Things To Do in the Farmington Valley

Connecticut's Best Attractions Are Minutes Away

Rich in early American history, full of New England charm, Connecticut attractions, and resplendent rural beauty, the region surrounding the Simsbury 1820 House in Simsbury, Connecticut offers year-round activities and an ever changing palette of seasonal vistas.

Autumn brings its beautiful fall foliage to this perfect leaf peeping New England destination. Winter finds snow-covered hills, roaring fires, sleigh rides, and skiing. Get a bird's-eye view of spring's riotous blooms from a hot air balloon. Spend a lazy summer afternoon tubing or kayaking on the peaceful Farmington River. Explore the area's early American history with visits to its quaint antique shops, many museums, historical homes, and other Connecticut attractions.

Whether you are looking for outdoor adventure, a romantic escape, family fun or a unique corporate retreat you'll find it all in this quintessential New England town. Simsbury is the perfect gateway to all attractions and things to do in Farmington Valley.

Riverdale Farms Shopping near The Simsbury Inn

Riverdale Farms Shopping

Riverdale Farms features many specialty shops, restaurants, personal and professional services, on the restored site of a 19th century farm.

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MGM Springfield resort casino near Simsbury 1820 House

MGM Springfield Casino

MGM Springfield resort casino encompasses a 251-room hotel with world-class amenities including a spa, pool and roof deck.

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The Pickin' Patch farms near 
Avon Old Farms Hotel

The Pickin' Patch

The Pickin' Patch is one of CT's top 10 oldest continually running farms. Over the years (more than 300 of them!)

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Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame near Farmington Inn and Suites

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame.

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Exterior view of Norman Rockwell Museum near Simsbury 1820 House

Norman Rockwell Museum

Significant collection of the artist's original work & memorabilia on display in his hometown.

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New Britain Museum of American Art  near the Simsbury Inn

New Britain Museum of American Art

The New Britain Museum of American Art is an art museum in New Britain, Connecticut.

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CT Trolley Museum near The Farmington Inn

CT Trolley Museum

The Connecticut Trolley Museum is the oldest incorporated museum dedicated to electric railroading in the United States, as it was founded in 1940.

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New England Air Museum near Avon Old Farms Hotel

New England Air Museum

The New England Air Museum is an aerospace museum located at Bradley International Airport.

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Connecticut Science Center near Simsbury 1820 House

Connecticut Science Center

Explore more than 165 hands-on, minds-on activities and exhibits in 10 galleries.

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Governor's Horse Guard near Farmington Inn and Suites

Governor's Horse Guard

The troop drills every Thursday evening at their headquarters at 280 Arch Road, just off West Avon Road in Avon.

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Phelps Tavern Museum and Homestead near Simsbury 1820 House

Phelps Tavern Museum and Homestead

Visitors can explore the interaction of the European settlers and the indigenous native-American people.

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International Skating Center near The Simsbury Inn

International Skating Center

The International Skating Center of Connecticut is a world class, twin-rink training facility located in Simsbury, Connecticut.

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Aerial view of Xfinity Theatre near Avon Old Farms Hotel

Xfinity Theatre

Xfinity Theatre is an outdoor/indoor amphitheatre located in Hartford, Connecticut, owned by Live Nation.

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Lake Compounce near Simsbury 1820 House

Lake Compounce

Opened in 1846, it is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States.

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Exterior view of Hill-Stead Museum 
near Avon Old Farms Hotel

Hill-Stead Museum

The Hill–Stead Museum is a Colonial Revival house and art museum set on a large estate.

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Interior view of Wadsworth Atheneum near Simsbury 1820 House

Wadsworth Atheneum

The Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum in Hartford, Connecticut.

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Exterior view of Mark Twain House near Avon Old Farms Hotel

Mark Twain House

The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, was the home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens and his family from 1874 to 1891.

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Harriet Beecher Stowe House near Farmington Inn and Suites

Harriet Beecher Stowe House

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House is a historic house museum and National Historic Landmark at 73 Forest Street in Hartford, Connecticut.

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The Shoppes at Farmington Valley near Simsbury 1820 House

The Shoppes at Farmington Valley

The Shoppes at Farmington Valley is an open-air lifestyle shopping destination that offers an enticing selection of more than 45 specialty stores and unique eateries.

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Huck Finn Adventures near Avon Old Farms Hotel

Huck Finn Adventures

Since 1983, Huck Finn Adventures has rented canoes and kayaks on the Farmington River in Avon and Simsbury, Connecticut, as well as on the Park River in Hartford.

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The Shoppes at Farmington Valley near Simsbury 1820 House

Blue Back Square

Blue Back Square in West Hartford is your source for shopping, dining, and entertainment for families and friends.

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Ski Sundown near Farmington Inn and Suites

Ski Sundown

Ski Sundown is a ski area located in New Hartford, Connecticut.

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Aerial view of Uconn Medical Center 
near Avon Old Farms Hotel

Uconn Medical Center

UConn Health is the branch of the University of Connecticut that oversees clinical care, advanced biomedical research, and academic education in medicine.

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Exterior view of Westfarms Mall near The Simsbury Inn

Westfarms Mall

Westfarms Mall is an upscale shopping mall located seven miles southwest of Hartford, Connecticut.

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Talcott Mountain State Park near Simsbury 1820 House

Talcott Mountain State Park

Talcott Mountain State Park is a 574-acre public recreation area located on Talcott Mountain in the towns of Avon, Bloomfield, and Simsbury, Connecticut.

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Elizabeth Park near Farmington Inn and Suites

Elizabeth Park

Elizabeth Park offers just over one hundred acres of formal gardens, green space, recreational facilities, walking loops, and the Pond House Café.

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National Iwo Jima Memorial 
near Avon Old Farms Hotel

National Iwo Jima Memorial

The US National Iwo Jima Memorial is a memorial erected by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, Inc. of Newington, Connecticut.

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