Our Top 10 Lists
of fun things to do in
The Last Green Valley
SPRING - SUMMER
#1 Astronomy/Night Sky Views & Scenic Overlooks/Views
The horizons of The Last Green Valley serve up a constellation of fun things to do and see whether the sun is coming up or going down.
- Look, listen and learn with TLGV Rangers Geoff & Kim during their Dark Sky programs!
- UConn’s Horsebarn Hill offers 2 stunning views, from forests & animals to bustling college life from atop the hill!
- Borrow a telescope! Southbridge’s Jacob Edwards, Dudley’s Pearle, & Webster’s Corbin libraries all have telescopes and materials to lend!
- Get lulled by the photogenic Cargill Falls in Putnam!
- Dally in peace & tranquility on the Roseland Park gazebo at the end of the dock!
- Step out into your own back yard – look up into the dark night!
- Take an eye-opening, star-filled night hike with Friends of Sturbridge Trails (FrOST)!
- Wolf Rock Nature Preserve, Mansfield’s most spectacular landmark. will have you howling with delight!
- Follow in Edwin Way Teale’s footsteps under a guided full moon hike at Trail Wood!
- Goodwin Forest’s sunsets include reflections on Pine Acres Lake!
#2 Camping
Connect to nature in The Last Green Valley while pitching a tent or watching for bats by the campfire, just a few fun things to do while camping.
- Hot dog cooking family time at Charlie Brown Campground along the Natchaug River!
- Buffumville Lake offers island primitive camping!
- Getting away was never so close. Connecticut Camping has all your choices!
- Wooded camp sites beckon you at Hopeville Pond State Park!
- Modern facilities in a natural forest at Scotland’s Highland Campground!
- Yurt it up at Wells State Park in!
- Stay tuned as NOW works to offer youth camping!
- Experience wonder with youth camping at the Quaddick State Forest!
- WT4H is Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp, a youth summer camp!
- Tranquility in a managed forest. Escape to Wallis Cove Cabins!
#3 Farms/Orchards/Nurseries
Gobble up fun as you mooooove around The Last Green Valley visiting our farms with such a variety or products, events and tons of fun things to do.
- Gobble up some local delights at Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm!
- Woodstock Sustainable Farm works their land responsibly. Attend an event to enjoy!
- Alpaca shearing contest! Morning Beckons Farm invites you to come & cheer!
- CSA! Sign up for fresh picked weekly with Palazzi Orchard!
- Smiling pansy faces are just the beginning of irresistible at Hart’s Greenhouses!
- Farm Camp fun awaits the kiddos at Devon Point Farm!
- Sink your teeth into fresh & local Blackmer Farm Best corn EVER!
- Take a tour; meet a cow at one of The Farmer’s Cow farms!
- Get blue fingers picking fresh berries at Lapsley Orchard!
- Hit multiple farms in one stop at the Northeast CT Farmers Market!
#4 Hiking/Walking/Strolling
For all levels of abilities, there are fun things to do and find along the trails in The Last Green Valley.
- Spring Outdoors from March 20 through June 21 with tons of guided walks, paddles, events & more!
- Any of the 50 miles the Air Line Trail offers The Last Green Valley is worth stepping on!
- Bird watchers! Flock to Wyndham Land Trust’s Duck Marsh Preserve!
- Get to Goodwin Forest, in the midst of a rich trails region, with interesting programs to boot!
- Walk to the Wolf Den & sit on the Indian Chair as you enjoy Mashamoquet!
- Mount Misery is certainly not. These 3 miles in Pachaug is anything but misery and nothing but stunning!
- Strollers roll easily on the paved trail rolling along the rolling Quinebaug River in Thompson, Killingly & Putnam!
- Variety of trails & sites & maybe an opacum salamander to find in Opacum Woods!
- Plan to cover all 17.6 miles of the Natchaug Trail this year!
- Two Sisters Tract is a hidden treasure to trek in Chaplin, right along the Air Line Trail!
#5 Museums/Historic Sites
History is our story in The Last Green Valley and the revolutionary tales, places & events offer plenty of fun things to do as we step back in time.
- Reenact history during a living history event at the Ashbel Woodward Museum!
- March to Lebanon’s Revolutionary Green, topping off your visit to the Lebanon Historical Society Museum!
- Get your NPS passport stamped & learn about the Bowen family’s “Pink House” at Roseland Cottage!
- Walk the remains of the Huguenot Fort Site in Oxford.
- Thompson Historical Society has much information to share, online and during events!
- Dig up your family roots with the help of Killingly Historical & Genealogical Society!
- Huntington Homestead offers up a look at the home of who many consider the first president of the USA, with family-friendly program, too!
- Get the whole story of Clara Barton’s work. It is inspiring & amazing!
- CT’s state hero, Nathan Hale also hails from The Last Green Valley. Visit the Hale Homestead and eat fresh at the Coventry Farmers Market held there each Sunday!
- Revolutionary stories come out of the Jonathan Trumbull Jr. House Museum!
#6 Nonprofits
The Last Green Valley is thankful to have strong nonprofit partners offering fun things to do as they do good work.
- Shop the Arc Emporium and donate your refundables at their Redemption Center!
- Hitchcock Free Academy is something amazing in Brimfield!
- Ask a boy scout to help you cross a street!
- Love water? Paddle over & join up with the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership!
- Help provide a hand up in our community with TEEG!
- Clean up the Norwich streets with Reliance Health & their partners!
- Be a fireman at the Huguenot Firefighter’s Museum!
- Train to tackle the trail for QVCC Foundation!
- Help every kid enjoy fitness & nutrition with Northeast Opportunities for Wellness!
- Girl Scouting is alive and well in The Last Green Valley!
#7 Paddling
Rowing your boat and paddling along the rivers in The Last Green Valley, not only fun things to do, but offer a scenic and different point of view.
- Peaceful paddles await you on Morse Pond at the Claire Birtz Sanctuary!
- Seclusion & wildlife is all yours on the French River at Leovich Landing!
- Rent first to see what kayak suits you best at Lakeview Marine!
- Take a kayak journey along the Norwich Harbor Water Trail!
- The Quinebaug River National Recreation Water Trail calls you to 45 miles of paddling from Holland, MA to Canterbury, CT!
- Easy in, easy out, scenic & peaceful. Old Killingly Pond has that!
- Class II + rapids, rocks, strainers are for experts only on the Willi River from Heron Cove to Merrow Meadow!
- 3 ponds to choose in Bigelow Hollow, walk in to isolated Breakneck Pond to paddle in both MA & CT!
- The Shetucket River National Recreation Water Trail has lots of sections to explore in the 22 miles from Windham to Norwich.
- 125-acre Red Cedar Lake is calling from Lebanon!
#8 Retail-Arts/Antiques/Uniques
Finding a treasure or the perfect gift, for yourself of someone else, such fun things to do as you shop local in The Last Green Valley.
- Enter the gate – the Garden Gate Florist shop in Woodstock!
- Hop into the Frog Rock Rest Stop!
- Uncork your inner artist, surprise yourself and create brilliance at Artique!
- Shop local creations online with Semaki & Bird!
- Sip a cup o’ joe, pull up a chair, sit back & relax at Booklover’s Gourmet!
- Tunk City Revival – a collection of local handmade artistry & perfect gifts for everyone!
- Be stunned by the Sunshine Shop’s creations & healthy plants!
- Sturbridge has shopping treasures, old & new. Sturbridge Tourist Association can connect you!
- Hoot it up, shopping locally at the Hoot Gifts!
- Fresh & local shopping is a yummy experience at the Willimantic Food Co-op!
#9 Tastes/Sips
Modern day explorers in The Last Green Valley need to re-energize and dining out is another of the fun things to do whether you are starting or ending the day - or anytime in between.
- Mooove in to The Farmer’s Cow Calfe` to try the milk bar & more!
- To Bean or not to Bean? Always choose to Bean at the Vanilla Bean Café!
- Juice it up at Heirloom Food’s organic café!
- Dining. Events. Visit. Stay at the Publick House Historic Inn!
- Renee’s Working Girl Catering brings it to you – in delicious style!
- Vines, wines & pleasant times cultivated at Taylor Brooke Winery!
- Sip & taste locally in Willi Brew’s living landmark brew pub!
- Free books with every unique & yummy meal at the Traveler Restaurant!
- So much to do in Storrs. Refuel at Dog Lane Café. Come, sit, stay!
- Fine dining in a casual atmosphere found at 85 Main!
#10 Volunteer Opportunities
Raise your hand in The Last Green Valley and chip in where you can. Giving back is meaningful, makes a difference and offers more fun things to do while doing good.
- Rangers attend local town days, festivals & fairs!
- Cleanup your town!
- Water Quality Monitoring – make a difference!
- Attend an Acorn Adventure!
- Become a museum docent!
- Provide a presentation to a civic group!
- Assist a local nonprofit!
- Serve on a town committee, like a conservation commission!
- Join your town’s historical society & pitch in!
- Plan to offer & lead a Walktober!