Lake Escape Area Guidebook

Tracie
Lake Escape Area Guidebook

Hiking, biking and outdoor spots

This is the slice of heaven that we live on. Lake Garda, like most in CT, is a man made lake created in the 1940’s encompassing neighborhoods in both unionville and Burlington ct. it was dubbed “paradise in the pines” known for its soaring pines trees. While it is not large enough for motorized boats, it’s common to see fishing through the year ( mainly bass and carp), and canoeing, Paddleboarding and kayaking in warmer months. It is really serene and still little known by those who don’t live on the lake. There are 3 beaches along the lake, one very close to the home, all 3 are walkable. Please note association rules. https://www.lakegardaimprovementassociation.com/history/ http://www.lakegardaimprovementassociation.com/recreation/
Lake Garda
This is the slice of heaven that we live on. Lake Garda, like most in CT, is a man made lake created in the 1940’s encompassing neighborhoods in both unionville and Burlington ct. it was dubbed “paradise in the pines” known for its soaring pines trees. While it is not large enough for motorized boats, it’s common to see fishing through the year ( mainly bass and carp), and canoeing, Paddleboarding and kayaking in warmer months. It is really serene and still little known by those who don’t live on the lake. There are 3 beaches along the lake, one very close to the home, all 3 are walkable. Please note association rules. https://www.lakegardaimprovementassociation.com/history/ http://www.lakegardaimprovementassociation.com/recreation/
https://fchtrail.org/ https://www.traillink.com/trail/farmington-canal-heritage-trail/ Wonderful for walking, biking, exploring. We have biked with our boys along the canal since they were babies and have wonderful memories here. Perfect year round except during snow and ice, much of the trail is along the Farmington river in our area.
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
990-1008 New Britain Avenue
https://fchtrail.org/ https://www.traillink.com/trail/farmington-canal-heritage-trail/ Wonderful for walking, biking, exploring. We have biked with our boys along the canal since they were babies and have wonderful memories here. Perfect year round except during snow and ice, much of the trail is along the Farmington river in our area.
Awesome place, kayak, canoe, SUP rentals, classes, group parties right on the river, near the trail and center of Collinsville, next town over. cute shops and dining there also.
38 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak
41 Bridge St
38 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Awesome place, kayak, canoe, SUP rentals, classes, group parties right on the river, near the trail and center of Collinsville, next town over. cute shops and dining there also.
Great hike with fabulous views, especially on clear days. Best when Ice and snow are not present as the first mile is steep. Allow 3 hours, bring snacks.
37 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Heublein Tower
1 Summit Drive
37 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great hike with fabulous views, especially on clear days. Best when Ice and snow are not present as the first mile is steep. Allow 3 hours, bring snacks.
Lots of great spots to ride your bike, walk with family all within a small radius of our home. CT and local towns have invested a lot of resource into making these old (now covered) railroad tracks wonderful for families. So many great places that you can ride or drive to, this is one. Though parts of the trails are connected, note they are not fully connected (Farmington Canal = Collinsville, Avon, Farmington, Plainville, Simsbury and NewHaven canal = Cheshire, to New Haven).
Linear Park - Rails To Trails (Greenway) Access
Lots of great spots to ride your bike, walk with family all within a small radius of our home. CT and local towns have invested a lot of resource into making these old (now covered) railroad tracks wonderful for families. So many great places that you can ride or drive to, this is one. Though parts of the trails are connected, note they are not fully connected (Farmington Canal = Collinsville, Avon, Farmington, Plainville, Simsbury and NewHaven canal = Cheshire, to New Haven).
Great ice cream, pretty view of the river
Riverfront Miniature Golf
218 River Rd
Great ice cream, pretty view of the river
Great spot for all ages. A long time family fave. You can rent their gear.
72 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
스키 선다운스
126 Ratlum Rd
72 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great spot for all ages. A long time family fave. You can rent their gear.
Great local hiking, fishing, swimming, cross county ski, mountain biking.
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Winding Trails
Winding Trails Drive
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great local hiking, fishing, swimming, cross county ski, mountain biking.
Great hiking for all ages, good biking spots and multiple bodies of water
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
West Hartford Reservoir
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great hiking for all ages, good biking spots and multiple bodies of water

Sightseeing

If you are a wine lover, lots of great spots exist. My fave are in new hartford, new Preston and Litchfield areas….also great hiking, biking, shopping and exploring spots
18 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Connecticut Wine Trail
433 S Main St
18 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
If you are a wine lover, lots of great spots exist. My fave are in new hartford, new Preston and Litchfield areas….also great hiking, biking, shopping and exploring spots
Great place, in a really cute town on the river
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Antiques on the Farmington
10 Depot St
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great place, in a really cute town on the river
Gorgeous museum filled with one of a kind, mainly impressionist art. Beautiful grounds, hiking, sunken gardens, local artists. We were married here :-)
18 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain Rd
18 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Gorgeous museum filled with one of a kind, mainly impressionist art. Beautiful grounds, hiking, sunken gardens, local artists. We were married here :-)
Great spot on the canal trail right on the river with several parking areas, walking, biking and picnics. Though you may see folks on floats and small inflatables in the summer, the river can move faster than it looks. Always wear a life jacket if you decide to try and only strong swimmers should attempt. https://www.traillink.com/trail/farmington-river-trail/
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Farmington River Trail
Farmington River Trail
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great spot on the canal trail right on the river with several parking areas, walking, biking and picnics. Though you may see folks on floats and small inflatables in the summer, the river can move faster than it looks. Always wear a life jacket if you decide to try and only strong swimmers should attempt. https://www.traillink.com/trail/farmington-river-trail/
Too much to write here…west hartford center and blue back square, adjacent to one another, in west hartford CT, are well known in the area. A host of excellent eateries, shopping, small movie theater, fab walking community. Great place to spend a few hours strolling.
29 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
West Hartford
29 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Too much to write here…west hartford center and blue back square, adjacent to one another, in west hartford CT, are well known in the area. A host of excellent eateries, shopping, small movie theater, fab walking community. Great place to spend a few hours strolling.
Great family museum and exhibits, can make an afternoon of it connected with food or an event in downtown hartford
52 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
커네티컷 과학 센터
250 Columbus Blvd
52 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great family museum and exhibits, can make an afternoon of it connected with food or an event in downtown hartford

Food scene

Great traditional pizza, lovely family owners. https://myabcpizzacanton.com/
ABC Pizza & Restaurant
9 River St
Great traditional pizza, lovely family owners. https://myabcpizzacanton.com/
Great ice cream, super cute store and area in collinsville
America The Beautiful Ice Cream
100 B Main Street
Great ice cream, super cute store and area in collinsville
Modern French, great atmosphere
8 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
avert Brasserie
35a LaSalle Rd
8 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Modern French, great atmosphere
Awesome tapas
21 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Barcelona Wine Bar
971 Farmington Ave
21 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Awesome tapas
They don’t take reservations, but excellent menu, great lunch spot
16 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
bartaco
971 Farmington Ave
16 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
They don’t take reservations, but excellent menu, great lunch spot
Fabulous place….coffee , breakfast, lunch, homemade pasta, inclusive and staffed by people with disabilities. Lovely place and mission for our community. https://www.beanzandco.com/
BeanZ and Co.
11 East Main Street
Fabulous place….coffee , breakfast, lunch, homemade pasta, inclusive and staffed by people with disabilities. Lovely place and mission for our community. https://www.beanzandco.com/
Fabulous risotto, excellent Italian overall, great staff https://website-6045031114094193373231-italianrestaurant.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Buon Appetito
50 Albany Turnpike
Fabulous risotto, excellent Italian overall, great staff https://website-6045031114094193373231-italianrestaurant.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Great for lunch and dinner. Nice outdoor seating and main dining atmosphere. Great food bowls. Gluten free friendly.
Butchers & Bakers
270 Farmington Ave
Great for lunch and dinner. Nice outdoor seating and main dining atmosphere. Great food bowls. Gluten free friendly.
Great local bakery
Cake Gypsy
35 East Main Street
Great local bakery
Excellent pizza. Try the white pie, fat Italian and mashed pies. https://chunkytomato.com/
Chunky Tomato
897 Farmington Avenue
Excellent pizza. Try the white pie, fat Italian and mashed pies. https://chunkytomato.com/
Excellent Italian, great staff https://www.cuginosrestaurantfarmington.com/
Cugino's Restaurant of Farmington
1053 Farmington Ave
Excellent Italian, great staff https://www.cuginosrestaurantfarmington.com/
Cute place, great for date nights.
Fork and Fire
838 Farmington Ave
Cute place, great for date nights.
Excellent steak house. Hard to beat Avon Prime (see food shopping) except they make it for you, atmosphere and location are really nice.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
44 S Main St
Excellent steak house. Hard to beat Avon Prime (see food shopping) except they make it for you, atmosphere and location are really nice.
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Firefly Hollow Brewing
139 Center St
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great selection, cute place, in Avon near other shopping and activity.
J Foster Ice Cream
4 Bailey Road
Great selection, cute place, in Avon near other shopping and activity.
Lovely local spot..great breakfast food, ice cream and weekend nights with local musicians. Cute outdoor seating in warm weather months. Right off the bike trail, and steps from the Farmington river. We often bike into town (about 14miles RT). Right next to farmers market in the summer. Fave local family place and a kid crowd pleaser. https://www.lasallemarket.com/
21 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Lasalle Market and Deli
104 Main St
21 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Lovely local spot..great breakfast food, ice cream and weekend nights with local musicians. Cute outdoor seating in warm weather months. Right off the bike trail, and steps from the Farmington river. We often bike into town (about 14miles RT). Right next to farmers market in the summer. Fave local family place and a kid crowd pleaser. https://www.lasallemarket.com/
Great lunch and dinner, try outdoors in good weather. See Lasalle description above for what’s in the area. Very cute town, family friendly, https://www.crownandhammer.com/
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Lisa’s Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub
3 Depot St
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great lunch and dinner, try outdoors in good weather. See Lasalle description above for what’s in the area. Very cute town, family friendly, https://www.crownandhammer.com/
Good pizza, great eggplant fries, 4 stars if you are ok with a wait. https://www.mamalukesct.com/
Mama Luke's
372 Scott Swamp Rd
Good pizza, great eggplant fries, 4 stars if you are ok with a wait. https://www.mamalukesct.com/
Great burgers, atmosphere
7 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Max Burger
124 LaSalle Rd
7 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great burgers, atmosphere
Really nice Italian. Great garlic bread. Try the penne abbranzante. . https://maxamiaristorante.com/
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Max a Mia
70 E Main St
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Really nice Italian. Great garlic bread. Try the penne abbranzante. . https://maxamiaristorante.com/
Excellent seafood and atmosphere
13 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Max's Oyster Bar
964 Farmington Ave
13 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Excellent seafood and atmosphere
Excellent new haven style pizza https://www.naplespizza.net/
Naples Pizza
838 Farmington Ave
Excellent new haven style pizza https://www.naplespizza.net/
The original is in Waterbury CT, great authentic grinders.
Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe
345 Colt Highway
The original is in Waterbury CT, great authentic grinders.
Great burgers, atmosphere and beer menu
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Plan B Burger Bar - Simsbury
4 Railroad St
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great burgers, atmosphere and beer menu
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Plan B Burger Bar - West Hartford
138 Park Rd
11 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Excellent gluten free bakery. https://www.purelovegranola.com/
Pure Love Bakery
136 Simsbury Rd
Excellent gluten free bakery. https://www.purelovegranola.com/
Cute place, nice alternative to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts . https://www.rebeldogcoffeeco.com/
Rebel Dog Coffee Co.
393 Farmington Ave
Cute place, nice alternative to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts . https://www.rebeldogcoffeeco.com/
Excellent pizza, bar, atmosphere
Savoy Pizzeria & Craft Bar
32 LaSalle Rd
Excellent pizza, bar, atmosphere
If you have a sweet tooth, you simply must visit! https://www.tbspellbound.com/
Taste by Spellbound
220 W Main St
If you have a sweet tooth, you simply must visit! https://www.tbspellbound.com/
Great Italian , nice atmosphere
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Treva
980 Farmington Ave
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Great Italian , nice atmosphere
Excellent outdoor spot on the river. Good menu, great atmosphere. https://www.woodntap.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB_Farmington
13 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Wood-n-Tap
1593 Farmington Avenue
13 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Excellent outdoor spot on the river. Good menu, great atmosphere. https://www.woodntap.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB_Farmington
Excellent sushi and hibachi. Great family and date nights. Right down the street. http://yume-ct.com/
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Yume Hibachi Steak and Sushi
45 S Main St
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Excellent sushi and hibachi. Great family and date nights. Right down the street. http://yume-ct.com/

Shopping

18 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike
18 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Avon Marketplace
380 W Main St
24 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Westfarms
500 New Britain Ave
24 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳

Food shopping

Simply the best steaks that no restaurant, no matter how posh, can beat. Try the prime choice filet and chicken and steak tips, signature blend. Great sides, preprepared and other food stuff. https://avonprimemeats.com/
Avon Prime Meats
395 W Main St
Simply the best steaks that no restaurant, no matter how posh, can beat. Try the prime choice filet and chicken and steak tips, signature blend. Great sides, preprepared and other food stuff. https://avonprimemeats.com/
Excellent local market, variety, bakery and they bag your goods and bring to the car. https://www.highlandparkmarket.com/
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Highland Park Market
204 Main St
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Excellent local market, variety, bakery and they bag your goods and bring to the car. https://www.highlandparkmarket.com/
The Fresh Market
315 W Main St
The basics, but close by
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Super Stop & Shop
1799 Farmington Ave
6 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The basics, but close by
Several in the area, Avon and West Hartford are closest
41 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Whole Foods Market
50 Raymond Rd
41 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Several in the area, Avon and West Hartford are closest
Great local farm among several. If you are planning to cook, excellent in season produce.
The Farm Truck at Hein Farm
303 Meadow Road
Great local farm among several. If you are planning to cook, excellent in season produce.

Indoor sports

Great spot, lots of options for small groups or parties, decent food, nice staff, great for families or adults
Crystal Bees
240 Spring St
Great spot, lots of options for small groups or parties, decent food, nice staff, great for families or adults
Great local rink
Veterans Memorial Ice Rink
56 Buena Vista Rd
Great local rink
Favorite local yoga studio. Excellent teachers and a great class schedule.
West Hartford Yoga
23 Brook St
Favorite local yoga studio. Excellent teachers and a great class schedule.