We had so much fun visiting Kent, Connecticut, for the first time. Everyone in town was so friendly and eager to speak with us. The food was great, our lodgings were exquisitely comfortable, and the area’s natural beauty is something I would’ve traveled much farther to see. I’ve not seen much written about Kent. Still, it was a wonderful weekend getaway, and I think it would be the perfect destination for bachelor or bachelorette parties, family vacations, romantic getaways, and everything in between. Though it’s a small town, it’s packed with many great things to eat, see, and do, and I hope this Kent, Connecticut, Luxury Travel Guide inspires you to visit!
How to Get to and Around Kent
We drove there as we live in New England. The nearest airport is the Newburgh (SWF) Airport, 36 miles away. The downtown area is very walkable, but you’ll need a car to reach the far-flung areas. Biking could also work if you’re up for a ride!
Best Time to Visit
We visited in the summertime, and it was beautiful. Everything was lush, green, and in full bloom. There was a used book sale downtown, live music outdoors, a farmer’s market happening, and great shopping, plenty of hiking, parks, walking, and bike trails. Spring would be just as lovely, but we haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit during my favorite season.
I’d love to visit in autumn when the valley is filled with colorful leaves and the mountainside erupts in oranges, reds, and golden hues. I think the chilly air and crisp atmosphere would make for the ultimate cozy getaway.
Winter would also be a lovely time to visit, particularly if you aim to curl up inside with a nice book, a hot mug of tea or coffee from a local coffee shop, and read a great book.
Where to Stay
We stayed at The Victorian. It’s a modernized inn that is part of The Kent Collection. In their Wedding Suite, we had a huge clawfoot bathtub, a walk-in shower, a fireplace, a lounge, full vanity, an armoire, and all the extras one would expect from an elegant inn. Plus, we had full access to the home’s common areas, including its fully stocked kitchen, a library and game room, sitting areas, and dining spaces. There are even private dining areas and great views of the mountains.
Read the full review here.
Where to Eat
We had an excellent meal at Kingsley Tavern downtown. Everything from the food and service to the views and vibes was great!
We ate at the Villager Restaurant for breakfast, and I was amazed at how much food they gave us! If you like breakfast, you’ll like The Villager Restaurant.
We didn’t manage to get a table at Arethusa al Tuvolo, but that won’t stop us from trying! They book out weeks in advance, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to eat at this farm-to-table, locally sourced-eatery.
Community Table is another restaurant that came highly recommended. I recommend booking your spot at least a week in advance here, as it books up very quickly!
The Garden Room at Mayflower Inn & Spa is another great restaurant that sources all of its food from around Connecticut.
Swyft, located downtown, offers woodfired pizza and other great seasonal fare.
I love that so many restaurants in the area are so quick to support not only each other but their local farmers and the community at large. I think dining like this is the only way that we’ll ever get our environment back on track. Eating locally sourced foods reduces the carbon footprint of our meals, keeps money circulating locally, and shows support to those in our communities. Plus, it allows us to experience and be nourished by the earth around us. Or, if you’re visiting, you get to indulge in the terroir of an area to truly get to know it!
What to Do In & Around Kent
One of our favorite things was visiting Kent Falls State Park and hiking up to the top of the waterfalls. This beautiful state park has not only swollen and cascading waterfalls thanks to recent heavy rains at the time of our visit but a charming covered bridge, beautiful views, and plenty of spots to picnic and relax.
Walking downtown is a great way to spend an afternoon. There are so many charming shops featuring goods from local artisans worldwide. My favorite places to shop were Terston, Silver & Sage Trading, House of Books, The Covered Wagon Country Store, and Kent Greenhouse and Gardens shop. They have a great selection of unique things, plus the garden shop was full of uncommon houseplants at a great price.
There are several covered bridges in the area, so visiting those and photographing, painting, or simply enjoying them is another great thing to do in the area. Kent Falls State Park has a red covered bridge, and Bulls Covered Bridge is lovely too.
There’s lots of great hiking and walking paths in town and up into the mountains too!
Overall, we had an amazing time here and enjoyed going somewhere that wasn’t as fast paced as everywhere else we’ve gone this year. There wasn’t a thing I’d change about our time spent in Kent, CT, and we’re already looking forward to making a return visit.
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