Volunteers from the John J. McCarthy Observatory on Danbury Road in New Milford have built a scale model solar system that spans six miles. Each bronze planet is on a base accompanied by an informational sign and brass symbol. Children may pick up a passport at the New Milford Library that contains directions for locating the planets, pages for rubbings of the symbols, and more information about the planets. After completing the 13 rubbings, explorers can return to the library for a solar system explorer stamp. It’s a great family activity that takes about two hours to complete. Also, on the second Saturday of each month the observatory hosts open house when visitors can use telescopes and listen to a presentation. The observatory is located on the campus of New Milford High School. Phone: 860-354-1595.

Waterfall and a Covered Bridge Create a Dreamy Walk

Southford Falls State Park in Oxford offers all the pleasures of a wooded, hilly New England park with the addition of two crown jewels: a wonderful waterfall and an authentic covered bridge. The waters of Papermill Pond tumble down Southford Falls then continue through the woods as Eightmile Brook. The Larkin Bridle Trail takes walkers over the pond and along the banks of the brook. A beautiful walk in all seasons.

Which Way to the Brass Ring?

Whether you love art, American history, woodcraft, or the beauty and artistry of the carousel, the Carousel Museum of New England of Bristol is a treat. The museum contains one of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country. Visitors can experience the Golden Age of the Carousel by browsing on their own or with the help of tour guides who describe the colorful history of this piece of America's folk art history. Open daily. Phone: 860-585-5411.

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Glory of Art Deco Dazzles at Warner Theatre

In 2002, thousands of people gathered celebrate the gala reopening of Torrington’s Warner Theatre.The lobby’s eye-popping art deco designs, murals, rich mahogany, and vintage etched glass chandeliers are gorgeous, just as when the theater opened in 1931. The auditorium was returned to its gilded splendor, featuring new seats, velvet draperies, a ceiling constellation surrounding a giant star chandelier. The 2010 season includes Momix Remix, Gregg Allman, Lisa Lampanelli, Romeo et Juliette, Defending the Caveman, Don Quixote, and Don Carlo. For top-notch live entertainment, don’t miss a trip to the Warner. Phone: 860-489-7180.

Handy Signs Point to the State's Blooming Wineries

Connecticut’s mild climate makes the state a fruitful place for growing grapes, and the state’s wine-making industry has bloomed in the past three decades. A delightful way to sample Connecticut vintages is to take a drive along the Connecticut Wine Trail , a route that bypasses 15 vineyards (and some beautiful countryside). The trail consists of two sections, in the eastern and the western parts of the state. Blue highway signs mark the trail and the state produces a colorful brochure. Connecticut's wineries produce a wide variety of wines, ciders, and fruit wines. All the wineries have tasting rooms and all offer at least one tour daily. Many host festive special events. Call ahead for tour schedules. Phone: 860-267-1399.

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All Aboard at the Thomaston Station

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The Railroad Museum of New England on East Main Street in Thomaston tells the story of the region's rich railroad heritage. The museum has an extensive collection of New England rolling stock, including locomotives of all types, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses, and artifacts dating from the 1840s to the present, from tickets to signal towers. A major restoration of the Thomaston Station is underway. The restoration project includes the station building, display tracks, an operating control tower, pedestrian walks, parking lots, and a picnic area.
From late May to October, the museum offers train rides restored vintage 1920s coaches. Rides begin at the historic 1881 Thomaston Station, travel south along the banks of the Naugatuck River, pass through the Mattatuck Forest, pass the massive brass mills of Waterville, and skirt the face of the spectacular Thomaston Dam, high above the spillway and the river valley below. Be sure to visit the gift shop at the station before or after your railroad trip. Phone: 860-283-7245.

Alpaca, Not Llama

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Take a break from the hectic world around you with a visit to the gently rolling countryside of western Connecticut and a world-class alpaca farm in Watertown. Learn why the curious gentle alpaca's fiber is comparable only to cashmere. You'll relax and maybe laugh a bit at the antics of these wonderful animals. As you tour South Wind Farms, get to know the alpaca family, and peruse the many different types of yarn and other alpaca products the farm has to offer. From late fall until the Christmas holidays, you can purchase alpaca clothing, teddy bears, and gift items on the farm. Alpaca yarn, in 15 natural, undyed colors and 70 dyed colors, is for sale throughout the year. South Wind Farms welcomes visitors, but please call ahead to schedule. Phone: 860-274-9001.

American Indian Museum Presents
Authentic Native History

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Located just off Route 199 in the town of Washington, the Institute for American Indian Studies museum and educational center focuses on the indigenous peoples of northwestern Connecticut, the Woodland Indians of New England. Changing exhibits highlight Native American culture from across America, while permanent exhibits focus on American Indian living traditions of the northeast. Outdoor exhibits include a replicated Algonkian Village and simulated archeological site. Spend the afternoon and enjoy four hiking trails, healing plants garden and picnic areas. The Museum Gift Shop offers the best in Native American jewelry, crafts, pottery, books and more. Open year-round. Phone: 860-868-0518.

Antique Victorian Sleighs Wait
to Whisk You Through the Woods

The pretty fields and towns of the Litchfield region could have been designed for winter sleigh rides, complete with lap robes, harness bells, and a top-hatted driver. Wood Acres Farm in Terryville has 25 acres of wooded trails, sleighs, and teams of draft horses to take you over the river and through the woods. Particularly for Valentine’s season, couples may want to snuggle under a nice warm blanket and enjoy a ride on a private horse-drawn Victorian sleigh. For details and reservations, call 860-583-8670. Also, in the town of Norfolk, Loon Meadow Farm hosts rides on a two-passenger antique surrey sleigh, drawn by a single horse or a larger sleigh drawn by two horses for up to 10 adults. A steaming cup of hot mulled cider awaits you at the end of the ride. Phone: 860-542-6085.

Awesome Setting; Cool Tunes

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Built in 1883 in picturesque Norfolk in northwest Connecticut, Infinity Hall, on Route 44 in the center of town, is an intimate music, dining and entertainment destination. The music hall seats 300, ensuring that each seat provides front row entertainment. Newly renovated, the hall hosts more than 200 music and entertainment shows by quality national and regional artists annually. Infinity Bistro, the music-themed restaurant and bar opening May 1, 2009, will serve gourmet delights and spirits and also feature the best local and regional music acts around. In addition to popular music shows of many genres, both the music hall and bistro offer other forms of entertainment including comedy, magic, poetry slams, and shows for youngsters. Recent performers include Richie Havens, Livingston Taylor, Leon Russell & Bo Bice. Phone: 860-542-5531.

Connecticut Art Trail Reveals
Contemporary Work in Litchfield

Here is a project that can keep you busy year-round: explore the 15 world-class museums and historic sites that comprise the Connecticut Art Trail. The trail meanders among historic sites, bucolic farms, art studios and artists' houses to grand and modern art museums in vibrant downtowns. Discover diverse, quality collections rich in history and heritage, including European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art and contemporary culture. The trail includes a feature called Trail Getaways that presents recommended itineraries along with helpful suggestions for nearby places to visit and dine. In the Litchfield region, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield and Mattatuck Museum Arts and History Center in Waterbury.

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Litchfield Hills Winter Wine Trail

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Do you drink wine only in the summer? Then why should you taste wine only in the summer? Connecticut vineyards are welcoming the public to find out what they have to offer in the winter, with a bit of competitive spirit and prizes, to boot. Visit the six participating wineries on the Litchfield Hills Winter Wine Trail between December 1, 2009, and March 15, 2010, and you will be entered into a grand prize drawing. Participating wineries are Connecticut Valley Winery at 1480 Litchfield Turnpike and Jerram Winery at 535 Town Hill Road, both in New Hartford; Haight-Brown Vineyard at 29 Chestnut Hill Road in Litchfield; Hopkins Vineyard at 25 Hopkins Road in New Preston; Miranda Vineyard at 42 Ives Road in Goshen and Sunset Meadow Vineyards at 599 Old Middle Street, both in Goshen. Grand prize is an overnight stay at a Litchfield County Inn. Information: Tina A Torizzo, 860-307-5426.

Lourdes in Litchfield

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Inspired by the rolling countryside of western Connecticut and its similarity to that of Lourdes, France, a group of Catholic seminary students in 1958 constructed in Litchfield a re-creation of the grotto in France where a young girl named Bernadette met an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858. Lourdes in Litchfield , a mission of the Montfort Missionaries, welcomes the public for quiet reflection, prayer, and sacraments. People are welcome to visit the property and Montfort House any time of the year; outdoor Mass in the grotto is celebrated beginning May 1. It is a beautiful, prayerful place that the missionaries like to think of as a cathedral without walls. Phone: 860-567-1041.

Peaceful Corner of Connecticut
Is a Hotbed for Great Antiques

The Litchfield region is a magnet for antiques and the people who cherish them. Here is just a sampling of places to visit on an antique hunt through Litchfield: Abrash Galleries, Rugs & Antiquities in Woodbury, with a collection of Persian, Indian, Chinese and Turkish rugs; Bittersweet Shop in Gaylordsville, displaying furniture both country and formal, paintings, and quilts in many colors and patterns; Bradford House Antiques and Lawrence Jeffrey Estate Jewelers in Litchfield, with antique, period and signed jewelry; Sigma Design Studio, Antiques and Jewelry in Norfolk, which specializes in antique silver; Charles M. Haver, Inc. in Roxbury, with Americana displayed in a restored carriage house. Check the website of the Northwest CT Convention & Visitors Bureau for many more fascinating antique shopping tips.

Pewter Says “New England”

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Few art objects say “New England” more than fine pewter items, and one place to find these is Woodbury Pewter Factory Outlet on Main Street in Woodbury. Woodbury Pewter pieces are available in both traditional and contemporary designs. If you are looking for a gift or a remembrance of your day in western Connecticut, this company creates decorative accessories; tabletop, baby, and holiday items; lamps; mugs; tankards; tableware; candlesticks, tea and coffee services, and hundreds of other items. Woodbury Pewter is all hand-crafted in Connecticut and made from the highest quality, lead-free pewter. The company offers a pewter making demonstration and also sells factory second pieces at reduced prices. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 800-648-2014.