There are plenty of things to do in picturesque Newtown. An excellent example of thoughtful town planning, the town has carefully guided its growth and maintained large tracts of open space as designated areas for passive and active recreation.
Parks
- Dickinson Memorial Park – Located along Elm Drive and the corner of Brushy Hill Road, Dickinson Memorial Park offers lush, green open spaces, making it the ideal place to relax and enjoy a wonderful day or quiet evening.
- Eichler’s Cove Marina – This small park at the end of Old Bridge Road is accessible through Berkshire Road and Great Quarter Road and offers a picnic area and small strip of beach overlooking Lake Zoar. The marina provides 76 boat slips and the only public access to Lake Zoar for Newtown residents.
- Lake Lillinonah Park – This park is a quiet, secluded area located at the very end of Hanover Road overlooking the lake. There are picnic tables and grills for use, as well as a boat launch. However, swimming is not allowed, and permits are required for vehicles entering the area and for launching boats on the lake.
- Newtown Park & Bark – Your beloved animal companions will enjoy spending time in this spacious two-acre park exclusively made for them and managed by a group of dedicated volunteers. This off-leash dog park features two fenced play areas that include a large general play space and a smaller separate section for smaller, older and more timid dogs. There are agility courses, plus plenty of trees, benches, and drinking water that provide a safe and comfortable environment for human and canine park visitors.
- Orchard Hill Nature Center – This secluded and scenic wooded area found within Huntingtown Road features two mills and a dam dating back to the early 1800s. The park is home to an unusually large number of plants and animal species, and there are also several hiking trails, benches, and ample parking.
- Rocky Glen State Park – This Connecticut State Park is a 46-acre scenic reserve located along Glen Road, and offers hiking trails that pass through its wooded areas, including the well-known Al’s Trail, a 10.7 mile trail that winds its way throughout Newtown.
- Treadwell Park – Named after former selectman Timothy Treadwell, this park located along Philo Curtis Road in Sandy Hook features a swimming pool complex, with an 8-lane, 25 yard pool, a diving pool, and a wading pool. Treadwell Park also has four tennis courts, two regulation-size soccer fields, a multipurpose baseball/softball field, basketball court, and children’s playgrounds.
It’s a great spot for picnics, with numerous picnic tables, charcoal grills, and a pavilion that you can rent for personal use. The park also features children’s playgrounds, a softball field, basketball courts, and five well-maintained tennis courts, as well as a skate park for skateboarding, in-line skating, and biking. Those who prefer to walk or jog can use the Dickinson Trail, which cuts through the park and loops around on the northern side.
Shopping
Shopping enthusiasts can visit Sand Hill Plaza, an open-air shopping center located along South Main Street. Featuring 163,525 sq. ft. of retail space, anchor stores include Super Stop & Shop and TJ Maxx, plus a variety of shops, services, and dining establishments.
Wineries
McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook is one of the stops on the Connecticut Wine Trail, a tour of 25 wineries in the region. The winery is located along Alberts Hill Road and comprises 160 acres that include 15 acres of vineyards, a 2,500-case winery, a sugar house, sugar maple trees, and even a 50-acre wildlife and bald eagle sanctuary.
The winery is open year round for wine tasting, tours and seminars. Visitors can spend the day exploring the many hiking trails, picnic on the lawns, or just unwind with a glass of wine on the garden terrace.
Find out more about living in Newtown here.