Down on the Farm

For over 150 years, the Jones family has been working the land on Jones Family Farms in Shelton. It’s a place where you can pick your own produce, take in a children’s farm education program, sign up for a cooking class and even take home a bottle or two of Jones Winery wine, named several times as Best of Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine.

It’s one thing to see horses in a pasture, but it’s quite another to get up in the saddle and take one out for a ride. You can do this at Lee’s Riding Stable in Litchfield. Well-mannered trail horses and experienced guides are available for riders age 7 and up. And there are ponies on hand for younger horse lovers. Afterwards, continue north to the Avon/Simsbury area.

An interesting overnight alternative would be to spend a couple of days at Flamig Farm in Simsbury, which bills itself as “New England’s Premier Agritainment Destination.” Flamig Farm offers hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo and other family-friendly activities.

For a wonderful close-up view of farm animals, get out to the University of Connecticut’s Animal Barns in Storrs. Visitors are welcome to explore the barns and learn about the dairy cows, sheep, beef cattle, horses and poultry kept there (UConn began its life as an agricultural school). 

And after you’ve checked out the animal activity, head over to the UConn Dairy Bar for a taste what many believe to be the best ice cream in the state. You’ll want to thank the cows you just saw for providing the cream.