even for your toddlers. If you want to make sure that you still have game or just want to enjoy an active outdoor activity, this park is a great stopover. Brookside Park frequently hosts football and baseball games so join the fun as you see parents cheering for their children making a score.

Brookside Park

Address: CT-140, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Brookside Park

Opening hours: 7am - 8:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

7. Catch happy hour at Cold Creek Tavern

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Traveling and exploring Ellington is fun but can be a little bit tiring. Why not sit back for a while and share some stories with family and friends over cold craft beer at Cold Creek Tavern? Make sure to catch their happy hour every 4 to 6pm and 10pm to closing time for special deals on drinks and food! Try their famous chicken wings that is best paired with a glass of icy cold beer and their weekly specials that include sausages, sandwiches, steaks, and more. Cold Creek Tavern also holds trivia nights on Tuesday and video bingo on Wednesdays so a visit to this pub surely equates to a fun and tummy-filled night.

Cold Creek Tavern

Address: 175 West Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

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

8. Go for a swim at Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake is home to various wildlife including bald eagles, king fishers, red tail hawks, and many more. Aside from these, it is also the home of Sandy Beach seated at the lake’s southern edge. Enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, sailing, and kayaking at the well-maintained Sandy Beach for a small fee. Amidst all the fun, do not forget to follow the rules and regulations to keep the prime quality of Crystal Lake. Take a break and have a quiet time to breathe in some fresh air and make sure to catch the beautiful view of the sunset glistening over the pristine lake.

Crystal Lake

Address: 220 Sandy Beach Rd Ellington, CT 06029 United States

Website: Crystal Lake

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 7pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 7pm

Price: 1 - 10 USD

9. Pick up fresh produce from Dzen Garden Market

Running for over three generations, Dzen Garden Market is the finest place in Ellington to get your fresh produce in one place! During the spring, the store offers flowers that will make your house a standout, while in the Christmas season they sell the best trees that suits every home. In the hot days of summer, make sure to grab a sundae and choose from their 24 flavors and over 10 toppings or a classic creamy milkshake. Dzen Garden Market prides itself for their fresh produce that are locally grown like strawberries, blueberries, native honey, and more. Whether you are looking for some fresh and locally made food or just exploring the charming neighborhood, make sure to stop by and discover what this store has to offer.

Dzen Garden Market

Address: 187 Windsorville Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Dzen Garden Market

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)

10. Buy unique trinkets at Scandinavian Gift Food Shop

Operating for over five decades, the Scandinavian Gift shop has always been the locals’ supplier of a wide range of unique Scandinavian goods. A lovely lady curates the pieces sold in her shop and her collection is always enjoyed by her visitors and buyers. From themed gifts, charming ornaments, flavorful food, essential kitchenware, and dainty jewelry, this shop is a treasure chest waiting to be discovered. For some visitors, entering the shop brings back a lot of childhood memories, especially the natives of Scandinavia. Do not miss out on this hidden gem and discover what the Scandinavian Gift Shop has for you!

Scandinavian Gift Food Shop

Address: 99 Maple St, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Scandinavian Gift Food Shop

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 2pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

11. Harvest your own produce at Johnny Appleseed's Farm

If you want to spend a day at a farm and harvest your own produce, Johnny Appleseed’s Farm has the place for you. This one-of-a-kind farm offers 60 acres (0.243 square km) of apple trees in 14 varieties and 35 acres (0.142 square km) of peach trees in 11 varieties. Guests may also choose to harvest vegetables ranging from tomatoes, winter squash, sweet corn, pumpkins, and many more! If you plan to go for a visit, make sure to check out their website to schedule your picking day. Reserve your trip now because slots usually run out fast.

Johnny Appleseed's Farm

Address: Apple orchard- 231 Somers Road (RT 83), Main fruit stand- 185 West Road (RT 83), Ellington, CT 06029, United States

Website: Johnny Appleseed’s Farm

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

12. Play golf in luxury at Rolling Meadows Country Club

Rolling Meadows is located on a plateau that boasts a panoramic view of valleys and hills showcasing the signature Ellington countryside. This country club offers full service pro shop, a bar and resto, and a prime golf course that has a front nine holes that feature rolling hills and lush greens and a back nine holes that feature narrow fairways. The back course is lined with towering trees and gives you a view of the Berkshire Mountain. With its convenient location and outstanding service, Rolling Meadows Country Club is a must-visit during your Ellington trip!

Rolling Meadows Country Club

Address: 76 Sadds Mill Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Rolling Meadows Country Club

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 16 - 50 USD

13. Relish classic American cuisine at Chuck Wagon Restaurant

Serving classic American breakfast, lunch, and snacks, Chuck Wagon features a relaxed and friendly atmosphere perfect for hanging out all day and bonding with friends and family. Using only the freshest ingredients, expect your meal to be flavorful and gastronomic. Enjoy eggs, sausages, and toast or good old fluffy pancakes for breakfast, and big beef burgers paired with milkshake for lunch! Whatever your craving is, Chuck Wagon has that American meal for you!

Chuck Wagon Restaurant

Address: 12 Church St #3302, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Chuck Wagon Restaurant

Opening hours: 5am - 2pm (daily)

14. Have a casual meal at Casey's Cafe

Featuring a full-service bar with TVs for every sport you may enjoy, a driving range, and patio beside golf greens, Casey’s Café is an ideal place for a chill night out with good company. Try out the dishes on their extensive menu any meal of the day. Try their flavored wings that come in 13 flavors - don’t miss out on the Hot Szechuan! They also serve flavorful black Angus burger from the grill, prime ribs for dinner, and a wide variety of wraps and sandwiches for snacks. Aside from the laid-back ambiance, this resto bar boasts of their themed menu days where they serve pastas on Wednesday, Mexican food on Thursday, and all-day barbecue on Sunday!

Casey's Cafe

Address: 127 West Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: Casey’s Cafe

Opening hours: 11:30am - 11pm (daily)

15. Hang out for a while at The Hidden Still

Hidden Still prides itself for being Connecticut’s first restaurant and moonshine bar. Being in the business for quite a while, Hidden Still offers a unique and tasty food menu paired with the most extensive range of moonshine brands in the area! Enjoy their in-house recipes presented in a glamorous fashion at a very affordable price. Try their drunken Irish stew, classic Vietnamese bahn mi sandwich, and many other dishes. And of course do not miss out on trying their signature moonshine cocktail and their house-infused flavors that will not disappoint your taste. So hang out for a while at The Hidden Still and have a good time.

The Hidden Still

Address: 87 West Rd, Ellington, CT 06029, USA

Website: The Hidden Still

Opening hours: Mon: 4pm - 11:30pm; Tue, Sun: 11:30am - 11:30pm; Wed: 11:30am - 12am; Thu: 11:30pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2am

Your complete getaway to Ellington, Connecticut

Ellington lets you enjoy the best of both worlds with its pristine natural landscapes and its urban amenities. Packed with unique activities like picking your own fresh produce, treasure hunting some trinkets, or jumping from the sky, this town will surely have something for everyone. Ellington, Connecticut also has a powerhouse culinary scene that will satisfy all cravings. Make sure to check out the things to do in Ellington, Connecticut for a complete getaway in one place!