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 Avenuehttps://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.
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Collinsville Canoe & Kayak
41 Bridge StAwesome 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.
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Heublein Tower
1 Summit DriveGreat 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).
Riverfront Miniature Golf
218 River RdGreat ice cream, pretty view of the river
Great spot for all ages. A long time family fave. You can rent their gear.
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Ski Sundown
126 Ratlum RdGreat spot for all ages. A long time family fave. You can rent their gear.
Great local hiking, fishing, swimming, cross county ski, mountain biking.
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Winding Trails
Winding Trails DriveGreat local hiking, fishing, swimming, cross county ski, mountain biking.
Great hiking for all ages, good biking spots and multiple bodies of water
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West Hartford Reservoir
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
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Connecticut Wine Trail
433 S Main StIf 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
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Antiques on the Farmington
10 Depot StGreat 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 :-)
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Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain RdGorgeous 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/
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Farmington River Trail
Farmington River TrailGreat 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.
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West Hartford
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
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Centro Scienze del Connecticut
250 Columbus BlvdGreat family museum and exhibits, can make an afternoon of it connected with food or an event in downtown hartford
Food scene
ABC Pizza & Restaurant
9 River StGreat traditional pizza, lovely family owners. https://myabcpizzacanton.com/
America The Beautiful Ice Cream
100 B Main StreetGreat ice cream, super cute store and area in collinsville
avert Brasserie
35a LaSalle RdModern French, great atmosphere
Barcelona Wine Bar
971 Farmington AveAwesome tapas
They don’t take reservations, but excellent menu, great lunch spot
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bartaco
971 Farmington AveThey 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 StreetFabulous 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 TurnpikeFabulous 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 AveGreat for lunch and dinner. Nice outdoor seating and main dining atmosphere. Great food bowls. Gluten free friendly.
Cake Gypsy
35 East Main StreetGreat local bakery
Excellent pizza. Try the white pie, fat Italian and mashed pies.
https://chunkytomato.com/
Chunky Tomato
897 Farmington AvenueExcellent 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 AveExcellent Italian, great staff https://www.cuginosrestaurantfarmington.com/
Fork and Fire
838 Farmington AveCute 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 StExcellent steak house. Hard to beat Avon Prime (see food shopping) except they make it for you, atmosphere and location are really nice.
Firefly Hollow Brewing
139 Center St
J Foster Ice Cream
4 Bailey RoadGreat 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/
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Lasalle Market and Deli
104 Main StLovely 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/
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Lisa’s Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub
3 Depot StGreat 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 RdGood pizza, great eggplant fries, 4 stars if you are ok with a wait.
https://www.mamalukesct.com/
Max Burger
124 LaSalle RdGreat burgers, atmosphere
Really nice Italian. Great garlic bread. Try the penne abbranzante. . https://maxamiaristorante.com/
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Max a Mia
70 E Main StReally nice Italian. Great garlic bread. Try the penne abbranzante. . https://maxamiaristorante.com/
Max's Oyster Bar
964 Farmington AveExcellent seafood and atmosphere
Naples Pizza
838 Farmington AveExcellent new haven style pizza https://www.naplespizza.net/
Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe
345 Colt HighwayThe original is in Waterbury CT, great authentic grinders.
Plan B Burger Bar - Simsbury
4 Railroad StGreat burgers, atmosphere and beer menu
Plan B Burger Bar - West Hartford
138 Park RdPure Love Bakery
136 Simsbury RdExcellent 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 AveCute place, nice alternative to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts . https://www.rebeldogcoffeeco.com/
Savoy Pizzeria & Craft Bar
32 LaSalle RdExcellent pizza, bar, atmosphere
Taste by Spellbound
220 W Main StIf you have a sweet tooth, you simply must visit! https://www.tbspellbound.com/
Treva
980 Farmington AveGreat 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
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Wood-n-Tap
1593 Farmington AvenueExcellent 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/
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Yume Hibachi Steak and Sushi
45 S Main StExcellent sushi and hibachi. Great family and date nights. Right down the street. http://yume-ct.com/
Shopping
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike
Avon Marketplace
380 W Main StWestfarms
500 New Britain AveFood 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 StSimply 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/
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Highland Park Market
204 Main StExcellent 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
Super Stop & Shop
1799 Farmington AveThe basics, but close by
Several in the area, Avon and West Hartford are closest
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Whole Foods Market
50 Raymond RdSeveral 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 RoadGreat 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 StGreat spot, lots of options for small groups or parties, decent food, nice staff, great for families or adults
Veterans Memorial Ice Rink
56 Buena Vista RdGreat local rink
West Hartford Yoga
23 Brook StFavorite local yoga studio. Excellent teachers and a great class schedule.