Are you planning a visit to Old Wethersfield this fall? Well, it’s best to plan it with a local. Consider me your local tour guide today. Fall in Old Wethersfield, Connecticut is a festive and beautiful season in our charming hometown. It gives major Gilmore Girls vibes in October, and has become a favorite place for fall weekenders. It makes for a great fall day trip in Connecticut, and offers plenty of parking options for visitors.
the history
Nestled in the Connecticut River Valley and rich in Pre-Revolutionary War history, Old Wethersfield was once a settlement and trading post. The 1634 settlement became a town in 1637, and is arguably the oldest town in Connecticut. The debate still continues with nearby Windsor.
Over the years, it was a meeting place of our founding fathers during the Revolutionary War, a shipbuilding and trading post, and a rich farming community famous for the red onion. Did you know that the first witch trials that predate Salem happened here? Did you know Washington and Rochambeau planned the Yorktown Campaign here? That there is a rich shipbuilding and trade history at The Cove? Famous Americans including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin have all been visitors here? It’s truly a gem of a town rich in history, and its charm is best captured in the autumn months (in my opinion) with all the tree-lined streets and historic architecture. Fall foliage, pumpkins and gourds on every stoop, and the festive town decor make it a fall haven.
Today, this 375-year-old historic living New England village is home to museums, shops, and restaurants. Around the village there is a collection of historic homes lovingly preserved with many dating back to the 1600’s and 1700’s. Many were once the homes of sea captains and wealthy merchants. Today, it is a very family-friendly community. It’s easy to navigate with walkable sidewalks and parks around every corner.
today
Once October arrives the village is transformed into a festive fall celebration with Scarecrows on Main, fall festivals including The Cove Carnival and Old Wethersfield Arts & Crafts Fair, the museum’s Witches & Tombstones Tours, and autumnal decor graces every home and business. It’s a town full of fall charm, and is a lovely day trip for many visitors every year.
along Main Street
The Historic District, called Main Street, is a mix of old and new with the historic First Church that dates back to 1635, a charming country store, museums, restaurants, and little shops along the way. The Webb Deane Stevens Museum is open daily for guided house tours that include historic figures George Washington and Silas Deane. They offer a little spooky fun and Wethersfield witch trial history in October with their Witches & Tombstones Tours. The Webb Barn hosts events throughout the year, and is also a wedding venue. There is a charming garden on the grounds too. Also, you can visit the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center for more Old Wethersfield museum exhibits, and to start your walking historic tour if you’d like to enjoy it at your own pace. We’ve done all the museum tours at some point, and the self-guided walking tour is fantastic too.
Another claim to fame, is historic Old Wethersfield is the inspiration for Elizabeth George Speare’s novel “The Witch on Blackbird Pond”. You can tour the sites, including the Buttolph-Williams House (visit the Webb Deane Stevens Museum for tour times and tickets) and The Cove (a.k.a. Blackbird Pond), that inspired the 1959 Newbery Medal novel.
The Cove, that once was bustling with maritime warehouses and merchant ships, now is a peaceful place to boat, fish, and picnic. One lone warehouse survived the flood that dates back to 1690, and is run by the museum to honor its past shipping and trade history.
Here are my recommendations to make the most out of your visit to Old Wethersfield this fall…
your fall itinerary…
morning
Start your day with breakfast and coffee at Heirloom Market. The restaurant offers a delicious farm-to-table breakfast and lunch menu. There are so many favorites–the breakfast sandwiches, turkey avocado melt, and sea salt chocolate chip cookies are always a favorite! There is plenty of seating indoors and outside. The market if full of organic produce and local farm offerings. Also, there is a nice selection of planting seeds and gifts. In the fall, they sell pumpkins and mums.
Get in a morning walk with your coffee cup to-go, and head down to The Cove. Enjoy the collection of historic homes decked out for the season along the way. On weekends, The Cove Warehouse Maritime Museum, ran by the Wethersfield Historical Society, is open for a little tour.
Shop the little boutique shops on Main Street. These are all the shops along Main Street: The Old Wethersfield Country Store (penny candy, local goods, gourmet market, gifts), Neill Walsh Gallery (handblown glassware, gifts, local fine art) Castor & Poly Boutique (woman’s clothing), Jackie Home & Beauty (clean skincare & home design), Vino Crudo (wine shop), The Blackbird House (healing & gift shop), Birdies (children’s toys & gifts), Raised on Ridge (children’s clothing), Cottonwood & Church (gift shop), Trinkets & Troll (gift shop), and a new antique store will open soon.
Head to a nearby apple orchard, pumpkin patch, or roadside market. Anderson Farms across from Broad Street Green sells fresh produce, mums, and pumpkins. A few of our favorite stops for fall harvest include Belltown Hill Orchards, which happens to be our favorite cider donut stop and picking orchard. They have a great market and pumpkins outside for sale. The orchard is stocked full of great locally made treats, and we pick our apples here every year. The Old Cider Mill has the best freshly made apple fritters on the weekends. There’s a market stand with fall harvest and local offerings, and petting zoo for the kids too. Scott’s Orchard & Nursery is where I always get my mums and gourds. They have hot cider in the market to enjoy while you are shopping too.
lunch & afternoon
Relax and dine at The Charles for lunch. They offer indoor fireside seating, bar seating, and outdoor seating on their lawn. We love their tomato soup and grilled cheese on a chilly fall day.
Next, head over to Mill Street Marketplace to shop the 50+ vendors offering antiques, vintage finds, and original pieces by artists and makers.
Then, indulge in pumpkin ice cream and fall desserts at The Main Street Creamery. Want gelato instead? Then, head a couple of doors down to Noci Gelato Shop.
dinner & the evening
Enjoy the evening lantern lit Witches & Tombstones Tour. Tickets are available ahead of time for purchase on The Webb Deane Stevens Museum website. Just note–they sell out fast every year.
Have a cozy dinner at Lucky Lou’s. On nice afternoons and evenings, they offer outdoor seating on their lighted patio. In autumn, the menu has favorites like lobster mac & cheese, Maine seafood platter, fish and chips, and more seasonal surf & turf options.
where to stay & more
STAY IN Old Wethersfield
Make a weekend of it…The Silas W. Robbins House Bed & Breakfast is an elegant grand Victorian home fully restored to welcome guests year-round. Its location is right in town and walkable to all the festive fun in the historic district. The inn and grounds make for a peaceful retreat after a day exploring Old Wethersfield.
MORE OLD WETHERSFIELD RESTAURANT OPTIONS
Aroma Bistro | A local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Indoor & outdoor seating is available. We love their breakfast selection. The Atlantic Tide is my favorite!
Village Pizza | A local favorite for a slice. Indoor & Outdoor seating is available. We always order their Old Town Greek with White Sauce when we want a pie. It’s so good!
Lenoci’s Italian Kitchen | Lunch spot with a mix of Italian options including soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizza and more. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
That’s your fall recs from an Old Wethersfield local. We love our town all year long, but I will say the fall really does shine here.